The Role Of The EPA In Salons
Sanitizing With Confidence
Cleaning and sanitizing is one of the most important steps in eliminating the spread of infectious disease among clients and staff at indoor tanning facilities. In support of this vital procedure, federal manufacturing and use standards for sanitizers used in indoor tanning are established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and often reinforced within state tanning regulations.
At the federal level
, EPA registers and regulates sanitizers under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodentcide Act (FIFRA). To obtain registration, manufacturers of sanitizers must meet several standards, the foremost being: 1) that the product will not cause unreasonable adverse effects to human health or the environment, and 2) that the product labeling and composition comply with the requirements of FIFRA.Moreover, manufacturers of sanitizers are required to submit to EPA 1) detailed and specific information concerning the chemical composition of their product; 2) effectiveness data to document their claims against specific microorganisms and to support the directions for use provided in labeling; 3) labeling that reflects the required elements for safe and effective use; and 4) toxicology data to document any hazards associated with the use of the product.
The EPA works to develop and enforce regulations that implement environmental laws enacted by Congress. The EPA is responsible for researching and setting national standards for a variety of environmental programs, and delegates to states the responsibility for issuing permits and for monitoring and enforcing compliance. When national standards are not met, the EPA can issue sanctions and take other steps to assist state officials in reaching desired levels of environmental quality.
Registering Sanitizers
Registration of sanitizing products is a process through which EPA examines the ingredients of the product; the site on which it is to be used; the amount, frequency and timing of its use; and storage and deposal practices. The EPA evaluates the product to ensure that it will not have unreasonable adverse effects on humans, the environment and non-target species.
The EPA begins by reviewing application packages submitted by manufacturers and assessing the hazards to human health and the environment that may be exposed by the product. Depending on the product’s class and the priority assigned to it, the review process can take several years.
Local Product Requirements
Locally, many states make specific reference to required use of sanitizing products that are EPA approved and compatible for use with tanning equipment. Some of these states include Illinois, Indiana and Colorado.
Illinois:
After each use, the salon operator is responsible for sanitizing all surfaces with which consumers have had contact within a tanning device. The sanitizing of surfaces must be carried out using EPA-registered products.Indiana:
Body contact surfaces of each sunlamp product must be sanitized by a salon operator between each customer use by swabbing the body contact surface with EPA-approved chemical sanitizing solution.Colorado:
The salon owner must ensure that an operator properly sanitizes the tanning equipment and protective eyewear between every use by a consumer. The sanitizer must be one registered for such use by the EPA or the Colorado Department of Agriculture.In addition to an EPA reference in many state tanning rules, occasionally these same products must be submitted and pre-approved for use with tanning equipment with the local tanning authority. Two states with approved sanitizer listings include Florida and Oregon.
Florida:
In addition to “providing a safe level of microorganisms,” Florida rules state that sanitizers must be specifically manufactured for sanitizing ultraviolet light-emitting equipment and protective eyewear, are registered with the EPA, and do not damage the acrylic plastic surface of the tanning device. The Florida Department of Health currently offers a list of state-approved tanning-facility sanitizers on its Web site at www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/facility/tanning. The list also can be obtained by calling the Florida Bureau of Community Health Programs at (850) 245-4277.Oregon:
Only state-approved EPA-listed sanitizers can be used in Oregon tanning facilities. A list of approved sanitizers can be obtained by calling (503) 731-4014 ext. 659.South Carolina:
This state maintains a list of accepted sanitizers that is not all-inclusive. If a sanitizer is not on the state list, it can be considered acceptable if it meets two criteria: 1) It must be a sanitizer or disinfectant with specific ingredients recognized by the state; and 2) it must be intended for use on acrylics or protective eyewear, as applicable. For more information about South Carolina requirements for approved sanitizers, call (803) 737-7400.When using an EPA-approved sanitizing product, salon owners are urged to read the label and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions exactly. For more information about the EPA standards, log on to www.epa.gov or call (202) 272-0167, or contact a local tanning regulatory office.
