Penoxsulam; Pesticide Tolerances, 18644-18648 [E9-9441]
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 78 / Friday, April 24, 2009 / Rules and Regulations
proposed rulemaking for this action
published in the proposed rules section
of today’s Federal Register, rather than
file an immediate petition for judicial
review of this direct final rule, so that
EPA can withdraw this direct final rule
and address the comment in the
proposed rulemaking. This action may
not be challenged later in proceedings to
enforce its requirements. (See section
307(b)(2).)
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air
pollution control, Incorporation by
reference, Intergovernmental relations,
Ozone.
Dated: April 9, 2009.
Bharat Mathur,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region 5.
■
40 CFR part 52 is amended as follows:
PART 52—[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for part 52
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
Subpart YY—Wisconsin
2. Section 52.2585 is amended by
adding paragraph (v) to read as follows:
■
§ 52.2585
Control Strategy: Ozone.
*
*
*
*
*
(v) On July 28, 2008, the Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources
requested that EPA find that the
Milwaukee-Racine, WI nonattainment
area, attained the revoked 1-hour ozone
National Ambient Air Quality Standard
(NAAQS). After review of this
submission, EPA approves this request.
June 23, 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).
EPA has established a
docket for this action under docket
identification (ID) number EPA–HQ–
OPP–2008–0526. 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:
Philip V. Errico, Registration Division
(7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs,
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington,
DC 20460–0001; telephone number:
(703) 305–6663; e-mail address:
errico.philip@epa.gov.
ADDRESSES:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
[FR Doc. E9–9364 Filed 4–23–09; 8:45 am]
I. General Information
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
A. Does this Action Apply to Me?
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA–HQ–OPP–2008–0526; FRL–8411–9]
Penoxsulam; Pesticide Tolerances
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AGENCY: Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
SUMMARY: This regulation establishes
tolerances for residues of penoxsulam in
or on almond hulls; grape; nut, tree,
group 14; and pistachio. Dow
AgroSciences, LLC., requested these
tolerances under the Federal Food,
Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
DATES: This regulation is effective April
24, 2009. Objections and requests for
hearings must be received on or before
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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
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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.
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–2008–0526 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 June 23, 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–2008–0526, 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
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on almond hulls; grape; nut, tree, group
14, and pistachio all at 0.01 ppm. EPA’s
assessment of exposures and risks
associated with establishing tolerances
follows.
II. Petition for Tolerance
In the Federal Register of August 13,
2008 (73 FR 47186) (FRL–8375–8), 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 8F7369) by Dow
AgroSciences, LLC., 9330 Zionsville
Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46268. The
petition requested that 40 CFR 180.605
be amended by establishing tolerances
for residues of the herbicide
penoxsulam, 2-(2,2-difluoroethoxy)-N(5,8-dimethoxy[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5c]pyrimidin-2-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)
benzenesulfonamide in or on nut, tree,
group14; grape; almond, hulls, and
pistachio all at 0.1 parts per million
(ppm). That notice referenced a
summary of the petition prepared by
Dow AgroSciences LLC, 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.
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Friday, excluding legal holidays).
Special arrangements should be made
for deliveries of boxed information. The
Docket Facility telephone number is
(703) 305–5805.
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.
Penoxsulam exhibited minimal acute
toxicity in the available studies. In
subchronic and chronic feeding studies
in rats and dogs, the most sensitive
target organ was the urothelium of the
urinary system. In subchronic and
chronic feeding studies in mice, no
effects of toxicological significance were
observed. No developmental toxicity
was observed in the developmental
toxicity studies in rats and rabbits and
there was no increased quantitative or
qualitative susceptibility of fetuses, as
compared to dams. In a two-generation
reproduction study in rats, delays in
preputial separation were noted;
however, no other endpoints of
reproductive toxicity or offspring
growth and survival were affected by
treatment. There was no increased
quantitative or qualitative susceptibility
of fetuses or offspring, as compared to
adults. No treatment-related
neurotoxicity was observed in acute or
chronic neurotoxicity studies in rats, or
in any of the other available studies on
penoxsulam. No systemic or dermal
toxicity was noted in a 28–day dermal
toxicity study in rats.
With respect to carcinogenicity,
penoxsulam was classified as having
suggestive evidence of carcinogenicity.
