Exemption Requests Under Section 18 and Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not issued any new emergency exemptions specifically for products used against COVID-19 as of July 2025. The EPA's recent emergency actions focus on fuel waivers and emissions standards, not COVID-19 disinfectant or antiviral product authorization.
However, the EPA has authorized the use of two products, Grignard Pure and BIAXAM, in certain states and industries.
Grignard Pure, a mist containing the active ingredient triethylene glycol (TEG), is approved for use in Georgia, Maryland, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Texas. It is designed to inactivate 98% of airborne SARS-CoV-2 particles based on laboratory testing data and can be applied in indoor spaces where maintaining social distancing is challenging.
BIAXAM, an adhesive film, is authorized for use in Delta Air Lines planes and facilities in Georgia, Minnesota, and Utah. It kills 99.999% of SARS-CoV-2 particles within two hours and remains effective for up to 100 days on airport surfaces and up to 200 days on airplane surfaces.
The use of these products does not eliminate the need for critical precautions like mask wearing and social distancing. Any unexpected adverse effects related to the use of Grignard Pure must be immediately reported to the EPA.
Grignard Pure may only be applied by trained professionals through a building's HVAC system or using portable devices positioned strategically in an indoor space. Sensitive individuals may experience temporary irritation and should leave the treated area if experiencing irritation.
The EPA evaluates Section 18 Emergency Exemption Requests within 45 days, assessing whether the criteria for an emergency are met and if the product meets the required standards for safety and efficacy. If you are looking for currently EPA-authorized disinfectants or COVID-19-related antimicrobials, typically these are listed under EPA’s FIFRA emergency use authorizations or List N for disinfectants effective against SARS-CoV-2.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers the risk of being infected with COVID-19 by touching contaminated surfaces to be low.
- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has authorized the use of two products, Grignard Pure and BIAXAM, in certain states and industries for inactivating airborne SARS-CoV-2 particles.
- Grignard Pure, an approved product in Georgia, Maryland, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Texas, is designed to inactivate 98% of airborne SARS-CoV-2 particles and can be applied in indoor spaces where social distancing is challenging.
- Any unexpected adverse effects related to the use of Grignard Pure must be immediately reported to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and sensitive individuals may experience temporary irritation.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers the risk of being infected with COVID-19 by touching contaminated surfaces to be low, but the use of EPA-authorized disinfectants like Grignard Pure remains essential, along with other health-and-wellness practices like mask-wearing and social distancing.
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