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Frequent Questions
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- What are the Environmental Protection Agency’s roles and responsibilities generally in an event involving highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza?
- What role does the Environmental Protection Agency have in disposal of carcasses infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza?
- What guidance does the Environmental Protection Agency provide related to disposal of carcasses infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza?
- Does the Environmental Protection Agency consider bird carcasses infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza to be hazardous waste and would hazardous waste permits be needed for disposal?
- Does the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have concerns about highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza contaminating or spreading to air or water? What are some disposal options that EPA would recommend to minimize such concerns?
- What does the Environmental Protection Agency know about the persistence of AI virus in environmental media?
- Does the Environmental Protection Agency believe that highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus can contaminate drinking-water sources?
- According to the Environmental Protection Agency, what are the environmental considerations of various carcass disposal options?
- What are the Environmental Protection Agency’s roles and responsibilities in the decontamination of poultry facilities and related farm equipment if they are contaminated with highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus?
- Are there registered disinfectants that can be used to kill highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus and where may these products be used?
- What assurance does the Environmental Protection Agency have that products registered for disinfection of the avian influenza virus will be effective against the highly pathogenic H5N1 subtype of the avian influenza virus?
- What information does the Environmental Protection Agency require to support registration of disinfectant products?
- Will there be sufficient supplies of the registered disinfectant products for poultry producers and others who may be directly involved in disinfecting poultry farms and controlling the spread of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus?
- Does the Environmental Protection Agency recommend the use of certain disinfectant chemicals or products over others for inactivating highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus?
- Does the Environmental Protection Agency have any authority to permit the use of disinfectant products that are currently unapproved or unregistered?
- May disinfectant products be used on poultry litter or as a dampening agent for dust abatement?
- Do outdoor environmental areas need to be decontaminated using disinfectants?
- Will used disinfectant solutions need to be collected after use?
- Is the Environmental Protection Agency working with other government agencies and industry to address preparedness, disinfection, disposal, and other important issues?
- Which Federal agency oversees carcass disposal?
- Do other Federal agencies play a role in carcass disposal?
- Approximately how many bird carcasses are routinely disposed of in the United States on an annual basis and how do health considerations influence disposal decisions?
- Can humans get highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus from the environment?
What are the Environmental Protection Agency’s roles and responsibilities generally in an event involving highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza?
In the event of a highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza (HPAI H5N1) outbreak, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would support the U.S. Department of Agriculture if animals were infected or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services if humans were infected. As a cooperating agency EPA has two primary responsibilities:
- approving the sale and use of disinfectants and other pesticides for decontamination and control of pathogens, or other pests, on crops or on environmental surfaces; and
- providing technical assistance on waste disposal options and related environmental and health concerns, as well as measures to protect the environment from potential contamination from the disposal of diseased animal carcasses and infected plant material.
Regarding approval of disinfectants and other pesticides, it is important to note that in addition to registering (licensing) products for normal sale and distribution, EPA may grant exemptions (temporary approvals) if certain emergency conditions exist.
Regarding waste handling, it is important to note that state/local governments would determine whether a contaminated animal, crop, or food product should be disposed of in municipal solid waste landfills, hazardous waste, or medical waste facilities. EPA sets minimum criteria for these landfills, but State/local governments implement and enforce their own municipal solid waste programs.
What role does the Environmental Protection Agency have in disposal of carcasses infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza?
The Environmental Protection Agency supports the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), and other federal, state, and local partners. EPA is not a lead agency in carcass disposal but, if requested, can provide technical assistance and guidance on carcass disposal options. In addition, EPA is the Water Sector Lead for the federal government and can provide guidance and communications to water and wastewater owners and operators to help response or recovery efforts in the event of an incident.
Historically, EPA has dealt with contaminated livestock only when responding to oil/hazmat spills in agricultural settings or when state solid waste agencies have requested technical assistance with landfill questions. However, USDA’s authority under the Animal Health Protection Act provides for the control and eradication of serious foreign animal disease agents; typically, these efforts include depopulation and disposal of affected or exposed livestock and of domestic commercial birds. Such actions might overlap with EPA’s various statutory authorities for protection of human health and the environment. For this reason, USDA requires consultation with state environmental authorities to minimize potential environmental effects associated with disposal of contaminated material (November, 2005 National Animal Health Emergency Management System (NAHEMS) Disposal Guidelines). State and local authorities also exist for disposal. State environmental authorities and EPA could also be consulted for technical assistance.
