Spiromesifen; Pesticide Tolerances, 52603-52607 [E8-20873]
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 176 / Wednesday, September 10, 2008 / Rules and Regulations
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Facility telephone number is (703) 305–
5805.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
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Amer Al-Mudallal, Registration Division
30 (7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs,
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
0.75 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington,
DC 20460–0001; telephone number:
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(703) 605–0566; e-mail address: al3.5 mudallal.amer@epa.gov.
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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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I. General Information
[FR Doc. E8–20547 Filed 9–9–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–S
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA–HQ–OPP–2008–0262; FRL–8379–8]
Spiromesifen; Pesticide Tolerances
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
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AGENCY:
SUMMARY: This regulation revises the
tolerances for combined residues of
spiromesifen and its enol metabolite in
or on corn. Bayer CropScience requested
these tolerances under the Federal Food,
Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
DATES: This regulation is effective
September 10, 2008. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received
on or before November 10, 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–2008–0262. All documents in the
docket are listed in the docket index
available at https://www.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
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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 electronically
available documents 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, 21
U.S.C. 346a, 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
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52603
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–2008–0262 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 November 10, 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–2008–0262, 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
Facility’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 May 16,
2008 (73 FR 28461) (FRL–8361–6), 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 7F7274) by Bayer
CropScience, P. O. Box 12014, 2 T. W.
Alexander Drive, Research Triangle
Park, NC 27709. The petition requested
that 40 CFR 180.607 be amended by
increasing tolerances for combined
residues of the insecticide/miticide
spiromesifen in or on corn, field, forage
from 3.0 ppm to 6.0 ppm. That notice
referenced a summary of the petition
prepared by Bayer CropScience, the
registrant, which is available to the
public in the docket, https://
www.regulations.gov. There were no
comments received in response to the
notice of filing.
Based upon review of the data
supporting the petition, EPA has revised
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the tolerances for combined residues of
spiromesifen in or on corn, field, forage
and in/on corn, field, stover. For more
details, see Unit IV.C.
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III. Aggregate Risk Assessment and
Determination of Safety
Section 408(b)(2)(A)(i) of FFDCA
allows EPA to amend 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 combined residues of
spiromesifen and its enol metabolite on
corn, field, forage at 5.0 ppm and corn,
field, stover at 8.0 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. Specific
information on the studies received and
the nature of the adverse effects caused
by spiromesifen as well as the noobserved-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL)
and the lowest-observed-adverse-effectlevel (LOAEL) from the toxicity studies
can be found at https://
www.regulations.gov in document
Spiromesifen HED Risk Assessment for
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Use on Field Corn and Tomatoes, pages
13-20 in docket ID number EPA–HQ–
OPP–2008–0262.
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
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-, intermediate-, 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 spiromesifen used for
human risk assessment can be found at
https://www.regulations.gov in document
Spiromesifen HED Risk Assessment for
Use on Field Corn and Tomatoes, page
21 in docket ID number EPA–HQ–OPP–
2008–0262.
C. Exposure Assessment
1. Dietary exposure from food and
feed uses. In evaluating dietary
exposure to spiromesifen, EPA
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considered exposure under the
petitioned-for tolerances as well as all
existing spiromesifen tolerances in (40
CFR 180.607). EPA assessed dietary
exposures from spiromesifen 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 spiromesifen;
therefore, a quantitative acute dietary
exposure assessment is unnecessary.
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
assessments:
a. Established/recommended
tolerances for all plant and livestock
except the leafy-green and leafy-Brassica
vegetable subgroups;
b. EPA calculated residues of concern
(parent and metabolites) for the leafygreen and leafy-Brassica vegetable
subgroup;
c. 100 Percent Crop Treated (PCT)
information for all proposed and
existing uses; and
d. DEEMTM Version 7.81 default
processing factors for all commodities.
