Flutolanil; Pesticide Tolerances, 33013-33018 [E8-13000]
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production and consumption of CFCs,
EPA is making this action effective
immediately to ensure continued
availability of CFCs for medical devices.
Dated: June 5, 2008.
Stephen L. Johnson,
Administrator.
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 82
PART 82—PROTECTION OF
STRATOSPHERIC OZONE
Environmental protection,
Administrative practice and procedure,
Air pollution control, Chemicals,
Exports, Imports, Ozone, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
I
Subpart A—Production and
Consumption Controls
40 CFR part 82 is amended as follows:
1. The authority citation for part 82
continues to read as follows:
I
2. Section 82.8 is amended by revising
the table in paragraph (a) to read as
follows:
I
§ 82.8 Grants of essential use allowances
and critical use allowances.
(a) * * *
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7414, 7601, 7671–
7671q.
TABLE I.—ESSENTIAL USE ALLOWANCES FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2008
Company
2008 Quantity
(metric tons)
Chemical
(i) Metered Dose Inhalers (for oral inhalation) for Treatment of Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Armstrong Pharmaceuticals ......................................................
*
*
*
*
*
[FR Doc. E8–13088 Filed 6–10–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA–HQ–OPP–2007–1021; FRL–8365–6]
Flutolanil; Pesticide Tolerances
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: This regulation establishes
tolerances for indirect or inadvertent
residues of flutolanil in or on wheat and
soybeans. Nichino America, Inc.
requested these tolerances under the
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
(FFDCA).
This regulation is effective June
11, 2008. Objections and requests for
hearings must be received on or before
August 11, 2008, and must be filed in
accordance with the instructions
provided in 40 CFR part 178 (see also
Unit I.C. of the SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION).
DATES:
EPA has established a
docket for this action under docket
identification (ID) number EPA–HQ–
OPP–2007–1021. To access the
electronic docket, go to https://
www.regulations.gov, select ‘‘Advanced
Search,’’ then ‘‘Docket Search.’’ Insert
the docket ID number where indicated
and select the ‘‘Submit’’ button. Follow
the instructions on the regulations.gov
website to view the docket index or
access available documents. All
documents in the docket are listed in
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ADDRESSES:
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CFC–114 (production of epinephrine MDIs only) ....................
the docket index available in
regulations.gov. 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 Bldg.),
2777 S. Crystal Dr., Arlington, VA. The
Docket Facility is open from 8:30 a.m.
to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday,
excluding legal holidays. The Docket
Facility telephone number is (703) 305–
5805.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisa
Jones, Registration Division (7505P),
Office of Pesticide Programs,
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington,
DC 20460–0001; telephone number:
(703) 308–9424; e-mail address:
jones.lisa@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 those engaged in the
following activities:
• Crop production (NAICS code 111).
• Animal production (NAICS code
112).
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27.0
• Food manufacturing (NAICS code
311).
• Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS
code 32532).
This listing is not intended to be
exhaustive, but rather to provide 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 EPA’s tolerance
regulations at 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 FFDCA, any
person may file an objection to any
aspect of this regulation and may also
request a hearing on those objections.
You must file your objection or request
a hearing on this regulation in
accordance with the instructions
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provided in 40 CFR part 178. To ensure
proper receipt by EPA, you must
identify docket ID number EPA–HQ–
OPP–2007–1021 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
as required by 40 CFR part 178 on or
before August 11, 2008.
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 this copy,
identified by docket ID number EPA–
HQ–OPP–2007–1021, by one of the
following methods:
• 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 Bldg.), 2777 S.
Crystal Dr., 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 Facility telephone number is
(703) 305–5805.
II. Petition for Tolerance
In the Federal Register of March 12,
2008 (73 FR 13225) (FRL–8354–6), 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 0F6159) by
Nichino America, Inc., 4550 New
Linden Hill Road, Suite 501,
Wilmington, DE 19808. The petition
requested that 40 CFR 180.484 be
amended by establishing tolerances for
indirect or inadvertent residues of the
fungicide flutolanil, N-(3-(1methylethoxy)phenyl)-2(trifluoromethyl)benzamide, and its
metabolite, M-4, desisopropyl flutolanil
N-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-2(trifluromethyl)benzamide, expressed as
2-(trifluoromethyl) benzoic acid and
calculated as flutolanil, in or on soybean
forage at 9.0 parts per million (ppm),
soybean hay at 2.0 ppm, soybean seed
at 0.20 ppm, wheat bran at 0.3 ppm,
wheat forage at 2.0 ppm, wheat grain at
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0.10 ppm, wheat hay at 1.0 ppm, and
wheat straw at 0.30 ppm.
That notice referenced a summary of
the petition prepared by Nichino
America, Inc., the registrant, which is
available to the public in the docket,
https://www.regulations.gov. One
comment was received on the notice of
filing. EPA’s response to these
comments is discussed in Unit IV.C.
Based upon review of the data
supporting the petition, EPA has revised
all proposed tolerances except for
soybean seed. The reasons for these
changes are explained in Unit IV.D.
The time-limited tolerances
exemptions for rice, grain; rice, straw;
rice, bran; and rice, hulls are removed
from 40 CFR 180.484 because the
expiration date of December 31, 2000
has passed.
III. Aggregate Risk Assessment and
Determination of Safety
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
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. . . .’’
Consistent with section 408(b)(2)(D)
of FFDCA, and the factors specified in
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 for the petitioned-for
tolerances for indirect or inadvertent
residues of flutolanil, N-(3-(1methylethoxy)phenyl)-2(trifluoromethyl)benzamide, and its
metabolites converted to 2(trifluoromethyl) benzoic acid and
calculated as flutolanil, in or on soybean
forage at 8.0 ppm, soybean hay at 2.5
ppm, soybean seed at 0.20 ppm, wheat
forage at 2.5 ppm, wheat grain at 0.05
ppm, wheat hay at 1.2 ppm, wheat straw
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at 0.20 ppm, and wheat bran at 0.20
ppm. EPA’s assessment of exposures
and risks associated with establishing
tolerances follows.