The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) coordinates the Federal government’s surveillance of wild migratory birds for the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza, coordinates Federal surveillance with related surveillance activities of state fish and wildlife agencies, and is the primary Federal department responsible for addressing avian influenza matters in wild, free-ranging bird species. Similar to its support role to USDA, if requested EPA can provide technical assistance and guidance on carcass disposal options.
What guidance does the Environmental Protection Agency provide related to disposal of carcasses infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza?
Several disposal options are technologically available; however, in agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends four preferred carcass disposal methods: composting, on-site burial, landfill disposal, and rendering. Other options might include combustion (such as incinerators) and alkaline hydrolysis (i.e., treatment technology using heat and chemicals).
The selection of a specific carcass disposal method during an incident depends on many factors. The primary factors are to limit the ability of the virus to survive and spread, to initiate disposal action within 24 hours, to limit transportation of the carcasses, and to address environmental impacts and/or public health concerns.
EPA’s Office of Solid Waste has issued guidance for state and local decision-makers that identifies critical considerations and potential disposal options for the management of domesticated birds (and associated fecal matter) potentially infected with highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus. This document builds upon previous guidance provided by USDA.
Does the Environmental Protection Agency consider bird carcasses infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza to be hazardous waste and would hazardous waste permits be needed for disposal?
Avian influenza-infected carcasses are not regulated hazardous waste under Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Subtitle C, and therefore hazardous waste permits are not required.
RCRA Subtitle C regulations potentially apply to solid wastes that are either specifically listed as hazardous or exhibit certain hazardous characteristics (i.e., ignitable, reactive, corrosive or toxic) and are not otherwise excluded from regulation. Virus-infected carcasses do not fall within either category of hazardous waste. Therefore, the RCRA hazardous waste regulatory regime does not apply to the management of infected bird carcasses.
Does the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have concerns about highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza contaminating or spreading to air or water? What are some disposal options that EPA would recommend to minimize such concerns?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) believes that safe disposal can be conducted with proper site-specific consideration. EPA is aware that transporting infected carcasses could increase the risk of contaminating other areas, including air and water; however, these risks can be minimized with proper biosecurity measures (or precautions taken to minimize the risk of introducing an infectious disease into an animal population).
Any burial or landfill plan will need to carefully consider the distance to water bodies and wells, the depth to the water table, soil type and depth, temperature, weather, odor potential, and impact to public, private or agricultural wells.
While there are no documented human cases of avian flu caused by exposure to highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza (HPAI H5N1)-contaminated water, it is important to be aware of the potential for such exposure. Potential disease transmission through natural waters, e.g., ponds where wild birds gather, is also one reason why physical separation (e.g., bio-security) of commercial flocks from wild birds is important. While HPAI H5N1 has not been found anywhere in the United States, as well as the rest of North America, or in Central and South America, it is possible that it could. However, a detection of HPAI H5N1 in birds would not signal the start of a human flu pandemic and a detection in wild birds would not mean HPAI H5N1 will reach commercial poultry.
Equipment design, operation, and maintenance are important considerations when evaluating incinerators and air curtain burners as disposal options. The design should provide sufficient temperature and residence time to destroy the materials being burned. Proper equipment operation could include preheating of primary or secondary burners to minimum temperatures prior to charging, and not exceeding the maximum suggested charging rates. Maintenance of the burners, burning chambers, fans, and instrumentation also is important to reduce air emissions and to completely destroy the waste. Air emissions from combustion of the waste, include particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxides and visible emissions; air emissions from the equipment will disperse over the general area surrounding the incinerators. Stack height, exhaust temperatures, and meteorology (e.g., wind speed and direction) are also important factors that affect dispersion.
