Morpholine 4-C6-12, 20883-20887 [E9-10071]
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 86 / Wednesday, May 6, 2009 / Rules and Regulations
1999 and amended on September 3,
2004.
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[FR Doc. E9–10520 Filed 5–5–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA–HQ–OPP–2008–0105; FRL–8409–1]
Morpholine 4-C6-12 Acyl Derivatives;
Exemption from the Requirement of a
Tolerance
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: This regulation establishes an
exemption from the requirement of a
tolerance for residues of Morpholine 4C6-12 Acyl derivatives (CAS Reg. No.
887947–29–7), herein referred to in this
document as morpholine amide when
used as the inert ingredient in pesticide
formulations applied in or on growing
crops. Huntsman Corporation submitted
a petition to EPA under the Federal
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA),
requesting an exemption from the
requirement of a tolerance. This
regulation eliminates the need to
establish a maximum permissible level
for residues of morpholine amide.
DATES: This regulation is effective May
6, 2009. Objections and requests for
hearings must be received on or before
July 6, 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–2008–0105. 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.
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ADDRESSES:
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to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday,
excluding legal holidays. The Docket
Facility telephone number is (703) 305–
5805.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Alganesh Debesai, Registration Division
(7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs,
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington,
DC 20460–0001; telephone number:
(703) 308–8353; e-mail address:
debesai.alganesh@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. General Information
A. Does this Action Apply to Me?
You may be potentially affected by
this action if you are an agricultural
producer, food manufacturer, or
pesticide manufacturer. Potentially
affected entities may include, but are
not limited to:
• Crop production (NAICS code 111).
• Animal production (NAICS code
112).
• Food manufacturing (NAICS code
311).
• Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS
code 32532).
This listing is not intended to be
exhaustive, but rather provides a guide
for readers regarding entities likely to be
affected by this action. Other types of
entities not listed in this unit could also
be affected. The North American
Industrial Classification System
(NAICS) codes have been provided to
assist you and others in determining
whether this action might apply to
certain entities. If you have any
questions regarding the applicability of
this action to a particular entity, consult
the person listed under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT.
B. How Can I Access Electronic Copies
of this Document?
In addition to accessing electronically
available documents at https://
www.regulations.gov, you may access
this Federal Register document
electronically through the EPA Internet
under the ‘‘Federal Register’’ listings at
https://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr. You may
also access a frequently updated
electronic version of 40 CFR part 180
through the Government Printing
Office’s e-CFR 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. The EPA procedural
regulations which govern the
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submission of objections and requests
for hearings appear in 40 CFR part 178.
You must file your objection or request
a hearing on this regulation in
accordance with the instructions
provided in 40 CFR part 178. To ensure
proper receipt by EPA, you must
identify docket ID number EPA–HQ–
OPP–2008–0105 in the subject line on
the first page of your submission. All
requests must be in writing, and must be
mailed or delivered to the Hearing Clerk
on or before July 6, 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 your
copies, identified by docket ID number
EPA–HQ–OPP–2008–0105, 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. Background and Statutory Findings
In the Federal Register of June 13,
2008 (73 FR 33814) (FRL–8367–3), EPA
issued a notice pursuant to section 408
of FFDCA, 21 U.S.C. 346a, as amended
by FQPA (Pub. L. 104–170), announcing
the filing of a pesticide petition (PP
6E7093) by Huntsman Corporation,
8600 Gosling Road, The Woodlands, TX
77381. The petition requested that 40
CFR 180.920 be amended by
establishing an exemption from the
requirement of a tolerance for residues
of Morpholine 4-C6-12 Acyl derivatives
(CAS Reg. No. 887947–29–7), herein
referred to in this document as
morpholine amide when used as inert
ingredient in pesticide formulations
applied in or on growing crops. That
notice included a summary of the
petition prepared by the petitioner.
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There were no comments received in
response to the notice of filing.
Section 408(b)(2)(A)(i) of FFDCA
allows EPA to establish an exemption
from the requirement for 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. . . .’’
EPA performs a number of analyses to
determine the risks from aggregate
exposure to pesticide residues. First,
EPA determines the toxicity of
pesticides. Second, EPA examines
exposure to the pesticide through food,
drinking water, and through other
exposures that occur as a result of
pesticide use in residential settings.
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III. Inert Ingredient Definition
Inert ingredients are all ingredients
that are not active ingredients as defined
in 40 CFR 153.125 and include, but are
not limited to, the following types of
ingredients (except when they have a
pesticidal efficacy of their own):
Solvents such as alcohols and
hydrocarbons; surfactants such as
polyoxyethylene polymers and fatty
acids; carriers such as clay and
diatomaceous earth; thickeners such as
carrageenan and modified cellulose;
wetting, spreading, and dispersing
agents; propellants in aerosol
dispensers; microencapsulating agents;
and emulsifiers. The term ‘‘inert’’ is not
intended to imply nontoxicity; the
ingredient may or may not be
chemically active. Generally, EPA has
exempted inert ingredients from the
requirement of a tolerance based on the
low toxicity of the individual inert
ingredients.
