Propoxycarbazone; Pesticide Tolerances, 9373-9377 [E9-4352]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 41 / Wednesday, March 4, 2009 / Rules and Regulations
Commodity
Parts per million
Poultry, meat byproducts .........................................................................................
Sheep, fat ................................................................................................................
Sheep, meat ............................................................................................................
Sheep, meat byproducts ..........................................................................................
Soybean, seed .........................................................................................................
Spinach ....................................................................................................................
Sweet Potato, roots .................................................................................................
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(c) Tolerances with regional
registrations. Tolerances with regional
registrations are established for residues
of the herbicide, fluazifop-P-butyl,
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0.05
0.05
0.05
0.05
2.5
6.0
0.05
butyl(R)-2-[4-[[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2pyridinyl]oxy]phenoxy]propanoate, and
the free and conjugated forms of the
resolved isomer of fluazifop, (R)-2-[4-
[[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2pyridinyl]oxy]phenoxy]propanoic acid,
expressed as fluazifop, in or on the
following commodities:
Commodity
Parts per million
Asparagus ................................................................................................................
Coffee, bean ............................................................................................................
Pepper, tabasco .......................................................................................................
Rhubarb ...................................................................................................................
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[FR Doc. E9–4368 Filed 3–3–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–S
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA–HQ–OPP–2008–0065; FRL–8400–4]
Propoxycarbazone; Pesticide
Tolerances
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: This regulation establishes
tolerances for combined residues of
propoxycarbazone and its Pr-2-OH
metabolite in or on grass, forage and
grass, hay. Bayer CropScience requested
these tolerances under the Federal Food,
Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
DATES: This regulation is effective
March 4, 2009. Objections and requests
for hearings must be received on or May
4, 2009, 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–2008–0065. 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
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0.1
1.0
0.5
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:
Joanne I. Miller, Registration Division
(7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs,
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington,
DC 20460–0001; telephone number:
(703) 305–6224; e-mail address:
miller.joanne@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
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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 e-CFR
cite at https://www.gpoaccess.gov/ecfr.
To access the OPPTS Harmonized
Guidelines referenced in this document,
go directly to the guidelines at https://
www.epa.gpo/opptsfrs/home/
guidelin.htm.
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
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identify docket ID number EPA–HQ–
OPP–2008–0065 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 May 4, 2009.
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–2008–0065, 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 February 6,
2008 (73 FR 6964) (FRL–8350–9), 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 7F7304) by Bayer
CropScience, 2 T.W. Alexander Drive,
P.O. Box 12014, Research Triangle Park,
NC 27709. The petition requested that
40 CFR 180.600 be amended by
establishing tolerances for combined
residues of the herbicide
propoxycarbazone, 2-[[[(4,5-dihydro-4methyl-5-oxo-3-propoxy-1H-1,2,4triazol-1-yl)carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl]
benzoate in or on grass, forage and grass,
hay at 20 parts per million (ppm) and
25 ppm and to amend the tolerances in
40 CFR 180.600 by increasing the
established tolerances for residues of the
herbicide propoxycarbazone, methyl 2[[[(4,5-dihydro-4-methyl-5-oxo-3propoxy-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1yl)carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl]benzoate
(Pr-2-OH MKH-6561) in or on the food
commodities cattle, goat, horse, sheep
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meat from 0.05 ppm to 0.1 ppm; meat
byproducts from 0.3 ppm to 1.0 ppm;
and milk from 0.03 ppm to 0.05 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.
Based upon review of the data
supporting the petition, EPA
recalculated a maximum reasonable
dietary burden (MRDB) for cattle that is
lower than used previously. No changes
are required in the established
tolerances for milk or livestock
commodities for this petition.
Comments were received on the
notice of filing. EPA’s response to these
comments is discussed in Unit IV.C.
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 combined residues of
propoxycarbazone and its Pr-2-OH
metabolite on grass, forage and grass,
hay at 20 ppm and 25 ppm,
respectively. 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
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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.
Propoxycarbazone has low acute
toxicity via the oral, dermal, and
inhalation routes. It is not an eye or
dermal irritant or a dermal sensitizer.