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.
The toxicology studies conducted on
flutolanil demonstrate few or no
biologically significant toxic effects.
Liver effects in rats included increases
in absolute and relative liver weight in
the absence of clinical chemistry and/or
histopathology findings. In dogs, there
was an elevation in alkaline
phosphatase and cholesterol levels
together with dose-related increases in
absolute and relative liver weights,
slightly enlarged livers, and an increase
in severity of glycogen deposition. The
increased liver weights are considered
to be an adaptive response to flutolanil
treatment and not an adverse effect.
Based on the lack of evidence of
carcinogenicity and the lack of evidence
of mutagenicity, flutolanil is classified
as ‘‘not likely to be carcinogenic to
humans’’.
Flutolanil is not neurotoxic, and it is
not a developmental or reproductive
toxicant. No maternal, reproductive, or
developmental toxicity was observed at
the limit dose. There was no evidence
for increased susceptibility of rat or
rabbit fetuses to in utero exposure or rat
pups to post-natal exposure to
flutolanil. No toxic effects were
observed in studies in which flutolanil
was administered by the dermal route of
exposure at the limit dose.
Specific information on the studies
received and the nature of the adverse
effects caused by flutolanil as well as
the no-observed-adverse-effect-level
(NOAEL) and the lowest-observedadverse-effect-level (LOAEL) from the
toxicity studies can be found at https://
www.regulations.gov in the document
‘‘Flutolanil, Human Health Risk
Assessment. Requests for Inadvertent or
Indirect Tolerances for use on soybean,
wheat, corn and cotton, November 27,
2007’’ beginning on page 7 in docket ID
number EPA–HQ–OPP–2007–1021.
B. Toxicological Endpoints
For hazards that have a threshold
below which there is no appreciable
risk, a toxicological point of departure
(POD) is identified as the basis for
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derivation of reference values for risk
assessment. The POD may be defined as
the highest dose at which no adverse
effects are observed (the NOAEL) in the
toxicology study identified as
appropriate for use in risk assessment.
However, if a NOAEL cannot be
determined, the lowest dose at which
adverse effects of concern are identified
(the LOAEL) or a Benchmark Dose
(BMD) approach is sometimes used for
risk assessment. Uncertainty/safety
factors (UFs) are used in conjunction
with the POD to take into account
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. Safety is assessed for acute
and chronic dietary risks by comparing
aggregate food and water exposure to
the pesticide to the acute population
adjusted dose (aPAD) and chronic
population adjusted dose (cPAD). The
aPAD and cPAD are calculated by
dividing the POD by all applicable UFs.
Aggregate short-term, intermediate-term,
and chronic-term risks are evaluated by
comparing food, water, and residential
exposure to the POD to ensure that the
margin of exposure (MOE) called for by
the product of all applicable UFs is not
exceeded. This latter value is referred to
as the Level of Concern (LOC).
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For non-threshold risks, the Agency
assumes that any amount of exposure
will lead to some degree of risk. Thus,
the Agency estimates risk in terms of the
probability of an occurrence of the
adverse effect greater than that expected
in a lifetime. For more information on
the general principles EPA uses in risk
characterization and a complete
description of the risk assessment
process, see https://www.epa.gov/
pesticides/factsheets/riskassess.htm.
A summary of the toxicological
endpoints for flutolanil used for human
risk assessment is shown in the
following table.
TABLE 1.—SUMMARY OF TOXICOLOGICAL DOSES AND ENDPOINTS FOR FLUTOLANIL FOR USE IN HUMAN RISK ASSESSMENT
Point of Departure and
Uncertainty/Safety Factors
Exposure/Scenario
RfD, PAD, LOC for Risk
Assessment
Acute dietary (all populations)
Study and Toxicological Effects
No appropriate toxicological endpoint attributable
to a single exposure (dose) was identified from
the oral toxicity studies including developmental
toxicity studies in rats and rabbits.
Chronic dietary (all populations)
Cancer (oral, dermal, inhalation)
NOAEL = 50 mg/kg/day
UFA = 10x
UFH = 10x
FQPA SF = 1x
Chronic RfD = 0.5 mg/
kg/day
cPAD = 0.5 mg/kg/day
2–year chronic study in dogs, MRID no. 40342922
LOAEL = 250 mg/kg/day based on increased incidence of clinical toxic signs (emesis, salivation,
and soft stool)
‘‘Not likely to be carcinogenic to humans’’ based on the absence of significant tumor increases in two
adequate rodent carcinogenicity studies.
UFA = extrapolation from animal to human (interspecies). UFH = potential variation in sensitivity among members of the human population
(intraspecies). UFL = use of a LOAEL to extrapolate a NOAEL. UFS = use of a short-term study for long-term risk assessment. UFDB = to account for the absence of data or other data deficiency. FQPA SF = FQPA Safety Factor. PAD = population adjusted dose (a = acute, c = chronic). RfD = reference dose. MOE = margin of exposure. LOC = level of concern.
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C. Exposure Assessment
1. Dietary exposure from food and
feed uses. In evaluating dietary
exposure to flutolanil and metabolites,
EPA considered exposure under the
petitioned-for tolerances as well as all
existing flutolanil tolerances in (40 CFR
180.484). EPA assessed dietary
exposures from flutolanil in food as
follows:
i. Acute exposure. Quantitative acute
dietary exposure and risk assessments
are performed for a food-use pesticide,
if a toxicological study has indicated the
possibility of an effect of concern
occurring as a result of a 1–day or single
exposure.
No such effects were identified in the
toxicological studies for flutolanil;
therefore, a quantitative acute dietary
exposure assessment is unnecessary.
ii. Chronic exposure. In conducting
the chronic dietary exposure assessment
EPA used the food consumption data
from the United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA) 1994–1996 and
1998 CSFII. As to residue levels in food,
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EPA assumed that tolerance-level
residues were used for all crops.
iii. Cancer. Flutolanil has been
classified as ‘‘Not likely to be
Carcinogenic to Humans’’ therefore a
cancer dietary exposure assessment was
not performed.
