Fluroxypyr; Pesticide Tolerance, 76200-76204 [06-9765]
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cranberry by removing the expiration
date ‘‘12/31/06’’ and adding in its place
‘‘12/31/09.’’
§ 180.371
[Amended]
4. In § 180.371, in the table to
paragraph (b), amend the entries
blueberry and citrus by removing the
expiration date ‘‘6/30/07’’ and adding in
its place ‘‘12/31/09.’’
I
§ 180.442
[Amended]
5. In § 180.442, in the table to
paragraph (b), amend the entries
orchardgrass, forage and orchardgrass,
hay by removing the expiration date ‘‘6/
30/07’’ and adding in its place ‘‘12/31/
09.’’
I
§ 180.527
[Amended]
6. In § 180.527, in the table to
paragraph (b), amend the entries cattle,
fat; cattle, kidney; cattle, meat; cattle,
meat byproducts; goat, fat; goat, kidney;
goat, meat; goat, meat byproducts; hog,
fat; hog, kidney; hog, meat; hog, meat
byproducts; horse, fat; horse, kidney;
horse, meat; horse, meat byproducts;
sheep, fat; sheep, kidney; sheep, meat;
sheep, meat byproducts; wheat, forage;
wheat, grain; wheat, hay; and wheat,
straw by removing the expiration date
‘‘6/30/07’’ and adding in its place ‘‘12/
31/09.’’
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§ 180.561
[Amended]
7. In § 180.561, in the table to
paragraph (b), amend the entries onion,
dry bulb and onion, green by removing
the expiration date ‘‘6/30/07’’ and
adding in its place ‘‘12/31/09.’’
I
§ 180.567
[Amended]
8. In § 180.567, in the table to
paragraph (b), amend the entry ginseng
by removing the expiration date ‘‘12/31/
06’’ and adding in its place ‘‘12/31/09.’’
I
the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic
Act (FFDCA), as amended by the Food
Quality Protection Act of 1996 (FQPA).
DATES: This regulation is effective
December 20, 2006. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received
on or before February 20, 2007, and
must be filed in accordance with the
instructions provided in 40 CFR part
178 (see also Unit I.C. of the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION).
ADDRESSES: EPA has established a
docket for this action under Docket
identification (ID) number EPA–HQ–
OPP–2005–0536. All documents in the
docket are listed in the index for the
docket. Although listed in the index,
some information is not publicly
available, e.g., Confidential Business
Information (CBI) or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
Certain other material, such as
copyrighted material, is not placed on
the Internet and will be publicly
available only in hard copy form.
Publicly available docket materials are
available in the electronic docket at
https://www.regulations.gov., or, if only
available in hard copy, at the OPP
Regulatory Public Docket in Rm. S–
4400, One Potomac Yard (South
Building), 2777 S. Crystal Drive,
Arlington, VA. The Docket Facility is
open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday
through Friday, excluding legal
holidays. The Docket telephone number
is (703) 305–5805.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Shaja R. Brothers, Registration Division
(7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs,
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington,
DC 20460–0001; telephone number:
703–308–3194; e-mail address:
brothers.shaja@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
[FR Doc. E6–21506 Filed 12–19–06; 8:45 am]
I. General Information
BILLING CODE 6560–50–S
A. Does This Action Apply to Me?
You may be potentially affected by
this action if you are an agricultural
producer, food manufacturer, or
pesticide manufacturer. Potentially
affected entities may include, but are
not limited to:
• Crop production (NAICS 111), e.g.,
agricultural workers; greenhouse,
nursery, and floriculture workers;
farmers.
• Animal production (NAICS 112),
e.g., cattle ranchers and farmers, dairy
cattle farmers, livestock farmers.
• Food manufacturing (NAICS 311),
e.g., agricultural workers; farmers;
greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture
workers; ranchers; pesticide applicators.
• Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS
32532), e.g., agricultural workers;
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA–HQ–OPP–2005–0536; FRL–8107–7]
Fluroxypyr; Pesticide Tolerance
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
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AGENCY:
SUMMARY: This regulation establishes
tolerances for combined residues of
fluroxypyr in or on onion, bulb; garlic,
bulb; and shallot, bulb. The
Interregional Research Project Number 4
(IR–4) requested these tolerances under
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commercial applicators; farmers;
greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture
workers; residential users.
This listing is not intended to be
exhaustive, but rather provides a guide
for readers regarding entities likely to be
affected by this action. Other types of
entities not listed in this unit could also
be affected. The North American
Industrial Classification System
(NAICS) codes have been provided to
assist you and others in determining
whether this action might apply to
certain entities. If you have any
questions regarding the applicability of
this action to a particular entity, consult
the person listed under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT.
B. How Can I Access Electronic Copies
of This Document?
In addition to accessing an electronic
copy of this Federal Register document
through the electronic docket at https://
www.regulations.gov., you may access
this Federal Register document
electronically through the EPA Internet
under the ‘‘Federal Register’’ listings at
https://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr. You may
also access a frequently updated
electronic version of 40 CFR part 180
through the Government Printing
Office’s pilot e-CFR site at https://
www.gpoaccess.gov/ecfr.
C. Can I File an Objection or Hearing
Request?
Under section 408(g) of the FFDCA, as
amended by the FQPA, any person may
file an objection to any aspect of this
regulation and may also request a
hearing on those objections. The EPA
procedural regulations which govern the
submission of objections and requests
for hearings appear in 40 CFR part 178.
You must file your objection or request
a hearing on this regulation in
accordance with the instructions
provided in 40 CFR part 178. To ensure
proper receipt by EPA, you must
identify Docket ID number EPA–HQ–
OPP–2005–0536 in the subject line on
the first page of your submission. All
requests must be in writing, and must be
mailed or delivered to the Hearing Clerk
on or before February 20, 2007.
In addition to filing an objection or
hearing request with the Hearing Clerk
as described in 40 CFR part 178, please
submit a copy of the filing that does not
contain any CBI for inclusion in the
public docket that is described in
ADDRESSES. Information not marked
confidential pursuant to 40 CFR part 2
may be disclosed publicly by EPA
without prior notice. Submit your
copies, identified by Docket ID number
EPA–HQ–OPP–2005–0536, by one of
the following methods:
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• Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line
instructions for submitting comments.
• Mail: Office of Pesticide Programs
(OPP) Regulatory Public Docket (7502P),
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington,
DC 20460–0001.
• Delivery: OPP Regulatory Public
Docket (7502P), Environmental
Protection Agency, Rm. S–4400, One
Potomac Yard (South Building), 2777 S.
Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA. Deliveries
are only accepted during the Docket’s
normal hours of operation (8:30 a.m. to
4 p.m., Monday through Friday,
excluding legal holidays). Special
arrangements should be made for
deliveries of boxed information. The
Docket telephone number is (703) 305–
5805.
II. Background and Statutory Findings
In the Federal Register of April 21,
2006 (71 FR 20661) (FRL–8065–1), EPA
issued a notice pursuant to section
408(d)(3) of FFDCA, 21 U.S.C.