No toxicity was seen at the limit dose
in a 28–day dermal toxicity study in
rats. The main target organ appears to be
the gastrointestinal (GI) tract (gastric
irritation), with irritation observed in
the 2-generation reproduction toxicity
study in rats, developmental toxicity
study in rabbits, and the 90–day feeding
study in rats. In the 64–day and 1–year
toxicity studies in dogs, no toxicity was
observed at doses ≥1,181 milligram/
kilogram/day (mg/kg/day) and, ≥605
mg/kg/day, respectively. Increased
incidence of gastric irritation was
observed at a very high-dose (limit dose)
in a 90–day feeding study in rats. In a
combined chronic toxicity/
carcinogenicity study in rats, decreased
body weight, increased urinary pH and
histopathological changes in the kidney,
indicate the kidney as the target organ.
An effect on body weight was evident in
both subchronic and chronic toxicity
studies in mice.
There was no evidence of
neurotoxicity in any study. No
quantitative or qualitative evidence of
increased susceptibility was seen
following in utero exposure to rats or
rabbits in developmental toxicity
studies. No quantitative or qualitative
evidence of increased susceptibility was
seen following the prenatal or postnatal
exposure to rats in a 2-generation
reproduction toxicity study in rats. No
evidence of carcinogenicity was
observed in a carcinogenicity study in
mice at doses up to the limit dose. In a
chronic toxicity/carcinogenicity study
in rats, there was an increase in the
incidence of mononuclear cell leukemia
(MNCL) in mid- and high-dose males;
however, EPA concluded that MNCL
was not treatment-related.
Propoxycarbazone has been classified as
‘‘not likely to be carcinogenic to
human’’ based on lack of
carcinogenicity in mice and rats and
negative findings in various
mutagenicity assays.
Specific information on the studies
received and the nature of the adverse
effects caused by propoxycarbazone as
well as the no-observed-adverse-effectlevel (NOAEL) and the lowest-observedadverse-effect-level (LOAEL) from the
toxicity studies can be found at https://
www.regulations.gov in document
Propoxycarbazone-sodium; Human-
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Health Risk Assessment for Proposed
Section 3 New Use on Pasture and
Rangeland Grasses at page 12 in docket
ID number EPA–HQ–OPP–2008–0065
and in the Federal Register of July 7,
2004 (69 FR 40774) (FRL–7365–7).
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 (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 effect 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 propoxycarbazone used
for human risk assessment can be found
at https://www.regulations.gov in
document Propoxycarbazone-sodium;
Human-Health Risk Assessment for
Proposed Section 3 New Use on Pasture
and Rangeland Grasses at page 12 in
docket ID number EPA–HQ–OPP–2008–
0065 and in the Federal Register of July
7, 2004 (69 FR 40774) (FRL–7365–7).
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C. Exposure Assessment
1. Dietary exposure from food and
feed uses. In evaluating dietary
exposure to propoxycarbazone, EPA
considered exposure under the
petitioned-for tolerances as well as all
existing propoxycarbazone tolerances in
(40 CFR 180.600). EPA assessed dietary
exposures from propoxycarbazone 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
propoxycarbazone; 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 USDA 1994–1996 and 1998
Nationwide Continuing Surveys of Food
Intake by Individuals (CSFII). As to
residue levels in food, EPA assumed
that tolerance-level residues were for all
food commodities at current or
proposed propoxycarbazone tolerances,
and that 100% of the crops included in
the analysis were treated.
iii. Cancer. The Agency has
determined that propoxycarbazone is
‘‘not likely to be a carcinogenic to
humans’’ based on the lack of evidence
of carcinogenicity in mice and rats and
no mutagenicity concerns. Therefore, a
quantitative exposure assessment to
evaluate cancer risk is unnecessary.
iv. Anticipated residue and percent
crop treated (PCT) information. EPA did
not use anticipated residue and/or PCT
information in the dietary assessment
for propoxycarbazone. Tolerance level
residues and/or 100% crop treated (CT)
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 propoxycarbazone in drinking water.
These simulation models take into
account data on the physical, chemical,
and fate/transport characteristics of
propoxycarbazone. 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.
Based on the First Index Reservoir
Screening Tool (FIRST) and Screening
Concentration in Ground Water (SCIGROW) models, the estimated drinking
water concentrations (EDWCs) of
propoxycarbazone for chronic exposures
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for non-cancer assessments are
estimated to be 1.79 parts per billion
(ppb) for surface water and 0.36 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 1.79 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).
Propoxycarbazone 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 propoxycarbazone
to share a common mechanism of
toxicity with any other substances, and
propoxycarbazone does not appear to
produce a toxic metabolite produced by
other substances. For the purposes of
this tolerance action, therefore, EPA has
assumed that propoxycarbazone 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.
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2. Prenatal and postnatal sensitivity.