The classification was based on an
increase in large granular lymphocyte
leukemia (also called mononuclear cell
leukemia (MNCL)). EPA concluded that
the cancer risk to humans is negligible.
The MNCL seen in the Fisher 344 rat
study appears not to be treatment
related because it was only seen in male
rats, there was a lack of dose-response
across the treatment groups (i.e.,
incidence did not increase with
increasing dose), and Fisher 344 rats are
known to be susceptible to MNCL,
especially as they age. MNCL in Fisher
344 rats has not been found in other
mammals, and there is no comparable
tumor seen in humans. Finally, there is
no other evidence on penoxsulam to
indicate a cancer concern, including the
fact that no cancer concerns were
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 residues of penoxsulam
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identified in the mouse carcinogenicity
study; there is no evidence that
penoxsulam is genotoxic; and other
chemicals in the class of compounds
(triazolopyrimidines) have not shown
evidence of MNCL in Fisher 344 rats.
EPA determined that the chronic
assessment is considered to be
protective of potential cancer risks.
Penoxsulam did not demonstrate any
mutagenic potential in a battery of four
mutagenicity studies. There is not a
concern for mutagenicity resulting from
exposure to penoxsulam.
Specific information on the studies
received and the nature of the adverse
effects caused by penoxsulam as well as
the no-observed-adverse-effect-level
(NOAEL) and the lowest-observedadverse-effect-level (LOAEL) from the
toxicity studies can be found at https://
www.regulations.gov in the document
Penoxsulam Risk Assessment at
Appendix A in docket ID number EPA–
HQ–OPP–2008–0526 and in the final
rule published in the Federal Register
of September 24, 2004 (EPA–HQ–OPP–
2004–0286), (FRL–7678–6).
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).
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For non-threshold risks, the Agency
assumes that any amount of exposure
will lead to some degree of risk. Thus,
the Agency estimates risk in terms of the
probability of an occurrence of the
adverse effect greater than that expected
in a lifetime. For more information on
the general principles EPA uses in risk
characterization and a complete
description of the risk assessment
process, see https://www.epa.gov/
pesticides/factsheets/riskassess.htm.
A summary of the toxicological
endpoints for penoxsulam used for
human risk assessment can be found at
https://www.regulations.gov in document
Penoxsulam Risk Assessment at
Appendix A in docket ID number EPA–
HQ–OPP–2008–0526 and in the final
rule published in the Federal Register
of September 24, 2004 (EPA–HQ–OPP–
2004–0286), (FRL–7678–6).
C. Exposure Assessment
1. Dietary exposure from food and
feed uses. In evaluating dietary
exposure to penoxsulam, EPA
considered exposure under the
petitioned-for tolerances as well as all
existing penoxsulam tolerances in 40
CFR 180.605.
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 penoxsulam;
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 U.S. Department of Agriculture
1994–1996 and 1998 Continuiing
Survey of Food Intake by Individuals.
As to residue levels in food, EPA used
tolerance level residues and 100% crop
treated, and incorporated default
processing factors for processed food
forms.
iii. Cancer. Penoxsulam has been
classified as having ‘‘suggestive
evidence for carcinogenic potential’’
based on some evidence of mononuclear
cell leukemia (MNCL) in a penoxsulam
cancer study in Fisher 344 rats.
However, the Agency concluded that
the cancer risk to humans is negligible
based on the following considerations.
First, it is questionable that the MNCL
seen in the Fisher 344 rat study was
treatment related because it was only
seen in male rats, there was a lack of
dose-response across the treatment
groups (i.e., incidence did not increase
with increasing dose), and Fisher 344
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rats are known to be susceptible to
MNCL, especially as they age. Second,
MNCL in Fisher 344 rats is of
questionable significance for humans
because it has not been found in other
mammals, and there is no comparable
tumor seen in humans. Finally, there is
no other evidence on penoxsulam to
indicate a cancer concern, including the
fact that no cancer concerns were
identified in the mouse carcinogenicity
study; there is no evidence that
penoxsulam is genotoxic; and other
chemicals in the class of compounds
(triazolopyrimidines) have not shown
evidence of MNCL in Fisher 344 rats.
iv. Anticipated residue and percent
crop treated (PCT) information. EPA did
not use anticipated residue and/or PCT
information in the dietary assessment
for penoxsulam. Tolerance level
residues and/or 100% crop treated were
assumed for all food commodities.