2. Dietary exposure from drinking
water. The Agency used screening level
water exposure models in the dietary
exposure analysis and risk assessment
for flutolanil in drinking water. These
simulation models take into account
data on the physical, chemical, and fate/
transport characteristics of flutolanil.
Further information regarding EPA
drinking water models used in pesticide
exposure assessment can be found at
https://www.epa.gov/oppefed1/models/
water/index.htm.
The Agency used the First
Approximation Rice Model (FARM) to
estimate pesticide concentrations in
surface water after applying flutolanil
on rice and Screening Concentrations in
Ground Water (SCI-GROW), which
predicts pesticide concentrations in
ground water. In general, EPA will use
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Generic Expected Environmental
Concentrations (GENEEC) (a Tier 1
model) before using Pesticide Root
Zone/Exposure Analysis Modeling
System (PRZM/EXAMS) (a Tier 2
model) for a screening-level assessment
for surface water, but given the unique
hydrological issues arising from
pesticide application to rice paddies,
EPA used the FARM rather than
GENEEC or PRZM/EXAMS for surface
water estimates.
Based on the SCI-GROW model, and
the FARM (to estimate pesticide
concentrations in surface water after
applying flutolanil on rice) the
estimated environmental concentrations
(EECs) of flutolanil for acute exposures
are estimated to be 3.8 parts per billion
(ppb) for surface water and 0.34 ppb for
ground water. The EECs for chronic
exposures are estimated to be 3.8 ppb
for surface water and 0.34 ppb for
ground water.
Modeled estimates of drinking water
concentrations were directly entered
into the dietary exposure model. For
chronic dietary risk assessment, the
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water concentration of value 3.8 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,
indoor pest control, termiticides, and
flea and tick control on pets).
Flutolanil is currently registered for
the following uses that could result in
residential exposures: Turf grass and
ornamental plants. Although residential
(non-occupational) exposure exists, a
quantitative exposure assessment was
not conducted since no toxicological
endpoint attributable to acute, shortterm or intermediate-term exposure
have been identified and the current use
pattern does not indicate chronic or
long-term exposure (6 or more months
of continuous exposure) potential.
4. Cumulative effects from substances
with a common mechanism of toxicity.
Section 408(b)(2)(D)(v) of 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.’’
EPA has not found flutolanil to share
a common mechanism of toxicity with
any other substances, and flutolanil
does not appear to produce a toxic
metabolite produced by other
substances. For the purposes of this
tolerance action, therefore, EPA has
assumed that flutolanil does not have 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 EPA’s website at https://
www.epa.gov/pesticides/cumulative.
D. Safety Factor for Infants and
Children
1. In general. Section 408(b)(2)(c) of
FFDCA provides that EPA shall apply
an additional tenfold (10X) 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 database on toxicity
and exposure (MOE) unless EPA
determines based on reliable data that a
different margin of safety will be safe for
infants and children. This additional
margin of safety is commonly referred to
as the FQPA safety factor (SF). In
applying this provision, EPA either
retains the default value of 10X, or uses
a different additional safety factor when
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reliable data available to EPA support
the choice of a different factor.
2. Prenatal and postnatal sensitivity.
There was no evidence of increased
susceptibility of rat or rabbit fetuses to
in utero exposure or rat pups to postnatal exposure to flutolanil. Flutolanil is
not neurotoxic, and it is not a
developmental or reproductive toxicant.
No maternal, reproductive, or
developmental toxicity was observed at
the limit dose.
3. Conclusion. EPA has determined
that reliable data show the safety of
infants and children would be
adequately protected if the FQPA SF
were reduced to 1X. That decision is
based on the following findings:
i. The toxicity database for flutolanil
is complete.
ii. There is no indication that
flutolanil is a neurotoxic chemical and
there is no need for a developmental
neurotoxicity study or additional UFs to
account for neurotoxicity.
iii. There is no evidence that
flutolanil results in increased
susceptibility in in utero rats or rabbits
in the prenatal developmental studies or
in young rats in the 2-generation
reproduction study.
iv. There are no residual uncertainties
identified in the exposure data bases.
The dietary food exposure assessments
were performed based on 100 percent
crop treated (PCT) and tolerance-level
residues.
EPA made conservative (protective)
assumptions in the ground water and
surface water modeling used to assess
exposure to flutolanil in drinking water.
The level of residential exposure was
not assessed as flutolanil was found to
have no toxic endpoints corresponding
to the duration of exposures in the
residential setting. These assessments
will not underestimate the exposure and
risks posed by flutolanil.
E. Aggregate Risks and Determination of
Safety
EPA determines whether acute and
chronic pesticide exposures are safe by
comparing aggregate exposure estimates
to the aPAD and cPAD. The aPAD and
cPAD represent the highest safe
exposures, taking into account all
appropriate SFs. EPA calculates the
aPAD and cPAD by dividing the POD by
all applicable UFs. For linear cancer
risks, EPA calculates the probability of
additional cancer cases given the
estimated aggregate exposure. Shortterm, intermediate-term, and chronicterm risks are evaluated by comparing
the estimated aggregate food, water, and
residential exposure to the POD to
ensure that the MOE called for by the
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product of all applicable UFs is not
exceeded.
1. Acute risk. No appropriate
endpoint attributable to a single
exposure (dose) was identified from oral
toxicity studies for the general
population or for females aged thirteen
years or older. Flutolanil 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 flutolanil and
metabolites from food and water will
utilize 1% of the cPAD for the most
highly exposed population subgroup
(infants less than one year old). Based
on the use pattern, chronic residential
exposure to residues of flutolanil is not
expected.
3. Short and intermediate-term risk.
Short-term and intermediate-term
aggregate exposure assessment takes
into account residential exposure plus
chronic exposure to food and water
(considered to be a background
exposure level).
Because no flutolanil toxicity from
short-term or intermediate-term dermal
and inhalation exposure was identified,
flutolanil is not expected to pose a
short-term or intermediate-term dermal
or inhalation risk.
4. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S.
population. EPA has classified flutolanil
as ‘‘not likely’’ to be a human
carcinogen.
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, or to infants and children
from aggregate exposure to flutolanil
residues.
IV. Other Considerations
A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
An adequate common moiety high
performance liquid chromatography/
mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS) method
(Method AU/95R/04) is available which
determines residues of flutolanil and
metabolites as 2-trifluoromethyl benzoic
acid (2-TFBA). 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
Codex maximum residue limits
(MRLs) are established for residues of
flutolanil per se in rice commodities at
1–10 ppm, and in livestock
commodities at 0.05–0.2 ppm. There are
no wheat or soybean Codex MRL’s.
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Codex MRL’s differ from established
tolerances for the following
commodities: Rice, grain; cattle, goat
and hog kidney, and cattle, goat and hog
liver. No Canadian or Mexican MRLs
have been established for flutolanil.
The Agency’s tolerance levels are
based on analyses of the residue field
trial data using EPA’s Tolerance
Spreadsheet in accordance with the
Agency’s Guidance for Setting Pesticide
Tolerances Based on Field Trial Data,
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
C. Response to Comments
One comment was received from a
private citizen objecting to the
establishment of tolerances for
flutolanil. The commenter criticized
EPA’s reliance on toxicology testing on
animals. The Agency has received, and
responded to, similar comments from
this commenter on numerous previous
occasions. Refer to Federal Register 70
FR 37686 (June 30, 2005), 70 FR 1354
(January 7, 2005) and, 69 FR 63096
(October 29, 2004) for the Agency’s
response to these objections.
yshivers on PROD1PC62 with RULES
D. Revisions to Petitioned-For
Tolerances
Based upon review of the data
supporting the petition, EPA
determined that the proposed tolerances
should be revised as follows: Soybean,
forage decreased from 9.0 ppm to 8.0
ppm; soybean, hay increased from 2.0
ppm to 2.5 ppm; wheat, forage increased
from 2.0 ppm to 2.5 ppm; wheat, grain
decreased from 0.1 ppm to 0.05 ppm;
wheat, hay increased from 1.0 ppm to
1.2 ppm; wheat, straw decreased from
0.3 ppm to 0.20 ppm; and wheat, bran
decreased from 0.3 ppm to 0.20 ppm.
EPA revised these tolerance levels based
on analysis of the residue field trial data
using the Agency’s Tolerance
Spreadsheet in accordance with the
Agency’s Guidance for Setting Pesticide
Tolerances Based on Field Trial Data
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
V. Conclusion
Therefore, tolerances are established
for indirect or inadvertent residues of
flutolanil, N-(3-(1methylethoxy)phenyl)-2(trifluoromethyl)benzamide, and its
metabolites converted to 2(trifluoromethyl) benzoic acid and
calculated as flutolanil, in or on
soybean, forage at 8.0 ppm, soybean,
hay at 2.5 ppm, soybean, seed at 0.20
ppm, wheat, forage at 2.5 ppm, wheat,
grain at 0.05 ppm, wheat, hay at 1.2
ppm, wheat, straw at 0.20 ppm, and
wheat, bran at 0.20 ppm.
Additionally, expired time-limited
tolerances for rice, grain; rice, straw;
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:03 Jun 10, 2008
Jkt 214001
rice, bran; and rice, hulls are removed
from 40 CFR part 180.484:
VI. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
This final rule establishes tolerances
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 final rule
has been exempted from review under
Executive Order 12866, this final 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) or Executive Order 13045,
entitled Protection of Children from
Environmental Health Risks and Safety
Risks (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997).
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., 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).
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.
This final rule directly regulates
growers, food processors, food handlers,
and food retailers, not States or tribes,
nor does this action alter the
relationships or distribution of power
and responsibilities established by
Congress in the preemption provisions
of section 408(n)(4) of FFDCA. As such,
the Agency has determined that this
action will not have a substantial direct
effect on States or tribal governments,
on the relationship between the national
government and the States or tribal
governments, or on the distribution of
power and responsibilities among the
various levels of government or between
the Federal Government and Indian
tribes. Thus, the Agency has determined
that Executive Order 13132, entitled
Federalism (64 FR 43255, August 10,
1999) and Executive Order 13175,
entitled Consultation and Coordination
with Indian Tribal Governments (65 FR
67249, November 9, 2000) do not apply
to this final rule. In addition, this final
rule does not impose any enforceable
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33017
duty or contain any unfunded mandate
as described under Title II of the
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
(UMRA) (Public Law 104–4).
This action does not involve any
technical standards that would require
Agency consideration of voluntary
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).
VII. Congressional Review Act
The Congressional Review Act, 5
U.S.C. 801 et seq., generally provides
that before a rule may take effect, the
agency promulgating the rule must
submit a rule report 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: May 29, 2008.
Lois A. Rossi,
Director, Registration Division, Office of
Pesticide Programs.
Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is
amended as follows:
I
PART 180—[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for part 180
continues to read as follows:
I
Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.
2. Section 180.484 is amended by
removing paragraph (a)(2), removing the
heading to paragraph (a)(1),
redesignating paragraph (a)(1) as
paragraph (a) and revising paragraph (d)
to read as follows:
I
§ 180.484 Flutolanil (N-(3-(1methylethoxy)phenyl)-2(trifluoromethyl)benzamide); tolerances for
residues.
*
*
*
*
*
(d) Indirect or inadvertent residues.
Tolerances are established for the
indirect or inadvertent residues of the
fungicide flutolanil, N-(3-(1methylethoxy)phenyl)-2(trifluoromethyl)benzamide, and its
metabolites converted to 2(trifluoromethyl) benzoic acid and
E:\FR\FM\11JNR1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 113 / Wednesday, June 11, 2008 / Rules and Regulations
calculated as flutolanil, in or on the
following commodities:
Commodity
Parts per million
Soybean, forage ..............................................................................................................................................
Soybean, hay ...................................................................................................................................................
Soybean, seed .................................................................................................................................................
Wheat, bran .....................................................................................................................................................