There is no evidence of increased
susceptibility of rat or rabbit fetuses to
in utero exposure to propoxycarbazone.
In the rat developmental toxicity study,
no developmental or maternal toxicity
was observed at doses up to 1,000 mg/
kg/day (limit dose). In the
developmental toxicity study in rabbits,
developmental effects (abortion, postimplantation loss) were seen at a higher
dose (limit dose) than the maternally
toxic dose. There is no qualitative and/
or quantitative evidence of increased
susceptibility to propoxycarbazone
following prenatal or postnatal exposure
in a 2-generation reproduction study in
rats. Although propoxycarbazone
caused increased post implantation loss
and decreased live litter size in the F2
litters at a dose level of 1,230.7–1,605.3
mg/kg/day, EPA did not consider this as
evidence for increased susceptibility
since it occurred in the presence of
severe maternal toxicity
(histopathological lesions in the
stomach) and only at doses above 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
propoxycarbazone is complete, except
for immunotoxicity testing. EPA began
requiring functional immunotoxicity
testing of all food and non-food use
pesticides on December 26, 2007. Since
this requirement went into effect well
after the tolerance petition was
submitted, these studies are not yet
available for propoxycarbazone. In the
absence of specific immunotoxicity
studies, EPA has evaluated the available
propoxycarbazone toxicity data to
determine whether an additional
database uncertainty factor is needed to
account for potential immunotoxicity.
There was no evidence of adverse
effects on the organs of the immune
system in any study with
propoxycarbazone. In addition,
propoxycarbazone does not belong to a
class of chemicals (e.g., the organotins,
heavy metals, or halogenated aromatic
hydrocarbons) that would be expected
to be immunotoxic. Based on these
considerations, EPA does not believe
that conducting a special series
(Harmonized Guideline 870.7800)
immunotoxicity study will result in a
point of departure less than the NOAEL
of 74.8 mg/kg/day used in calculating
the cPAD for propoxycarbazone;
therefore, an additional database
uncertainty factor is not needed to
account for potential immunotoxicity.
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ii. There is no indication that
propoxycarbazone 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
propoxycarbazone 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 databases.
The dietary food exposure assessments
were performed based on 100% CT and
tolerance-level residues. EPA made
conservative (protective) assumptions in
the ground and surface water modeling
used to assess exposure to
propoxycarbazone in drinking water.
These assessments will not
underestimate the exposure and risks
posed by propoxycarbazone.
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
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, propoxycarbazone
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 chronic exposure to
propoxycarbazone from food and water
will utilize less than 1% of the cPAD for
(children 1 to 2 years old) the
population group receiving the greatest
exposure. There are no residential uses
for propoxycarbazone.
3. Short-term risk. Short-term
aggregate exposure takes into account
short-term residential exposure plus
chronic exposure to food and water
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(considered to be a background
exposure level).
Propoxycarbazone 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
propoxycarbazone through food and
water and will not be greater than the
chronic aggregate risk.
4. Intermediate-term risk.
Intermediate-term aggregate exposure
takes into account intermediate-term
residential exposure plus chronic
exposure to food and water (considered
to be a background exposure level).
Propoxycarbazone 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 propoxycarbazone 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. Propoxycarbazone is
classified as ‘‘not likely to be a
carcinogenic to humans’’ based on the
lack of evidence of carcinogenicity in
mice and rats and no mutagenicity
concerns. Therefore, propoxycarbazone
is not expected to pose a cancer risk to
humans.
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
Propoxycarbazone residues.
IV. Other Considerations
A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
Adequate enforcement methodology—
liquid chromatography with tandem
mass spectrometry detection (LC/MS/
MS), 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 Codex, Canadian or
Mexican maximum residue limits
established for propoxycarbazone.
C. Response to Comments
Public comments were received from
B. Sachau who objected to the proposed
tolerances because of the amounts of
pesticides already consumed and
carried by the American population.
She further indicated that testing
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conducted on animals have absolutely
no validity and are cruel to the test
animals. B. Sachau’s comments
contained no scientific data or evidence
to rebut the Agency’s conclusion that
there is a reasonable certainty that no
harm will result from aggregate
exposure to propoxycarbazone,
including all anticipated dietary
exposures and all other exposures for
which there is reliable information. EPA
has responded to B. Sachau’s
generalized comments on numerous
previous occasions. January 7, 2005, (70
FR 1349)(FRL–7691–4); October 29,
2004, (69 FR 63083) (FRL–7681–9).