2. Dietary exposure from drinking
water. The Agency considered screening
level water exposure models in the
dietary exposure analysis and risk
assessment for penoxsulam in drinking
water. These simulation models take
into account data on the physical,
chemical, and fate/transport
characteristics of penoxsulam. 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 model for surface
water and the Screening Concentratin in
Ground Water (SCI-GROW) model for
ground water, the estimated drinking
water concentrations (EDWCs) of
penoxsulam for chronic exposures for
non-cancer assessments are estimated to
be 0.9 parts per billion (ppb) for surface
water and 23.3 ppb for ground water.
In addition to uses that may result in
the transport of penoxsulam residues to
surface and/or ground water,
penoxsulam may be applied directly to
water, at a maximum rate of 150 ppb, for
aquatic weed control. For chronic
dietary risk assessment, the water
concentration value of 150 ppb from the
registered aquatic use 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).
Penoxsulam is currently registered for
the following uses that could result in
residential exposures following use on
lawns and treatment of residential
aquatic sites. EPA assessed residential
exposure using the following
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assumptions: exposures can be of shortand intermediate-term durations and
can be through dermal or oral routes.
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 penoxsulam to
share a common mechanism of toxicity
with any other substances, and
penoxsulam does not appear to produce
a toxic metabolite produced by other
substances. For the purposes of this
tolerance action, therefore, EPA has
assumed that penoxsulam 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.
No developmental toxicity was observed
in the developmental toxicity studies in
rats and rabbits and there was no
increased quantitative or qualitative
susceptibility of fetuses, as compared to
dams. In a two-generation reproduction
study in rats, delays in preputial
separation were noted; however, no
other endpoints of reproductive toxicity
or offspring growth and survival were
affected by treatment. There was no
increased quantitative or qualitative
susceptibility of fetuses or offspring, as
compared to adults. There are no
residual uncertainties for pre- and/or
post-natal toxicity resulting from
exposure to penoxsulam and there is no
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evidence of quantitative or qualitative
susceptibility in the toxicological data.
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
penoxsulam 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 penoxsulam. In the absence
of specific immunotoxicity studies, EPA
has evaluated the available penoxsulam
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
penoxsulam. Based on these
considerations, EPA does not believe
that conducting a special series
870.7800 immunotoxicity study will
result in a point of departure less than
the NOAEL of 14.7 milligrams/
kilograms/day (mg/kg/day) used in
calculating the cPAD for penoxsulam;
therefore, an additional database
uncertainty factor is not needed to
account for potential immunotoxicity.
ii. There is no indication that
penoxsulam 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
penoxsulam results in increased
susceptibility in in utero rats or rabbits
in the prenatal developmental studies.
iv. There are no residual uncertainties
identified in the exposure databases.
The chronic dietary food exposure
assessment utilizes proposed tolerance
level residues and 100% crop treated for
all commodities. EPA made
conservative (protective) assumptions in
the residue estimates used to assess
exposure to penoxsulam in drinking
water. EPA used similarly conservative
assumptions to assess postapplication
exposure of children as well as
incidental oral exposure of toddlers.
These assessments will not
underestimate the exposure and risks
posed by penoxsulam.
E. Aggregate Risks and Determination of
Safety
EPA determines whether acute and
chronic pesticide exposures are safe by
comparing aggregate exposure estimates
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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, penoxsulam 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 penoxsulam
from food and water will utilize 7.1% of
the cPAD for all infants, the population
group receiving the greatest exposure.
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).
Penoxsulam is currently registered for
use(s) that could result in short-term
residential exposure and the Agency has
determined that it is appropriate to
aggregate chronic exposure through food
and water with short-term residential
exposures to penoxsulam.
Using the exposure assumptions
described in this unit for short-term
exposures, EPA has concluded the
combined short-term food, water, and
residential exposures aggregated result
in aggregate MOEs of 1,500 to children
from oral post application exposure
from turf treated with penoxsulam and
5,500 from adults applying penoxsulam
to residential turf. As the aggregate MOE
is greater than 100, the short-term
aggregate risks to children and adults do
not exceed EPA’s level of concern.
