N-alkyl (C8-C18) Primary Amines and Acetate Salts; Exemption from the Requirement of a Tolerance, 50891-50896 [2010-20300]
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 159 / Wednesday, August 18, 2010 / Rules and Regulations
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[FR Doc. 2010–20299 Filed 8–17–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–S
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA–HQ–OPP–2009–0046; FRL–8836–4]
N-alkyl (C8-C18) Primary Amines and
Acetate Salts; Exemption from the
Requirement of a Tolerance
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
This regulation establishes an
exemption from the requirement of a
tolerance for residues of N-alkyl (C8C18) primary amines and acetate salts
where the alkyl group is linear and may
be saturated and/or unsaturated, herein
referred to in this document as
NAPAAS, when used as a surfactant
and related adjuvants of surfactants for
pre-harvest and post-harvest uses under
40 CFR 180.910 and application to
animals under 40 CFR 180.930 at a
maximum concentration in formulated
end-use products of 10% by weight in
herbicide products, 4% by weight in
insecticide products, and 4% by weight
in fungicide products. The Joint Inerts
Task Force (JITF), Cluster Support Team
Number 25 submitted a petition to EPA
under the Federal Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), requesting an
establishment of an exemption from the
requirement of a tolerance. This
regulation eliminates the need to
establish a maximum permissible level
for residues of NAPAAS.
DATES: This regulation is effective
August 18, 2010. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received
on or before October 18, 2010, 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–2009–0046. 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.
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SUMMARY:
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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.
Lisa
Austin, Registration Division (7505P),
Office of Pesticide Programs,
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington,
DC 20460–0001; telephone number:
(703) 305–7894; e-mail address:
austin.lisa@epa.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
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 Get Electronic Access to
Other Related Information?
You may 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. To access the
Harmonized Test Guidelines referenced
in this document electronically, please
go to https://www.epa.gov/oppts and
select ‘‘Test Methods and Guidelines.’’
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50891
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–2009–0046 in the subject line on
the first page of your submission. All
objections and requests for a hearing
must be in writing, and must be
received by the Hearing Clerk on or
before October 18, 2010. Addresses for
mail and hand delivery of objections
and hearing requests are provided in 40
CFR 178.25(b).
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–2009–0046, by one of
the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line
instructions for submitting comments.
• Mail: Office of Pesticide Programs
(OPP) Regulatory Public Docket (7502P),
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington,
DC 20460–0001.
• Delivery: OPP Regulatory Public
Docket (7502P), Environmental
Protection Agency, Rm. S–4400, One
Potomac Yard (South Bldg.), 2777 S.
Crystal Dr., Arlington, VA. Deliveries
are only accepted during the Docket
Facility’s normal hours of operation
(8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through
Friday, excluding legal holidays).
Special arrangements should be made
for deliveries of boxed information. The
Docket Facility telephone number is
(703) 305–5805.
II. Petition for Exemption
In the Federal Register of February 4,
2010, (75 FR 5793) (FRL–8807–5), EPA
issued a notice pursuant to section 408
of FFDCA, 21 U.S.C. 346a, announcing
the filing of a pesticide petition (PP
9E7627) by The JITF, Cluster Support
Team 25 (CST 25), c/o CropLife
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America, 1156 15th Street, NW., Suite
400, Washington, DC 20005. The
petition requested that 40 CFR 180.910
and 40 CFR 180.930 be amended by
establishing an exemption from the
requirement of a tolerance for residues
of NAPAAS when used as at surfactant
and related adjuvants of surfactants in
pesticide formulations applied to preharvest and post-harvest crops and
animals. These uses are considered inert
ingredients in pesticide products. The
concentration in formulated end-use
products not to exceed 10% by weight
in herbicide products, 4% by weight in
other pesticidal products. That notice
referenced a summary of the petition
prepared by the JITF, Cluster Support
Team Number 25 (CST 25), the
petitioner, which is available in the
docket, https://www.regulations.gov.
There were no comments received in
response to the notice of filing.
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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. Aggregate Risk Assessment and
Determination of Safety
Section 408(c)(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
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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 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.
Consistent with section 408(c)(2)(A)
of FFDCA, and the factors specified in
FFDCA section 408(c)(2)(B), EPA has
reviewed the available scientific data
and other relevant information in
support of this action. EPA has
sufficient data to assess the hazards of
and to make a determination on
aggregate exposure for NAPAAS
including exposure resulting from the
exemption established by this action.
