Quinclorac; Pesticide Tolerance for Emergency Exemption, 51485-51490 [E9-24188]
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 193 / Wednesday, October 7, 2009 / Rules and Regulations
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).
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.
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Dated: September 29, 2009.
G. Jeffrey Herndon,
Acting Director, Registration Division, Office
of Pesticide Programs.
Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is
amended as follows:
■
PART 180—[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for part 180
continues to read as follows:
■
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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
*
*
*
Ammonium chloride
(CAS Reg. No.
12125–02–9)
*
*
*
Limits
*
*
*
*
Uses
*
*
Carrier/
nutrient
*
*
[FR Doc. E9–24161 Filed 10–6–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–S
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
Quinclorac; Pesticide Tolerance for
Emergency Exemption
AGENCY: Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
SUMMARY: This regulation establishes a
time-limited tolerance for residues of
quinclorac in or on cranberry. 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
cranberries. This regulation establishes
a maximum permissible level for
residues of quinclorac in this food
commodity. The time-limited tolerance
expires and is revoked on December 31,
2012.
DATES: This regulation is effective
October 7, 2009. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received
on or before December 7, 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–2009–0518. 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
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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:
Marcel Howard, Registration Division
(7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs,
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington,
DC 20460–0001; telephone number:
(703) 305–6784; e-mail address:
Howard.Marcel@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. General Information
[EPA–HQ–OPP–2009–0518; FRL–8434–3]
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A. Does this Action Apply to Me?
You may be potentially affected by
this action if you are an agricultural
producer, food manufacturer, or
pesticide manufacturer. Potentially
affected entities may include, but are
not limited to:
• 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
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through the Government Printing
Office’s e-CFR cite at https://
www.gpoaccess.gov/ecfr.
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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–2009–0518 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 December 7, 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–2009–0518, 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
EPA, on its own initiative, in
accordance with sections 408(e) and
408(l)(6) of FFDCA, 21 U.S.C. 346a(e)
and 346a(1)(6), is establishing a timelimited tolerance for residues of the
herbicide quinclorac, 3,7-dichloro-8-
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quinolinecarboxylic acid, in or on
cranberries at 15.0 parts per million
(ppm). This time-limited tolerance
expires and is revoked on December 31,
2012. EPA will publish a document in
the Federal Register to remove the
revoked tolerances from the CFR.
Section 408(l)(6) of FFDCA requires
EPA to establish a time-limited
tolerance or exemption from the
requirement for a tolerance for pesticide
chemical residues in food that will
result from the use of a pesticide under
an emergency exemption granted by
EPA under section 18 of FIFRA. Such
tolerances can be established without
providing notice or period for public
comment. EPA does not intend for its
actions on section 18 related timelimited tolerances to set binding
precedents for the application of section
408 of FFDCA and the new safety
standard to other tolerances and
exemptions. Section 408(e) of FFDCA
allows EPA to establish a tolerance or an
exemption from the requirement of a
tolerance on its own initiative, i.e.,
without having received any petition
from an outside party.
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. . . .’’
Section 18 of FIFRA authorizes EPA
to exempt any Federal or State agency
from any provision of FIFRA, if EPA
determines that ‘‘emergency conditions
exist which require such exemption.’’
EPA has established regulations
governing such emergency exemptions
in 40 CFR part 166.
III. Emergency Exemption for
Quinclorac on Cranberries and FFDCA
Tolerances
The Massachusetts Department of
Agriculture Resources (MDAR)
requested the use of quinclorac through
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an emergency exemption to control
dodder on cranberries. According to
MDAR, dodder is a serious and
devastating pest in commercial
cranberry production. The MDAR stated
that currently available herbicides are
inadequate for dodder control and
growers have experienced at least a 50%
yield loss due to dodder infestation.
After having reviewed the submission,
EPA determined that emergency
conditions exist for this State, and that
the criteria for an emergency exemption
are met. EPA has authorized under
FIFRA section 18 the use of quinclorac
on cranberries for control of dodder in
Massachusetts.
As part of its evaluation of the
emergency exemption application, EPA
assessed the potential risks presented by
residues of quinclorac in or on
cranberries. In doing so, EPA considered
the safety standard in section 408(b)(2)
of FFDCA, and EPA decided that the
necessary tolerance under section
408(l)(6) of FFDCA would be consistent
with the safety standard and with
FIFRA section 18. Consistent with the
need to move quickly on the emergency
exemption in order to address an urgent
non-routine situation and to ensure that
the resulting food is safe and lawful,
EPA is issuing this tolerance without
notice and opportunity for public
comment as provided in section
408(l)(6) of FFDCA. Although these
time-limited tolerances expire and are
revoked on December 31, 2012, under
section 408(l)(5) of FFDCA, residues of
the pesticide not in excess of the
amounts specified in the tolerance
remaining in or on cranberries after that
date will not be unlawful, provided the
pesticide was applied in a manner that
was lawful under FIFRA, and the
residues do not exceed a level that was
authorized by these time-limited
tolerances at the time of that
application. EPA will take action to
revoke these time-limited tolerances
earlier if any experience with, scientific
data on, or other relevant information
on this pesticide indicate that the
residues are not safe.