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).
Penoxsulam is currently registered for
use(s) that could result in intermediateterm residential exposure. However, the
Agency has determined that it is not
appropriate to aggregate these
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18647
intermediate-term exposures with
chronic exposure to penoxsulam
through food and water. Therefore,
intermediate-term aggregate risk
estimates are equivalent to the chronic
aggregate risk estimates discussed
above.
5. Determination of safety. Based on
these risk assessments, EPA concludes
that there is a reasonable certainty that
no harm will result to the general
population, or to infants and children
from aggregate exposure to penoxsulam
residues.
IV. Other Considerations
A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
Adequate enforcement methodology
(high performance liquid
chromatography with tandem mass
spectroscopy-mass spectroscopy
detector (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; email address: residuemethods@epa.gov.
B. International Residue Limits
There are no CODEX maximum
residue limits (MRLs) for residues of
penoxsulam in almond, hulls; grape;
nut, tree, group 14, and pistachio.
V. Conclusion
Therefore, tolerances are established
for residues of penoxsulam on almond
hulls; grape; nut, tree, group 14, and
pistachio all at 0.01 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
E:\FR\FM\24APR1.SGM
24APR1
18648
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 78 / Friday, April 24, 2009 / Rules and Regulations
tjames on PRODPC75 with RULES
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 tolerances 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).
VerDate Nov<24>2008
14:46 Apr 23, 2009
Jkt 217001
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180
Environmental protection,
Administrative practice and procedure,
Agricultural commodities, Pesticides
and pests, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
newly designated sites will be subject to
ongoing monitoring and management
specified in this rule and in the Site
Management and Monitoring Plan,
which is also finalized as part of this
action. The monitoring and management
requirements will help to ensure
ongoing protection of the marine
Dated: April 17, 2009.
environment.
Lois Rossi,
Director, Registration Division, Office of
DATES: Effective Date: This final rule
Pesticide Programs.
will be effective May 26, 2009.
ADDRESSES: For more information on
■ Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is
this final rule, Docket ID No. EPA–R10–
amended as follows:
OW–2008–0826 use one of the following
PART 180—[AMENDED]
methods:
• https://www.regulations.gov: Follow
■ 1. The authority citation for part 180
the on-line instructions for accessing the
continues to read as follows:
docket and materials related to this final
Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.
rule.
• E-mail:
■ 2. Section 180.605 is amended by
Freedman.Jonathan@epa.gov
alphabetically adding the following
• Mail: Jonathan Freedman, U.S.
commodities to the table in paragraph
Environmental Protection Agency,
(a) to read as follows:
Region 10, Office of Ecosystems, Tribal
and Public Affairs (ETPA–083), Aquatic
§ 180.605 Penoxsulam; tolerances for
Resources Unit, 1200 Sixth Avenue,
residues.
Suite 900, Seattle, Washington 98101.
(a) * * *
Publicly available docket materials
are available either electronically at
Parts per
Commodity
https://www.regulations.gov, or in hard
million
copy during normal business hours at
Almond, hulls ................................
0.01 the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, Region 10, Library, 10th Floor,
*
*
*
*
*
Grape ............................................
0.01 1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 900, Seattle,
Nut, tree, group 14 .......................
0.01 Washington 98101. For access to the
Pistachio .......................................
0.01 documents at the Region 10 Library,
*
*
*
*
*
contact the Region 10 Library Reference
Desk at (206) 553–1289, between the
*
*
*
*
*
hours of 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and
between the hours of 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.,
[FR Doc. E9–9441 Filed 4–23–09; 8:45 am]
Monday through Friday, excluding legal
BILLING CODE 6560–50–S
holidays, for an appointment.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Jonathan Freedman, U.S. Environmental
AGENCY
Protection Agency, Region 10, Office of
Ecosystems, Tribal and Public Affairs
40 CFR Part 228
(ETPA–083), Aquatic Resources Unit,
1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 900, Seattle,
[EPA–R10–OW–2008–0826; FRL–8893–1]
Washington 98101, phone number:
Ocean Dumping; Designation of Ocean (206) 553–0266, e-mail:
Dredged Material Disposal Sites
freedman.jonathan@epa.gov, or contact
Offshore of the Umpqua River, Oregon Jessica Winkler, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Region 10, Office of
AGENCY: Environmental Protection
Ecosystems, Tribal and Public Affairs
Agency (EPA).