IV. Toxicological Profile
Consistent with section 408(b)(2)(D)
of FFDCA, EPA has reviewed the
available scientific data and other
relevant information in support of this
action and considered its validity,
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completeness and reliability and the
relationship of this information to
human risk. EPA has also considered
available information concerning the
variability of the sensitivities of major
identifiable subgroups of consumers,
including infants and children. The
nature of the toxic effects caused by
morpholine amide is discussed in this
unit.
The following provides a brief
summary of the risk assessment and
conclusions for the Agency’s review of
morpholine amide. The Agency’s full
decision document for this action is
available in the Agency’s electronic
docket (regulations.gov) under the
docket number EPA–HQ–OPP–2008–
0105. The toxicological database for
morpholine amide (CAS Reg. No.
887947–29–7) is limited; however,
adequate studies are available on the
structurally related compound, lauric
DEA. Like lauric DEA, morpholine
amide is expected to be readily absorbed
and metabolized to succinic and adipic
morpholine amide. Free fatty acids,
mainly capric and caprylic acid as well
as morpholine are expected to be
potential impurities (minute quantity).
Adequate toxicological information is
available on these metabolites and
impurities. The toxicological database
on morpholine amide consists of: An
acute toxicity battery, a mutagenicity
battery and a reproductive and
developmental screening study in rats
(including neurotoxicity screening).
There are no long term or
carcinogenicity studies available on
morpholine amide. However, studies on
the structurally similar compound
lauric DEA included two oral
subchronic studies in rats, one
subchronic study in dogs, a
mutagenicity battery, a metabolism
study, and subchronic and
carcinogenicity studies in rats and mice
via the dermal route of exposure. In
addition, many subchronic and chronic
studies are available on morpholine (a
manufacturing impurity). EPA has
toxicological data on fatty acids and
caprylic acid, a potential metabolite of
morpholine amide. Taking all these
studies into consideration, EPA
concluded that these studies can be
used to evaluate the toxicity of
morpholine amide. Other than the
chronic studies, all other data are
adequate to characterize the potential
toxicity of morpholine amide.
Animal studies show that morpholine
amide has low acute toxicity (oral LD50
in the rat > 2,000 milligram/kilograms
(mg/kg) and inhalation LC50 in the rat >
2.0 mg/L). Although morpholine amide
was a mild eye irritant in the rabbit, it
was not a skin irritant (rabbit). It was
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positive for skin sensitization in the
Guinea pig. Based upon the metabolism
and low toxicity characteristics of lauric
DEA, subchronic and chronic toxicity of
morpholine amide is also expected to be
low. Although no specific neurotoxicity
studies were performed, in the
combined repeated dosed reproductive
and developmental toxicity screening
test, potential indications of
neurotoxicity such as lethargy and
altered functional observation battery
(FOB) parameters were observed at a
high dose of 600 mg/kg/day. However,
these clinical signs were judged to be to
high dose toxicity rather than as a result
of a neurotoxic reaction. Moreover,
since the toxic effects were seen only at
a high dose, the NOAEL (200 mg/kg/
day) will be protective from these effects
(three fold lower than the dose that
produced clinical signs of
neurotoxicity). Additionally, the slight
decrease in relative brain weight (≤ 6%)
in the reproductive and developmental
screening study was not considered as
the toxicologically relevant effect
because the absolute brain weight was
not affected, there were no pathological
findings and this slight change in
relative brain weight is considered due
to changes in body weight at 600 mg/kg/
day.
No fetal effects were seen in a
combined repeat dose reproductive and
developmental toxicity study in Wistar
Hannover rats at doses that produced
maternal toxicity (lethargy and
alterations in functional observational
parameters). No treatment-related effects
were observed for any reproductive or
litter parameters at any dose level. The
NOAEL for systemic toxicity is 200 mg/
kg/day. The NOAEL for both
reproductive and developmental
toxicity is 600 mg/kg/day (the highest
dose tested (HDT)). Based on this
information, there in no concern, at this
time, for increased sensitivity to infants
and children to morpholine amide when
used as an inert ingredient in pesticide
formulations applied to growing crops.
Based on negative response of
morpholine amide in mutagenicity,
equivocal evidence of carcinogenic
activity of lauric DEA (dermal route,
only one species, one sex), lack of
carcinogenicity of impurity
(morpholine) and other metabolites,
EPA concluded that morpholine amide
is not likely to be carcinogenic.
The free fatty acid impurities on the
subject chemical are not likely to impart
any significant toxicity. Fatty acid salts
have been reported to have a low acute
toxicity. A chronic inhalation exposure
of rats to morpholine, a potential
impurity of the subject chemical for 2
years at concentration of 150 parts per
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million (approximately 533 mg/m3) or
less revealed no carcinogenic potential
or chronic systemic toxicity. Consistent
with its known irritating properties,
morpholine produced only local
irritation, which was limited almost
exclusively to high dose animals.