346a(d)(3), announcing the filing of a
pesticide petition (PP 3E6775) by IR–4,
500 College Road East, Suite 201 West,
Princeton, NJ 08540. The petition
requested that 40 CFR 180.535 be
amended by establishing tolerances for
combined residues of the herbicide
fluroxypyr, 1-methylheptyl ester [1methylheptyl ((4-amino-3,5-dichloro-6fluoro-2-pyridinyl)oxy)acetate] and its
metabolite fluroxypyr [((4-amino-3,5dichloro-6-fluoro-2-pyridinyl)oxy)acetic
acid], in or on garlic and shallot (bulb),
and onion (dry bulb) at 0.03 parts per
million (ppm). The notice included a
summary of the petition prepared by
Dow AgroSciences, the registrant.
Comments on the notice of filing were
received from one private citizen. EPA’s
response to these comments is
discussed in Unit IV.C.
Section 408(b)(2)(A)(i) of FFDCA
allows EPA to establish a tolerance (the
legal limit for a pesticide chemical
residue in or on a food) only if EPA
determines that the tolerance is ‘‘safe.’’
Section 408(b)(2)(A)(ii) of FFDCA
defines ‘‘safe’’ to mean that ‘‘there is a
reasonable certainty that no harm will
result from aggregate exposure to the
pesticide chemical residue, including
all anticipated dietary exposures and all
other exposures for which there is
reliable information.’’ This includes
exposure through drinking water and in
4 residential settings, but does not
include occupational exposure. Section
408(b)(2)(C) of FFDCA requires EPA to
give special consideration to exposure
of infants and children to the pesticide
chemical residue in establishing a
tolerance and to ‘‘ensure that there is a
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reasonable certainty that no harm will
result to infants and children from
aggregate exposure to the pesticide
chemical residue. * * *’’
EPA performs a number of analyses to
determine the risks from aggregate
exposure to pesticide residues. For
further discussion of the regulatory
requirements of section 408 of the
FFDCA and a complete description of
the risk assessment process, see https://
www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA–PEST/1997/
November/Day-26/p30948.htm.
III. Aggregate Risk Assessment and
Determination of Safety
Consistent with section 408(b)(2)(D)
of FFDCA, EPA has reviewed the
available scientific data and other
relevant information in support of this
action. EPA has sufficient data to assess
the hazards of and to make a
determination on aggregate exposure,
consistent with section 408(b)(2) of
FFDCA, for tolerances for combined
residues of fluroxypyr on onion, bulb;
garlic, bulb; and shallot, bulb at 0.03
ppm. EPA’s assessment of exposures
and risks associated with establishing
the tolerances follow.
A. Toxicological Profile
EPA has evaluated the available
toxicity data and considered its validity,
completeness, and reliability as well as
the relationship of the results of the
studies to human risk. EPA has also
considered available information
concerning the variability of the
sensitivities of major identifiable
subgroups of consumers, including
infants and children. Specific
information on the studies received and
the nature of the toxic effects caused by
fluroxypyr as well as the no observed
adverse effect level (NOAEL) and the
lowest observed adverse effect level
(LOAEL) from the toxicity studies can
be found at https://www.regulations.gov.
Docket ID number EPA–HQ–OPP–2005–
0536, Fluroxypyr Field Corn Human
Health Risk Assessment, pages 12–15.
B. Toxicological Endpoints
For hazards that have a threshold
below which there is no appreciable
risk, the dose at which no adverse
effects are observed (the NOAEL) from
the toxicology study identified as
appropriate for use in risk assessment is
used to estimate the toxicological level
of concern (LOC). However, the lowest
dose at which adverse effects of concern
are identified (the LOAEL) is sometimes
used for risk assessment if no NOAEL
was achieved in the toxicology study
selected. An uncertainty, factor (UF) is
applied to reflect uncertainties inherent
in the extrapolation from laboratory
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animal data to humans and in the
variations in sensitivity among members
of the human population as well as
other unknowns.
The linear default risk methodology
(Q*) is the primary method currently
used by the Agency to quantify nonthreshold hazards such as cancer. The
Q* approach assumes that any amount
of exposure will lead to some degree of
cancer risk, estimates risk in terms of
the probability of occurrence of
additional cancer cases. More
information can be found on the general
principles EPA uses in risk
characterization at https://www.epa.gov/
pesticides/health/human.htm.
A summary of the toxicological
endpoints for fluroxypyr used for
human risk assessment can be found at
www.regulations.gov. Docket ID number
EPA–HQ–OPP–2005–0536, Fluroxypyr
Field Corn Human Health Risk
Assessment, page 13; and Fluroxypyr
Dry Bulb Onion Human Health Risk
Assessment, pages 17–18.
C. Exposure Assessment
1. Dietary exposure from food and
feed uses. Tolerances have been
established (40 CFR 180.535) for the
combined residues of fluroxypyr, in or
on the following raw agricultural
commodities: Barley, corn, grain, oat,
sorghum, and wheat. Tolerances are also
established for cattle, goat, hog, horse,
sheep, and milk. Additionally, time
limited tolerances are established in 40
CFR 180.535(b) in or on corn and onion.
Risk assessments were conducted by
EPA to assess dietary exposures from
fluroxypyr in food as follow:
i. Acute exposure. There were no
toxic effects attributable to a single dose.
An endpoint of concern was not
identified to quantitate an acute-dietary
risk to the U.S. general population or to
the subpopulation females 13–50 years
old. Therefore, an acute aggregate
exposure assessment was not
performed.
ii. Chronic exposure. In conducting
the chronic dietary exposure assessment
EPA used the Dietary Exposure
Evaluation Model software with the
Food Commodity Intake Database
(DEEM–FCIDTM), which incorporates
food consumption data as reported by
respondents in the USDA 1994–1996
and 1998 Nationwide Continuing
Surveys of Food Intake by Individuals
(CSFII); and accumulated exposure to
the chemical for each commodity. The
following assumptions were made for
the chronic exposure assessment: An
unrefined, Tier 1 chronic dietaryexposure assessment was conducted for
all supported fluroxypyr food uses. In
this assessment, tolerance level residues
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and 100% crop treated (CT) was
assumed for all crops included in the
analysis. The assumptions result in
highly conservative dietary exposure
estimates.
iii. Cancer. A cancer dietary
assessment was not conducted since
fluroxypyr has been classified as ‘‘not
likely’’ to be carcinogenic.
2. Dietary exposure from drinking
water. The Agency lacks sufficient
monitoring exposure data to complete a
comprehensive dietary exposure
analysis and risk assessment for
fluroxypyr in drinking water. Because
the Agency does not have
comprehensive monitoring data,
drinking water concentration estimates
are made by reliance on simulation or
modeling taking into account data on
the physical characteristics of
fluroxypyr. Further information
regarding EPA drinking water models
used in pesticide exposure assessment
can be found at https://www.epa.gov/
oppefed1/models/index.htm.