Because these time-limited tolerances
are being approved under emergency
conditions, EPA has not made any
decisions about whether quinclorac
meets FIFRA’s registration requirements
for use on cranberries or whether
permanent tolerances for this use would
be appropriate. Under these
circumstances, EPA does not believe
that this time-limited tolerance decision
serves as a basis for registration of
quinclorac by a State for special local
needs under FIFRA section 24(c). Nor
does this tolerance serve as the basis for
persons in any State other than
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Massachusetts to use this pesticide on
these crops under FIFRA section 18
absent the issuance of an emergency
exemption applicable within that State.
For additional information regarding the
emergency exemption for quinclorac,
contact the Agency’s Registration
Division at the address provided under
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
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IV. 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 the factors specified
in FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(D), 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 expected as a result
of this emergency exemption request
and the time-limited tolerance for
residues of quinclorac on cranberries at
15.0 ppm. EPA’s assessment of
exposures and risks associated with
establishing time-limited tolerances
follows.
A. 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
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risk assessment. Uncertainty/safety
factors (UFs) are used in conjunction
with the POD to take into account
uncertainties inherent in the
extrapolation from laboratory animal
data to humans and in the variations in
sensitivity among members of the
human population as well as other
unknowns. Safety is assessed for acute
and chronic dietary risks by comparing
aggregate food and water exposure to
the pesticide to the acute population
adjusted dose (aPAD) and chronic
population adjusted dose (cPAD). The
aPAD and cPAD are calculated by
dividing the POD by all applicable UFs.
Aggregate short-, intermediate-, and
chronic-term risks are evaluated by
comparing food, water, and residential
exposure to the POD to ensure that the
margin of exposure (MOE) called for by
the product of all applicable UFs is not
exceeded. This latter value is referred to
as the Level of Concern (LOC).
For non-threshold risks, the Agency
assumes that any amount of exposure
will lead to some degree of risk. Thus,
the Agency estimates risk in terms of the
probability of an occurrence of the
adverse effect greater than that expected
in a lifetime. For more information on
the general principles EPA uses in risk
characterization and a complete
description of the risk assessment
process, see https://www.epa.gov/
pesticides/factsheets/riskassess.htm.
A summary of the toxicological
endpoints for quinclorac used for
human risk assessment can be found at
https://www.regulations.gov in the
document Quinclorac. Human Health
Risk Assessment for the Proposed Food/
Feed Use of the Herbicide (Associated
with Section 18 Registation) on
Cranberries in Massachusetts, pages 14–
41 in docket ID number EPA–HQ–OPP–
2009–0518.
B. Exposure Assessment
1. Dietary exposure from food and
feed uses. In evaluating dietary
exposure to quinclorac, EPA considered
exposure under the time-limited
tolerances established by this action as
well as all existing quinclorac tolerances
in (40 CFR 180.463). EPA assessed
dietary exposures from quinclorac in
food as follows:
i. Acute exposure. In estimating acute
dietary exposure, EPA used food
consumption information from the
United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA) 1994–1996 and 1998
Nationwide Continuing Surveys of Food
Intake by Individuals (CSFII). As to
residue levels in food, EPA assumed 100
percent crop-treated (% CT) and
tolerance-level residues for all
agricultural commodities. Default
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51487
processing factors from Dietary
Exposure Evaluation Model (DEEM)
7.81 were used (for dried beef and
cranberry juice) in the analyses.
ii. Chronic exposure. In conducting
the chronic dietary exposure
assessment, EPA used the food
consumption data from the USDA 1994–
1996 and 1998 CSFII. As to residue
levels in food, EPA assumed 100% CT,
along with tolerance-level residues for
all agricultural commodities. Default
processing factors from DEEM 7.81 were
used (for dried beef and cranberry juice)
in the analyses.
iii. Cancer. Based on an evaluation
under the 1986 Agency Cancer
Assessment Guidelines and the results
of carcinogenicity studies in rats and
mice, EPA has classified quinclorac as
‘‘not classifiable as to carcinogenicity to
humans.’’ The results indicate that there
was equivocal evidence of an increase
in the incidence of pancreatic acinar
cell adenomas in the male rat only, and
no increase in female rats nor in mice.
A quantification of cancer risk is not
warranted because the chronic reference
dose is approximately 1,200-fold lower
than the dose that induced the benign
pancreatic tumors. Therefore, EPA
considers the chronic assessment to be
protective of potential cancer impacts.
iv. Anticipated residue and percent
crop treated (PCT) information. EPA did
not use anticipated residue and/or PCT
information in the dietary assessment
for quinclorac. Tolerance level residues
and/or 100% CT were assumed for all
food commodities.
2. Dietary exposure from drinking
water. The Agency used screening level
water exposure models in the dietary
exposure analysis and risk assessment
for quinclorac in drinking water. These
simulation models take into account
data on the physical, chemical, and fate/
transport characteristics of quinclorac.