Although open burning is not recommended by EPA due to air emissions, it is considered an option in some states. If open burning is considered, and allowed under state or local laws, prior consultation with the appropriate public health and environmental officials is strongly recommended. Previous experience in other countries that have utilized open burning to control a foreign animal disease outbreak suggests that it should only be considered as a last resort after all other disposal options have been considered. Any method to burn or incinerate the waste must comply with all applicable state and local air permitting requirements.
In addition to viral fate and transport, burial or landfilling will need to consider more traditional pollutant contamination such as ammonia from carcass degradation. These considerations are also identified in USDA disposal guidance.
What does the Environmental Protection Agency know about the persistence of AI virus in environmental media?
Avian influenza viruses, unlike spore-forming bacteria (e.g., anthrax), do not have the ability to withstand harsh environmental conditions, but can persist for months in cold environmental conditions. Physical factors such as heat, extremes of pH, UV irradiation, and dryness can also inactivate avian influenza viruses. However, it is important to note that under certain conditions the virus can survive for long periods of time in the environment and that much remains to be learned about H5N1 in environmental media.
Available studies suggest that many different physical and chemical conditions in the environment, including temperature, moisture, the presence of organic matter, sunlight, and chemicals, may affect the persistence or longevity of viruses. Other studies conducted to determine the potential of disinfectants to inactivate the avian influenza virus on environmental surfaces demonstrate that certain chemicals can significantly reduce the longevity of or completely kill the avian influenza virus on surfaces in the absence of organic matter such as manure or soil.
Does the Environmental Protection Agency believe that highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus can contaminate drinking-water sources?
While there are no documented human cases of avian influenza caused by exposure to highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza-contaminated water, it is important to be aware of the potential for such exposure. However, recent joint research conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency has demonstrated that free chlorine levels typically used in drinking water treatment are adequate to inactivate highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza viruses even at low temperatures such as 5 Centigrade.
Most public water systems using surface water additionally use filtration which is also effective in removing viruses from drinking water making it safe to drink. Some water utilities across the country disinfect but do not filter. These systems are monitored daily for effective levels of disinfectants within the treatment plant and throughout the distribution lines carrying water to homes and businesses. In general, if any surface water source becomes contaminated with an avian influenza virus, it is expected that adequately treated and maintained public water systems will remove and/or kill an avian influenza virus such that the drinking water delivered to customers will be safe to drink.
Water utilities also utilize groundwater that has not been disinfected as a source for drinking water. While some states require that all ground water-based public systems use disinfection as a treatment, this is not always the case. In addition, the vast majority of private wells which many rely on for their source of drinking water do not use disinfection. Some experts think it would be very hard for an avian influenza virus to contaminate most groundwater sources that have not been disinfected. Virus particles become diluted due to the large volume of groundwater they mix with, become inactivated with time, and are removed from groundwater flow during passage through subsurface groundwater systems.
In those cases where there is concern that any public or private well may have become contaminated, water suppliers and the public should contact their local and state drinking water and health experts to determine if precautions should be taken before the well water is used for drinking water.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, what are the environmental considerations of various carcass disposal options?
Information regarding environmental considerations of different disposal actions can be found in the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recently released guide on the “Disposal of Domestic Birds Infected by Avian Influenza—An Overview of Considerations and Options.”
It is important to note that disposal is a site-specific decision and that all disposal options should remain open for consideration, although they should be planned well in advance of a highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza outbreak. The differences in site specific conditions across the country influence the local choice of disposal options. Local decision-making must consider the ability of the avian influenza virus to survive under the conditions at that location, as well as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) goals to minimize carcass transport and to ensure expeditious disposal (within 24 hours), while ensuring that potentially contaminated carcasses are properly handled. These factors must be balanced with considerations of environmental impact, cost, disposal option capacity and availability, resource availability, time required for disposal, and any related transportation issue. Further information regarding environmental considerations of different disposal actions can be found in EPA’s disposal guide referenced above, as well as disposal guidance issued by USDA.
What are the Environmental Protection Agency’s roles and responsibilities in the decontamination of poultry facilities and related farm equipment if they are contaminated with highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has several primary roles and responsibilities in the decontamination of poultry facilities and related farm equipment.
Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs is responsible for registering (licensing) disinfectants and other pesticides for distribution, sale, and use in the United States. With regard to avian influenza, EPA has registered approximately 100 disinfectant products for poultry farmers to use to kill avian influenza A virus (the virus that includes highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus and other highly pathogenic strains) in poultry houses, on farm premises, on farm equipment, and in Federally-inspected meat and poultry processing plants. Where certain emergency conditions exist, EPA also can authorize the use of additional disinfectants that have not been through the FIFRA registration process. EPA also provides technical information about the use of these disinfectants to help other government entities (U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Department of the Interior, States, and Tribes), industry, and poultry producers make informed decisions about disinfection.
EPA’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM), which is responsible for reacting to national emergencies in accordance with the National Response Plan, is responsible for coordinating any technical/logistical support as needed to assist in responses to a highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza outbreak. For example, if USDA requests EPA assistance, OEM’s On–Scene Coordinators may be deployed to assist USDA in support of the decontamination of facilities and carcass disposal effort.
EPA’s National Homeland Security Research Center (NHSRC) is responsible for conducting research on issues related to the characteristics of avian influenza viruses (including highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza) and decontamination of surfaces. The NHSRC also conducts research on disposal issues related to avian influenza.
Are there registered disinfectants that can be used to kill highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus and where may these products be used?
EPA has registered approximately 100 disinfectant products, manufactured by 24 companies, for use against avian influenza A virus on hard non-porous surfaces in poultry houses, on farm premises, and on equipment. These products are formulated with one or more different active ingredient chemicals. Even though the labels of these products only specify avian influenza A virus, these products may legally be used against all subtypes of the virus including the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza subtype. It is the long-standing and widely accepted view of the scientific community that a disinfectant which is effective against one subtype of avian influenza A viruses will be effective against other subtypes of that virus because the physical and chemical properties of all influenza A viruses are similar; i.e. the differences in subtype and pathogenicity do not change the way disinfectants inactivate all influenza A viruses. These disinfectants are typically available at retail establishments that sell to the agricultural community. Visitors should look for an EPA registration number on the label to ensure the product has been properly registered.
For many years, poultry producers have used and continue to use these and other disinfectants and other practices as part of their routine cleaning and disinfection for raising poultry (e.g., chickens, turkeys, and quail for meat and eggs). In poultry houses and Federally-inspected meat and poultry processing plants producers use disinfectants to kill a variety of bacteria and viruses that have the potential to cause diseases in the birds and create economic losses for the producers.
Registered disinfectants may be used on the surfaces and on objects that are specified on each product’s label. For example, the label might list chicken houses, farm equipment (e.g., shovels, wheelbarrows, machinery, and trucks), and farm premises (e.g., interiors or exteriors of barns and other buildings). In the event of an avian influenza outbreak, any or all of these items and equipment brought in for decontamination and disposal could be treated. However, these disinfectant products are not labeled for use on dead birds; furthermore, such use is not expected to be effective or beneficial.
In general, EPA expects that decontamination activities would focus on the poultry farms in quarantined areas. Outdoor areas (such as soils and water bodies) and animal carcasses would not be treated with disinfectants. In previous outbreaks of the avian influenza A virus in the U.S., decontamination of poultry houses and Federally-inspected meat and poultry processing plants, vehicles entering or exiting farm property, and equipment in conjunction with carcass disposal were sufficient in controlling the outbreak and stopping the spread of the virus to other areas. Current State plans for response to and decontamination of a highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus outbreak focus on these successful methods used in the past.
What assurance does the Environmental Protection Agency have that products registered for disinfection of the avian influenza virus will be effective against the highly pathogenic H5N1 subtype of the avian influenza virus?
Avian influenza A virus and other similarly structured viruses are very susceptible to disinfectant chemicals and therefore easy to kill as compared with many other types of viruses and microorganisms. EPA has licensed or registered approximately 100 disinfectant products, which are formulated with one or more disinfectant chemicals (active ingredients) to kill avian influenza A viruses. The available scientific data appear to indicate that these disinfectant products will kill avian influenza A virus, including novel subtypes, when used in accordance with label directions.