The metabolism studies show that the
hydroxymethyl metabolite is formed
along with the enol metabolite only in
the leafy-green and leafy-Brassica
vegetable subgroups. EPA determined
that these two metabolites along with
spiromesifen should be included in the
chronic dietary risk assessment for these
crops. Residue data are unavailable for
the 4-hydroxymethyl metabolite; to
account for this metabolite in the risk
assessment, the recommended tolerance
levels for these crops was multiplied by
a correction factor of 1.3X, where 1.3 =
metabolites in risk assessment (ppm)/
metabolites in tolerance expression
(ppm).
iii. Cancer. A cancer exposure
assessment was not performed because
spiromesifen is classified as ‘‘not likely
to be carcinogenic to humans.’’
iv. Anticipated residue and PCT
information. EPA did not use
anticipated residue and/or PCT
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information in the dietary assessment
for spiromesifen. Tolerance level
residues and/or 100 PCT were assumed
for all food commodities.
2. Dietary exposure from drinking
water. The Agency used screening level
water exposure models in the dietary
exposure analysis and risk assessment
for spiromesifen in drinking water.
These simulation models take into
account data on the physical, chemical,
and fate/transport characteristics of
spiromesifen. Further information
regarding EPA’s drinking water models
used in pesticide exposure assessment
can be found at https://www.epa.gov/
oppefed1/models/water/index.htm.
Based on the Pesticide Root Zone
Model/Exposure Analysis Modeling
System (PRZM/EXAMS) and Screening
Concentration in Ground Water (SCIGROW) models, the estimated drinking
water concentrations (EDWCs) of
spiromesifen for chronic exposures for
non-cancer assessments are estimated to
be 11 ppb for surface water and 28 ppb
for ground water.
Modeled estimates of drinking water
concentrations were directly entered
into the dietary exposure model.
For chronic dietary risk assessment,
the water concentration of value 28 ppb
was used to assess 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).
Spiromesifen is not registered for any
specific use patterns that would result
in residential exposure.
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 spiromesifen to
share a common mechanism of toxicity
with any other substances, and
spiromesifen does not appear to
produce a toxic metabolite produced by
other substances. For the purposes of
this tolerance action, therefore, EPA has
assumed that spiromesifen 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
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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 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 is no evidence of increased
susceptibility of rats or rabbits to in
utero prenatal or postpostnatal exposure
to spiromesifen In a rat developmental
toxicity study, no developmental
toxicity was observed at doses up to 500
milligrams/kilograms/day (mg/kg/day)
(the highest dose tested (HDT)) in the
presence of maternal toxicity. The rat
maternal LOAEL was determined to be
70 mg/kg/day based on decreased bodyweight gain and reduced food
consumption. In the rabbit
developmental toxicity study, there was
no developmental toxicity observed at
doses up to 250 mg/kg/day (the HDT),
but the maternal LOAEL was
determined to be 35 mg/kg/day based on
body weight loss and reduced food
consumption. There is no qualitative
and/or quantitative evidence of
increased susceptibility to spiromesifen
following prenatal/postnatal exposure
in a 2–generation reproduction study in
rats. There is no concern for
developmental neurotoxicity resulting
from exposure to spiromesifen.
Neurotoxic effects such as reduced
motility, spastic gait, increased
reactivity, tremors, clonic-tonic
convulsions, reduced activity, labored
breathing, vocalization, avoidance
reaction, piloerection, limp, cyanosis,
squatted posture, and salivation were
observed in two studies (5–day
inhalation and subchronic oral rat).
However, these effects were considered
as secondary, not neurotoxic, effects due
to the high dosage. There was no
evidence of neurotoxicity in the acute or
subchronic neurotoxicity or any other
studies.
3. Conclusion. EPA has determined
that reliable data show the safety of
infants and children would be
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52605
adequately protected if the FQPA SF
were reduced to 1X. That decision is
based on the following findings:
• There is a complete toxicity
database for spiromesifen.
• There is no evidence of increased
susceptibility of rat or rabbit fetuses to
in utero exposure in developmental
studies, nor following prenatal or
postnatal exposure by rats in the 2–
generation reproduction study.
• There are no neurotoxicity concerns
based on acute and sub-chronic
neurotoxicity studies.
• The dietary food exposure
assessment uses proposed tolerance
levels or higher residues for most
commodities and assumed 100% croptreated information for all commodities.
By using these screening-level
assessment, chronic exposures and risks
will not be underestimated. The ‘‘higher
residues’’ are those that were calculated
using a modifying factor to account for
the lack of spiromesifen-4hydroxymethyl residue data.
