Paenibacillus polymyxa (Strains ATCC 842, 55407, 13540-4)

Strains ATCC 842, ATCC 55407 and 13540-4

What are they?

• Paenibacillus polymyxa strains ATCC 842, ATCC 55407 and 13540-4 are bacteria that could have a number of consumer, commercial and industrial uses.
• Strains ATCC 842, ATCC 55407 and 13540-4 have characteristics in common with other strains of the species Paenibacillus polymyxa, which are found in nature.

How are they used?

• Paenibacillus polymyxa ATCC 55407 was not reported to be manufactured in or imported into Canada.
• Paenibacillus polymyxa ATCC 842 and 13540-4 are currently used in Canada for a variety of applications.
• The characteristics of Paenibacillus polymyxa strains ATCC 842, ATCC 55407 and 13540-4 make them also suitable for use in various other applications, including the production of enzymes for the food, detergent, textile, biofuel and paper pulp industries, production of antifreeze, municipal, industrial and agricultural water and wastewater treatment; commercial and household drain cleaners and degreasers, septic tank cleaners and deodorizers, and performance testing of microbiology media.

Why is the Government of Canada assessing them?

• Under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, these Priority B (medium hazard) micro-organisms on the Domestic Substances List (DSL) must undergo an assessment to determine whether they have the potential to cause harm to human health or the environment. This is done under the Chemicals Management Plan.

How are they released to the environment?

• According to information available to the Government of Canada, Paenibacillus polymyxa ATCC 55407 is not expected to be released into the Canadian environment.
• Paenibacillus polymyxa strains ATCC 842 and 13540-4 may be released to the Canadian environment from their deliberate addition to consumer or commercial products or their use in industrial processes in Canada.

How are Canadians exposed to them?

• According to information available to the Government of Canada, the general population of Canada is not expected to be exposed to Paenibacillus polymyxa ATCC 55407.
• The general population of Canada may be exposed to Paenibacillus polymyxa strains ATCC 842 and DSL 13540-4 from the use of consumer or commercial products containing these strains, and to a lesser extent from environmental media.

What are the results of the assessment?

• The Government of Canada has conducted a science-based evaluation of Paenibacillus polymyxa ATCC 842, ATCC 55407 and 13540-4, called a screening assessment.
• Screening assessments address potential for harm to the general population in Canada and to the Canadian environment.
• Hazards related to micro-organisms used in the workplace should be classified accordingly under the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS).
• Paenibacillus polymyxa ATCC 842, ATCC 55407 and 13540-4 are not considered to be harmful.
• The Government of Canada has therefore concluded that Paenibacillus polymyxa ATCC 842, ATCC 55407 and 13540-4 are not entering the environment in a quantity or under conditions that constitute a danger to the environment or human health.

What is the Government of Canada doing?

• The Government of Canada will take no further action on Paenibacillus polymyxa ATCC 842, ATCC 55407 and 13540-4.
• The Final Screening Assessment for Paenibacillus polymyxa strains ATCC 842, ATCC 55407 and DSL 13540-4 was published on August 1, 2015.

What can Canadians do?

• As a general precaution, Canadians are reminded when using any product to carefully follow any safety warnings and directions, and to dispose of the products appropriately.