While these products have not been specifically tested against highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza, it is the long-standing and widely accepted view of the scientific community that a disinfectant which is effective against one subtype of avian influenza A viruses will be effective against other subtypes of that virus because the physical and chemical properties of all influenza A viruses are similar; i.e. the differences in subtype and pathogenicity do not change the way disinfectants inactivate all influenza A viruses. Because H5N1 is a subtype of avian influenza A viruses, EPA believes that the available scientific data indicate that disinfectant products licensed or registered for use against other avian influenza A viruses will be effective against the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza A virus. Moreover, EPA’s National Homeland Security Research Center plans to conduct additional testing to confirm this hypothesis.
For example, recent testing by the Sandia National Laboratories demonstrated the efficacy of several disinfectants against a mammalian H1N1 subtype and an avian H5N8 subtype of avian influenza A viruses on hard surfaces (Sandia National Laboratories, “Inactivation of Various Influenza Strains to Model Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) with Various Disinfectant Chemistries,” December 2005). Such testing further supports the currently accepted view that a disinfectant capable of inactivating some influenza A viruses will be effective for inactivating other subtypes of influenza A viruses.
What information does the Environmental Protection Agency require to support registration of disinfectant products?
To support an application for the registration of a disinfectant product for sale and use in the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires companies to submit results from a suite of scientific studies, the product’s chemical composition and formulation, a draft product label with proposed use directions and restrictions, and appropriate application forms. The suite of required studies may include a battery of mammalian toxicity studies and occupational exposure studies to characterize potential risks to humans, environmental chemistry and toxicity studies to characterize potential risks to the environment from the labeled uses, and product efficacy (performance) studies to support the claims on the label.
EPA also requires registrants to submit draft product labels that describe safety precautions, use restrictions, and complete directions for use, including a description of the intended use sites, the types of surfaces or objects on which it may be applied, the required dilution of the product, the method of application, the contact time needed for the product to be effective, and the specific microorganisms (bacterial, viruses, or fungi) to be killed. EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs reviews the supporting scientific data and proposed product labeling to determine whether the product will be effective and can be used without causing unreasonable adverse effects to humans and the environment. If EPA can reach this conclusion and if other registration requirements are met, EPA registers the product which permits the sale, distribution, and use in the United States.
Will there be sufficient supplies of the registered disinfectant products for poultry producers and others who may be directly involved in disinfecting poultry farms and controlling the spread of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus?
Representatives of disinfectant product manufacturers have informed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that quantities and distribution of supplies of the registered disinfectant products for use against influenza A viruses should be sufficient in the event of an outbreak of the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus. EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs has registered approximately 100 disinfectant products for use on poultry farms and related facilities to inactivate avian influenza A viruses. The manufacturers of these products sell their products to the poultry industry, government agencies, and others for their use for routine poultry disease prevention and control. EPA expects these products would be available if an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus were detected at one or more poultry farms.
In the event that the supply of currently registered products becomes inadequate during an outbreak, EPA has the statutory authority to quickly approve the use of other registered or unregistered disinfectant products or chemicals for highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus if certain conditions are met. The labeling must also specify which personal protective equipment must be worn and any other safety precautions that must be followed to protect worker health and safety. EPA has authority under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (Sections 18 and 24 (c)) to give special consideration for approval of disinfectants to meet unique or emergency needs. For example, there are approximately 400 registered disinfectant products for use against human influenza A viruses. If necessary, some of these may be satisfactory to supplement the avian influenza disinfectant products. In addition, future research could demonstrate that other commonly available chemicals may be suitable for use by poultry producers to inactivate avian influenza A virus. While EPA has authority under FIFRA to protect workers from the dangers of pesticides and OSHA is preempted from regulating against these dangers, employers must still comply with any applicable OSHA standards to protect workers from other kinds of occupational hazards, including avian influenza.
Does the Environmental Protection Agency recommend the use of certain disinfectant chemicals or products over others for inactivating highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not recommend one disinfectant over another. Through its registration process, EPA considers all required and any other pertinent information in its registration decision. If the conditions and criteria of product safety and efficacy are met, EPA grants registration authorizing sale, distribution, and use of the product. All disinfectant products that EPA has registered for use against avian influenza A viruses have met EPA’s registration requirements and should not pose unreasonable adverse effects when used as directed.