• The dietary drinking water
assessment (Tier 2 estimates) uses
values generated by model and
associated modeling parameters which
are designed to provide conservative,
health protective, and high-end
estimates of water concentrations.
• Residential exposure is not
expected as spiromesifen is registered
for agricultural and greenhouse/
ornamental uses only.
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-,
intermediate-, 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. An acute aggregate risk
assessment takes into account exposure
estimates from acute dietary
consumption of food and drinking
water. No adverse effect resulting from
a single-oral exposure was identified
and no acute dietary endpoint was
selected. Therefore, spiromesifen is not
expected to pose an acute risk.
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2. Chronic risk. Using the exposure
assumptions described in this unit for
chronic exposure, EPA has concluded
that chronic exposure to spiromesifen
from food and water will utilize 43% of
the cPAD for children 1-2 years old and
children 3-5 years old, the population
group receiving the greatest exposure.
There are no residential uses for
spiromesifen.
3. Short-term risk. Spiromesifen is not
registered for any use patterns that
would result in residential exposure.
Therefore, the short-term aggregate risk
is the sum of the risk from exposure to
spiromesifen through food and water
and will not be greater than the chronic
aggregate risk.
4. Intermediate-term risk.
Spiromesifen is not registered for any
use patterns that would result in
intermediate-term residential exposure.
Therefore, the intermediate-term
aggregate risk is the sum of the risk from
exposure to spiromesifen through food
and water, which has already been
addressed, and will not be greater than
the chronic aggregate risk.
5. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S.
population. There is no evidence that
spiromesifen is carcinogenic to humans;
therefore, a dietary cancer assessment is
not required.
6. 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 spiromesifen
residues.
IV. Other Considerations
A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
Adequate enforcement methodology,
high-performance liquid
chromatography (HPLC)/triple stage
quadruple mass spectrometry (MS/MS)
method, 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
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There are no established Codex
Maximum Residue Levels for the
proposed use of spiromesifen on corn,
field.
C. Revisions to Petitioned-For
Tolerances
Based upon review of the data
supporting the petition, EPA has revised
the tolerance levels for residues of
spiromesifen on corn, field, forage and
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corn, field, stover. EPA determined that
the appropriate tolerance level for
residues of spiromesifen in or on corn,
field, forage is 5.0 ppm. EPA also
determined that it is appropriate to
increase the tolerance level in or on
corn, field, stover from 5.0 ppm to 8.0
ppm. EPA revised these tolerance levels
based on analyses 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.
V. Conclusion
Therefore, tolerances are established
for combined residues of spiromesifen,
in or on corn, field, at 5.0 ppm for forage
and 8.0 ppm for stover.
VI. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
This final rule revises 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,
entitled 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
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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: August 29, 2008.
Donald R. Stubbs,
Acting 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 180.607 is amended by
revising the following entries in the
I
E:\FR\FM\10SER1.SGM
10SER1
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 176 / Wednesday, September 10, 2008 / Rules and Regulations
identification (ID) number EPA–HQ–
OPP–2007–1170. All documents in the
docket are listed in the docket index
§ 180.607 Spiromesifen; tolerances for
available at https://www.regulations.gov.
residues.
Although listed in the index, some
(a) General. (1) * * *
information is not publicly available,
e.g., Confidential Business Information
Commodity
Parts per million
(CBI) or other information whose
disclosure is restricted by statute.
*
*
*
*
*
Corn, field, forage ...........
5.0 Certain other material, such as
*
*
*
*
*
copyrighted material, is not placed on
Corn, field, stover ...........
8.0 the Internet and will be publicly
*
*
*
*
*
available only in hard copy form.
Publicly available docket materials are
*
*
*
*
*
available in the electronic docket at
[FR Doc. E8–20873 Filed 9–9–08; 8:45 am]
https://www.regulations.gov, or, if only
BILLING CODE 6560–50–S
available in hard copy, at the OPP
Regulatory Public Docket in Rm. S–
4400, One Potomac Yard (South Bldg.),
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
2777 S. Crystal Dr., Arlington, VA. The
AGENCY
Docket Facility is open from 8:30 a.m.
to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday,
40 CFR Part 180
excluding legal holidays. The Docket
[EPA–HQ–OPP–2007–1170; FRL–8379–3]
Facility telephone number is (703) 305–
5805.