Refined (Tier II) surface water
concentrations were developed for
fluroxypyr with the Pesticide Root Zone
Model/Exposure Analysis Modeling
System (PRZM/EXAMS) model, using
an index reservoir scenario for the aerial
application of fluroxypyr on rangeland
and permanent grass pastures. The
model assumes that fluroxypyr is
applied at the maximum label rate (0.5
lb ae/acre). The estimated annual
average environmental concentration of
fluroxypyr in surface water is 3.3 parts
per billion (ppb).
For the ground water estimated
concentration, the Tier I Screening
Concentration in Ground Water (SCI–
GROW) model predicts that fluroxypyr
will be found at relatively small
concentrations when the herbicide is
applied at the maximum recommended
application rate of 0.5 lbs ae/acre. The
estimate is 0.042 ppb (0.042 µg/L). This
conservative estimate is a default value
generated by the SCI–GROW model.
Based on the PRZM/EXAMS and SCI–
GROW models, the estimated
environmental concentrations (EECs) of
fluroxypyr for surface water are
estimated to be 3.3 ppb, and 0.04 ppb
for ground water. Modeled estimates of
drinking water concentrations were
directly entered into the dietary
exposure model (DEEM–FCIDTM). For
chronic dietary risk assessment, the
annual average concentration of 3.3 ppb
was used to access the contribution to
drinking water.
3. From non-dietary exposure. The
term ‘‘residential exposure’’ is used in
this document to refer to nonoccupational, non-dietary exposure
(e.g., for lawn and garden pest control,
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indoor pest control, termiticides, and
flea and tick control on pets).
Fluroxypyr (VistaTM) is registered for
application to residential turfgrass and
recreational sites such as golf courses,
parks, and sports fields. The proposed
label does not prohibit homeowners
from mixing/loading/applying VistaTM.
Residential handlers may receive
short-term dermal and inhalation
exposure to fluroxypyr when mixing,
loading and applying the formulations.
Adults and children may be exposed to
fluroxypyr residues from dermal contact
with turf during post-application
activities. Toddlers may also receive
short and intermediate-term oral
exposure from incidental ingestion
during post-application activities.
In conducting the short and
intermediate-term aggregate risk
assessments, the Agency made the
following conservative assumptions.
• Incidental oral and inhalation
exposures for the aggregate residential
handler scenario included children and
adults (U.S. population subgroup).
• Incidental oral exposure from
treated areas included infants and
children (up to age 12) for the aggregate
post-application scenario.
• Inhalation exposure resulting from
residential application included youth
(age 13–19 years old), and the adult
population subgroups.
4. Cumulative effects from substances
with a common mechanism of toxicity.
Section 408(b)(2)(D)(v) of the FFDCA
requires that, when considering whether
to establish, modify, or revoke a
tolerance, the Agency consider
‘‘available information’’ concerning the
cumulative effects of a particular
pesticide’s residues and ‘‘other
substances that have a common
mechanism of toxicity.’’
Unlike other pesticides for which EPA
has followed a cumulative risk approach
based on a common mechanism of
toxicity, EPA has not made a common
mechanism of toxicity finding as to
fluroxypyr and any other substances
and fluroxypyr does not appear to
produce a toxic metabolite produced by
other substances. For the purposes of
this tolerance action, therefore, EPA has
not assumed that fluroxypyr has a
common mechanism of toxicity with
other substances. For information
regarding EPA’s efforts to determine
which chemicals have a common
mechanism of toxicity and to evaluate
the cumulative effects of such
chemicals, see the policy statements
released by EPA’s Office of Pesticide
Programs concerning common
mechanism determinations and
procedures for cumulating effects from
substances found to have a common
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mechanism on EPA’s Web site at
https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/
cumulative.
D. Safety Factor for Infants and
Children
1. In general. Section 408 of FFDCA
provides that EPA shall apply an
additional tenfold margin of safety for
infants and children in the case of
threshold effects to account for prenatal
and postnatal toxicity and the
completeness of the data base on
toxicity and exposure unless EPA
determines based on reliable data that a
different margin of safety will be safe for
infants and children. Margins of safety
are incorporated into EPA risk
assessments either directly through use
of a MOE analysis or through using
uncertainty (safety) factors in
calculating a dose level that poses no
appreciable risk to humans. In applying
this provision, EPA either retains the
default value of 10X when reliable data
do not support the choice of a different
factor, or, if reliable data are available,
EPA uses a different additional safety
factor value based on the use of
traditional uncertainty factors and/or
special FQPA safety factors, as
appropriate.
2. Prenatal and postnatal sensitivity.
There was no evidence (quantitative/
qualitative) of increased susceptibility
following in utero exposure to the acid
and the ester in rats and rabbits, or
following prenatal and/or postnatal
exposure to the acid form in rats.
3. Conclusion. EPA has determined
that reliable data show that it would be
safe for infants and children to reduce
the FQPA safety factor to 1X. That
decision is based on the following
findings:
• The toxicity database for fluroxypyr
is complete.
• There was no evidence of
neurotoxicity or neuropathology in the
available studies.
• There was no evidence
(quantitative/qualitative) of increased
susceptibility following pre and/or
postnatal exposure.
• The chronic dietary food exposure
assessment utilizes tolerance level
residue estimates and assumes 100% CT
for all commodities. This assessment is
not likely to underestimate exposure/
risk.
• The dietary drinking water
assessment utilizes water concentration
values generated by model and
associated modeling parameters
designed to provide conservative, health
protective, high-end estimates of water
concentrations which will not likely be
exceeded.
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• The residential exposure
assessment was conducted using
standard assumptions based on
carefully reviewed data.
E. Aggregate Risks and Determination of
Safety
1. Acute risk. There were no toxic
effects attributable to a single dose. An
endpoint of concern was not identified
for any population subgroup. Therefore,
fluroxypyr is not expected to pose an
acute risk.
2. Chronic risk. Using the exposure
assumptions described in this unit for
chronic exposure, EPA has concluded
that exposure to fluroxypyr from food
and water will utilize <1% of the cPAD
for the U.S. population, <1% of the
cPAD for all infants <1 year old, and
1.4% of the cPAD for children 1–2 years
old. Based on the use pattern, chronic
residential exposure to residues of
fluroxypyr is not expected.
3. Short and intermediate-term risk.
Short and intermediate-term aggregate
exposures are likely to result from
exposure to fluroxypyr residues from
food, drinking water, and residential
pesticide uses. High-end estimates are
used for residential exposure, while
average values are used for food and
drinking water. Short and intermediateterm risk assessments are required for
adults (residential handler inhalation
exposure scenario), in addition to
infants and children (residential postapplication oral exposure scenario).
Using the exposure assumptions
described for non-dietary short and
intermediate-term exposures, EPA has
concluded that food, water, and
residential exposures aggregated result
in aggregate MOEs from 4,400 to 54,000
(adults 50+ years old). The MOEs are
8,300 and 4,400 for the U.S. population,
and children 1–2 years old (the most
highly exposed subgroup), respectively.
4. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S.
population. Fluroxypyr has been
classified as ‘‘not likely’’ to be
carcinogenic. Therefore, fluroxypyr is
not expected to pose a cancer risk.
5. Determination of safety. Based on
these risk assessments, EPA concludes
that there is a reasonable certainty that
no harm will result to the general
population, and to infants and children
from aggregate exposure to fluroxypyr
residues.
IV. Other Considerations
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A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
The gas chromatography/massselective detector (GC/MSD) analytical
method used to determine residues of
fluroxypyr in both the acid and
methylheptyl ester forms is adequate to
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recover residues of fluroxypyr and
fluroxypyr 1–MHE in dry bulb onions.
The method converts the methylheptyl
ester form of fluroxypyr to the acid and
results are reported as the acid
equivalent. The lower limit of method
validation (LLMV) for bulb onions was
0.01 ppm. Further, the method is an
adaptation of a Dow
AgroSciencesmethod GRM 96.02, which
has been adequately validated as an
enforcement method; therefore the
Agency considers the modified method
to be adequate to enforce the requested
tolerance.
Adequate enforcement methodology
(GC/MSD) is available to enforce the
tolerance expression. The method may
be requested from: Chief, Analytical
Chemistry Branch, Environmental
Science Center, 701 Mapes Rd., Ft.
Meade, MD 20755–5350; telephone
number: (410) 305–2905; e-mail address:
residuemethods@epa.gov.
B. International Residue Limits
There are currently no Codex,
Canadian, or Mexican maximum residue
limits for fluroxypyr or its metabolites
in/on dry bulb onions.
C. Response to Comments
A private citizen of Florham Park,
New Jersey submitted public comments
on the fluroxypyr notice of filing. The
private citizen commented on the
cancer finding classification ‘‘not likely
a carcinogen,’’ and views the statement
deceptive.
EPA’s response: The cancer
classification ‘‘Not Likely to be
Carcinogenic to Humans’’ comes from
EPA’s Guidelines for Carcinogen Risk
Assessment. These Guidelines
recommend this descriptor when the
available data are considered robust for
deciding that there is no basis for
human hazard concern. These
Guidelines were developed as part of an
Agency-wide guidelines development
program by a Technical Panel of the
U.S. EPA’s Risk Assessment Forum,
which was composed of scientists from
throughout the Agency. Selected drafts
were peer reviewed internally by the
U.S. EPA’s Science Advisory Board, and
by experts from universities,
environmental groups, industry and
other governmental agencies. The
Guidelines were also subjected to
several public comment periods. For
additional information regarding EPA’s
Guidelines for Carcinogen Risk and
recommended descriptor language
please refer to the Federal Register of
April 7, 2005 (70 FR 17765) (FRL–7896–
1) (https://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPATOX/2005/April/Day-07/t6642.htm].
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The private citizen also commented
on profiteers utilizing the Agency to
promote poor products to the American
citizens.
EPA’s response: This comment is not
germane to EPA’s statutory basis for
acting on fluroxypyr tolerance petition.
Thus, a technical response to this
comment is not required. The private
citizen’s comments contained no
scientific data or other substantive
evidence to rebut the Agency’s
conclusion that there is a reasonable
certainty that no harm will result from
aggregate exposure to fluroxypyr from
the establishment of these tolerances.
V. Conclusion
Therefore, the tolerances are
established for combined residues of
fluroxypyr, 1-methylheptyl ester [1methylheptyl] ((4-amino-3,5-dichloro-6fluoro-2-pyridinyl)oxy)acetate] and its
metabolite fluroxypyr [((4-amino-3,5dichloro-6-fluoro-2-pyridinyl)oxy)acetic
acid], in or on onion, bulb; garlic, bulb;
and shallot, bulb at 0.03 ppm.
VI. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
This final rule establishes a tolerance
under section 408(d) of FFDCA in
response to a petition submitted to the
Agency. The Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) has exempted these types
of actions from review under Executive
Order 12866, entitled Regulatory
Planning and Review (58 FR 51735,
October 4, 1993). Because this rule has
been exempted from review under
Executive Order 12866 due to its lack of
significance, this rule is not subject to
Executive Order 13211, Actions
Concerning Regulations That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use (66 FR 28355, May
22, 2001). This final rule does not
contain any information collections
subject to OMB approval under the
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), 44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq., or impose any
enforceable duty or contain any
unfunded mandate as described under
Title II of the Unfunded Mandates
Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) (Pub. L.
104–4). Nor does it require any special
considerations under Executive Order
12898, entitled Federal Actions to
Address Environmental Justice in
Minority Populations and Low-Income
Populations (59 FR 7629, February 16,
1994); or OMB review or any Agency
action under Executive Order 13045,
entitled Protection of Children from
Environmental Health Risks and Safety
Risks (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997).
This action does not involve any
technical standards that would require
Agency consideration of voluntary
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consensus standards pursuant to section
12(d) of the National Technology
Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995
(NTTAA), Public Law 104–113, section
12(d) (15 U.S.C. 272 note). Since
tolerances and exemptions that are
established on the basis of a petition
under section 408(d) of FFDCA, such as
the tolerance in this final rule, do not
require the issuance of a proposed rule,
the requirements of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601 et
seq.) do not apply. In addition, the
Agency has determined that this action
will not have a substantial direct effect
on States, on the relationship between
the national government and the States,
or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various
levels of government, as specified in
Executive Order 13132, entitled
Federalism (64 FR 43255, August 10,
1999). Executive Order 13132 requires
EPA to develop an accountable process
to ensure ‘‘meaningful and timely input
by State and local officials in the
development of regulatory policies that
have federalism implications.’’ ‘‘Policies
that have federalism implications’’ is
defined in the Executive order to
include regulations that have
‘‘substantial direct effects on the States,
on the relationship between the national
government and the States, or on the
distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various
levels of government.’’ This final rule
directly regulates growers, food
processors, food handlers and food
retailers, not States. This action does not
alter the relationships or distribution of
power and responsibilities established
by Congress in the preemption
provisions of section 408(n)(4) of
FFDCA. For these same reasons, the
Agency has determined that this rule
does not have any ‘‘tribal implications’’
as described in Executive Order 13175,
entitled Consultation and Coordination
with Indian Tribal Governments (65 FR
67249, November 6, 2000). Executive
Order 13175, requires EPA to develop
an accountable process to ensure
‘‘meaningful and timely input by tribal
officials in the development of
regulatory policies that have tribal
implications.’’ ‘‘Policies that have tribal
implications’’ is defined in the
Executive order to include regulations
that have ‘‘substantial direct effects on
one or more Indian tribes, on the
relationship between the Federal
Government and the Indian tribes, or on
the distribution of power and
responsibilities between the Federal
Goverument and Indian tribes.’’ This
rule will not have substantial direct
effects on tribal governments, on the
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:07 Dec 19, 2006
Jkt 211001
relationship between the Federal
Government and Indian tribes, or on the
distribution of power and
responsibilities between the Federal
Government and Indian tribes, as
specified in Executive Order 13175.
Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not
apply to this rule.
VII. Congressional Review Act
The Congressional Review Act, 5
U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the Small
Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act of 1996, generally provides
that before a rule may take effect, the
agency promulgating the rule must
submit a rule report, which includes a
copy of the rule, to each House of the
Congress and to the Comptroller General
of the United States. EPA will submit a
report containing this rule and other
required information to the U.S. Senate,
the U.S. House of Representatives, and
the Comptroller General of the United
States prior to publication of this final
rule in the Federal Register. This final
rule is not a ‘‘major rule’’ as defined by
5 U.S.C. 804(2).
*
*
*
*
*
[FR Doc. 06–9765 Filed 12–19–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–M
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 710
[EPA–HQ–OPPT–2006–0981; FRL–8109–9]
RIN 2070–AC61
2006 Reporting Notice and
Amendment; Partial Updating of TSCA
Inventory Database; Chemical
Substance Production, Processing,
and Use Site Reports
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule; Amendment; Notice
of submission period extension.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: EPA is amending the Toxic
Substances Control Act (TSCA)
Inventory Update Reporting (IUR)
regulations by extending the submission
deadline for 2006 reports from
December 23, 2006 to March 23, 2007.
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180
This is a one-time extension for the
2006 submission period only. The IUR
Environmental protection,
requires manufacturers and importers of
Administrative practice and procedure,
certain chemical substances included on
Agricultural commodities, Pesticides
and pests, Reporting and recordkeeping, the TSCA Chemical Substance
Inventory to report current data on the
requirements.
manufacturing, processing, and use of
Dated: December 12, 2006.
the substances.
Lois Rossi,
DATES: This final rule is effective
Director, Registration Division, Office of
December 20, 2006. The 2006 IUR
Pesticide Programs.
submission period is extended to run
I Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is
from December 23, 2006 to March 23,
amended as follows:
2007.
ADDRESSES: EPA has established a
PART 180—AMENDED
docket for this action under docket
identification (ID) number EPA–HQ–
I 1. The authority citation for part 180
OPPT–2006–0981. All documents in the
continues to read as follows:
docket are listed on the regulations.gov
Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.
website. Although listed in the index,
I 2. Section 180.535 is amended by
some information is not publicly
alphabetically adding commodities to
available, e.g., Confidential Business
the table in paragraph (a) to read as
Information (CBI) or other information
follows:
whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
Certain other material, such as
§ 180.535 Fluroxypyr 1-methylheptyl ester;
copyrighted material, is not placed on
tolerances for residues.
the Internet and will be publicly
(a) * * *
available only in hard copy form. The
EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC) suffered
Parts per
structural damage due to flooding in
Commodity
million
June 2006. Although the EPA/DC is
continuing operations, there will be
temporary changes to the EPA/DC
*
*
*
*
*
Garlic, bulb ...............................
0.03 during the clean-up. The EPA/DC Public
Reading Room, which was temporarily
*
*
*
*
*
closed due to flooding, has been
Onion, bulb ...............................
0.03 relocated in the EPA Headquarters
Shallot, bulb ..............................
0.03 Library, Infoterra Room (Rm. 3334) in
the EPA West Bldg., located at 1301
*
*
*
*
*
Constitution Ave., NW., Washington,
PO 00000
Frm 00094
Fmt 4700
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 244 (Wednesday, December 20, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 76200-76204]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-9765]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0536; FRL-8107-7]
Fluroxypyr; Pesticide Tolerance
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This regulation establishes tolerances for combined residues
of fluroxypyr in or on onion, bulb; garlic, bulb; and shallot, bulb.
The Interregional Research Project Number 4 (IR-4) requested these
tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), as
amended by the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 (FQPA).
DATES: This regulation is effective December 20, 2006. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received on or before February 20, 2007,
and must be filed in accordance with the instructions provided in 40
CFR part 178 (see also Unit I.C. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION).
ADDRESSES: EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket
identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0536. All documents in the
docket are listed in the index for the docket. Although listed in the
index, some information is not publicly available, e.g., Confidential
Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted
material, is not placed on the Internet and will be publicly available
only in hard copy form. Publicly available docket materials are
available in the electronic docket at https://www.regulations.gov., or,
if only available in hard copy, at the OPP Regulatory Public Docket in
Rm. S-4400, One Potomac Yard (South Building), 2777 S. Crystal Drive,
Arlington, VA. The Docket Facility is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The Docket telephone
number is (703) 305-5805.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shaja R. Brothers, Registration
Division (7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-
0001; telephone number: 703-308-3194; e-mail address:
brothers.shaja@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. General Information
A. Does This Action Apply to Me?
You may be potentially affected by this action if you are an
agricultural producer, food manufacturer, or pesticide manufacturer.
Potentially affected entities may include, but are not limited to:
Crop production (NAICS 111), e.g., agricultural workers;
greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture workers; farmers.
Animal production (NAICS 112), e.g., cattle ranchers and
farmers, dairy cattle farmers, livestock farmers.
Food manufacturing (NAICS 311), e.g., agricultural
workers; farmers; greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture workers;
ranchers; pesticide applicators.
Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS 32532), e.g., agricultural
workers; commercial applicators; farmers; greenhouse, nursery, and
floriculture workers; residential users.
This listing is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides
a guide for readers regarding entities likely to be affected by this
action. Other types of entities not listed in this unit could also be
affected. The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS)
codes have been provided to assist you and others in determining
whether this action might apply to certain entities. If you have any
questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular
entity, consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT.
B. How Can I Access Electronic Copies of This Document?
In addition to accessing an electronic copy of this Federal
Register document through the electronic docket at https://
www.regulations.gov., you may access this Federal Register document
electronically through the EPA Internet under the ``Federal Register''
listings at https://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr. You may also access a
frequently updated electronic version of 40 CFR part 180 through the
Government Printing Office's pilot e-CFR site at https://
www.gpoaccess.gov/ecfr.
C. Can I File an Objection or Hearing Request?
Under section 408(g) of the FFDCA, as amended by the FQPA, any
person may file an objection to any aspect of this regulation and may
also request a hearing on those objections. The EPA procedural
regulations which govern the submission of objections and requests for
hearings appear in 40 CFR part 178. You must file your objection or
request a hearing on this regulation in accordance with the
instructions provided in 40 CFR part 178. To ensure proper receipt by
EPA, you must identify Docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0536 in the
subject line on the first page of your submission. All requests must be
in writing, and must be mailed or delivered to the Hearing Clerk on or
before February 20, 2007.
In addition to filing an objection or hearing request with the
Hearing Clerk as described in 40 CFR part 178, please submit a copy of
the filing that does not contain any CBI for inclusion in the public
docket that is described in ADDRESSES. Information not marked
confidential pursuant to 40 CFR part 2 may be disclosed publicly by EPA
without prior notice. Submit your copies, identified by Docket ID
number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0536, by one of the following methods:
[[Page 76201]]
Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments.
Mail: Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) Regulatory Public
Docket (7502P), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001.