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.
Morpholine amide’s acute toxicity is
so low that it is not expected to pose an
acute risk and derivation of an aPAD is
unnecessary. A cPAD of 0.67 mg/kg/day
was derived from the NOAEL of 200
mg/kg/day for the systemic toxicity seen
in the reproductive and developmental
toxicity study. A safety factor of 300
(10x for interspecies and 10x for intraspecies variations and additional 3X
FQPA safety factor for the lack of
chronic study) was used.
V. Aggregate Exposures
In examining aggregate exposure,
section 408 of FFDCA directs EPA to
consider available information
concerning exposures from the pesticide
residue in food and all other nonoccupational exposures, including
drinking water from ground water or
surface water and exposure through
pesticide use in gardens, lawns, or
buildings (residential and other indoor
uses).
EPA establishes exemptions from the
requirement of a tolerance only in those
cases where it can be clearly
demonstrated that the risks from
aggregate exposure to pesticide
chemical residues under reasonably
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foreseeable circumstances will pose no
appreciable risks to human health. In
order to determine the risks from
aggregate exposure to pesticide inert
ingredients, the Agency considers the
toxicity of the inert in conjunction with
possible exposure to residues of the
inert ingredient through food, drinking
water, and through other exposures that
occur as a result of pesticide use in
residential settings. If EPA is able to
determine that a finite tolerance is not
necessary to ensure that there is a
reasonable certainty that no harm will
result from aggregate exposure to the
inert ingredient, an exemption from the
requirement of a tolerance may be
established.
In the absence of actual residue data
for morpholine amide, the Agency
performed a dietary (food and drinking
water) exposure assessment for
morpholine amide for the proposed preharvest use using worst case
assumptions. These assumptions
included that:
1. Morpholine amide would be used
as an inert ingredient in all food use
pesticide formulations applied to all
crops,
2. One hundred percent of all food
crops would be treated with pesticides
containing morpholine amide,
3. Morpholine amide residues would
be present in all crops at levels equal to
or exceeding the highest established
tolerance levels for any pesticide active
ingredient for pre-harvest uses, and
4. A conservative default value of
1,000 parts per billion for the
concentration of an inert ingredient in
all sources of drinking water was used.
This approach is highly conservative as
it is extremely unlikely that morpholine
amide would have such use as a
pesticide product inert ingredient and
be present in food commodities and
drinking water at such high levels.
VI. Cumulative Effects
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.’’
Unlike other pesticides for which EPA
has followed a cumulative risk approach
based on a common mechanism of
toxicity, EPA has not made a common
mechanism of toxicity finding as to
morpholine amide and any other
substances, and these chemicals do not
appear to produce a toxic metabolite
produced by other substances. For the
purposes of this tolerance action,
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therefore, EPA has not assumed that
these chemicals 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 the policy statements released by
EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs
concerning common mechanism
determinations and procedures for
cumulating effects from substances
found to have a common mechanism of
EPA’s website at https://ww.epa.gov/
pesticides/cumulative/.
VII. Additional Safety Factor for the
Protection of Infants and Children
Section 408 of the FFDCA provides
that EPA shall apply an additional
tenfold margin of safety for infants and
children in the case of threshold effects
to account for prenatal and postnatal
toxicity and the completeness of the
database on toxicity and exposure
unless EPA determines that a different
margin of safety will be safe for infants
and children. EPA concluded that the
FQPA safety factor for morpholine
amide should be reduced to 3X for the
following reasons.
1. Although the toxicological database
on morpholine amide is limited, studies
on the structurally similar compound
lauric DEA are available. These studies
include two oral subchronic studies in
rats, one subchronic study in dogs,
mutagenicity battery, metabolism study,
and subchronic and carcinogenicity
studies in rats and mice via dermal
route of exposure. In addition, many
subchronic and chronic studies are
available on morpholine (a
manufacturing impurity). EPA does not
have a chronic toxicity study for either
morpholine amide or lauric DEA. This
lack of a chronic study is largely offset
by the results of the Organization for
Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD) reproduction/
developmental screening toxicity study
– which showed no target organ toxicity
at doses up to 600 mg/kg/day – and the
existing subchronic data.
2. EPA concluded that there is no
evidence of increased susceptibility to
infants and children. No fetal effects
were seen in the combined repeated
dosed reproductive and developmental
toxicity study in Wistar Hannover rats at
doses that produce maternal toxicity
(lethargy and alterations in functional
observational parameters). No
treatment-related effects were observed
for any reproductive or litter parameters
at any dose level. The NOAEL for
systemic toxicity is 200 mg/kg/day. The
NOAEL for both reproductive and
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developmental toxicity is 600 mg/kg/
day (the HDT). No developmental
toxicity study in rabbit is available in
the morpholine amide database.