Benfluralin, Carbaryl, Diazinon,
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jane
Dicrotophos, Fluometuron,
Smith, Special Review and
Formetanate Hydrochloride,
Reregistration Division (7508P), Office
Glyphosate, Metolachlor,
of Pesticide Programs, Environmental
Napropamide, Norflurazon, Pyrazon,
and Tau-Fluvalinate; Tolerance Actions Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460–
AGENCY: Environmental Protection
0001; telephone number: (703) 308–
Agency (EPA).
0048; e-mail address: smith.janeACTION: Final rule.
scott@epa.gov.
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with RULES
table in paragraph (a)(1) to read as
follows:
SUMMARY: EPA is revoking certain
tolerances for the herbicides benfluralin
and napropamide and the insecticides
carbaryl and diazinon. Also, EPA is
modifying certain tolerances for the
herbicides fluometuron, glyphosate,
norflurazon, and pyrazon and the
insecticides carbaryl, diazinon,
dicrotophos, formetanate hydrochloride,
and tau-fluvalinate. In addition, EPA is
establishing new tolerances for the
herbicides fluometuron, glyphosate,
metolachlor, and pyrazon and the
insecticides carbaryl and formetanate
hydrochloride. The regulatory actions
finalized in this document are in followup to the Agency’s reregistration
program under the Federal Insecticide,
Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act
(FIFRA), and tolerance reassessment
program under the Federal Food, Drug,
and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), section
408(q).
DATES: This regulation is effective
September 10, 2008. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received
on or before November 10, 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
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:26 Sep 09, 2008
Jkt 214001
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 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 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.
PO 00000
Frm 00035
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
52607
B. How Can I Access Electronic Copies
of This Document?
In addition to accessing electronically
available documents 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 e-CFR site at https://
www.gpoaccess.gov/ecfr.
C. Can I File an Objection or Hearing
Request?
Under section 408(g) of FFDCA, 21
U.S.C. 436a, 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–2007–1170 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 November 10, 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 your
copies, identified by docket ID number
EPA–HQ–OPP–2007–1170, 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
Facility’s normal hours of operation
(8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through
Friday, excluding legal holidays).
Special arrangements should be made
E:\FR\FM\10SER1.SGM
10SER1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 176 (Wednesday, September 10, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52603-52607]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-20873]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0262; FRL-8379-8]
Spiromesifen; Pesticide Tolerances
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This regulation revises the tolerances for combined residues
of spiromesifen and its enol metabolite in or on corn. Bayer
CropScience requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug,
and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
DATES: This regulation is effective September 10, 2008. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received on or before November 10, 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-2008-0262. All documents in the
docket are listed in the docket index available at https://
www.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: Amer Al-Mudallal, Registration
Division (7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-
0001; telephone number: (703) 605-0566; e-mail address: al-
mudallal.amer@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 electronically available documents 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, 21 U.S.C. 346a, 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-OPP-2008-0262 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 November 10, 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-2008-0262, 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 Facility'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 May 16, 2008 (73 FR 28461) (FRL-8361-6),
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 7F7274)
by Bayer CropScience, P. O. Box 12014, 2 T. W. Alexander Drive,
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. The petition requested that 40 CFR
180.607 be amended by increasing tolerances for combined residues of
the insecticide/miticide spiromesifen in or on corn, field, forage from
3.0 ppm to 6.0 ppm. That notice referenced a summary of the petition
prepared by Bayer CropScience, the registrant, which is available to
the public in the docket, https://www.regulations.gov. There were no
comments received in response to the notice of filing.
Based upon review of the data supporting the petition, EPA has
revised
[[Page 52604]]
the tolerances for combined residues of spiromesifen in or on corn,
field, forage and in/on corn, field, stover. For more details, see Unit
IV.C.
III. Aggregate Risk Assessment and Determination of Safety
Section 408(b)(2)(A)(i) of FFDCA allows EPA to amend 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 combined residues of spiromesifen and its enol
metabolite on corn, field, forage at 5.0 ppm and corn, field, stover at
8.0 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. Specific information on the studies received and the nature
of the adverse effects caused by spiromesifen 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 document Spiromesifen HED Risk Assessment for
Use on Field Corn and Tomatoes, pages 13-20 in docket ID number EPA-HQ-
OPP-2008-0262.