Wheat, forage ..................................................................................................................................................
Wheat, grain ....................................................................................................................................................
Wheat, hay .......................................................................................................................................................
Wheat, straw
[FR Doc. E8–13000 Filed 6–10–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–S
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA–HQ–OPP–2007–0535; FRL–8366–4]
Bifenthrin; Pesticide Tolerances
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
yshivers on PROD1PC62 with RULES
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: This regulation establishes
tolerances for residues of the insecticide
bifenthrin (2-methyl [1,1’-biphenyl]-3yl) methyl-3-(2-chloro-3,3,3,-trifluoro-1propenyl)-2,2dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate in or
on food commodities bushberry
subgroup 13-07B; and leafy petioles
subgroup 4B. The Interregional Research
Project Number 4 (IR-4) requested these
tolerances under the Federal Food,
Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). In
addition, this action revises previously
established time-limited tolerances for
residues of bifenthrin in or on
orchardgrass, forage and orchardgrass,
hay in response to the approval of a
specific exemption under section 18 of
the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) authorizing the
use of this insecticide on orchardgrass
in the State of Oregon to control western
orchardgrass billbug. Residue data have
been submitted indicating the need to
increase the tolerances from their
original level. This regulation
establishes maximum permissible levels
of residues of bifenthrin in these food/
feed commodities. The time-limited
tolerances expire and are revoked on
December 31, 2009.
DATES: This regulation is effective June
11, 2008. Objections and requests for
hearings must be received on or before
August 11, 2008, and must be filed in
accordance with the instructions
provided in 40 CFR part 178 (see also
Unit I.C. of the SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION).
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:03 Jun 10, 2008
Jkt 214001
EPA has established a
docket for this action under docket
identification (ID) number EPA–HQ–
OPP–2007–0535. To access the
electronic docket, go to https://
www.regulations.gov, select ‘‘Advanced
Search,’’ then ‘‘Docket Search.’’ Insert
the docket ID number where indicated
and select the ‘‘Submit’’ button. Follow
the instructions on the regulations.gov
website to view the docket index or
access available documents. All
documents in the docket are listed in
the docket index available in
regulations.gov. 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 Bldg.),
2777 S. Crystal Dr., Arlington, VA. The
Docket Facility is open from 8:30 a.m.
to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday,
excluding legal holidays. The Docket
Facility telephone number is (703) 305–
5805.
ADDRESSES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Sidney Jackson, Registration Division
(7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs,
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington,
DC 20460–0001; telephone number:
(703) 305–7610; e-mail address:
jackson.sidney@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
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8.0
2.5
0.20
0.20
2.5
0.05
1.2
0.20
not limited to those engaged in the
following activities:
• Crop production (NAICS code
111).
• Animal production (NAICS code
112).
• Food manufacturing (NAICS code
311).
• Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS
code 32532).
This listing is not intended to be
exhaustive, but rather to provide 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 EPA’s tolerance
regulations at 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 FFDCA, any
person may file an objection to any
aspect of this regulation and may also
request a hearing on those objections.
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–
E:\FR\FM\11JNR1.SGM
11JNR1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 113 (Wednesday, June 11, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33013-33018]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-13000]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-1021; FRL-8365-6]
Flutolanil; Pesticide Tolerances
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This regulation establishes tolerances for indirect or
inadvertent residues of flutolanil in or on wheat and soybeans. Nichino
America, Inc. requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug,
and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
DATES: This regulation is effective June 11, 2008. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received on or before August 11, 2008,
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-2007-1021. To access the
electronic docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, select ``Advanced
Search,'' then ``Docket Search.'' Insert the docket ID number where
indicated and select the ``Submit'' button. Follow the instructions on
the regulations.gov website to view the docket index or access
available documents. All documents in the docket are listed in the
docket index available in regulations.gov. 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 Bldg.), 2777 S. Crystal Dr.,
Arlington, VA. The Docket Facility is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The Docket Facility
telephone number is (703) 305-5805.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisa Jones, Registration Division
(7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency,
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone
number: (703) 308-9424; e-mail address: jones.lisa@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 those
engaged in the following activities:
Crop production (NAICS code 111).
Animal production (NAICS code 112).
Food manufacturing (NAICS code 311).
Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS code 32532).
This listing is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather to
provide 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 EPA's tolerance regulations at
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 FFDCA, any person may file an objection to
any aspect of this regulation and may also request a hearing on those
objections. You must file your objection or request a hearing on this
regulation in accordance with the instructions
[[Page 33014]]
provided in 40 CFR part 178. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, you must
identify docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-1021 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 as required by 40 CFR
part 178 on or before August 11, 2008.
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 this copy, identified by docket ID number
EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-1021, by one of the following methods:
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
Bldg.), 2777 S. Crystal Dr., 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 Facility telephone number is (703) 305-5805.
II. Petition for Tolerance
In the Federal Register of March 12, 2008 (73 FR 13225) (FRL-8354-
6), 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
0F6159) by Nichino America, Inc., 4550 New Linden Hill Road, Suite 501,
Wilmington, DE 19808. The petition requested that 40 CFR 180.484 be
amended by establishing tolerances for indirect or inadvertent residues
of the fungicide flutolanil, N-(3-(1-methylethoxy)phenyl)-2-
(trifluoromethyl)benzamide, and its metabolite, M-4, desisopropyl
flutolanil N-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(trifluromethyl)benzamide, expressed
as 2-(trifluoromethyl) benzoic acid and calculated as flutolanil, in or
on soybean forage at 9.0 parts per million (ppm), soybean hay at 2.0
ppm, soybean seed at 0.20 ppm, wheat bran at 0.3 ppm, wheat forage at
2.0 ppm, wheat grain at 0.10 ppm, wheat hay at 1.0 ppm, and wheat straw
at 0.30 ppm.
That notice referenced a summary of the petition prepared by
Nichino America, Inc., the registrant, which is available to the public
in the docket, https://www.regulations.gov. One comment was received on
the notice of filing. EPA's response to these comments is discussed in
Unit IV.C.