However, EPA concluded that the
developmental toxicity study in rabbits
is not likely to provide lower endpoint
than the endpoint selected for the risk
assessment since no developmental or
reproductive toxicity was observed in
rats at doses up to and including 600
mg/kg/day.
3. There is low concern that
morpholine amide is a neurotoxic
chemical and there is no need for a
developmental neurotoxicity study or
additional UFs to account for
neurotoxicity. As noted, the slight
decrease in relative brain weight (≤ 6%)
in the OECD reproductive/
developmental screening toxicity study
in rats was not considered as the
toxicologically relevant effect and the
clinical signs (lethargy and altered FOB
parameters) in the OECD reproductive/
developmental screening study in rats
are considered to be due to high dose
toxicity.
4. In the absence of actual exposure
data on morpholine amide, a highly
conservative exposure estimate using
default parameters is not likely to
underestimate risk to infants and
children.
Although there is some uncertainty
due to the absence of a chronic study
and a rabbit developmental study, there
is low concern that risks will be
underestimated due the results of the
OECD reproduction/developmental
screening toxicity study showing no
organ toxicity at high doses, the lack of
a finding of developmental toxicity in
that study, and the very conservative
exposure assessment that has been
conducted for morpholine. Nonetheless,
a FQPA safety factor of 3X is being
retained, primarily due to the absence of
a chronic toxicity study.
VIII. Determination of Safety for U.S.
Population
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 uncertainty/safety factors.
EPA calculates the aPAD and cPAD by
dividing the POD by all applicable
uncertainty/safetys.
As noted in this unit, morpholine
amide is not expected to pose an acute
risk. To evaluate chronic risk, EPA
compared estimated chronic exposure to
the cPAD of 0.67 mg/kg/day. Utilizing a
highly conservative aggregate exposure
assessment, the resulting chronic
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exposure estimates do not exceed the
Agency’s level of concern (<100%
cPAD). Children 1–2 years old were the
most highly exposed population with
the chronic exposure estimate
occupying 67.6% of the cPAD. In
addition, this highly conservative
exposure assessment is protective of any
possible non-occupational exposures to
morpholine amide as it results in
exposure estimates orders of magnitude
greater than the high-end exposure
estimates for residential uses of
pesticides routinely used by EPA.
Taking into consideration all available
information on morpholine amide, it
has been determined that there is a
reasonable certainty that no harm to any
population subgroup, including infants
and children, will result from aggregate
exposure to this chemical. Therefore,
the exemption from the requirement of
a tolerance for residues of morpholine
amide (CAS Reg. No. 887947–29–7),
when used as inert ingredient in preharvest applications, under 40 CFR
180.920 can be considered safe under
section 408(q) of the FFDCA.
IX. Other Considerations
A. Analytical Method
An analytical method is not required
for enforcement purposes since the
Agency is establishing an exemption
from the requirement of a tolerance
without any numerical limitation.
B. Existing Exemptions
There are no existing exemptions for
morpholine amide.
C. International Tolerances
The Agency is not aware of any
country requiring a tolerance for
morpholine amide nor have any CODEX
Maximum Residue Levels been
established for any food crops at this
time.
X. Conclusions
Therefore, a tolerance exemption is
established for morpholine amide (CAS
Reg. No. 887947–29–7) when used as
inert ingredient in pesticide
formulations applied to growing crops
only.
XI. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
This final rule establishes a tolerance
under section 408(d) of FFDCA in
response to a petition submitted to the
Agency. The Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) has exempted these types
of actions from review under Executive
Order 12866, entitled Regulatory
Planning and Review (58 FR 51735,
October 4, 1993). Because this final rule
has been exempted from review under
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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).
E:\FR\FM\06MYR1.SGM
06MYR1
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 86 / Wednesday, May 6, 2009 / Rules and Regulations
XII. 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.
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. In § 180.920, the table is amended
by adding alphabetically the following
inert ingredient to read as follows:
■
§ 180.920 Inert ingredients used preharvest; exemptions from the requirement
of a tolerance.
*
*
*
*
Inert ingredients
Limits
*
*
*
Morpholine 4-C6-12
Acyl Derivatives
(CAS Reg. No.
887947–29–7)
*
*
*
*
Uses
*
As a solvent
*
*
[FR Doc. E9–10071 Filed 5–5–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–S
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with RULES
[EPA–HQ–OPP–2009–0166; FRL–8409–8]
Novaluron; Pesticide Tolerances for
Emergency Exemptions
AGENCY: Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
17:14 May 05, 2009
SUMMARY: This regulation establishes a
time-limited tolerance for residues of
novaluron in or on strawberry. This
action is in response to EPA’s granting
of an emergency exemption under
section 18 of the Federal Insecticide,
Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
authorizing use of the pesticide on
strawberries. This regulation establishes
a maximum permissible level for
residues of novaluron in this food
commodity. The time-limited tolerance
expires and is revoked on December 31,
2011.