(ETPA–083), Aquatic Resources Unit,
ACTION: Final rule.
1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 900, Seattle,
Washington 98101, phone number:
SUMMARY: This action finalizes the
(206) 553–7369, e-mail:
designation of the Umpqua River ocean
winkler.jessica@epa.gov.
dredged material sites pursuant to the
Marine Protection, Research and
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On
Sanctuaries Act, as amended (MPRSA).
November 25, 2008, EPA published a
The new sites are needed primarily to
proposed rule at 73 FR 71575 to
serve the long-term need for a location
designate two new ocean dredged
to dispose of material dredged from the
material disposal sites near the mouth of
Umpqua River navigation channel, and
the Umpqua River, Oregon and to
to provide a location for the disposal of
withdraw an earlier proposed rule to
dredged material for persons who have
designate a single site. EPA received one
received a permit for such disposal. The comment on the proposed rule.
PO 00000
Frm 00028
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
E:\FR\FM\24APR1.SGM
24APR1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 78 (Friday, April 24, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18644-18648]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-9441]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0526; FRL-8411-9]
Penoxsulam; Pesticide Tolerances
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of
penoxsulam in or on almond hulls; grape; nut, tree, group 14; and
pistachio. Dow AgroSciences, LLC., requested these tolerances under the
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
DATES: This regulation is effective April 24, 2009. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received on or before June 23, 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-2008-0526. 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: Philip V. Errico, Registration
Division (7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-
0001; telephone number: (703) 305-6663; e-mail address:
errico.philip@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.
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-2008-0526 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 June 23, 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-2008-0526, 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
[[Page 18645]]
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 August 13, 2008 (73 FR 47186) (FRL-8375-
8), 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
8F7369) by Dow AgroSciences, LLC., 9330 Zionsville Rd., Indianapolis,
IN 46268. The petition requested that 40 CFR 180.605 be amended by
establishing tolerances for residues of the herbicide penoxsulam, 2-
(2,2-difluoroethoxy)-N-(5,8-dimethoxy[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidin-2-
yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl) benzenesulfonamide in or on nut, tree, group14;
grape; almond, hulls, and pistachio all at 0.1 parts per million (ppm).
That notice referenced a summary of the petition prepared by Dow
AgroSciences LLC, 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.
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 residues of penoxsulam on almond hulls; grape; nut,
tree, group 14, and pistachio all at 0.01 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.
Penoxsulam exhibited minimal acute toxicity in the available
studies. In subchronic and chronic feeding studies in rats and dogs,
the most sensitive target organ was the urothelium of the urinary
system. In subchronic and chronic feeding studies in mice, no effects
of toxicological significance were observed. No developmental toxicity
was observed in the developmental toxicity studies in rats and rabbits
and there was no increased quantitative or qualitative susceptibility
of fetuses, as compared to dams. In a two-generation reproduction study
in rats, delays in preputial separation were noted; however, no other
endpoints of reproductive toxicity or offspring growth and survival
were affected by treatment. There was no increased quantitative or
qualitative susceptibility of fetuses or offspring, as compared to
adults. No treatment-related neurotoxicity was observed in acute or
chronic neurotoxicity studies in rats, or in any of the other available
studies on penoxsulam. No systemic or dermal toxicity was noted in a
28-day dermal toxicity study in rats.
With respect to carcinogenicity, penoxsulam was classified as
having suggestive evidence of carcinogenicity. The classification was
based on an increase in large granular lymphocyte leukemia (also called
mononuclear cell leukemia (MNCL)). EPA concluded that the cancer risk
to humans is negligible. The MNCL seen in the Fisher 344 rat study
appears not to be treatment related because it was only seen in male
rats, there was a lack of dose-response across the treatment groups
(i.e., incidence did not increase with increasing dose), and Fisher 344
rats are known to be susceptible to MNCL, especially as they age. MNCL
in Fisher 344 rats has not been found in other mammals, and there is no
comparable tumor seen in humans. Finally, there is no other evidence on
penoxsulam to indicate a cancer concern, including the fact that no
cancer concerns were identified in the mouse carcinogenicity study;
there is no evidence that penoxsulam is genotoxic; and other chemicals
in the class of compounds (triazolopyrimidines) have not shown evidence
of MNCL in Fisher 344 rats. EPA determined that the chronic assessment
is considered to be protective of potential cancer risks. Penoxsulam
did not demonstrate any mutagenic potential in a battery of four
mutagenicity studies. There is not a concern for mutagenicity resulting
from exposure to penoxsulam.
