EPA Waives Testing for Sodium Nitrate in Warehouses
Published Date: 6/15/2026
Rule
Summary
The EPA just made it official: sodium nitrate can be used safely in certain pesticide fumigants without worrying about residue limits! This change mainly helps farmers, food producers, and pesticide makers using sealed warehouse fumigants. The new rule kicks in on June 15, 2026, and saves time and money by cutting red tape on residue testing.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Tolerance Exemption for Sodium Nitrate
EPA established an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of sodium nitrate (CAS Reg. No. 7631-99-4) when used as an inert ingredient (dilutant/oxidizer) in pesticide formulations applied to raw agricultural commodities after harvest under 40 CFR 180.910. The exemption applies only when sodium nitrate is used in a fumigant canister that is remotely detonated and released inside a sealed warehouse and is effective June 15, 2026. This eliminates the need to set a numerical maximum residue level for that specific use.
No Analytical Enforcement Required
Because EPA is not establishing a numerical tolerance for sodium nitrate for the specified post-harvest use, the Agency states that an analytical enforcement method is not required for residues of sodium nitrate in or on food commodities for that use. The Agency will enforce the limitation on use through the pesticide registration process rather than residue testing, effective June 15, 2026.
Use-Only Registration Limitation
EPA will not register any pesticide formulation containing sodium nitrate for food use post-harvest unless it is in a fumigant canister that will be remotely detonated and released inside a sealed warehouse. This registration limitation is part of the exemption and is effective June 15, 2026.
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