DATES: This regulation is effective May
6, 2009. Objections and requests for
hearings must be received on or before
July 6, 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–2009–0166. All documents in the
docket are listed in the docket index
available in 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:
Andrew Ertman, Registration Division
(7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs,
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington,
DC 20460–0001; telephone number:
(703) 308–9367; e-mail address:
ertman.andrew@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
40 CFR Part 180
VerDate Nov<24>2008
Final rule.
ADDRESSES:
Dated: April 17, 2009.
Lois Rossi,
Director, Registration Division, Office of
Pesticide Programs.
*
ACTION:
Jkt 217001
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
PO 00000
Frm 00021
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
20887
affected entities may include, but are
not limited to:
• Crop production (NAICS code 111).
• Animal production (NAICS code
112).
• Food manufacturing (NAICS code
311).
• Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS
code 32532).
This listing is not intended to be
exhaustive, but rather provides a guide
for readers regarding entities likely to be
affected by this action. Other types of
entities not listed in this unit could also
be affected. The North American
Industrial Classification System
(NAICS) codes have been provided to
assist you and others in determining
whether this action might apply to
certain entities. If you have any
questions regarding the applicability of
this action to a particular entity, consult
the person listed under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT.
B. How Can I Access Electronic Copies
of this Document?
In addition to accessing electronically
available documents at https://
www.regulations.gov, you may access
this Federal Register document
electronically through the EPA Internet
under the ‘‘Federal Register’’ listings at
https://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr. You may
also access a frequently updated
electronic version of 40 CFR part 180
through the Government Printing
Office’s e-CFR cite at https://
www.gpoaccess.gov/ecfr.
C. Can I File an Objection or Hearing
Request?
Under section 408(g) of the Federal
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (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. The EPA procedural
regulations which govern the
submission of objections and requests
for hearings appear in 40 CFR part 178.
You must file your objection or request
a hearing on this regulation in
accordance with the instructions
provided in 40 CFR part 178. To ensure
proper receipt by EPA, you must
identify docket ID number EPA–HQ–
OPP–2009–0166 in the subject line on
the first page of your submission. All
requests must be in writing, and must be
mailed or delivered to the Hearing Clerk
on or before July 6, 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
E:\FR\FM\06MYR1.SGM
06MYR1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 86 (Wednesday, May 6, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20883-20887]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-10071]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0105; FRL-8409-1]
Morpholine 4-C6-12 Acyl Derivatives; Exemption from
the Requirement of a Tolerance
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This regulation establishes an exemption from the requirement
of a tolerance for residues of Morpholine 4-C6-12 Acyl
derivatives (CAS Reg. No. 887947-29-7), herein referred to in this
document as morpholine amide when used as the inert ingredient in
pesticide formulations applied in or on growing crops. Huntsman
Corporation submitted a petition to EPA under the Federal Food, Drug,
and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), requesting an exemption from the requirement
of a tolerance. This regulation eliminates the need to establish a
maximum permissible level for residues of morpholine amide.
DATES: This regulation is effective May 6, 2009. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received on or before July 6, 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-2008-0105. 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: Alganesh Debesai, Registration
Division (7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-
0001; telephone number: (703) 308-8353; e-mail address:
debesai.alganesh@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. General Information
A. Does this Action Apply to Me?
You may be potentially affected by this action if you are an
agricultural producer, food manufacturer, or pesticide manufacturer.
Potentially affected entities may include, but are not limited to:
Crop production (NAICS code 111).
Animal production (NAICS code 112).
Food manufacturing (NAICS code 311).
Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS code 32532).
This listing is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides
a guide for readers regarding entities likely to be affected by this
action. Other types of entities not listed in this unit could also be
affected. The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS)
codes have been provided to assist you and others in determining
whether this action might apply to certain entities. If you have any
questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular
entity, consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT.
B. How Can I Access Electronic Copies of this Document?
In addition to accessing electronically available documents at
https://www.regulations.gov, you may access this Federal Register
document electronically through the EPA Internet under the ``Federal
Register'' listings at https://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr. You may also access
a frequently updated electronic version of 40 CFR part 180 through the
Government Printing Office's e-CFR 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. The EPA procedural regulations which
govern the submission of objections and requests for hearings appear in
40 CFR part 178. You must file your objection or request a hearing on
this regulation in accordance with the instructions provided in 40 CFR
part 178. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, you must identify docket ID
number EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0105 in the subject line on the first page of
your submission. All requests must be in writing, and must be mailed or
delivered to the Hearing Clerk on or before July 6, 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 your copies, identified by docket ID
number EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0105, 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. Background and Statutory Findings
In the Federal Register of June 13, 2008 (73 FR 33814) (FRL-8367-
3), EPA issued a notice pursuant to section 408 of FFDCA, 21 U.S.C.