EPA’s assessment of exposures and risks
associated with NAPAAS follows.
A. Toxicological Profile
EPA has evaluated the available
toxicity data and considered their
validity, completeness, and reliability as
well as the relationship of the results of
the studies to human risk. EPA has also
considered available information
concerning the variability of the
sensitivities of major identifiable
subgroups of consumers, including
infants and children. Specific
information on the studies received and
the nature of the adverse effects caused
by NAPAAS as well as the NOAEL and
the LOAEL from the toxicity studies are
discussed in this unit.
The available mammalian toxicology
database for NAPAAS consists of one
Harmonized Test Guideline 870.3650
(combined repeated dose toxicity study
with the reproduction/developmental
toxicity screening test in rats); acute
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oral, dermal, and eye toxicity data; and
in vitro mutagenicity data.
The NAPAAS are not acutely toxic by
the oral route of exposure but are
corrosive to the skin and are severe eye
irritants. There is no clear target organ
identified for the NAPAAS. In the
Harmonized Test Guideline 870.3650
study on the representative surfactant,
treatment-related microscopic lesions
were observed in both sexes, which
included histomorphologic changes in
the stomach (hyperplasia and
hyperkeratosis of the squamous mucosa
of the forestomach), and erosions,
ulcers, inflammatory cell infiltrations,
and/or edema in the submucosa of the
forestomach and glandular areas of the
mucosa. The accumulation of
macrophages was most prevalent in the
mesenteric lymph nodes and small
intestine where they were large with an
abundant amount of pale foamy
cytoplasm. In the mesenteric lymph
node and liver, coalescence of the large
macrophages occurred forming
microgranulomas. Thymic atrophy was
observed in both sexes. Histologically,
the thymus was smaller due to a
decrease in the amount of cortical
lymphocytes, which may be an indirect
or secondary phenomenon, as thymic
atrophy often occurs in animals under
stress. No evidence of potential
neurotoxicity was observed in females,
and the reduced motor activity observed
in the high-dose males was considered
to be secondary to the gastrointestinal
irritation and general malaise and not a
neurotoxic effect.
There was no evidence of increased
susceptibility to the offspring following
prenatal and postnatal (four days)
exposure and reproductive toxicity was
not observed. There is no evidence of
mutagenicity or carcinogenicity.
Primary amines and primary amine
acetates are biologically equivalent and
follow the same metabolic pathways of
oxidation by monoamine oxidases to
generate the C8–C10 fatty acid and
ammonia. The fatty acid would be
degraded by well-known pathways (boxidation) to successive releases of
acetic acid, which enters into
intermediary metabolism or is
metabolized ultimately to carbon
dioxide and water. The CST 25
NAPAAS primary amines and primary
amine acetate salt may also be
conjugated, whether by glucuronidation
or sulfonation, and excreted directly.
There are no chronic toxicity studies
available for this series of surfactants.
The Agency used a qualitative structure
activity relationship (SAR) database,
DEREK 11, to determine if there were
structural alerts suggestive of
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carcinogenicity. No structural alerts
were identified.
Specific information on the studies
received and the nature of the adverse
effects caused by the NAPAAS, as well
as, the NOAEL and the LOAEL from the
toxicity studies can be found at https://
www.regulations.gov in the document
‘‘N-Alkyl (C8–C18) Primary Amines and
Acetate Salts (NAPAAS - JITF CST 25
Inert Ingredients). Health Risk
Assessment to Support Proposed
Exemption from the Requirement of a
Tolerance When Used as Inert
Ingredients in Pesticide Formulations,’’
pp. 8-12 and 19-22 in docket ID number
EPA–HQ–OPP–2009–0046.
B. Toxicological Points of Departure/
Levels of Concern
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Once a pesticide’s toxicological
profile is determined, EPA identifies
toxicological points of departure (POD)
and levels of concern to use in
evaluating the risk posed by human
exposure to the pesticide. For hazards
that have a threshold below which there
is no appreciable risk, the toxicological
POD is used as the basis for derivation
of reference values for risk assessment.
PODs are developed based on a careful
analysis of the doses in each
toxicological study to determine the
dose at which no adverse effects are
observed (the NOAEL) and the lowest
dose at which adverse effects of concern
are identified (the LOAEL). Uncertainty/
safety factors are used in conjunction
with the POD to calculate a safe
exposure level – generally referred to as
a population-adjusted dose (PAD) or a
reference dose (RfD); and a safe margin
of exposure (MOE). 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
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 NAPAAS used for human
risk assessment is discussed in Unit
IV.A of the final rule published in the
Federal Register of July 29, 2009, (74 FR
37578) (FRL–8428–9).