Specific information on the studies received and the nature of the
adverse effects caused by penoxsulam as well as the no-observed-
adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) and the lowest-observed-adverse-effect-
level (LOAEL) from the toxicity studies can be found at https://www.regulations.gov in the document Penoxsulam Risk Assessment at
Appendix A in docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0526 and in the final
rule published in the Federal Register of September 24, 2004 (EPA-HQ-
OPP-2004-0286), (FRL-7678-6).
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).
[[Page 18646]]
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 penoxsulam used for
human risk assessment can be found at https://www.regulations.gov in
document Penoxsulam Risk Assessment at Appendix A in docket ID number
EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0526 and in the final rule published in the Federal
Register of September 24, 2004 (EPA-HQ-OPP-2004-0286), (FRL-7678-6).
C. Exposure Assessment
1. Dietary exposure from food and feed uses. In evaluating dietary
exposure to penoxsulam, EPA considered exposure under the petitioned-
for tolerances as well as all existing penoxsulam tolerances in 40 CFR
180.605.
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
penoxsulam; 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 U.S. Department
of Agriculture 1994-1996 and 1998 Continuiing Survey of Food Intake by
Individuals. As to residue levels in food, EPA used tolerance level
residues and 100% crop treated, and incorporated default processing
factors for processed food forms.
iii. Cancer. Penoxsulam has been classified as having ``suggestive
evidence for carcinogenic potential'' based on some evidence of
mononuclear cell leukemia (MNCL) in a penoxsulam cancer study in Fisher
344 rats. However, the Agency concluded that the cancer risk to humans
is negligible based on the following considerations. First, it is
questionable that the MNCL seen in the Fisher 344 rat study was
treatment related because it was only seen in male rats, there was a
lack of dose-response across the treatment groups (i.e., incidence did
not increase with increasing dose), and Fisher 344 rats are known to be
susceptible to MNCL, especially as they age. Second, MNCL in Fisher 344
rats is of questionable significance for humans because it has not been
found in other mammals, and there is no comparable tumor seen in
humans. Finally, there is no other evidence on penoxsulam to indicate a
cancer concern, including the fact that no cancer concerns were
identified in the mouse carcinogenicity study; there is no evidence
that penoxsulam is genotoxic; and other chemicals in the class of
compounds (triazolopyrimidines) have not shown evidence of MNCL in
Fisher 344 rats.
iv. Anticipated residue and percent crop treated (PCT) information.
EPA did not use anticipated residue and/or PCT information in the
dietary assessment for penoxsulam. Tolerance level residues and/or 100%
crop treated were assumed for all food commodities.
2. Dietary exposure from drinking water. The Agency considered
screening level water exposure models in the dietary exposure analysis
and risk assessment for penoxsulam in drinking water. These simulation
models take into account data on the physical, chemical, and fate/
transport characteristics of penoxsulam. 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 model for surface water and the Screening
Concentratin in Ground Water (SCI-GROW) model for ground water, the
estimated drinking water concentrations (EDWCs) of penoxsulam for
chronic exposures for non-cancer assessments are estimated to be 0.9
parts per billion (ppb) for surface water and 23.3 ppb for ground
water.
In addition to uses that may result in the transport of penoxsulam
residues to surface and/or ground water, penoxsulam may be applied
directly to water, at a maximum rate of 150 ppb, for aquatic weed
control. For chronic dietary risk assessment, the water concentration
value of 150 ppb from the registered aquatic use 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).
Penoxsulam is currently registered for the following uses that
could result in residential exposures following use on lawns and
treatment of residential aquatic sites. EPA assessed residential
exposure using the following assumptions: exposures can be of short-
and intermediate-term durations and can be through dermal or oral
routes.