V. Conclusion
Therefore, tolerances are established
for combined residues of
propoxycarbazone, methyl 2-[[[(4,5dihydro-4-methyl-5-oxo-3-propoxy-1H1,2,4-triazol-1yl)carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl] benzoate
and its Pr-2-OH metabolite, methyl 2[[[(4,5-dihydro-3-(2-hydroxypropoxy)-4methyl-5- oxo-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1yl)carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl] benzoate in
or on grass, forage and grass, hay at 20
ppm and 25 ppm.
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,
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.
February 12, 2009.
Lois Rossi,
Director, Registration Division, Office of
Pesticide Programs.
Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is
amended as follows:
■
PART 180—[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for part 180
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.
2. Section 180.600 is amended by
adding alphabetically the following
commodities to the table in paragraph
(a)(1) to read as follows:
■
§ 180.600
residue.
Parts per million
Grass, forage ...........................................................................................................
Grass, hay ...............................................................................................................
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Propoxycarbazone: tolerance for
(a) * * * (1) * * *
Commodity
*
20
25
*
*
[FR Doc. E9–4352 Filed 3–3–09; 8:45 am]
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 41 (Wednesday, March 4, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9373-9377]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-4352]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0065; FRL-8400-4]
Propoxycarbazone; Pesticide Tolerances
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This regulation establishes tolerances for combined residues
of propoxycarbazone and its Pr-2-OH metabolite in or on grass, forage
and grass, hay. Bayer CropScience requested these tolerances under the
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
DATES: This regulation is effective March 4, 2009. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received on or May 4, 2009, 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-2008-0065. 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: Joanne I. Miller, Registration
Division (7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-
0001; telephone number: (703) 305-6224; e-mail address:
miller.joanne@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 e-CFR cite
at https://www.gpoaccess.gov/ecfr. To access the OPPTS Harmonized
Guidelines referenced in this document, go directly to the guidelines
at https://www.epa.gpo/opptsfrs/home/guidelin.htm.
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
[[Page 9374]]
identify docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0065 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 May 4, 2009.
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-2008-0065, 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 February 6, 2008 (73 FR 6964) (FRL-8350-
9), 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
7F7304) by Bayer CropScience, 2 T.W. Alexander Drive, P.O. Box 12014,
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. The petition requested that 40 CFR
180.600 be amended by establishing tolerances for combined residues of
the herbicide propoxycarbazone, 2-[[[(4,5-dihydro-4-methyl-5-oxo-3-
propoxy-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl] benzoate in or
on grass, forage and grass, hay at 20 parts per million (ppm) and 25
ppm and to amend the tolerances in 40 CFR 180.600 by increasing the
established tolerances for residues of the herbicide propoxycarbazone,
methyl 2-[[[(4,5-dihydro-4-methyl-5-oxo-3-propoxy-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-
yl)carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl]benzoate (Pr-2-OH MKH-6561) in or on the
food commodities cattle, goat, horse, sheep meat from 0.05 ppm to 0.1
ppm; meat byproducts from 0.3 ppm to 1.0 ppm; and milk from 0.03 ppm to
0.05 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.
Based upon review of the data supporting the petition, EPA
recalculated a maximum reasonable dietary burden (MRDB) for cattle that
is lower than used previously. No changes are required in the
established tolerances for milk or livestock commodities for this
petition.
Comments were received on the notice of filing. EPA's response to
these comments is discussed in Unit IV.C.
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 combined residues of propoxycarbazone and its Pr-2-OH
metabolite on grass, forage and grass, hay at 20 ppm and 25 ppm,
respectively. 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.
Propoxycarbazone has low acute toxicity via the oral, dermal, and
inhalation routes. It is not an eye or dermal irritant or a dermal
sensitizer. No toxicity was seen at the limit dose in a 28-day dermal
toxicity study in rats. The main target organ appears to be the
gastrointestinal (GI) tract (gastric irritation), with irritation
observed in the 2-generation reproduction toxicity study in rats,
developmental toxicity study in rabbits, and the 90-day feeding study
in rats. In the 64-day and 1-year toxicity studies in dogs, no toxicity
was observed at doses >=1,181 milligram/kilogram/day (mg/kg/day) and,
>=605 mg/kg/day, respectively. Increased incidence of gastric
irritation was observed at a very high-dose (limit dose) in a 90-day
feeding study in rats. In a combined chronic toxicity/carcinogenicity
study in rats, decreased body weight, increased urinary pH and
histopathological changes in the kidney, indicate the kidney as the
target organ. An effect on body weight was evident in both subchronic
and chronic toxicity studies in mice.