C. Exposure Assessment
1. Dietary exposure from food and
feed uses. In evaluating dietary
exposure to NAPAAS, EPA considered
exposure under the proposed exemption
from the requirement of a tolerance.
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EPA assessed dietary exposures from
NAPAAS in food as follows:
i. Acute exposure. No adverse effects
attributable to a single exposure of the
NAPAAS inerts were seen in the
toxicity databases; therefore, an acute
exposure assessment for the NAPAAS is
not necessary.
ii. Chronic exposure. In conducting
the chronic dietary exposure
assessment, 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, no residue data
were submitted for the NAPAAS. In the
absence of specific residue data, EPA
has developed an approach which uses
surrogate information to derive upper
bound exposure estimates for the
subject inert ingredient. Upper bound
exposure estimates are based on the
highest tolerance for a given commodity
from a list of high-use insecticides,
herbicides, and fungicides. A complete
description of the general approach
taken to assess inert ingredient risks in
the absence of residue data is contained
in the memorandum entitled ‘‘Alkyl
Amines Polyalkoxylates (Cluster 4):
Acute and Chronic Aggregate (Food and
Drinking Water) Dietary Exposure and
Risk Assessments for the Inerts.’’
(D361707, S. Piper, 2/25/09) and can be
found at https://www.regulations.gov in
docket ID number EPA–HQ–OPP–2008–
0738.
In the dietary exposure assessment,
the Agency assumed that the residue
level of the inert ingredient would be no
higher than the highest tolerance for a
given commodity. Implicit in this
assumption is that there would be
similar rates of degradation (if any)
between the active and inert ingredient
and that the concentration of inert
ingredient in the scenarios leading to
these highest of tolerances would be no
higher than the concentration of the
active ingredient.
The Agency believes the assumptions
used to estimate dietary exposures lead
to an extremely conservative assessment
of dietary risk due to a series of
compounded conservatisms. First,
assuming that the level of residue for an
inert ingredient is equal to the level of
residue for the active ingredient will
overstate exposure. The concentration of
active ingredient in agricultural
products is generally at least 50% of the
product and often can be much higher.
Further, pesticide products rarely have
a single inert ingredient; rather there is
generally a combination of different
inert ingredients used which
additionally reduces the concentration
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50893
of any single inert ingredient in the
pesticide product in relation to that of
the active ingredient. In the case of
NAPAAS, EPA made a specific
adjustment to the dietary exposure
assessment to account for the use
limitations of the amount of NAPAAS
that may be in formulations (to no more
than 10% by weight in herbicide
products, 4% by weight in insecticide
products, and 4% by weight in
fungicide products) and assumed that
the NAPAAS are present at the
maximum limitation rather than at
equal quantities with the active
ingredient. This remains a very
conservative assumption because
surfactants are generally used at levels
far below this percentage. For example,
EPA examined several of the pesticide
products associated with the tolerance/
commodity combination which are the
driver of the risk assessment and found
that these products did not contain
surfactants at levels greater than 2.25%
and that none of the surfactants were
NAPAAS.
Second, the conservatism of this
methodology is compounded by EPA’s
decision to assume that, for each
commodity, the active ingredient which
will serve as a guide to the potential
level of inert ingredient residues is the
active ingredient with the highest
tolerance level. This assumption
overstates residue values because it
would be highly unlikely, given the
high number of inert ingredients, that a
single inert ingredient or class of
ingredients would be present at the
level of the active ingredient in the
highest tolerance for every commodity.
Finally, a third compounding
conservatism is EPA’s assumption that
all foods contain the inert ingredient at
the highest tolerance level. In other
words, EPA assumed 100% of all foods
are treated with the inert ingredient at
the rate and manner necessary to
produce the highest residue legally
possible for an active ingredient. In
summary, EPA chose a very
conservative method for estimating
what level of inert residue could be on
food, then used this methodology to
choose the highest possible residue that
could be found on food and assumed
that all food contained this residue. No
consideration was given to potential
degradation between harvest and
consumption even though monitoring
data shows that tolerance level residues
are typically one to two orders of
magnitude higher than actual residues
in food when distributed in commerce.