346a, as amended by FQPA (Pub. L. 104-170), announcing the filing of a
pesticide petition (PP 6E7093) by Huntsman Corporation, 8600 Gosling
Road, The Woodlands, TX 77381. The petition requested that 40 CFR
180.920 be amended by establishing an exemption from the requirement of
a tolerance for residues of Morpholine 4-C6-12 Acyl
derivatives (CAS Reg. No. 887947-29-7), herein referred to in this
document as morpholine amide when used as inert ingredient in pesticide
formulations applied in or on growing crops. That notice included a
summary of the petition prepared by the petitioner.
[[Page 20884]]
There were no comments received in response to the notice of filing.
Section 408(b)(2)(A)(i) of FFDCA allows EPA to establish an
exemption from the requirement for 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. . . .''
EPA performs a number of analyses to determine the risks from
aggregate exposure to pesticide residues. First, EPA determines the
toxicity of pesticides. Second, EPA examines exposure to the pesticide
through food, drinking water, and through other exposures that occur as
a result of pesticide use in residential settings.
III. Inert Ingredient Definition
Inert ingredients are all ingredients that are not active
ingredients as defined in 40 CFR 153.125 and include, but are not
limited to, the following types of ingredients (except when they have a
pesticidal efficacy of their own): Solvents such as alcohols and
hydrocarbons; surfactants such as polyoxyethylene polymers and fatty
acids; carriers such as clay and diatomaceous earth; thickeners such as
carrageenan and modified cellulose; wetting, spreading, and dispersing
agents; propellants in aerosol dispensers; microencapsulating agents;
and emulsifiers. The term ``inert'' is not intended to imply
nontoxicity; the ingredient may or may not be chemically active.
Generally, EPA has exempted inert ingredients from the requirement of a
tolerance based on the low toxicity of the individual inert
ingredients.
IV. Toxicological Profile
Consistent with section 408(b)(2)(D) of FFDCA, EPA has reviewed the
available scientific data and other relevant information in support of
this action and considered its validity, completeness and reliability
and the relationship of this information to human risk. EPA has also
considered available information concerning the variability of the
sensitivities of major identifiable subgroups of consumers, including
infants and children. The nature of the toxic effects caused by
morpholine amide is discussed in this unit.
The following provides a brief summary of the risk assessment and
conclusions for the Agency's review of morpholine amide. The Agency's
full decision document for this action is available in the Agency's
electronic docket (regulations.gov) under the docket number EPA-HQ-OPP-
2008-0105. The toxicological database for morpholine amide (CAS Reg.
No. 887947-29-7) is limited; however, adequate studies are available on
the structurally related compound, lauric DEA. Like lauric DEA,
morpholine amide is expected to be readily absorbed and metabolized to
succinic and adipic morpholine amide. Free fatty acids, mainly capric
and caprylic acid as well as morpholine are expected to be potential
impurities (minute quantity). Adequate toxicological information is
available on these metabolites and impurities. The toxicological
database on morpholine amide consists of: An acute toxicity battery, a
mutagenicity battery and a reproductive and developmental screening
study in rats (including neurotoxicity screening). There are no long
term or carcinogenicity studies available on morpholine amide. However,
studies on the structurally similar compound lauric DEA included two
oral subchronic studies in rats, one subchronic study in dogs, a
mutagenicity battery, a metabolism study, and subchronic and
carcinogenicity studies in rats and mice via the dermal route of
exposure. In addition, many subchronic and chronic studies are
available on morpholine (a manufacturing impurity). EPA has
toxicological data on fatty acids and caprylic acid, a potential
metabolite of morpholine amide. Taking all these studies into
consideration, EPA concluded that these studies can be used to evaluate
the toxicity of morpholine amide. Other than the chronic studies, all
other data are adequate to characterize the potential toxicity of
morpholine amide.
Animal studies show that morpholine amide has low acute toxicity
(oral LD50 in the rat > 2,000 milligram/kilograms (mg/kg)
and inhalation LC50 in the rat > 2.0 mg/L). Although
morpholine amide was a mild eye irritant in the rabbit, it was not a
skin irritant (rabbit). It was positive for skin sensitization in the
Guinea pig. Based upon the metabolism and low toxicity characteristics
of lauric DEA, subchronic and chronic toxicity of morpholine amide is
also expected to be low. Although no specific neurotoxicity studies
were performed, in the combined repeated dosed reproductive and
developmental toxicity screening test, potential indications of
neurotoxicity such as lethargy and altered functional observation
battery (FOB) parameters were observed at a high dose of 600 mg/kg/day.
However, these clinical signs were judged to be to high dose toxicity
rather than as a result of a neurotoxic reaction. Moreover, since the
toxic effects were seen only at a high dose, the NOAEL (200 mg/kg/day)
will be protective from these effects (three fold lower than the dose
that produced clinical signs of neurotoxicity). Additionally, the
slight decrease in relative brain weight (<= 6%) in the reproductive
and developmental screening study was not considered as the
toxicologically relevant effect because the absolute brain weight was
not affected, there were no pathological findings and this slight
change in relative brain weight is considered due to changes in body
weight at 600 mg/kg/day.