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 modified Tier I
Provisional Cranberry Model (PRZM
and EXAMS models are not based on
typical properties of cranberry bogs,
which involves flooding) and Screening
Concentration in Ground Water (SCIGROW) models, the estimated drinking
water concentrations (EDWCs) of
quinclorac for acute exposures and
chronic exposures for non-cancer
assessments are estimated to be 0.077
parts per billion (ppb) and 0.070 ppb,
respectively, for surface water and 0.019
ppb for both acute and chronic (noncancer) ground water.
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Modeled estimates of drinking water
concentrations were directly entered
into the dietary exposure model. For
both acute and chronic dietary risk
assessment, the water concentration
value of 0.077 ppb was used to assess
the contribution to drinking water.
Conservative assumptions used in these
model estimates help ensure that the
outputs are protective of most
environments associated with
agricultural uses; thus, the estimates are
expected to exceed peak values found in
the environment in most cases.
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).
Quinclorac is currently registered for
the following use that could result in
residential exposures: turf and lawns.
EPA assessed residential exposure using
the following assumptions for toddlers:
i. Five percent of the application rate
has been used to calculate the day-zero
turf transferable residue (TTR) levels
used for assessing risks from hand-tomouth exposures, since quincloracspecific turf transferable residue study
data are not available;
ii. Twenty percent of the application
rate has been used to calculate the dayzero turf transferable residue (TTR)
residue levels used for assessing risks
from object-to-mouth exposures (a
higher percent transfer has been used
for object-to-mouth behaviors, because it
involves a teething action believed to be
more analogous to DFR/leaf wash
sample collection, where 20% is also
used);
iii. Three year-old toddlers are
expected to weigh 15 kilograms
(representing an average weight from
years 1 to 6);
iv. Hand-to-mouth exposures are
based on a frequency of 20 events/hour,
and a surface area per event of 20 square
centimeters, representing the palm-side
surfaces of three fingers;
v. Saliva extraction efficiency is 50%,
meaning that every time the hand goes
in the mouth, approximately half of the
residues on the hand are removed;
vi. Object-to-mouth exposures are
based on a 25 square centimeter surface
area;
vii. Exposure durations for turfgrass
scenarios are estimated to be 2 hours,
based on information in HED’s Exposure
Factors Handbook; and
viii. Soil residues are contained in the
top centimeter, and soil density is 0.67
milliliters per gram.
4. Cumulative effects from substances
with a common mechanism of toxicity.
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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 quinclorac to share
a common mechanism of toxicity with
any other substances, and quinclorac
does not appear to produce a toxic
metabolite produced by other
substances. For the purposes of this
tolerance action, therefore, EPA has
assumed that quinclorac 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 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 on EPA’s website at https://
www.epa.gov/pesticides/cumulative.
C. 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 SF. In applying this provision,
EPA either retains the default value of
10X, or uses a different additional SF
when reliable data available to EPA
support the choice of a different factor.
2. Prenatal and postnatal sensitivity.
There is no qualitative evidence of
increased prenatal and/or postnatal
susceptibility and, due to the marginal
nature of the effects observed on pup
viability in the multigeneration
reproductive toxicity study, no residual
uncertainties with regard to prenatal
toxicity following in utero exposures of
rats or rabbits to quinclorac
(developmental toxicity studies), and
prenatal and/or postnatal exposure of
rats to quinclorac (reproductive toxicity
study) at the estimated aggregate
exposure levels. Furthermore, the
exposure levels selected for use in risk
assessment are measurably lower than
the NOAEL from the multigeneration
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study, and therefore protective against
the marginal effects seen in pups.
3. Conclusion. EPA has determined
that reliable data show that 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 quinclorac
is sufficiently complete to inform the
determination for the FQPA safety
factor. Although recent changes to 40
CFR part 158 make acute and
subchronic neurotoxicity testing
(OPPTS Harmonized Guideline
870.6200), and immunotoxicity testing
(OPPTS Harmonized Guideline
870.7800) required for pesticide
registration, the available data for
quinclorac do not show the potential for
immunotoxic nor neurotoxic effects.
However, future registration actions
may require additional toxicity studies.
ii. There is no indication that
quinclorac is a neurotoxic chemical and
there is no need for a developmental
neurotoxicity study or additional UFs to
account for neurotoxicity for purposes
of this time-limited tolerance.
iii. There is no evidence that
quinclorac results in increased
susceptibility in in utero rats or rabbits
in the prenatal developmental studies or
in young rats in the 2–generation
reproduction study.
iv. There are no residual uncertainties
identified in the exposure databases.
EPA made conservative (protective)
assumptions in the ground water and
surface water modeling used to assess
exposure to quinclorac in drinking
water. EPA used similarly conservative
assumptions to assess post-application
exposure of children as well as
incidental oral exposure of toddlers.
These assessments will not
underestimate the exposure and risks
posed by quinclorac.