There was no evidence of neurotoxicity in any study. No
quantitative or qualitative evidence of increased susceptibility was
seen following in utero exposure to rats or rabbits in developmental
toxicity studies. No quantitative or qualitative evidence of increased
susceptibility was seen following the prenatal or postnatal exposure to
rats in a 2-generation reproduction toxicity study in rats. No evidence
of carcinogenicity was observed in a carcinogenicity study in mice at
doses up to the limit dose. In a chronic toxicity/carcinogenicity study
in rats, there was an increase in the incidence of mononuclear cell
leukemia (MNCL) in mid- and high-dose males; however, EPA concluded
that MNCL was not treatment-related. Propoxycarbazone has been
classified as ``not likely to be carcinogenic to human'' based on lack
of carcinogenicity in mice and rats and negative findings in various
mutagenicity assays.
Specific information on the studies received and the nature of the
adverse effects caused by propoxycarbazone 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 Propoxycarbazone-sodium; Human-
[[Page 9375]]
Health Risk Assessment for Proposed Section 3 New Use on Pasture and
Rangeland Grasses at page 12 in docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0065
and in the Federal Register of July 7, 2004 (69 FR 40774) (FRL-7365-7).
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 (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 effect 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 propoxycarbazone used
for human risk assessment can be found at https://www.regulations.gov in
document Propoxycarbazone-sodium; Human-Health Risk Assessment for
Proposed Section 3 New Use on Pasture and Rangeland Grasses at page 12
in docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0065 and in the Federal Register of
July 7, 2004 (69 FR 40774) (FRL-7365-7).
C. Exposure Assessment
1. Dietary exposure from food and feed uses. In evaluating dietary
exposure to propoxycarbazone, EPA considered exposure under the
petitioned-for tolerances as well as all existing propoxycarbazone
tolerances in (40 CFR 180.600). EPA assessed dietary exposures from
propoxycarbazone 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
propoxycarbazone; 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 USDA 1994-1996
and 1998 Nationwide Continuing Surveys of Food Intake by Individuals
(CSFII). As to residue levels in food, EPA assumed that tolerance-level
residues were for all food commodities at current or proposed
propoxycarbazone tolerances, and that 100% of the crops included in the
analysis were treated.
iii. Cancer. The Agency has determined that propoxycarbazone is
``not likely to be a carcinogenic to humans'' based on the lack of
evidence of carcinogenicity in mice and rats and no mutagenicity
concerns. Therefore, a quantitative exposure assessment to evaluate
cancer risk is unnecessary.
iv. Anticipated residue and percent crop treated (PCT) information.
EPA did not use anticipated residue and/or PCT information in the
dietary assessment for propoxycarbazone. Tolerance level residues and/
or 100% crop treated (CT) 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 propoxycarbazone in drinking water. These simulation
models take into account data on the physical, chemical, and fate/
transport characteristics of propoxycarbazone. 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.
Based on the First Index Reservoir Screening Tool (FIRST) and
Screening Concentration in Ground Water (SCI-GROW) models, the
estimated drinking water concentrations (EDWCs) of propoxycarbazone for
chronic exposures for non-cancer assessments are estimated to be 1.79
parts per billion (ppb) for surface water and 0.36 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 1.79 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).
Propoxycarbazone 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 propoxycarbazone to share a common mechanism of
toxicity with any other substances, and propoxycarbazone does not
appear to produce a toxic metabolite produced by other substances. For
the purposes of this tolerance action, therefore, EPA has assumed that
propoxycarbazone 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.