Delivery: OPP Regulatory Public Docket (7502P),
Environmental Protection Agency, Rm. S-4400, One Potomac Yard (South
Building), 2777 S. Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA. Deliveries are only
accepted during the Docket's normal hours of operation (8:30 a.m. to 4
p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays). Special
arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information. The
Docket telephone number is (703) 305-5805.
II. Background and Statutory Findings
In the Federal Register of April 21, 2006 (71 FR 20661) (FRL-8065-
1), EPA issued a notice pursuant to section 408(d)(3) of FFDCA, 21
U.S.C. 346a(d)(3), announcing the filing of a pesticide petition (PP
3E6775) by IR-4, 500 College Road East, Suite 201 West, Princeton, NJ
08540. The petition requested that 40 CFR 180.535 be amended by
establishing tolerances for combined residues of the herbicide
fluroxypyr, 1-methylheptyl ester [1-methylheptyl ((4-amino-3,5-
dichloro-6-fluoro-2-pyridinyl)oxy)acetate] and its metabolite
fluroxypyr [((4-amino-3,5-dichloro-6-fluoro-2-pyridinyl)oxy)acetic
acid], in or on garlic and shallot (bulb), and onion (dry bulb) at 0.03
parts per million (ppm). The notice included a summary of the petition
prepared by Dow AgroSciences, the registrant. Comments on the notice of
filing were received from one private citizen. EPA's response to these
comments is discussed in Unit IV.C.
Section 408(b)(2)(A)(i) of FFDCA allows EPA to establish a
tolerance (the legal limit for a pesticide chemical residue in or on a
food) only if EPA determines that the tolerance is ``safe.'' Section
408(b)(2)(A)(ii) of FFDCA defines ``safe'' to mean that ``there is a
reasonable certainty that no harm will result from aggregate exposure
to the pesticide chemical residue, including all anticipated dietary
exposures and all other exposures for which there is reliable
information.'' This includes exposure through drinking water and in 4
residential settings, but does not include occupational exposure.
Section 408(b)(2)(C) of FFDCA requires EPA to give special
consideration to exposure of infants and children to the pesticide
chemical residue in establishing a tolerance and to ``ensure that there
is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result to infants and
children from aggregate exposure to the pesticide chemical residue. * *
*''
EPA performs a number of analyses to determine the risks from
aggregate exposure to pesticide residues. For further discussion of the
regulatory requirements of section 408 of the FFDCA and a complete
description of the risk assessment process, see https://www.epa.gov/
fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/1997/November/Day-26/p30948.htm.
III. Aggregate Risk Assessment and Determination of Safety
Consistent with section 408(b)(2)(D) of FFDCA, EPA has reviewed the
available scientific data and other relevant information in support of
this action. EPA has sufficient data to assess the hazards of and to
make a determination on aggregate exposure, consistent with section
408(b)(2) of FFDCA, for tolerances for combined residues of fluroxypyr
on onion, bulb; garlic, bulb; and shallot, bulb at 0.03 ppm. EPA's
assessment of exposures and risks associated with establishing the
tolerances follow.
A. Toxicological Profile
EPA has evaluated the available toxicity data and considered its
validity, completeness, and reliability as well as the relationship of
the results of the studies to human risk. EPA has also considered
available information concerning the variability of the sensitivities
of major identifiable subgroups of consumers, including infants and
children. Specific information on the studies received and the nature
of the toxic effects caused by fluroxypyr as well as the no observed
adverse effect level (NOAEL) and the lowest observed adverse effect
level (LOAEL) from the toxicity studies can be found at https://
www.regulations.gov. Docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0536, Fluroxypyr
Field Corn Human Health Risk Assessment, pages 12-15.
B. Toxicological Endpoints
For hazards that have a threshold below which there is no
appreciable risk, the dose at which no adverse effects are observed
(the NOAEL) from the toxicology study identified as appropriate for use
in risk assessment is used to estimate the toxicological level of
concern (LOC). However, the lowest dose at which adverse effects of
concern are identified (the LOAEL) is sometimes used for risk
assessment if no NOAEL was achieved in the toxicology study selected.
An uncertainty, factor (UF) is applied to reflect uncertainties
inherent in the extrapolation from laboratory animal data to humans and
in the variations in sensitivity among members of the human population
as well as other unknowns.
The linear default risk methodology (Q*) is the primary method
currently used by the Agency to quantify non-threshold hazards such as
cancer. The Q* approach assumes that any amount of exposure will lead
to some degree of cancer risk, estimates risk in terms of the
probability of occurrence of additional cancer cases. More information
can be found on the general principles EPA uses in risk
characterization at https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/human.htm.
A summary of the toxicological endpoints for fluroxypyr used for
human risk assessment can be found at www.regulations.gov. Docket ID
number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0536, Fluroxypyr Field Corn Human Health Risk
Assessment, page 13; and Fluroxypyr Dry Bulb Onion Human Health Risk
Assessment, pages 17-18.
C. Exposure Assessment
1. Dietary exposure from food and feed uses. Tolerances have been
established (40 CFR 180.535) for the combined residues of fluroxypyr,
in or on the following raw agricultural commodities: Barley, corn,
grain, oat, sorghum, and wheat. Tolerances are also established for
cattle, goat, hog, horse, sheep, and milk. Additionally, time limited
tolerances are established in 40 CFR 180.535(b) in or on corn and
onion. Risk assessments were conducted by EPA to assess dietary
exposures from fluroxypyr in food as follow:
i. Acute exposure. There were no toxic effects attributable to a
single dose. An endpoint of concern was not identified to quantitate an
acute-dietary risk to the U.S. general population or to the
subpopulation females 13-50 years old. Therefore, an acute aggregate
exposure assessment was not performed.
ii. Chronic exposure. In conducting the chronic dietary exposure
assessment EPA used the Dietary Exposure Evaluation Model software with
the Food Commodity Intake Database (DEEM-FCID\TM\), which incorporates
food consumption data as reported by respondents in the USDA 1994-1996
and 1998 Nationwide Continuing Surveys of Food Intake by Individuals
(CSFII); and accumulated exposure to the chemical for each commodity.
The following assumptions were made for the chronic exposure
assessment: An unrefined, Tier 1 chronic dietary-exposure assessment
was conducted for all supported fluroxypyr food uses. In this
assessment, tolerance level residues
[[Page 76202]]
and 100% crop treated (CT) was assumed for all crops included in the
analysis. The assumptions result in highly conservative dietary
exposure estimates.
iii. Cancer. A cancer dietary assessment was not conducted since
fluroxypyr has been classified as ``not likely'' to be carcinogenic.
2. Dietary exposure from drinking water. The Agency lacks
sufficient monitoring exposure data to complete a comprehensive dietary
exposure analysis and risk assessment for fluroxypyr in drinking water.
Because the Agency does not have comprehensive monitoring data,
drinking water concentration estimates are made by reliance on
simulation or modeling taking into account data on the physical
characteristics of fluroxypyr. Further information regarding EPA
drinking water models used in pesticide exposure assessment can be
found at https://www.epa.gov/oppefed1/models/index.htm.