D. 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
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product of all applicable UFs is not
exceeded.
1. Acute risk. Using the exposure
assumptions discussed in this unit for
acute exposure, the acute dietary
exposure from food and water to
quinclorac will occupy less than 1% of
the aPAD for females age 13 to 49, the
population group receiving the greatest
exposure.
2. Chronic risk. Using the exposure
assumptions described in this unit for
chronic exposure, EPA has concluded
that chronic exposure to quinclorac
from food and water will utilize 3% of
the cPAD for children 1 to 2 years of
age, the population group receiving the
greatest exposure, while the general U.S.
population utilizes 2% of the cPAD.
Quinclorac is not expected to pose a
chronic dietary risk for the general
population (including infants and
children). The chronic risk estimates for
all populations, resulting from aggregate
exposure to quinclorac in food and
drinking water, is below EPA’s chronic
LOC, and therefore not of concern.
3. Short-term and intermediate-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).
Intermediate-term aggregate exposure
takes into account intermediate-term
non-dietary, non-occupational exposure
plus chronic exposure to food and water
(considered to be a background
exposure level). Because short- and
intermediate-term exposure may occur
as a result of quinclorac use in
residential settings, both assessments
were based on toddler exposure from an
oral route: hand-to-mouth, object-tomouth, and incidental soil ingestion.
The oral MOEs for residential postapplication exposure of toddlers range
from 6,300 to 1,800,000. The combined
MOE of 5,000 is greater than the LOC.
These values are greater than the LOC
(100) for the short-term and
intermediate-term risk assessment and
therefore not of concern. The postapplication exposure scenarios from the
use on turf represent worst-case
estimates of exposure and risk. To
evaluate short- and intermediate-term
aggregate risk, EPA has included the
post-application combined MOE (5,000)
with the MOE derived from chronic
dietary exposure estimates (to reflect
background dietary exposure). The
behaviors associated with postapplication exposures are applicable to
toddlers, so only those age groups
(infants, children 1–2 years of age, and
children 3–5 years of age) have been
assessed for short- and intermediateterm aggregate risk. Aggregate MOEs are
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15:23 Oct 06, 2009
Jkt 220001
all greater than 100 (MOEs range from
2,900 to 2,700), and are therefore below
EPA’s short-term and intermediate-term
LOC.
4. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S.
population. Quinclorac has been
classified as ‘‘not classifiable as to
carcinogenicity to humans.’’ Therefore,
aggregate cancer risk from quinclorac is
not of concern.
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 quinclorac
residues.
V. Other Considerations
A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
Adequate analytical methods,
utilizing gas chromatography with
electron capture detection (GC/ECD), are
available to enforce the tolerance
expression on plant (BASF Method
A8902; MRID# 41063537) and animal
(BASF Method 268/1; MRID# 41063536)
commodities. Both methods have
undergone successful Agency method
validation trials, and have been
submitted to FDA for publication in
PAM II as the tolerance enforcement
methods. The limit of quantitation
(LOQ) for both methods is 0.05 ppm in
all matrices. Furthermore, FDA has
reported that quinclorac can be detected
by Multiresidue Protocol B. No
additional data are needed.
B. International Residue Limits
There are currently no established
Codex, Canadian, or Mexican maximum
residue limits for residues of quinclorac
in/on cranberry.
VI. Conclusion
Therefore, a time-limited tolerance is
established for residues of quinclorac,
3,7-dichloro-8-quinolinecarboxylic acid,
in or on cranberry at 15.0 ppm. This
tolerance expires and is revoked on
December 31, 2012.
VII. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
This final rule establishes a tolerance
under sections 408(e) and 408(l)(6) of
FFDCA. 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
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51489
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 in accordance with
sections 408(e) and 408(l)(6) 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).
VIII. 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
E:\FR\FM\07OCR1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 193 / Wednesday, October 7, 2009 / Rules and Regulations
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: September 25, 2009.
Lois Rossi,
Acting Director, Office of Pesticide Programs.
Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is
amended as follows:
■
PART 180—[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for part 180
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.
2. Section 180.463 is amended by
revising paragraph (b) to read as follows:
■
§ 180.463 Quinclorac; tolerances for
residues.
*
*
*
*
*
(b) Section 18 emergency exemptions.
Time-limited tolerances specified in the
following table are established for
residues of quinclorac, 3,7-dichloro-8quinolinecarboxylic acid in or on the
specified agricultural commodities,
resulting from use of the pesticide
pursuant to FIFRA section 18
emergency exemptions. The tolerances
expire and are revoked on the date
specified in the table.
Parts per
million
Commodity
Cranberry ..........