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 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-, intermediate-
, 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 spiromesifen used for
human risk assessment can be found at https://www.regulations.gov in
document Spiromesifen HED Risk Assessment for Use on Field Corn and
Tomatoes, page 21 in docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0262.
C. Exposure Assessment
1. Dietary exposure from food and feed uses. In evaluating dietary
exposure to spiromesifen, EPA considered exposure under the petitioned-
for tolerances as well as all existing spiromesifen tolerances in (40
CFR 180.607). EPA assessed dietary exposures from spiromesifen 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
spiromesifen; therefore, a quantitative acute dietary exposure
assessment is unnecessary.
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
assessments:
a. Established/recommended tolerances for all plant and livestock
except the leafy-green and leafy-Brassica vegetable subgroups;
b. EPA calculated residues of concern (parent and metabolites) for
the leafy-green and leafy-Brassica vegetable subgroup;
c. 100 Percent Crop Treated (PCT) information for all proposed and
existing uses; and
d. DEEM\TM\ Version 7.81 default processing factors for all
commodities. The metabolism studies show that the hydroxymethyl
metabolite is formed along with the enol metabolite only in the leafy-
green and leafy-Brassica vegetable subgroups. EPA determined that these
two metabolites along with spiromesifen should be included in the
chronic dietary risk assessment for these crops. Residue data are
unavailable for the 4-hydroxymethyl metabolite; to account for this
metabolite in the risk assessment, the recommended tolerance levels for
these crops was multiplied by a correction factor of 1.3X, where 1.3 =
metabolites in risk assessment (ppm)/metabolites in tolerance
expression (ppm).
iii. Cancer. A cancer exposure assessment was not performed because
spiromesifen is classified as ``not likely to be carcinogenic to
humans.''
iv. Anticipated residue and PCT information. EPA did not use
anticipated residue and/or PCT
[[Page 52605]]
information in the dietary assessment for spiromesifen. Tolerance level
residues and/or 100 PCT were assumed for all food commodities.
2. Dietary exposure from drinking water. The Agency used screening
level water exposure models in the dietary exposure analysis and risk
assessment for spiromesifen in drinking water. These simulation models
take into account data on the physical, chemical, and fate/transport
characteristics of spiromesifen. Further information regarding EPA's
drinking water models used in pesticide exposure assessment can be
found at https://www.epa.gov/oppefed1/models/water/index.htm.
Based on the Pesticide Root Zone Model/Exposure Analysis Modeling
System (PRZM/EXAMS) and Screening Concentration in Ground Water (SCI-
GROW) models, the estimated drinking water concentrations (EDWCs) of
spiromesifen for chronic exposures for non-cancer assessments are
estimated to be 11 ppb for surface water and 28 ppb for ground water.
Modeled estimates of drinking water concentrations were directly
entered into the dietary exposure model.
For chronic dietary risk assessment, the water concentration of
value 28 ppb was used to assess 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).
Spiromesifen is not registered for any specific use patterns that
would result in residential exposure.
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 spiromesifen to share a common mechanism of
toxicity with any other substances, and spiromesifen does not appear to
produce a toxic metabolite produced by other substances. For the
purposes of this tolerance action, therefore, EPA has assumed that
spiromesifen 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 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 is no evidence of
increased susceptibility of rats or rabbits to in utero prenatal or
postpostnatal exposure to spiromesifen In a rat developmental toxicity
study, no developmental toxicity was observed at doses up to 500
milligrams/kilograms/day (mg/kg/day) (the highest dose tested (HDT)) in
the presence of maternal toxicity. The rat maternal LOAEL was
determined to be 70 mg/kg/day based on decreased body-weight gain and
reduced food consumption. In the rabbit developmental toxicity study,
there was no developmental toxicity observed at doses up to 250 mg/kg/
day (the HDT), but the maternal LOAEL was determined to be 35 mg/kg/day
based on body weight loss and reduced food consumption. There is no
qualitative and/or quantitative evidence of increased susceptibility to
spiromesifen following prenatal/postnatal exposure in a 2-generation
reproduction study in rats. There is no concern for developmental
neurotoxicity resulting from exposure to spiromesifen. Neurotoxic
effects such as reduced motility, spastic gait, increased reactivity,
tremors, clonic-tonic convulsions, reduced activity, labored breathing,
vocalization, avoidance reaction, piloerection, limp, cyanosis,
squatted posture, and salivation were observed in two studies (5-day
inhalation and subchronic oral rat). However, these effects were
considered as secondary, not neurotoxic, effects due to the high
dosage. There was no evidence of neurotoxicity in the acute or
subchronic neurotoxicity or any other studies.