Refined (Tier II) surface water concentrations were developed for
fluroxypyr with the Pesticide Root Zone Model/Exposure Analysis
Modeling System (PRZM/EXAMS) model, using an index reservoir scenario
for the aerial application of fluroxypyr on rangeland and permanent
grass pastures. The model assumes that fluroxypyr is applied at the
maximum label rate (0.5 lb ae/acre). The estimated annual average
environmental concentration of fluroxypyr in surface water is 3.3 parts
per billion (ppb).
For the ground water estimated concentration, the Tier I Screening
Concentration in Ground Water (SCI-GROW) model predicts that fluroxypyr
will be found at relatively small concentrations when the herbicide is
applied at the maximum recommended application rate of 0.5 lbs ae/acre.
The estimate is 0.042 ppb (0.042 [mu]g/L). This conservative estimate
is a default value generated by the SCI-GROW model.
Based on the PRZM/EXAMS and SCI-GROW models, the estimated
environmental concentrations (EECs) of fluroxypyr for surface water are
estimated to be 3.3 ppb, and 0.04 ppb for ground water. Modeled
estimates of drinking water concentrations were directly entered into
the dietary exposure model (DEEM-FCID\TM\). For chronic dietary risk
assessment, the annual average concentration of 3.3 ppb was used to
access the contribution to drinking water.
3. From non-dietary exposure. The term ``residential exposure'' is
used in this document to refer to non-occupational, non-dietary
exposure (e.g., for lawn and garden pest control, indoor pest control,
termiticides, and flea and tick control on pets).
Fluroxypyr (Vista\TM\) is registered for application to residential
turfgrass and recreational sites such as golf courses, parks, and
sports fields. The proposed label does not prohibit homeowners from
mixing/loading/applying Vista\TM\.
Residential handlers may receive short-term dermal and inhalation
exposure to fluroxypyr when mixing, loading and applying the
formulations. Adults and children may be exposed to fluroxypyr residues
from dermal contact with turf during post-application activities.
Toddlers may also receive short and intermediate-term oral exposure
from incidental ingestion during post-application activities.
In conducting the short and intermediate-term aggregate risk
assessments, the Agency made the following conservative assumptions.
Incidental oral and inhalation exposures for the aggregate
residential handler scenario included children and adults (U.S.
population subgroup).
Incidental oral exposure from treated areas included
infants and children (up to age 12) for the aggregate post-application
scenario.
Inhalation exposure resulting from residential application
included youth (age 13-19 years old), and the adult population
subgroups.
4. Cumulative effects from substances with a common mechanism of
toxicity. Section 408(b)(2)(D)(v) of the FFDCA requires that, when
considering whether to establish, modify, or revoke a tolerance, the
Agency consider ``available information'' concerning the cumulative
effects of a particular pesticide's residues and ``other substances
that have a common mechanism of toxicity.''
Unlike other pesticides for which EPA has followed a cumulative
risk approach based on a common mechanism of toxicity, EPA has not made
a common mechanism of toxicity finding as to fluroxypyr and any other
substances and fluroxypyr does not appear to produce a toxic metabolite
produced by other substances. For the purposes of this tolerance
action, therefore, EPA has not assumed that fluroxypyr has a common
mechanism of toxicity with other substances. For information regarding
EPA's efforts to determine which chemicals have a common mechanism of
toxicity and to evaluate the cumulative effects of such chemicals, see
the policy statements released by EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs
concerning common mechanism determinations and procedures for
cumulating effects from substances found to have a common mechanism on
EPA's Web site at https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/cumulative.
D. Safety Factor for Infants and Children
1. In general. Section 408 of FFDCA provides that EPA shall apply
an additional tenfold margin of safety for infants and children in the
case of threshold effects to account for prenatal and postnatal
toxicity and the completeness of the data base on toxicity and exposure
unless EPA determines based on reliable data that a different margin of
safety will be safe for infants and children. Margins of safety are
incorporated into EPA risk assessments either directly through use of a
MOE analysis or through using uncertainty (safety) factors in
calculating a dose level that poses no appreciable risk to humans. In
applying this provision, EPA either retains the default value of 10X
when reliable data do not support the choice of a different factor, or,
if reliable data are available, EPA uses a different additional safety
factor value based on the use of traditional uncertainty factors and/or
special FQPA safety factors, as appropriate.
2. Prenatal and postnatal sensitivity. There was no evidence
(quantitative/qualitative) of increased susceptibility following in
utero exposure to the acid and the ester in rats and rabbits, or
following prenatal and/or postnatal exposure to the acid form in rats.
3. Conclusion. EPA has determined that reliable data show that it
would be safe for infants and children to reduce the FQPA safety factor
to 1X. That decision is based on the following findings:
The toxicity database for fluroxypyr is complete.
There was no evidence of neurotoxicity or neuropathology
in the available studies.
There was no evidence (quantitative/qualitative) of
increased susceptibility following pre and/or postnatal exposure.
The chronic dietary food exposure assessment utilizes
tolerance level residue estimates and assumes 100% CT for all
commodities. This assessment is not likely to underestimate exposure/
risk.
The dietary drinking water assessment utilizes water
concentration values generated by model and associated modeling
parameters designed to provide conservative, health protective, high-
end estimates of water concentrations which will not likely be
exceeded.
[[Page 76203]]
The residential exposure assessment was conducted using
standard assumptions based on carefully reviewed data.
E. Aggregate Risks and Determination of Safety
1. Acute risk. There were no toxic effects attributable to a single
dose. An endpoint of concern was not identified for any population
subgroup. Therefore, fluroxypyr is not expected to pose an acute risk.
2. Chronic risk. Using the exposure assumptions described in this
unit for chronic exposure, EPA has concluded that exposure to
fluroxypyr from food and water will utilize <1% of the cPAD for the
U.S. population, <1% of the cPAD for all infants <1 year old, and 1.4%
of the cPAD for children 1-2 years old. Based on the use pattern,
chronic residential exposure to residues of fluroxypyr is not expected.
3. Short and intermediate-term risk. Short and intermediate-term
aggregate exposures are likely to result from exposure to fluroxypyr
residues from food, drinking water, and residential pesticide uses.
High-end estimates are used for residential exposure, while average
values are used for food and drinking water. Short and intermediate-
term risk assessments are required for adults (residential handler
inhalation exposure scenario), in addition to infants and children
(residential post-application oral exposure scenario).
Using the exposure assumptions described for non-dietary short and
intermediate-term exposures, EPA has concluded that food, water, and
residential exposures aggregated result in aggregate MOEs from 4,400 to
54,000 (adults 50+ years old). The MOEs are 8,300 and 4,400 for the
U.S. population, and children 1-2 years old (the most highly exposed
subgroup), respectively.
4. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S. population. Fluroxypyr has been
classified as ``not likely'' to be carcinogenic. Therefore, fluroxypyr
is not expected to pose a cancer risk.
