EPA bolsters listings for Ebola disinfectants

Washington – Health care workers now have access to more complete information on disinfectants approved for use against the Ebola virus, according to a report from the Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspector General.

EPA categorizes the disinfectants as “List L” products based on criteria from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A recent review by EPA OIG identified information gaps in EPA’s Antimicrobial Testing Program: Of 192 products listed, 29 had not been tested for effectiveness as part of the program, and eight products on List L had not been listed on the ATP page. 

EPA OIG issued two recommendations based on its findings:

• Modify EPA’s List L site to display the status of ATP testing with regard to all products listed
• Make sure that no List L products and their testing status are missing from the ATP list, and make updates if necessary

The assistant administrator for Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention has taken action to meet both recommendations, EPA OIG said. The first recommendation was addressed Dec. 8, and the second recommendation was addressed Jan. 7.