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:
There is a complete toxicity database for spiromesifen.
There is no evidence of increased susceptibility of rat or
rabbit fetuses to in utero exposure in developmental studies, nor
following prenatal or postnatal exposure by rats in the 2-generation
reproduction study.
There are no neurotoxicity concerns based on acute and
sub-chronic neurotoxicity studies.
The dietary food exposure assessment uses proposed
tolerance levels or higher residues for most commodities and assumed
100% crop-treated information for all commodities. By using these
screening-level assessment, chronic exposures and risks will not be
underestimated. The ``higher residues'' are those that were calculated
using a modifying factor to account for the lack of spiromesifen-4-
hydroxymethyl residue data.
The dietary drinking water assessment (Tier 2 estimates)
uses values generated by model and associated modeling parameters which
are designed to provide conservative, health protective, and high-end
estimates of water concentrations.
Residential exposure is not expected as spiromesifen is
registered for agricultural and greenhouse/ornamental uses only.
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-, intermediate-, 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. An acute aggregate risk assessment takes into
account exposure estimates from acute dietary consumption of food and
drinking water. No adverse effect resulting from a single-oral exposure
was identified and no acute dietary endpoint was selected. Therefore,
spiromesifen is not expected to pose an acute risk.
[[Page 52606]]
2. Chronic risk. Using the exposure assumptions described in this
unit for chronic exposure, EPA has concluded that chronic exposure to
spiromesifen from food and water will utilize 43% of the cPAD for
children 1-2 years old and children 3-5 years old, the population group
receiving the greatest exposure. There are no residential uses for
spiromesifen.
3. Short-term risk. Spiromesifen is not registered for any use
patterns that would result in residential exposure. Therefore, the
short-term aggregate risk is the sum of the risk from exposure to
spiromesifen through food and water and will not be greater than the
chronic aggregate risk.
4. Intermediate-term risk. Spiromesifen is not registered for any
use patterns that would result in intermediate-term residential
exposure. Therefore, the intermediate-term aggregate risk is the sum of
the risk from exposure to spiromesifen through food and water, which
has already been addressed, and will not be greater than the chronic
aggregate risk.
5. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S. population. There is no evidence
that spiromesifen is carcinogenic to humans; therefore, a dietary
cancer assessment is not required.
6. 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 spiromesifen residues.
IV. Other Considerations
A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
Adequate enforcement methodology, high-performance liquid
chromatography (HPLC)/triple stage quadruple mass spectrometry (MS/MS)
method, 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 no established Codex Maximum Residue Levels for the
proposed use of spiromesifen on corn, field.
C. Revisions to Petitioned-For Tolerances
Based upon review of the data supporting the petition, EPA has
revised the tolerance levels for residues of spiromesifen on corn,
field, forage and corn, field, stover. EPA determined that the
appropriate tolerance level for residues of spiromesifen in or on corn,
field, forage is 5.0 ppm. EPA also determined that it is appropriate to
increase the tolerance level in or on corn, field, stover from 5.0 ppm
to 8.0 ppm. EPA revised these tolerance levels based on analyses 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.
V. Conclusion
Therefore, tolerances are established for combined residues of
spiromesifen, in or on corn, field, at 5.0 ppm for forage and 8.0 ppm
for stover.
VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
This final rule revises 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, entitled 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: August 29, 2008.
Donald R. Stubbs,
Acting 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 180.607 is amended by revising the following entries in the
[[Page 52607]]
table in paragraph (a)(1) to read as follows:
Sec. 180.607 Spiromesifen; tolerances for residues.
(a) General. (1) * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commodity Parts per million
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
Corn, field, forage.................................. 5.0
* * * * *
Corn, field, stover.................................. 8.0
* * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
[FR Doc. E8-20873 Filed 9-9-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-S