*
*
*
15.0
*
Expiration/
revocation
date
12/31/12
*
[FR Doc. E9–24188 Filed 10–06–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–S
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with RULES
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA–HQ–OPP–2008–0713; FRL–8793–2]
Pyraclostrobin; Pesticide Tolerances
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
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16:50 Oct 06, 2009
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SUMMARY: This regulation establishes
tolerances for combined residues of
pyraclostrobin and its desmethoxy
metabolite, expressed as parent
compound, in or on coffee, bean, green
at 0.3 parts per million (ppm; this is a
new import tolerance); fruit, stone,
group 12 at 2.5 ppm (this is an increase
in the existing domestic tolerance);
sorghum, grain, forage at 5.0 ppm;
sorghum, grain, grain at 0.60 ppm; and
sorghum, grain, stover at 0.80 ppm (the
sorghum tolerances are new domestic
tolerances). BASF Corporation
requested these tolerances under the
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
(FFDCA).
DATES: This regulation is effective
October 7, 2009. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received
on or before December 7, 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–2008–0713. 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: John
Bazuin, Registration Division (7505P),
Office of Pesticide Programs,
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington,
DC 20460–0001; telephone number:
(703) 305–7381; e-mail address:
bazuin.john@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. General Information
A. Does this Action Apply to Me?
You may potentially be affected by
this action if you are an agricultural
producer, food manufacturer, or
PO 00000
Frm 00044
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
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
site at https://www.gpoaccess.gov/ecfr.
To access the OPPTS Harmonized
Guidelines referenced in this document,
go directly to the guidelines at https://
www.epa.gov/opptsfrs/home/
guidelin.htm.
C. Can I File an Objection or Hearing
Request?
Under section 408(g) of FFDCA, 21
U.S.C. 346a, any person may file an
objection to any aspect of this regulation
and may also request a hearing on those
objections. You must file your objection
or request a hearing on this regulation
in accordance with the instructions
provided in 40 CFR part 178. To ensure
proper receipt by EPA, you must
identify docket ID number EPA–HQ–
OPP–2008–0713 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 December 7, 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
E:\FR\FM\07OCR1.SGM
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[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 193 (Wednesday, October 7, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51485-51490]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-24188]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0518; FRL-8434-3]
Quinclorac; Pesticide Tolerance for Emergency Exemption
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule
-----------------------------------------------------------------------.
SUMMARY: This regulation establishes a time-limited tolerance for
residues of quinclorac in or on cranberry. 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 cranberries. This regulation establishes a
maximum permissible level for residues of quinclorac in this food
commodity. The time-limited tolerance expires and is revoked on
December 31, 2012.
DATES: This regulation is effective October 7, 2009. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received on or before December 7, 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-2009-0518. 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: Marcel Howard, Registration Division
(7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency,
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone
number: (703) 305-6784; e-mail address: Howard.Marcel@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
[[Page 51486]]
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-
2009-0518 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 December 7, 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-2009-0518, 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
EPA, on its own initiative, in accordance with sections 408(e) and
408(l)(6) of FFDCA, 21 U.S.C. 346a(e) and 346a(1)(6), is establishing a
time-limited tolerance for residues of the herbicide quinclorac, 3,7-
dichloro-8-quinolinecarboxylic acid, in or on cranberries at 15.0 parts
per million (ppm). This time-limited tolerance expires and is revoked
on December 31, 2012. EPA will publish a document in the Federal
Register to remove the revoked tolerances from the CFR.
Section 408(l)(6) of FFDCA requires EPA to establish a time-limited
tolerance or exemption from the requirement for a tolerance for
pesticide chemical residues in food that will result from the use of a
pesticide under an emergency exemption granted by EPA under section 18
of FIFRA. Such tolerances can be established without providing notice
or period for public comment. EPA does not intend for its actions on
section 18 related time-limited tolerances to set binding precedents
for the application of section 408 of FFDCA and the new safety standard
to other tolerances and exemptions. Section 408(e) of FFDCA allows EPA
to establish a tolerance or an exemption from the requirement of a
tolerance on its own initiative, i.e., without having received any
petition from an outside party.
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. . .
.''
Section 18 of FIFRA authorizes EPA to exempt any Federal or State
agency from any provision of FIFRA, if EPA determines that ``emergency
conditions exist which require such exemption.'' EPA has established
regulations governing such emergency exemptions in 40 CFR part 166.
III. Emergency Exemption for Quinclorac on Cranberries and FFDCA
Tolerances
The Massachusetts Department of Agriculture Resources (MDAR)
requested the use of quinclorac through an emergency exemption to
control dodder on cranberries. According to MDAR, dodder is a serious
and devastating pest in commercial cranberry production. The MDAR
stated that currently available herbicides are inadequate for dodder
control and growers have experienced at least a 50% yield loss due to
dodder infestation. After having reviewed the submission, EPA
determined that emergency conditions exist for this State, and that the
criteria for an emergency exemption are met. EPA has authorized under
FIFRA section 18 the use of quinclorac on cranberries for control of
dodder in Massachusetts.