No fetal effects were seen in a combined repeat dose reproductive
and developmental toxicity study in Wistar Hannover rats at doses that
produced maternal toxicity (lethargy and alterations in functional
observational parameters). No treatment-related effects were observed
for any reproductive or litter parameters at any dose level. The NOAEL
for systemic toxicity is 200 mg/kg/day. The NOAEL for both reproductive
and developmental toxicity is 600 mg/kg/day (the highest dose tested
(HDT)). Based on this information, there in no concern, at this time,
for increased sensitivity to infants and children to morpholine amide
when used as an inert ingredient in pesticide formulations applied to
growing crops.
Based on negative response of morpholine amide in mutagenicity,
equivocal evidence of carcinogenic activity of lauric DEA (dermal
route, only one species, one sex), lack of carcinogenicity of impurity
(morpholine) and other metabolites, EPA concluded that morpholine amide
is not likely to be carcinogenic.
The free fatty acid impurities on the subject chemical are not
likely to impart any significant toxicity. Fatty acid salts have been
reported to have a low acute toxicity. A chronic inhalation exposure of
rats to morpholine, a potential impurity of the subject chemical for 2
years at concentration of 150 parts per
[[Page 20885]]
million (approximately 533 mg/m3) or less revealed no
carcinogenic potential or chronic systemic toxicity. Consistent with
its known irritating properties, morpholine produced only local
irritation, which was limited almost exclusively to high dose animals.
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.
Morpholine amide's acute toxicity is so low that it is not expected
to pose an acute risk and derivation of an aPAD is unnecessary. A cPAD
of 0.67 mg/kg/day was derived from the NOAEL of 200 mg/kg/day for the
systemic toxicity seen in the reproductive and developmental toxicity
study. A safety factor of 300 (10x for interspecies and 10x for intra-
species variations and additional 3X FQPA safety factor for the lack of
chronic study) was used.
V. Aggregate Exposures
In examining aggregate exposure, section 408 of FFDCA directs EPA
to consider available information concerning exposures from the
pesticide residue in food and all other non-occupational exposures,
including drinking water from ground water or surface water and
exposure through pesticide use in gardens, lawns, or buildings
(residential and other indoor uses).
EPA establishes exemptions from the requirement of a tolerance only
in those cases where it can be clearly demonstrated that the risks from
aggregate exposure to pesticide chemical residues under reasonably
foreseeable circumstances will pose no appreciable risks to human
health. In order to determine the risks from aggregate exposure to
pesticide inert ingredients, the Agency considers the toxicity of the
inert in conjunction with possible exposure to residues of the inert
ingredient through food, drinking water, and through other exposures
that occur as a result of pesticide use in residential settings. If EPA
is able to determine that a finite tolerance is not necessary to ensure
that there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result from
aggregate exposure to the inert ingredient, an exemption from the
requirement of a tolerance may be established.
In the absence of actual residue data for morpholine amide, the
Agency performed a dietary (food and drinking water) exposure
assessment for morpholine amide for the proposed pre-harvest use using
worst case assumptions. These assumptions included that:
1. Morpholine amide would be used as an inert ingredient in all
food use pesticide formulations applied to all crops,
2. One hundred percent of all food crops would be treated with
pesticides containing morpholine amide,
3. Morpholine amide residues would be present in all crops at
levels equal to or exceeding the highest established tolerance levels
for any pesticide active ingredient for pre-harvest uses, and
4. A conservative default value of 1,000 parts per billion for the
concentration of an inert ingredient in all sources of drinking water
was used.
This approach is highly conservative as it is extremely unlikely that
morpholine amide would have such use as a pesticide product inert
ingredient and be present in food commodities and drinking water at
such high levels.
VI. Cumulative Effects
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.''
Unlike other pesticides for which EPA has followed a cumulative
risk approach based on a common mechanism of toxicity, EPA has not made
a common mechanism of toxicity finding as to morpholine amide and any
other substances, and these chemicals do not appear to produce a toxic
metabolite produced by other substances. For the purposes of this
tolerance action, therefore, EPA has not assumed that these chemicals
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 the policy statements released by EPA's Office of
Pesticide Programs concerning common mechanism determinations and
procedures for cumulating effects from substances found to have a
common mechanism of EPA's website at https://ww.epa.gov/pesticides/cumulative/.
VII. Additional Safety Factor for the Protection of Infants and
Children
Section 408 of the FFDCA provides that EPA shall apply an
additional tenfold margin of safety for infants and children in the
case of threshold effects to account for prenatal and postnatal
toxicity and the completeness of the database on toxicity and exposure
unless EPA determines that a different margin of safety will be safe
for infants and children. EPA concluded that the FQPA safety factor for
morpholine amide should be reduced to 3X for the following reasons.