Other government agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture, State departments of agriculture, veterinarians, and the poultry production industry, may make recommendations of disinfectant chemicals and specific products based on their own criteria.
Does the Environmental Protection Agency have any authority to permit the use of disinfectant products that are currently unapproved or unregistered?
In addition to its registration program for new disinfectant products, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has statutory authority under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to authorize the use of unregistered products or new uses of currently registered products if emergency conditions or special local needs exist to justify such action.
FIFRA Section 18 provides EPA authority to approve emergency exemptions to State or Federal agencies, while FIFRA Section 24(c) allows States to issue special local need registrations that are subject to EPA’s review. If the need arises for new uses or products that are not available through currently registered products, EPA may grant expedited review and approval for such uses and products under these authorities provided the conditions specified in FIFRA are met.
May disinfectant products be used on poultry litter or as a dampening agent for dust abatement?
Disinfectants are not registered for use on poultry litter or as a dampening or dust abatement agent and therefore may not legally be used in this manner. The Environmental Protection Agency has registered disinfectants for application to hard, non-porous and pre-cleaned surfaces of poultry houses, Federally-inspected meat and poultry processing plants, farm premises, and farm equipment to kill avian influenza viruses. Disinfectants are significantly less effective against avian influenza virus in the presence of organic matter, such as litter or manure. Therefore, as indicated on disinfectant product labels, all litter and organic material should be removed from the surface or article to be decontaminated before applying the disinfectant product.
Do outdoor environmental areas need to be decontaminated using disinfectants?
Based on currently available information about avian influenza viruses, recommendations by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, state government, and university experts, and past practices that successfully eliminated outbreaks of avian influenza in the United States, EPA does not anticipate a need to apply disinfectants to outdoor environmental areas (e.g. fields, vegetation, ponds and lakes) for the purpose of inactivating avian influenza viruses. Agricultural officials, including experienced veterinarians and other livestock specialists, have developed response plans for a potential outbreak of the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus. These plans call for quarantining affected areas, euthanizing poultry, disposing of carcasses, cleaning and disinfecting poultry houses, Federally-inspected meat and poultry processing plants and associated facilities, equipment, and vehicles, in accordance with use directions on disinfectant product labels, and taking other specified actions to effectively respond to an outbreak of avian influenza A virus. Furthermore, scientific studies demonstrate that organic matter, such as manure and soils, greatly diminishes the effectiveness of disinfectants. Current uses of registered disinfectants are limited to poultry houses, Federally-inspected meat and poultry processing plants, farm facilities, equipment, and vehicles. Expanding the permitted uses of registered disinfectants to include outdoor environmental areas is not expected to be beneficial and could possibly result in unreasonable adverse risks to the environment and public health. The actions called for by the response plans that allow for the natural attenuation or inactivation of the virus are expected to be adequate measures for mitigating an outbreak of avian influenza A virus in poultry.
Will used disinfectant solutions need to be collected after use?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not anticipate that used disinfectant solutions will need to be collected after use. However, EPA recommends that measures be taken to prevent runoff of disinfectants or rinsate into lakes, streams or ponds. Each product label should bear an environmental hazards statement that prohibits the user from discharging effluent containing the product into lakes, streams, ponds, estuaries, oceans or other waters. It is up to the user to determine what measures to take to meet the label’s requirements, based on the specific circumstances of the particular site.
Is the Environmental Protection Agency working with other government agencies and industry to address preparedness, disinfection, disposal, and other important issues?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is coordinating with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Center for Disease Control and the Food and Drug Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of the Interior, and other Federal agencies, as well as State agriculture departments on many fronts, including technical and operational issues (communications, disinfection, carcass disposal, and resource planning) and authorities for actions and decisions. EPA also continues to communicate with professional associations, the poultry industry, and the disinfectant product manufacturers.
EPA, for example, is collaborating with USDA on developing an additional protocol for testing the effectiveness of some common chemicals such as soap and detergents against avian influenza viruses on different types of surfaces. EPA is also working with State agencies on their response plans and is sharing technical information so that decision-makers are better informed. Finally, EPA’s National Homeland Security Research Center is conducting research to address some of the key issues pertaining to inactivation of H5N1 avian influenza virus.
Which Federal agency oversees carcass disposal?