As part of its evaluation of the emergency exemption application,
EPA assessed the potential risks presented by residues of quinclorac in
or on cranberries. In doing so, EPA considered the safety standard in
section 408(b)(2) of FFDCA, and EPA decided that the necessary
tolerance under section 408(l)(6) of FFDCA would be consistent with the
safety standard and with FIFRA section 18. Consistent with the need to
move quickly on the emergency exemption in order to address an urgent
non-routine situation and to ensure that the resulting food is safe and
lawful, EPA is issuing this tolerance without notice and opportunity
for public comment as provided in section 408(l)(6) of FFDCA. Although
these time-limited tolerances expire and are revoked on December 31,
2012, under section 408(l)(5) of FFDCA, residues of the pesticide not
in excess of the amounts specified in the tolerance remaining in or on
cranberries after that date will not be unlawful, provided the
pesticide was applied in a manner that was lawful under FIFRA, and the
residues do not exceed a level that was authorized by these time-
limited tolerances at the time of that application. EPA will take
action to revoke these time-limited tolerances earlier if any
experience with, scientific data on, or other relevant information on
this pesticide indicate that the residues are not safe.
Because these time-limited tolerances are being approved under
emergency conditions, EPA has not made any decisions about whether
quinclorac meets FIFRA's registration requirements for use on
cranberries or whether permanent tolerances for this use would be
appropriate. Under these circumstances, EPA does not believe that this
time-limited tolerance decision serves as a basis for registration of
quinclorac by a State for special local needs under FIFRA section
24(c). Nor does this tolerance serve as the basis for persons in any
State other than
[[Page 51487]]
Massachusetts to use this pesticide on these crops under FIFRA section
18 absent the issuance of an emergency exemption applicable within that
State. For additional information regarding the emergency exemption for
quinclorac, contact the Agency's Registration Division at the address
provided under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
IV. 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 the factors specified in FFDCA section
408(b)(2)(D), 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 expected as a result of this emergency exemption request and
the time-limited tolerance for residues of quinclorac on cranberries at
15.0 ppm. EPA's assessment of exposures and risks associated with
establishing time-limited tolerances follows.
A. Toxicological Endpoints
For hazards that have a threshold below which there is no
appreciable risk, a toxicological point of departure (POD) is
identified as the basis for derivation of reference values for risk
assessment. The POD may be defined as the highest dose at which no
adverse effects are observed (the NOAEL) in the toxicology study
identified as appropriate for use in risk assessment. However, if a
NOAEL cannot be determined, the lowest dose at which adverse effects of
concern are identified (the LOAEL) or a Benchmark Dose (BMD) approach
is sometimes used for risk assessment. Uncertainty/safety factors (UFs)
are used in conjunction with the POD to take into account uncertainties
inherent in the extrapolation from laboratory animal data to humans and
in the variations in sensitivity among members of the human population
as well as other unknowns. Safety is assessed for acute and chronic
dietary risks by comparing aggregate food and water exposure to the
pesticide to the acute population adjusted dose (aPAD) and chronic
population adjusted dose (cPAD). The aPAD and cPAD are calculated by
dividing the POD by all applicable UFs. Aggregate short-, intermediate-
, and chronic-term risks are evaluated by comparing food, water, and
residential exposure to the POD to ensure that the margin of exposure
(MOE) called for by the product of all applicable UFs is not exceeded.
This latter value is referred to as the Level of Concern (LOC).
For non-threshold risks, the Agency assumes that any amount of
exposure will lead to some degree of risk. Thus, the Agency estimates
risk in terms of the probability of an occurrence of the adverse effect
greater than that expected in a lifetime. For more information on the
general principles EPA uses in risk characterization and a complete
description of the risk assessment process, see https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/riskassess.htm.
A summary of the toxicological endpoints for quinclorac used for
human risk assessment can be found at https://www.regulations.gov in the
document Quinclorac. Human Health Risk Assessment for the Proposed
Food/Feed Use of the Herbicide (Associated with Section 18 Registation)
on Cranberries in Massachusetts, pages 14-41 in docket ID number EPA-
HQ-OPP-2009-0518.
B. Exposure Assessment
1. Dietary exposure from food and feed uses. In evaluating dietary
exposure to quinclorac, EPA considered exposure under the time-limited
tolerances established by this action as well as all existing
quinclorac tolerances in (40 CFR 180.463). EPA assessed dietary
exposures from quinclorac in food as follows:
i. Acute exposure. In estimating acute dietary exposure, EPA used
food consumption information from the United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA) 1994-1996 and 1998 Nationwide Continuing Surveys of
Food Intake by Individuals (CSFII). As to residue levels in food, EPA
assumed 100 percent crop-treated (% CT) and tolerance-level residues
for all agricultural commodities. Default processing factors from
Dietary Exposure Evaluation Model (DEEM) 7.81 were used (for dried beef
and cranberry juice) in the analyses.
ii. Chronic exposure. In conducting the chronic dietary exposure
assessment, EPA used the food consumption data from the USDA 1994-1996
and 1998 CSFII. As to residue levels in food, EPA assumed 100% CT,
along with tolerance-level residues for all agricultural commodities.
