CPSC Denies Petition To Ban Anthrax Contaminated Products

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today it has denied a petition to ban imported animal hair products contaminated with anthrax because it does not believe a ban is reasonably necessary to protect the public.

CPSC said that on the basis of available information, it is unable to determine that an unreasonable risk of injury is associated with such products.

Anthrax is a disease of animals such as cattle, sheep, goats and horses. U.S. Center for Disease Control data show that there are only two or three cases of human anthrax per year in the United States. These are generally contracted by persons who handle hair, hides or carcasses of infected animals.

CPSC reached its decision after studying available information and reviewing the authority other agencies have to deal with anthrax, The petition requesting the import ban was received by the Commission's Office of the Secretary on May 4, 1976. The petitioner is John K. Emerson, Chief Public Health Veterinarian for Colorado's Department of Health.

Emerson cited the identification of anthrax on a saddle pad in Colorado in 1976 and the death of a California weaver who handled anthrax contaminated yarn from Pakistan. It was the first anthrax death reported since 1964, the 15th this century.

CPSC said that it shared Emerson's concern about the potential for introduction of anthrax into the United States and has "worked closely with the Center for Disease Control in the recent past to monitor and eliminate such imported products as animal hair saddle pads and yarns that were contaminated with anthrax. Such cooperation as well as liaison between Commission staff and the staffs of other agencies interested in preventing such injury and illnesses will continue."

In its denial decision, CPSC noted that the Department of Health, Education and Welfare has extensive authority to move against the introduction and spread of communicable diseases such as anthrax if it is determined that there is a threat to the public health; the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has the authority to require work places where animal products are handled to be free of hazards such as anthrax, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture is empowered to prohibit the introduction and spread of anthrax and other contagious diseases that threaten animal health.