[[Page 9376]]
2. Prenatal and postnatal sensitivity. There is no evidence of
increased susceptibility of rat or rabbit fetuses to in utero exposure
to propoxycarbazone. In the rat developmental toxicity study, no
developmental or maternal toxicity was observed at doses up to 1,000
mg/kg/day (limit dose). In the developmental toxicity study in rabbits,
developmental effects (abortion, post-implantation loss) were seen at a
higher dose (limit dose) than the maternally toxic dose. There is no
qualitative and/or quantitative evidence of increased susceptibility to
propoxycarbazone following prenatal or postnatal exposure in a 2-
generation reproduction study in rats. Although propoxycarbazone caused
increased post implantation loss and decreased live litter size in the
F2 litters at a dose level of 1,230.7-1,605.3 mg/kg/day, EPA did not
consider this as evidence for increased susceptibility since it
occurred in the presence of severe maternal toxicity (histopathological
lesions in the stomach) and only at doses above 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 propoxycarbazone is complete, except
for immunotoxicity testing. EPA began requiring functional
immunotoxicity testing of all food and non-food use pesticides on
December 26, 2007. Since this requirement went into effect well after
the tolerance petition was submitted, these studies are not yet
available for propoxycarbazone. In the absence of specific
immunotoxicity studies, EPA has evaluated the available
propoxycarbazone toxicity data to determine whether an additional
database uncertainty factor is needed to account for potential
immunotoxicity. There was no evidence of adverse effects on the organs
of the immune system in any study with propoxycarbazone. In addition,
propoxycarbazone does not belong to a class of chemicals (e.g., the
organotins, heavy metals, or halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons) that
would be expected to be immunotoxic. Based on these considerations, EPA
does not believe that conducting a special series (Harmonized Guideline
870.7800) immunotoxicity study will result in a point of departure less
than the NOAEL of 74.8 mg/kg/day used in calculating the cPAD for
propoxycarbazone; therefore, an additional database uncertainty factor
is not needed to account for potential immunotoxicity.
ii. There is no indication that propoxycarbazone 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 propoxycarbazone 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
databases. The dietary food exposure assessments were performed based
on 100% CT and tolerance-level residues. EPA made conservative
(protective) assumptions in the ground and surface water modeling used
to assess exposure to propoxycarbazone in drinking water. These
assessments will not underestimate the exposure and risks posed by
propoxycarbazone.
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. 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,
propoxycarbazone 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 chronic exposure to
propoxycarbazone from food and water will utilize less than 1% of the
cPAD for (children 1 to 2 years old) the population group receiving the
greatest exposure. There are no residential uses for propoxycarbazone.
3. Short-term risk. Short-term aggregate exposure takes into
account short-term residential exposure plus chronic exposure to food
and water (considered to be a background exposure level).
Propoxycarbazone 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 propoxycarbazone through
food and water and will not be greater than the chronic aggregate risk.
4. Intermediate-term risk. Intermediate-term aggregate exposure
takes into account intermediate-term residential exposure plus chronic
exposure to food and water (considered to be a background exposure
level).
Propoxycarbazone 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 propoxycarbazone 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. Propoxycarbazone is
classified as ``not likely to be a carcinogenic to humans'' based on
the lack of evidence of carcinogenicity in mice and rats and no
mutagenicity concerns. Therefore, propoxycarbazone is not expected to
pose a cancer risk to humans.
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 Propoxycarbazone residues.
IV. Other Considerations
A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
Adequate enforcement methodology--liquid chromatography with tandem
mass spectrometry detection (LC/MS/MS), 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 Codex, Canadian or Mexican maximum residue limits
established for propoxycarbazone.
C. Response to Comments
Public comments were received from B. Sachau who objected to the
proposed tolerances because of the amounts of pesticides already
consumed and carried by the American population. She further indicated
that testing
[[Page 9377]]
conducted on animals have absolutely no validity and are cruel to the
test animals. B. Sachau's comments contained no scientific data or
evidence to rebut the Agency's conclusion that there is a reasonable
certainty that no harm will result from aggregate exposure to
propoxycarbazone, including all anticipated dietary exposures and all
other exposures for which there is reliable information. EPA has
responded to B. Sachau's generalized comments on numerous previous
occasions. January 7, 2005, (70 FR 1349)(FRL-7691-4); October 29, 2004,
(69 FR 63083) (FRL-7681-9).
V. Conclusion
Therefore, tolerances are established for combined residues of
propoxycarbazone, methyl 2-[[[(4,5-dihydro-4-methyl-5-oxo-3-propoxy-1H-
1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl] benzoate and its Pr-2-OH
metabolite, methyl 2-[[[(4,5-dihydro-3-(2-hydroxypropoxy)-4-methyl-5-
oxo-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl] benzoate in or on
grass, forage and grass, hay at 20 ppm and 25 ppm.
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, 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.
February 12, 2009.
Lois Rossi,
Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.
0
Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is amended as follows:
PART 180--[AMENDED]
0
1. The authority citation for part 180 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.
0
2. Section 180.600 is amended by adding alphabetically the following
commodities to the table in paragraph (a)(1) to read as follows:
Sec. 180.600 Propoxycarbazone: tolerance for residue.
(a) * * * (1) * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commodity Parts per million
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grass, forage......................................... 20
Grass, hay............................................ 25
* * * * *
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* * * * *
[FR Doc. E9-4352 Filed 3-3-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING9 CODE 6560-50-S