Default processing factors from DEEM 7.81 were used (for dried beef and
cranberry juice) in the analyses.
iii. Cancer. Based on an evaluation under the 1986 Agency Cancer
Assessment Guidelines and the results of carcinogenicity studies in
rats and mice, EPA has classified quinclorac as ``not classifiable as
to carcinogenicity to humans.'' The results indicate that there was
equivocal evidence of an increase in the incidence of pancreatic acinar
cell adenomas in the male rat only, and no increase in female rats nor
in mice. A quantification of cancer risk is not warranted because the
chronic reference dose is approximately 1,200-fold lower than the dose
that induced the benign pancreatic tumors. Therefore, EPA considers the
chronic assessment to be protective of potential cancer impacts.
iv. Anticipated residue and percent crop treated (PCT) information.
EPA did not use anticipated residue and/or PCT information in the
dietary assessment for quinclorac. Tolerance level residues and/or 100%
CT were assumed for all food commodities.
2. Dietary exposure from drinking water. The Agency used screening
level water exposure models in the dietary exposure analysis and risk
assessment for quinclorac in drinking water. These simulation models
take into account data on the physical, chemical, and fate/transport
characteristics of quinclorac. 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 modified Tier I Provisional Cranberry Model (PRZM and
EXAMS models are not based on typical properties of cranberry bogs,
which involves flooding) and Screening Concentration in Ground Water
(SCI-GROW) models, the estimated drinking water concentrations (EDWCs)
of quinclorac for acute exposures and chronic exposures for non-cancer
assessments are estimated to be 0.077 parts per billion (ppb) and 0.070
ppb, respectively, for surface water and 0.019 ppb for both acute and
chronic (non-cancer) ground water.
[[Page 51488]]
Modeled estimates of drinking water concentrations were directly
entered into the dietary exposure model. For both acute and chronic
dietary risk assessment, the water concentration value of 0.077 ppb was
used to assess the contribution to drinking water. Conservative
assumptions used in these model estimates help ensure that the outputs
are protective of most environments associated with agricultural uses;
thus, the estimates are expected to exceed peak values found in the
environment in most cases.
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). Quinclorac is
currently registered for the following use that could result in
residential exposures: turf and lawns. EPA assessed residential
exposure using the following assumptions for toddlers:
i. Five percent of the application rate has been used to calculate
the day-zero turf transferable residue (TTR) levels used for assessing
risks from hand-to-mouth exposures, since quinclorac-specific turf
transferable residue study data are not available;
ii. Twenty percent of the application rate has been used to
calculate the day-zero turf transferable residue (TTR) residue levels
used for assessing risks from object-to-mouth exposures (a higher
percent transfer has been used for object-to-mouth behaviors, because
it involves a teething action believed to be more analogous to DFR/leaf
wash sample collection, where 20% is also used);
iii. Three year-old toddlers are expected to weigh 15 kilograms
(representing an average weight from years 1 to 6);
iv. Hand-to-mouth exposures are based on a frequency of 20 events/
hour, and a surface area per event of 20 square centimeters,
representing the palm-side surfaces of three fingers;
v. Saliva extraction efficiency is 50%, meaning that every time the
hand goes in the mouth, approximately half of the residues on the hand
are removed;
vi. Object-to-mouth exposures are based on a 25 square centimeter
surface area;
vii. Exposure durations for turfgrass scenarios are estimated to be
2 hours, based on information in HED's Exposure Factors Handbook; and
viii. Soil residues are contained in the top centimeter, and soil
density is 0.67 milliliters per gram.
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 quinclorac to share a common mechanism of
toxicity with any other substances, and quinclorac does not appear to
produce a toxic metabolite produced by other substances. For the
purposes of this tolerance action, therefore, EPA has assumed that
quinclorac 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 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 on EPA's website at https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/cumulative.
C. 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 SF. In
applying this provision, EPA either retains the default value of 10X,
or uses a different additional SF when reliable data available to EPA
support the choice of a different factor.
2. Prenatal and postnatal sensitivity. There is no qualitative
evidence of increased prenatal and/or postnatal susceptibility and, due
to the marginal nature of the effects observed on pup viability in the
multigeneration reproductive toxicity study, no residual uncertainties
with regard to prenatal toxicity following in utero exposures of rats
or rabbits to quinclorac (developmental toxicity studies), and prenatal
and/or postnatal exposure of rats to quinclorac (reproductive toxicity
study) at the estimated aggregate exposure levels. Furthermore, the
exposure levels selected for use in risk assessment are measurably
lower than the NOAEL from the multigeneration study, and therefore
protective against the marginal effects seen in pups.