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 penoxsulam to share a common mechanism of
toxicity with any other substances, and penoxsulam does not appear to
produce a toxic metabolite produced by other substances. For the
purposes of this tolerance action, therefore, EPA has assumed that
penoxsulam 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. No developmental toxicity
was observed in the developmental toxicity studies in rats and rabbits
and there was no increased quantitative or qualitative susceptibility
of fetuses, as compared to dams. In a two-generation reproduction study
in rats, delays in preputial separation were noted; however, no other
endpoints of reproductive toxicity or offspring growth and survival
were affected by treatment. There was no increased quantitative or
qualitative susceptibility of fetuses or offspring, as compared to
adults. There are no residual uncertainties for pre- and/or post-natal
toxicity resulting from exposure to penoxsulam and there is no
[[Page 18647]]
evidence of quantitative or qualitative susceptibility in the
toxicological data.
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 penoxsulam 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
penoxsulam. In the absence of specific immunotoxicity studies, EPA has
evaluated the available penoxsulam 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 penoxsulam. Based on
these considerations, EPA does not believe that conducting a special
series 870.7800 immunotoxicity study will result in a point of
departure less than the NOAEL of 14.7 milligrams/kilograms/day (mg/kg/
day) used in calculating the cPAD for penoxsulam; therefore, an
additional database uncertainty factor is not needed to account for
potential immunotoxicity.
ii. There is no indication that penoxsulam 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 penoxsulam results in increased
susceptibility in in utero rats or rabbits in the prenatal
developmental studies.
iv. There are no residual uncertainties identified in the exposure
databases. The chronic dietary food exposure assessment utilizes
proposed tolerance level residues and 100% crop treated for all
commodities. EPA made conservative (protective) assumptions in the
residue estimates used to assess exposure to penoxsulam in drinking
water. EPA used similarly conservative assumptions to assess
postapplication exposure of children as well as incidental oral
exposure of toddlers. These assessments will not underestimate the
exposure and risks posed by penoxsulam.
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,
penoxsulam 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
penoxsulam from food and water will utilize 7.1% of the cPAD for all
infants, the population group receiving the greatest exposure.
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).
Penoxsulam is currently registered for use(s) that could result in
short-term residential exposure and the Agency has determined that it
is appropriate to aggregate chronic exposure through food and water
with short-term residential exposures to penoxsulam.
Using the exposure assumptions described in this unit for short-
term exposures, EPA has concluded the combined short-term food, water,
and residential exposures aggregated result in aggregate MOEs of 1,500
to children from oral post application exposure from turf treated with
penoxsulam and 5,500 from adults applying penoxsulam to residential
turf. As the aggregate MOE is greater than 100, the short-term
aggregate risks to children and adults do not exceed EPA's level of
concern.
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).
Penoxsulam is currently registered for use(s) that could result in
intermediate-term residential exposure. However, the Agency has
determined that it is not appropriate to aggregate these intermediate-
term exposures with chronic exposure to penoxsulam through food and
water. Therefore, intermediate-term aggregate risk estimates are
equivalent to the chronic aggregate risk estimates discussed above.
5. Determination of safety. Based on these risk assessments, EPA
concludes that there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result
to the general population, or to infants and children from aggregate
exposure to penoxsulam residues.
IV. Other Considerations
A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
Adequate enforcement methodology (high performance liquid
chromatography with tandem mass spectroscopy-mass spectroscopy detector
(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 maximum residue limits (MRLs) for residues of
penoxsulam in almond, hulls; grape; nut, tree, group 14, and pistachio.
V. Conclusion
Therefore, tolerances are established for residues of penoxsulam on
almond hulls; grape; nut, tree, group 14, and pistachio all at 0.01
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
[[Page 18648]]
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 tolerances 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: April 17, 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 180.605 is amended by alphabetically adding the following
commodities to the table in paragraph (a) to read as follows:
Sec. 180.605 Penoxsulam; tolerances for residues.
(a) * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parts per
Commodity million
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Almond, hulls................................................ 0.01
* * * * *
Grape........................................................ 0.01
Nut, tree, group 14.......................................... 0.01
Pistachio.................................................... 0.01
* * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
[FR Doc. E9-9441 Filed 4-23-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-S