Based upon review of the data supporting the petition, EPA has
revised all proposed tolerances except for soybean seed. The reasons
for these changes are explained in Unit IV.D.
The time-limited tolerances exemptions for rice, grain; rice,
straw; rice, bran; and rice, hulls are removed from 40 CFR 180.484
because the expiration date of December 31, 2000 has passed.
III. Aggregate Risk Assessment and Determination of Safety
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
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. . .
.''
Consistent with section 408(b)(2)(D) of FFDCA, and the factors
specified in 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 for the petitioned-for
tolerances for indirect or inadvertent residues of flutolanil, N-(3-(1-
methylethoxy)phenyl)-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzamide, and its metabolites
converted to 2-(trifluoromethyl) benzoic acid and calculated as
flutolanil, in or on soybean forage at 8.0 ppm, soybean hay at 2.5 ppm,
soybean seed at 0.20 ppm, wheat forage at 2.5 ppm, wheat grain at 0.05
ppm, wheat hay at 1.2 ppm, wheat straw at 0.20 ppm, and wheat bran at
0.20 ppm. EPA's assessment of exposures and risks associated with
establishing tolerances follows.
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.
The toxicology studies conducted on flutolanil demonstrate few or
no biologically significant toxic effects. Liver effects in rats
included increases in absolute and relative liver weight in the absence
of clinical chemistry and/or histopathology findings. In dogs, there
was an elevation in alkaline phosphatase and cholesterol levels
together with dose-related increases in absolute and relative liver
weights, slightly enlarged livers, and an increase in severity of
glycogen deposition. The increased liver weights are considered to be
an adaptive response to flutolanil treatment and not an adverse effect.
Based on the lack of evidence of carcinogenicity and the lack of
evidence of mutagenicity, flutolanil is classified as ``not likely to
be carcinogenic to humans''.
Flutolanil is not neurotoxic, and it is not a developmental or
reproductive toxicant. No maternal, reproductive, or developmental
toxicity was observed at the limit dose. There was no evidence for
increased susceptibility of rat or rabbit fetuses to in utero exposure
or rat pups to post-natal exposure to flutolanil. No toxic effects were
observed in studies in which flutolanil was administered by the dermal
route of exposure at the limit dose.
Specific information on the studies received and the nature of the
adverse effects caused by flutolanil 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 in the document ``Flutolanil, Human Health Risk
Assessment. Requests for Inadvertent or Indirect Tolerances for use on
soybean, wheat, corn and cotton, November 27, 2007'' beginning on page
7 in docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-1021.
B. Toxicological Endpoints
For hazards that have a threshold below which there is no
appreciable risk, a toxicological point of departure (POD) is
identified as the basis for
[[Page 33015]]
derivation of reference values for risk assessment. The POD may be
defined as the highest dose at which no adverse effects are observed
(the NOAEL) in the toxicology study identified as appropriate for use
in risk assessment. However, if a NOAEL cannot be determined, the
lowest dose at which adverse effects of concern are identified (the
LOAEL) or a Benchmark Dose (BMD) approach is sometimes used for risk
assessment. Uncertainty/safety factors (UFs) are used in conjunction
with the POD to take into account 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. Safety is assessed for acute and chronic dietary
risks by comparing aggregate food and water exposure to the pesticide
to the acute population adjusted dose (aPAD) and chronic population
adjusted dose (cPAD). The aPAD and cPAD are calculated by dividing the
POD by all applicable UFs. Aggregate short-term, intermediate-term, and
chronic-term risks are evaluated by comparing food, water, and
residential exposure to the POD to ensure that the margin of exposure
(MOE) called for by the product of all applicable UFs is not exceeded.
This latter value is referred to as the Level of Concern (LOC).
For non-threshold risks, the Agency assumes that any amount of
exposure will lead to some degree of risk. Thus, the Agency estimates
risk in terms of the probability of an occurrence of the adverse effect
greater than that expected in a lifetime. For more information on the
general principles EPA uses in risk characterization and a complete
description of the risk assessment process, see https://www.epa.gov/
pesticides/factsheets/riskassess.htm.
A summary of the toxicological endpoints for flutolanil used for
human risk assessment is shown in the following table.
Table 1.--Summary of Toxicological Doses and Endpoints for Flutolanil for Use in Human Risk Assessment
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point of Departure and
Exposure/Scenario Uncertainty/Safety RfD, PAD, LOC for Risk Study and Toxicological
Factors Assessment Effects
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acute dietary (all populations) No appropriate
toxicological endpoint
attributable to a
single exposure (dose)
was identified from
the oral toxicity
studies including
developmental toxicity
studies in rats and
rabbits.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chronic dietary (all populations) NOAEL = 50 mg/kg/day Chronic RfD = 0.5 mg/kg/ 2-year chronic study in
UFA = 10x.............. day dogs, MRID no.
UFH = 10x.............. cPAD = 0.5 mg/kg/day... 40342922
FQPA SF = 1x........... LOAEL = 250 mg/kg/day
based on increased
incidence of clinical
toxic signs (emesis,
salivation, and soft
stool)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cancer (oral, dermal, inhalation) ``Not likely to be carcinogenic to humans'' based on the absence of
significant tumor increases in two adequate rodent carcinogenicity
studies.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UFA = extrapolation from animal to human (interspecies). UFH = potential variation in sensitivity among members
of the human population (intraspecies). UFL = use of a LOAEL to extrapolate a NOAEL. UFS = use of a short-term
study for long-term risk assessment. UFDB = to account for the absence of data or other data deficiency. FQPA
SF = FQPA Safety Factor. PAD = population adjusted dose (a = acute, c = chronic). RfD = reference dose. MOE =
margin of exposure. LOC = level of concern.
C. Exposure Assessment
1. Dietary exposure from food and feed uses. In evaluating dietary
exposure to flutolanil and metabolites, EPA considered exposure under
the petitioned-for tolerances as well as all existing flutolanil
tolerances in (40 CFR 180.484). EPA assessed dietary exposures from
flutolanil in food as follows:
i. Acute exposure. Quantitative acute dietary exposure and risk
assessments are performed for a food-use pesticide, if a toxicological
study has indicated the possibility of an effect of concern occurring
as a result of a 1-day or single exposure.