1. Although the toxicological database on morpholine amide is
limited, studies on the structurally similar compound lauric DEA are
available. These studies include two oral subchronic studies in rats,
one subchronic study in dogs, mutagenicity battery, metabolism study,
and subchronic and carcinogenicity studies in rats and mice via dermal
route of exposure. In addition, many subchronic and chronic studies are
available on morpholine (a manufacturing impurity). EPA does not have a
chronic toxicity study for either morpholine amide or lauric DEA. This
lack of a chronic study is largely offset by the results of the
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
reproduction/developmental screening toxicity study - which showed no
target organ toxicity at doses up to 600 mg/kg/day - and the existing
subchronic data.
2. EPA concluded that there is no evidence of increased
susceptibility to infants and children. No fetal effects were seen in
the combined repeated dosed reproductive and developmental toxicity
study in Wistar Hannover rats at doses that produce maternal toxicity
(lethargy and alterations in functional observational parameters). No
treatment-related effects were observed for any reproductive or litter
parameters at any dose level. The NOAEL for systemic toxicity is 200
mg/kg/day. The NOAEL for both reproductive and
[[Page 20886]]
developmental toxicity is 600 mg/kg/day (the HDT). No developmental
toxicity study in rabbit is available in the morpholine amide database.
However, EPA concluded that the developmental toxicity study in rabbits
is not likely to provide lower endpoint than the endpoint selected for
the risk assessment since no developmental or reproductive toxicity was
observed in rats at doses up to and including 600 mg/kg/day.
3. There is low concern that morpholine amide is a neurotoxic
chemical and there is no need for a developmental neurotoxicity study
or additional UFs to account for neurotoxicity. As noted, the slight
decrease in relative brain weight (<= 6%) in the OECD reproductive/
developmental screening toxicity study in rats was not considered as
the toxicologically relevant effect and the clinical signs (lethargy
and altered FOB parameters) in the OECD reproductive/developmental
screening study in rats are considered to be due to high dose toxicity.
4. In the absence of actual exposure data on morpholine amide, a
highly conservative exposure estimate using default parameters is not
likely to underestimate risk to infants and children.
Although there is some uncertainty due to the absence of a chronic
study and a rabbit developmental study, there is low concern that risks
will be underestimated due the results of the OECD reproduction/
developmental screening toxicity study showing no organ toxicity at
high doses, the lack of a finding of developmental toxicity in that
study, and the very conservative exposure assessment that has been
conducted for morpholine. Nonetheless, a FQPA safety factor of 3X is
being retained, primarily due to the absence of a chronic toxicity
study.
VIII. Determination of Safety for U.S. Population
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 uncertainty/safety factors. EPA calculates the
aPAD and cPAD by dividing the POD by all applicable uncertainty/
safetys.
As noted in this unit, morpholine amide is not expected to pose an
acute risk. To evaluate chronic risk, EPA compared estimated chronic
exposure to the cPAD of 0.67 mg/kg/day. Utilizing a highly conservative
aggregate exposure assessment, the resulting chronic exposure estimates
do not exceed the Agency's level of concern (<100% cPAD). Children 1-2
years old were the most highly exposed population with the chronic
exposure estimate occupying 67.6% of the cPAD. In addition, this highly
conservative exposure assessment is protective of any possible non-
occupational exposures to morpholine amide as it results in exposure
estimates orders of magnitude greater than the high-end exposure
estimates for residential uses of pesticides routinely used by EPA.
Taking into consideration all available information on morpholine
amide, it has been determined that there is a reasonable certainty that
no harm to any population subgroup, including infants and children,
will result from aggregate exposure to this chemical. Therefore, the
exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of
morpholine amide (CAS Reg. No. 887947-29-7), when used as inert
ingredient in pre-harvest applications, under 40 CFR 180.920 can be
considered safe under section 408(q) of the FFDCA.
IX. Other Considerations
A. Analytical Method
An analytical method is not required for enforcement purposes since
the Agency is establishing an exemption from the requirement of a
tolerance without any numerical limitation.
B. Existing Exemptions
There are no existing exemptions for morpholine amide.
C. International Tolerances
The Agency is not aware of any country requiring a tolerance for
morpholine amide nor have any CODEX Maximum Residue Levels been
established for any food crops at this time.
X. Conclusions
Therefore, a tolerance exemption is established for morpholine
amide (CAS Reg. No. 887947-29-7) when used as inert ingredient in
pesticide formulations applied to growing crops only.
XI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
This final rule establishes a tolerance under section 408(d) of
FFDCA in response to a petition submitted to the Agency. The Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) has exempted these types of actions from
review under Executive Order 12866, entitled Regulatory Planning and
Review (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993). Because this 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).
[[Page 20887]]
XII. 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. In Sec. 180.920, the table is amended by adding alphabetically the
following inert ingredient to read as follows:
Sec. 180.920 Inert ingredients used pre-harvest; exemptions from the
requirement of a tolerance.
* * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inert ingredients Limits Uses
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
Morpholine 4-C6-12 Acyl As a solvent
Derivatives (CAS Reg. No.
887947-29-7)
* * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[FR Doc. E9-10071 Filed 5-5-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-S