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has primary Federal responsibility for carcass disposal-related issues involving commercial poultry flocks. The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) has primary Federal responsibility for disposal of wild bird carcasses. However, most disposal actions are handled at the state and local level and not by the Federal government.
The Animal Health Protection Act of 2002 provides the authority for the Secretary of USDA to “prevent, detect, control, and eradicate diseases such as highly pathogenic avian influenza, and pests of birds and other animals to protect animal health, the health and welfare of people, economic interests of livestock and related industries, the environment, and interstate and foreign commerce in birds, other animals, and other articles” (USDA/Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)/Veterinary Service Summary of the National Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Response Plan). This authority along with the National Response Plan, National Incident Management System, and the National Animal Health Emergency Management System designates APHIS as the lead for Federal oversight regarding disposal of carcasses contaminated with or infected by avian influenza viruses.
DOI is the Executive Agent for U.S. treaty obligations under several Migratory Bird Treaties, and other authorities. DOI regulatory responsibilities associated with migratory birds remain in effect throughout all phases of an avian influenza event. DOI is lead agency for all wild bird surveillance and the primary Federal department responsible for addressing avian influenza matters in wild, free-ranging bird species.
DOI is responsible for managing and protecting certain wildlife, including migratory birds, under various laws and treaties, and for protecting public health on more than 500 million acres of Federal land across the country. USDA and DOI coordinate on the Federal Government’s surveillance of wild migratory birds for the presence of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus with related surveillance activities of state fish and wildlife agencies, and provide leadership and support in the area of wildlife disease research and diagnostics to Federal and state natural resource agencies.
Do other Federal agencies play a role in carcass disposal?
In addition to the U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and the Interior (DOI), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has been involved in disposal of animal mortalities resulting from natural disasters. However, routine disposal of animal mortalities are typically handled by owners/operators and industry.
The USACE and USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service have handled mortalities resulting from natural disasters, such as hurricanes or floods. Also, as noted above, DOI has authority for wildlife carcass disposal.
The fact that there are so many different scenarios involving carcass disposal has brought to light the need for a field guide that outlines specific methods for environmentally-sound carcass disposal. Many documents currently are being written and evaluated for their potential to provide consistency on carcass disposal decisions. To assist in this area EPA recently released a guide “Disposal of Domestic Birds Infected by Avian Influenza—An Overview of Considerations and Options” on the environmental considerations of different disposal actions. This guidance builds on previous guidance by USDA.
Approximately how many bird carcasses are routinely disposed of in the United States on an annual basis and how do health considerations influence disposal decisions?
Over 40 million bird carcasses are disposed of annually by the broiler production portion of the poultry industry (of the nine billion birds that undergo Federal inspection each year) as a result of any sign of disease or mortality during production. The rendering process destroys all microbial pathogens in diseased poultry carcasses. These birds are rendered and used as a protein source in animal feeds. In response to the last foreign animal disease outbreak, Exotic Newcastle Disease (END) in 2004-2005, the U.S. Department of Agriculture oversaw the disposal of millions of bird carcasses through environmentally safe disposal in landfills. The primary public and animal health consideration when disposing of flu-infected carcasses is safety of humans and animals. The number of people involved in the disposal should be minimized, as should the virus in the contaminated material and the risks associated with removing and transporting contaminated material.
All carcass disposal situations involve public health, animal health, and environmental considerations. The primary public and animal health consideration when disposing of flu-infected carcasses is rapid removal of the disease agent through carcass disposal. The goal is to stop exposure pathways by removing the source of the disease agent (i.e. the animals themselves). This is especially true for zoonotic disease agents such as avian influenza. Environmental considerations include distance to water bodies and wells, depth to the water table, soil type and depth, temperature, weather, and odor potential. Effective decision-making involves understanding these criteria and, when necessary, utilizing different types of disposal/treatment options to reduce health and environmental impacts, such as potential contamination of drinking water, soil, and other environmental media.
Can humans get highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus from the environment?
Depending upon the conditions and the environmental media, it is possible for the virus to survive for hours to possibly months. However, persistence of the virus does not equate to infectivity or transmissibility. It is unknown whether exposure to the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus in environmental media can infect humans.