Dow Biocides Announces Results of Re-registration of OPP

Philadelphia, PA - Dow Biocides, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company, announces that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that OPP (o-phenylphenol) is eligible for re-registration. As part of the Re-registration Eligibility Decision (RED), the EPA completed human health and environmental risk assessments for OPP. In those assessments, the EPA concluded that there was no evidence of increased risk to infants and children. Furthermore, the EPA classified OPP and SOPP (sodium o-phenylphenol) as “Not likely to be carcinogenic to humans” at typical use concentrations.

“Environmentally, not all phenols are the same,” said Nanette Hermsen, global marketing manager, Dow Biocides. “While many people perceive phenolic preservatives to have a negative impact on waste water treatment systems, OPP entering the waste water treatment plant at low ppm concentrations will be extensively biodegraded. This is excellent news for metalworking fluids formulators, as OPP is one of the few biocides that is extremely effective against mycobacteria and other harmful microorganisms.”

Mycobacteria have a wax-like outer shell coating and as such, are resistant to water-soluble biocidal chemicals, and are often considered difficult to kill. From a health perspective, industry experts have discussed the possibility that the presence of mycobacteria causes lung disease among machine workers.

“The efforts we took to re-register OPP demonstrate our commitment to the metalworking fluids market and to finding solutions that are both highly effective, as well as safe for the environment,” Hermsen said. “OPP has always been considered an excellent biocide, and now formulators can take full advantage of its broad-spectrum, quick kill properties while managing waste water treatment.”

Formulated OPP products are available from Dow Biocides as DOWICIDE™ antimicrobials. They offer chemical stability, broad-spectrum activity against bacteria, fungi, yeasts and molds, and are compatible with commonly-used metalworking fluid ingredients.

For additional information on data from the re-registration, contact Nanette Hermsen at nhermsen@dow.com.

Owing to differing regulatory requirements in other parts of the world, not all products are currently available in all geographies. Up to date registration information can be obtained by calling the Dow Customer Information Group in the Pacific: 603-7958-3392 (toll call) 603-7958-5598 (fax); North America: +1 800-309-0988 (toll free) 989-832-1465 (fax); and Europe: 800-3-694-6367 (toll free)* 32-3-450-2240 (toll call) 32-3-450-2815 (fax). Use biocides safely. Always read the label and product information before use.

Offering the industry’s largest and most diverse product portfolio, Dow Biocides offers a product for just about every type of microbial challenge and system requirement. The performance capabilities range from high to low pH performance, quick kill to sustained performance and a range of registrations unparalleled in the industry. For more information on Dow Biocides, visit www.dowbiocides.com.