6 
EPA Views 
Dr. Levin said that EPA's cxjnoems at this time are similar to those of 
NIOSH. He said EPA expects the fermentation industry to produce millions of 
tOTS of products over the next 20 years. EPA intends to evaluate the process 
and the prodixrts, and anticipates problems in the areas of worker exposure, 
disposal of materials, and in^iact on the environment. 
He said NIH currently provides a forum for discussion; such a forum is an 
inportant asset in maintaining and promoting necessary interactions 
between industry and EPA. He felt this forum to be valuable and that it 
should not be lost. Dr. McKinney asked Dr. Levin if he thought EPA would 
formulate new standards to deal with recombinant DMA processes. Dr. Levin 
replied that legally all recombinant DNA processes are covered by the statutes 
of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and RDdenticide Act (FIFRA), and of 
the 'Ibxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Dr. Tolin of the Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) asked Dr. Levin if EPA regulations can be applied to 
recombinant E»JA ccxitaining organisms. Dr. Levin said he believed these 
organisms are covered either by FIFRA or TSCA, depending on the organism; 
some bacteria are considered chemicals and are covered by TSCA. 
Dr. McKinney asked if EPA could cover the loss of a resource should NIH 
cease its activities in the recombinant DNA area. Dr. Levin said EPA is 
currently considering the feasibility of establishing a group to serve the 
function NIH currently fills, should NIH cease its activities in this area. 
Dr. McKinney asked Dr. Levin if industry would have to deal with a multi- 
plicity of agencies and information if no central information clearing house 
exists. Dr. Levin replied that such a situation would be inevitable, for if 
no central point exists, each agency must and will develop its own informa- 
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