3. Conclusion. EPA has determined that reliable data show that 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 quinclorac is sufficiently complete to
inform the determination for the FQPA safety factor. Although recent
changes to 40 CFR part 158 make acute and subchronic neurotoxicity
testing (OPPTS Harmonized Guideline 870.6200), and immunotoxicity
testing (OPPTS Harmonized Guideline 870.7800) required for pesticide
registration, the available data for quinclorac do not show the
potential for immunotoxic nor neurotoxic effects. However, future
registration actions may require additional toxicity studies.
ii. There is no indication that quinclorac is a neurotoxic chemical
and there is no need for a developmental neurotoxicity study or
additional UFs to account for neurotoxicity for purposes of this time-
limited tolerance.
iii. There is no evidence that quinclorac results in increased
susceptibility in in utero rats or rabbits in the prenatal
developmental studies or in young rats in the 2-generation reproduction
study.
iv. There are no residual uncertainties identified in the exposure
databases. EPA made conservative (protective) assumptions in the ground
water and surface water modeling used to assess exposure to quinclorac
in drinking water. EPA used similarly conservative assumptions to
assess post-application exposure of children as well as incidental oral
exposure of toddlers. These assessments will not underestimate the
exposure and risks posed by quinclorac.
D. 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
[[Page 51489]]
product of all applicable UFs is not exceeded.
1. Acute risk. Using the exposure assumptions discussed in this
unit for acute exposure, the acute dietary exposure from food and water
to quinclorac will occupy less than 1% of the aPAD for females age 13
to 49, the population group receiving the greatest exposure.
2. Chronic risk. Using the exposure assumptions described in this
unit for chronic exposure, EPA has concluded that chronic exposure to
quinclorac from food and water will utilize 3% of the cPAD for children
1 to 2 years of age, the population group receiving the greatest
exposure, while the general U.S. population utilizes 2% of the cPAD.
Quinclorac is not expected to pose a chronic dietary risk for the
general population (including infants and children). The chronic risk
estimates for all populations, resulting from aggregate exposure to
quinclorac in food and drinking water, is below EPA's chronic LOC, and
therefore not of concern.
3. Short-term and intermediate-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). Intermediate-term aggregate exposure takes into
account intermediate-term non-dietary, non-occupational exposure plus
chronic exposure to food and water (considered to be a background
exposure level). Because short- and intermediate-term exposure may
occur as a result of quinclorac use in residential settings, both
assessments were based on toddler exposure from an oral route: hand-to-
mouth, object-to-mouth, and incidental soil ingestion. The oral MOEs
for residential post-application exposure of toddlers range from 6,300
to 1,800,000. The combined MOE of 5,000 is greater than the LOC. These
values are greater than the LOC (100) for the short-term and
intermediate-term risk assessment and therefore not of concern. The
post-application exposure scenarios from the use on turf represent
worst-case estimates of exposure and risk. To evaluate short- and
intermediate-term aggregate risk, EPA has included the post-application
combined MOE (5,000) with the MOE derived from chronic dietary exposure
estimates (to reflect background dietary exposure). The behaviors
associated with post-application exposures are applicable to toddlers,
so only those age groups (infants, children 1-2 years of age, and
children 3-5 years of age) have been assessed for short- and
intermediate-term aggregate risk. Aggregate MOEs are all greater than
100 (MOEs range from 2,900 to 2,700), and are therefore below EPA's
short-term and intermediate-term LOC.
4. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S. population. Quinclorac has been
classified as ``not classifiable as to carcinogenicity to humans.''
Therefore, aggregate cancer risk from quinclorac is not of concern.
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 quinclorac residues.
V. Other Considerations
A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
Adequate analytical methods, utilizing gas chromatography with
electron capture detection (GC/ECD), are available to enforce the
tolerance expression on plant (BASF Method A8902; MRID
41063537) and animal (BASF Method 268/1; MRID 41063536)
commodities. Both methods have undergone successful Agency method
validation trials, and have been submitted to FDA for publication in
PAM II as the tolerance enforcement methods. The limit of quantitation
(LOQ) for both methods is 0.05 ppm in all matrices. Furthermore, FDA
has reported that quinclorac can be detected by Multiresidue Protocol
B. No additional data are needed.
B. International Residue Limits
There are currently no established Codex, Canadian, or Mexican
maximum residue limits for residues of quinclorac in/on cranberry.
VI. Conclusion
Therefore, a time-limited tolerance is established for residues of
quinclorac, 3,7-dichloro-8-quinolinecarboxylic acid, in or on cranberry
at 15.0 ppm. This tolerance expires and is revoked on December 31,
2012.
VII. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
This final rule establishes a tolerance under sections 408(e) and
408(l)(6) of FFDCA. 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 in accordance
with sections 408(e) and 408(l)(6) 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).
VIII. 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
[[Page 51490]]
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: September 25, 2009.
Lois Rossi,
Acting Director, 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 180.463 is amended by revising paragraph (b) to read as
follows:
Sec. 180.463 Quinclorac; tolerances for residues.
* * * * *
(b) Section 18 emergency exemptions. Time-limited tolerances
specified in the following table are established for residues of
quinclorac, 3,7-dichloro-8-quinolinecarboxylic acid in or on the
specified agricultural commodities, resulting from use of the pesticide
pursuant to FIFRA section 18 emergency exemptions. The tolerances
expire and are revoked on the date specified in the table.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expiration/
Commodity Parts per revocation
million date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cranberry..................................... 15.0 12/31/12
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
[FR Doc. E9-24188 Filed 10-06-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-S