No such effects were identified in the toxicological studies for
flutolanil; therefore, a quantitative acute dietary exposure assessment
is unnecessary.
ii. Chronic exposure. In conducting the chronic dietary exposure
assessment EPA used the food consumption data from the United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA) 1994-1996 and 1998 CSFII. As to
residue levels in food, EPA assumed that tolerance-level residues were
used for all crops.
iii. Cancer. Flutolanil has been classified as ``Not likely to be
Carcinogenic to Humans'' therefore a cancer dietary exposure assessment
was not performed.
2. Dietary exposure from drinking water. The Agency used screening
level water exposure models in the dietary exposure analysis and risk
assessment for flutolanil in drinking water. These simulation models
take into account data on the physical, chemical, and fate/transport
characteristics of flutolanil. Further information regarding EPA
drinking water models used in pesticide exposure assessment can be
found at https://www.epa.gov/oppefed1/models/water/index.htm.
The Agency used the First Approximation Rice Model (FARM) to
estimate pesticide concentrations in surface water after applying
flutolanil on rice and Screening Concentrations in Ground Water (SCI-
GROW), which predicts pesticide concentrations in ground water. In
general, EPA will use Generic Expected Environmental Concentrations
(GENEEC) (a Tier 1 model) before using Pesticide Root Zone/Exposure
Analysis Modeling System (PRZM/EXAMS) (a Tier 2 model) for a screening-
level assessment for surface water, but given the unique hydrological
issues arising from pesticide application to rice paddies, EPA used the
FARM rather than GENEEC or PRZM/EXAMS for surface water estimates.
Based on the SCI-GROW model, and the FARM (to estimate pesticide
concentrations in surface water after applying flutolanil on rice) the
estimated environmental concentrations (EECs) of flutolanil for acute
exposures are estimated to be 3.8 parts per billion (ppb) for surface
water and 0.34 ppb for ground water. The EECs for chronic exposures are
estimated to be 3.8 ppb for surface water and 0.34 ppb for ground
water.
Modeled estimates of drinking water concentrations were directly
entered into the dietary exposure model. For chronic dietary risk
assessment, the
[[Page 33016]]
water concentration of value 3.8 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).
Flutolanil is currently registered for the following uses that
could result in residential exposures: Turf grass and ornamental
plants. Although residential (non-occupational) exposure exists, a
quantitative exposure assessment was not conducted since no
toxicological endpoint attributable to acute, short-term or
intermediate-term exposure have been identified and the current use
pattern does not indicate chronic or long-term exposure (6 or more
months of continuous exposure) potential.
4. Cumulative effects from substances with a common mechanism of
toxicity. Section 408(b)(2)(D)(v) of 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.''
EPA has not found flutolanil to share a common mechanism of
toxicity with any other substances, and flutolanil does not appear to
produce a toxic metabolite produced by other substances. For the
purposes of this tolerance action, therefore, EPA has assumed that
flutolanil does not have 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 EPA's website at https://
www.epa.gov/pesticides/cumulative.
D. Safety Factor for Infants and Children
1. In general. Section 408(b)(2)(c) of FFDCA provides that EPA
shall apply an additional tenfold (10X) 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 database on toxicity
and exposure (MOE) unless EPA determines based on reliable data that a
different margin of safety will be safe for infants and children. This
additional margin of safety is commonly referred to as the FQPA safety
factor (SF). In applying this provision, EPA either retains the default
value of 10X, or uses a different additional safety factor when
reliable data available to EPA support the choice of a different
factor.
2. Prenatal and postnatal sensitivity. There was no evidence of
increased susceptibility of rat or rabbit fetuses to in utero exposure
or rat pups to post-natal exposure to flutolanil. Flutolanil is not
neurotoxic, and it is not a developmental or reproductive toxicant. No
maternal, reproductive, or developmental toxicity was observed at the
limit dose.
3. Conclusion. EPA has determined that reliable data show the
safety of infants and children would be adequately protected if the
FQPA SF were reduced to 1X. That decision is based on the following
findings:
i. The toxicity database for flutolanil is complete.
ii. There is no indication that flutolanil is a neurotoxic chemical
and there is no need for a developmental neurotoxicity study or
additional UFs to account for neurotoxicity.
iii. There is no evidence that flutolanil results in increased
susceptibility in in utero rats or rabbits in the prenatal
developmental studies or in young rats in the 2-generation reproduction
study.
iv. There are no residual uncertainties identified in the exposure
data bases. The dietary food exposure assessments were performed based
on 100 percent crop treated (PCT) and tolerance-level residues.
EPA made conservative (protective) assumptions in the ground water
and surface water modeling used to assess exposure to flutolanil in
drinking water. The level of residential exposure was not assessed as
flutolanil was found to have no toxic endpoints corresponding to the
duration of exposures in the residential setting. These assessments
will not underestimate the exposure and risks posed by flutolanil.
E. Aggregate Risks and Determination of Safety
EPA determines whether acute and chronic pesticide exposures are
safe by comparing aggregate exposure estimates to the aPAD and cPAD.
The aPAD and cPAD represent the highest safe exposures, taking into
account all appropriate SFs. EPA calculates the aPAD and cPAD by
dividing the POD by all applicable UFs. For linear cancer risks, EPA
calculates the probability of additional cancer cases given the
estimated aggregate exposure. Short-term, intermediate-term, and
chronic-term risks are evaluated by comparing the estimated aggregate
food, water, and residential exposure to the POD to ensure that the MOE
called for by the product of all applicable UFs is not exceeded.
1. Acute risk. No appropriate endpoint attributable to a single
exposure (dose) was identified from oral toxicity studies for the
general population or for females aged thirteen years or older.
Flutolanil 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
flutolanil and metabolites from food and water will utilize 1% of the
cPAD for the most highly exposed population subgroup (infants less than
one year old). Based on the use pattern, chronic residential exposure
to residues of flutolanil is not expected.