5. Determination of safety. Based on these risk assessments, EPA
concludes that there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result
to the general population, and to infants and children from aggregate
exposure to fluroxypyr residues.
IV. Other Considerations
A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
The gas chromatography/mass-selective detector (GC/MSD) analytical
method used to determine residues of fluroxypyr in both the acid and
methylheptyl ester forms is adequate to recover residues of fluroxypyr
and fluroxypyr 1-MHE in dry bulb onions. The method converts the
methylheptyl ester form of fluroxypyr to the acid and results are
reported as the acid equivalent. The lower limit of method validation
(LLMV) for bulb onions was 0.01 ppm. Further, the method is an
adaptation of a Dow AgroSciencesmethod GRM 96.02, which has been
adequately validated as an enforcement method; therefore the Agency
considers the modified method to be adequate to enforce the requested
tolerance.
Adequate enforcement methodology (GC/MSD) is available to enforce
the tolerance expression. The method may be requested from: Chief,
Analytical Chemistry Branch, Environmental Science Center, 701 Mapes
Rd., Ft. Meade, MD 20755-5350; telephone number: (410) 305-2905; e-mail
address: residuemethods@epa.gov.
B. International Residue Limits
There are currently no Codex, Canadian, or Mexican maximum residue
limits for fluroxypyr or its metabolites in/on dry bulb onions.
C. Response to Comments
A private citizen of Florham Park, New Jersey submitted public
comments on the fluroxypyr notice of filing. The private citizen
commented on the cancer finding classification ``not likely a
carcinogen,'' and views the statement deceptive.
EPA's response: The cancer classification ``Not Likely to be
Carcinogenic to Humans'' comes from EPA's Guidelines for Carcinogen
Risk Assessment. These Guidelines recommend this descriptor when the
available data are considered robust for deciding that there is no
basis for human hazard concern. These Guidelines were developed as part
of an Agency-wide guidelines development program by a Technical Panel
of the U.S. EPA's Risk Assessment Forum, which was composed of
scientists from throughout the Agency. Selected drafts were peer
reviewed internally by the U.S. EPA's Science Advisory Board, and by
experts from universities, environmental groups, industry and other
governmental agencies. The Guidelines were also subjected to several
public comment periods. For additional information regarding EPA's
Guidelines for Carcinogen Risk and recommended descriptor language
please refer to the Federal Register of April 7, 2005 (70 FR 17765)
(FRL-7896-1) (https://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-TOX/2005/April/Day-07/
t6642.htm].
The private citizen also commented on profiteers utilizing the
Agency to promote poor products to the American citizens.
EPA's response: This comment is not germane to EPA's statutory
basis for acting on fluroxypyr tolerance petition. Thus, a technical
response to this comment is not required. The private citizen's
comments contained no scientific data or other substantive evidence to
rebut the Agency's conclusion that there is a reasonable certainty that
no harm will result from aggregate exposure to fluroxypyr from the
establishment of these tolerances.
V. Conclusion
Therefore, the tolerances are established for combined residues of
fluroxypyr, 1-methylheptyl ester [1-methylheptyl] ((4-amino-3,5-
dichloro-6-fluoro-2-pyridinyl)oxy)acetate] and its metabolite
fluroxypyr [((4-amino-3,5-dichloro-6-fluoro-2-pyridinyl)oxy)acetic
acid], in or on onion, bulb; garlic, bulb; and shallot, bulb at 0.03
ppm.
VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
This final rule establishes a tolerance under section 408(d) of
FFDCA in response to a petition submitted to the Agency. The Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) has exempted these types of actions from
review under Executive Order 12866, entitled Regulatory Planning and
Review (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993). Because this rule has been
exempted from review under Executive Order 12866 due to its lack of
significance, this rule is not subject to Executive Order 13211,
Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001). This final rule does
not contain any information collections subject to OMB approval under
the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., or impose
any enforceable duty or contain any unfunded mandate as described under
Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) (Pub. L.
104-4). Nor does it require any special considerations under Executive
Order 12898, entitled Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice
in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations (59 FR 7629,
February 16, 1994); or OMB review or any Agency action under Executive
Order 13045, entitled Protection of Children from Environmental Health
Risks and Safety Risks (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997). This action does
not involve any technical standards that would require Agency
consideration of voluntary
[[Page 76204]]
consensus standards pursuant to section 12(d) of the National
Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (NTTAA), Public Law
104-113, section 12(d) (15 U.S.C. 272 note). Since tolerances and
exemptions that are established on the basis of a petition under
section 408(d) of FFDCA, such as the tolerance in this final rule, do
not require the issuance of a proposed rule, the requirements of the
Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) do not apply.
In addition, the Agency has determined that this action will not have a
substantial direct effect on States, on the relationship between the
national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various levels of government, as specified
in Executive Order 13132, entitled Federalism (64 FR 43255, August 10,
1999). Executive Order 13132 requires EPA to develop an accountable
process to ensure ``meaningful and timely input by State and local
officials in the development of regulatory policies that have
federalism implications.'' ``Policies that have federalism
implications'' is defined in the Executive order to include regulations
that have ``substantial direct effects on the States, on the
relationship between the national government and the States, or on the
distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of
government.'' This final rule directly regulates growers, food
processors, food handlers and food retailers, not States. This action
does not alter the relationships or distribution of power and
responsibilities established by Congress in the preemption provisions
of section 408(n)(4) of FFDCA. For these same reasons, the Agency has
determined that this rule does not have any ``tribal implications'' as
described in Executive Order 13175, entitled Consultation and
Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments (65 FR 67249, November 6,
2000). Executive Order 13175, requires EPA to develop an accountable
process to ensure ``meaningful and timely input by tribal officials in
the development of regulatory policies that have tribal implications.''
``Policies that have tribal implications'' is defined in the Executive
order to include regulations that have ``substantial direct effects on
one or more Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal
Government and the Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities between the Federal Goverument and Indian tribes.''
This rule will not have substantial direct effects on tribal
governments, on the relationship between the Federal Government and
Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities
between the Federal Government and Indian tribes, as specified in
Executive Order 13175. Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not apply to
this rule.
VII. Congressional Review Act
The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally
provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating
the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule,
to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the
United States. EPA will submit a report containing this rule and other
required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of
Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior
to publication of this final rule in the Federal Register. This final
rule is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180
Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure,
Agricultural commodities, Pesticides and pests, Reporting and
recordkeeping, requirements.
Dated: December 12, 2006.
Lois Rossi,
Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.
0
Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is amended as follows:
PART 180--AMENDED
0
1. The authority citation for part 180 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.
0
2. Section 180.535 is amended by alphabetically adding commodities to
the table in paragraph (a) to read as follows:
Sec. 180.535 Fluroxypyr 1-methylheptyl ester; tolerances for
residues.
(a) * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parts per
Commodity million
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
Garlic, bulb............................................... 0.03
* * * * *
Onion, bulb................................................ 0.03
Shallot, bulb.............................................. 0.03
* * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 06-9765 Filed 12-19-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-M