The use of the term "inert" is questionable in the case of additives to pesticides. The following is quote for review purposes only:

> Inert pesticide ingredients Pesticides are designed to kill, repel or otherwise harm living organisms. Monitoring studies in the United States have found pesticides in one or more samples from every stream sampled and in more than 70 percent of common foods. 28 

> The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), which authorizes the regulation of pesticides, distinguishes between active ingredients (those intentionally designed to kill or control the target pest) and inert ingredients, which may be fragrances, dyes, aerosol propellants, solvent, desiccants, carriers and other substances.

> The word "inert" does not carry its common meaning here, as inert pesticide ingredients may have their own biological activity, may be toxic to humans and may be chemically active. 

> In 2004 the EPA identified almost 3,000 substances used as inert ingredients. Some of these are known to be highly toxic; about 50 percent are considered moderately risky. Some studies have found that common pesticides consist of between 50 and 86 percent inert ingredients.

> FIFRA requires that labels identify active but not inert ingredients, and requires less testing of inert ingredients. Pesticide manufacturers maintain that inert ingredient information is proprietary, but independent assessment of pesticide toxicity is hindered by lack of public access to product- specific information about inert ingredients.

Trade secrets and information access in environmental law
Mary L. Lyndon, Professor of Law, St. John’s University. (2011)

             ***********************************************
The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software.  For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html

Guidelines for posting to BEE-L can be found at:
http://honeybeeworld.com/bee-l/guidelines.htm