3. Short and intermediate-term risk. Short-term and intermediate-
term aggregate exposure assessment takes into account residential
exposure plus chronic exposure to food and water (considered to be a
background exposure level).
Because no flutolanil toxicity from short-term or intermediate-
term dermal and inhalation exposure was identified, flutolanil is not
expected to pose a short-term or intermediate-term dermal or inhalation
risk.
4. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S. population. EPA has classified
flutolanil as ``not likely'' to be a human carcinogen.
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, or to infants and children from aggregate
exposure to flutolanil residues.
IV. Other Considerations
A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
An adequate common moiety high performance liquid chromatography/
mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS) method (Method AU/95R/04) is available
which determines residues of flutolanil and metabolites as 2-
trifluoromethyl benzoic acid (2-TFBA). 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
Codex maximum residue limits (MRLs) are established for residues of
flutolanil per se in rice commodities at 1-10 ppm, and in livestock
commodities at 0.05-0.2 ppm. There are no wheat or soybean Codex MRL's.
[[Page 33017]]
Codex MRL's differ from established tolerances for the following
commodities: Rice, grain; cattle, goat and hog kidney, and cattle, goat
and hog liver. No Canadian or Mexican MRLs have been established for
flutolanil.
The Agency's tolerance levels are based on analyses of the residue
field trial data using EPA's Tolerance Spreadsheet in accordance with
the Agency's Guidance for Setting Pesticide Tolerances Based on Field
Trial Data, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
C. Response to Comments
One comment was received from a private citizen objecting to the
establishment of tolerances for flutolanil. The commenter criticized
EPA's reliance on toxicology testing on animals. The Agency has
received, and responded to, similar comments from this commenter on
numerous previous occasions. Refer to Federal Register 70 FR 37686
(June 30, 2005), 70 FR 1354 (January 7, 2005) and, 69 FR 63096 (October
29, 2004) for the Agency's response to these objections.
D. Revisions to Petitioned-For Tolerances
Based upon review of the data supporting the petition, EPA
determined that the proposed tolerances should be revised as follows:
Soybean, forage decreased from 9.0 ppm to 8.0 ppm; soybean, hay
increased from 2.0 ppm to 2.5 ppm; wheat, forage increased from 2.0 ppm
to 2.5 ppm; wheat, grain decreased from 0.1 ppm to 0.05 ppm; wheat, hay
increased from 1.0 ppm to 1.2 ppm; wheat, straw decreased from 0.3 ppm
to 0.20 ppm; and wheat, bran decreased from 0.3 ppm to 0.20 ppm. EPA
revised these tolerance levels based on analysis of the residue field
trial data using the Agency's Tolerance Spreadsheet in accordance with
the Agency's Guidance for Setting Pesticide Tolerances Based on Field
Trial Data Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
V. Conclusion
Therefore, tolerances are established for indirect or inadvertent
residues of flutolanil, N-(3-(1-methylethoxy)phenyl)-2-
(trifluoromethyl)benzamide, and its metabolites converted to 2-
(trifluoromethyl) benzoic acid and calculated as flutolanil, in or on
soybean, forage at 8.0 ppm, soybean, hay at 2.5 ppm, soybean, seed at
0.20 ppm, wheat, forage at 2.5 ppm, wheat, grain at 0.05 ppm, wheat,
hay at 1.2 ppm, wheat, straw at 0.20 ppm, and wheat, bran at 0.20 ppm.
Additionally, expired time-limited tolerances for rice, grain;
rice, straw; rice, bran; and rice, hulls are removed from 40 CFR part
180.484:
VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
This final rule establishes tolerances 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 final rule has been
exempted from review under Executive Order 12866, this final 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) or Executive Order 13045, entitled Protection of
Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks (62 FR 19885,
April 23, 1997). 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., 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).
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.
This final rule directly regulates growers, food processors, food
handlers, and food retailers, not States or tribes, nor does this
action alter the relationships or distribution of power and
responsibilities established by Congress in the preemption provisions
of section 408(n)(4) of FFDCA. As such, the Agency has determined that
this action will not have a substantial direct effect on States or
tribal governments, on the relationship between the national government
and the States or tribal governments, or on the distribution of power
and responsibilities among the various levels of government or between
the Federal Government and Indian tribes. Thus, the Agency has
determined that Executive Order 13132, entitled Federalism (64 FR
43255, August 10, 1999) and Executive Order 13175, entitled
Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments (65 FR
67249, November 9, 2000) do not apply to this final rule. In addition,
this final rule does not impose any enforceable duty or contain any
unfunded mandate as described under Title II of the Unfunded Mandates
Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) (Public Law 104-4).
This action does not involve any technical standards that would
require Agency consideration of voluntary 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).
VII. Congressional Review Act
The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., generally
provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating
the rule must submit a rule report 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: May 29, 2008.
Lois A. 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 180.484 is amended by removing paragraph (a)(2), removing
the heading to paragraph (a)(1), redesignating paragraph (a)(1) as
paragraph (a) and revising paragraph (d) to read as follows:
Sec. 180.484 Flutolanil (N-(3-(1-methylethoxy)phenyl)-2-
(trifluoromethyl)benzamide); tolerances for residues.
* * * * *
(d) Indirect or inadvertent residues. Tolerances are established
for the indirect or inadvertent residues of the fungicide flutolanil,
N-(3-(1-methylethoxy)phenyl)-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzamide, and its
metabolites converted to 2-(trifluoromethyl) benzoic acid and
[[Page 33018]]
calculated as flutolanil, in or on the following commodities:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commodity Parts per million
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Soybean, forage..................... 8.0
Soybean, hay........................ 2.5
Soybean, seed....................... 0.20
Wheat, bran......................... 0.20
Wheat, forage....................... 2.5
Wheat, grain........................ 0.05
Wheat, hay.......................... 1.2
Wheat, straw 0.20
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[FR Doc. E8-13000 Filed 6-10-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-S