Accordingly, although sufficient
information to quantify actual residue
levels in food is not available, the
compounding of these conservative
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assumptions will lead to a significant
exaggeration of actual exposures. EPA
does not believe that this approach
underestimates exposure in the absence
of residue data.
iii. Cancer. The Agency used a
qualitative structure activity
relationship (SAR) database, DEREK 11,
to determine if there were structural
alerts suggestive of carcinogenicity. No
structural alerts for carcinogenicity were
identified. The Agency has not
identified any concerns for
carcinogenicity relating to the inerts
NAPAAS. Therefore a cancer dietary
exposure assessment is not necessary to
assess cancer risk.
iv. Anticipated residue and percent
crop treated (PCT) information. EPA did
not use anticipated residue and/or PCT
information in the dietary assessment
for NAPAAS. Tolerance level residues
and/or 100 PCT were assumed for all
food commodities.
2. Dietary exposure from drinking
water. For the purpose of the screening
level dietary risk assessment to support
this request for an exemption from the
requirement of a tolerance for NAPAAS,
a conservative drinking water
concentration value of 100 ppb based on
screening level modeling was used to
assess the contribution to drinking
water for the chronic dietary risk
assessments for parent compound.
These values were directly entered into
the dietary exposure model.
3. From non-dietary exposure. The
term ‘‘residential exposure’’ is used in
this document to refer to nonoccupational, non-dietary exposure
(e.g., textiles (clothing and diapers),
carpets, swimming pools, and hard
surface disinfection on walls, floors,
tables).
The Agency has reviewed the
submitted petition as well as all
available data on the use of these inert
ingredients in pesticide formulations,
and concludes that the NAPAAS inerts
are not used in formulations that would
be applied in and around the home or
in a way that would result in residential
exposures; therefore, a residential
exposure risk assessment is not required
for the NAPAAS inerts.
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 NAPAAS to share
a common mechanism of toxicity with
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any other substances, and NAPAAS
does not appear to produce a toxic
metabolite produced by other
substances. For the purposes of this
tolerance action, therefore, EPA has
assumed that NAPAAS does not have a
common mechanism of toxicity with
other substances. For information
regarding EPA’s efforts to determine
which chemicals have a common
mechanism of toxicity and to evaluate
the cumulative effects of such
chemicals, see EPA’s website at https://
www.epa.gov/pesticides/cumulative.
D. Safety Factor for Infants and
Children
1. In general. Section 408(b)(2)(C) of
FFDCA provides that EPA shall apply
an additional tenfold (10X) margin of
safety for infants and children in the
case of threshold effects to account for
prenatal and postnatal toxicity and the
completeness of the database on toxicity
and exposure unless EPA determines
based on reliable data that a different
margin of safety will be safe for infants
and children. This additional margin of
safety is commonly referred to as the
FQPA Safety Factor (SF). In applying
this provision, EPA either retains the
default value of 10X, or uses a different
additional safety factor when reliable
data available to EPA support the choice
of a different factor.
2. Prenatal and postnatal sensitivity.
In the case of the NAPAAS, there was
no increased susceptibility to the
offspring of rats following prenatal and
postnatal exposure in the Harmonized
Test Guideline 870.3650 reproductive/
developmental screening study.
Decreased pup body weight was
observed at 40 and 80 milligrams/
kilogram/day (mg/kg/day) where
maternal/paternal toxicity was
manifested as microscopic lesions in the
stomach, jejunum, thymus, and lymph
nodes at 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg/day.
Since the rat reproduction/
developmental study identified a clear
NOAEL of 20 mg/kg/day for offspring
effects, and the selected point of
departure of 5 mg/kg/day (parental
NOAEL for stomach/jejunum/thymus/
lymph node lesions) for the dietary risk
assessment is protective of the offspring
effects, there are no residual concerns.
3. Conclusion. EPA has determined
that reliable data show the safety of
infants and children would be
adequately protected if the FQPA SF
were reduced to 1X. That decision is
based on the following findings:
i. The toxicity database for the
NAPAAS inerts is considered adequate
for assessing the risks to infants and
children. The toxicity data available on
the NAPAAS consists of one
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Harmonized Test Guideline 870.3650
combined repeated dose toxicity study
with the reproduction/development
toxicity screening test (rat); acute oral,
dermal, and eye toxicity data; and in
vitro mutagenicity data. The Agency
noted changes in thymus weight and
thymus atrophy. However, these were
determined to be non-specific changes
not indicative of immunotoxicity. In
addition, no blood parameters were
affected. Furthermore, these compounds
do not belong to a class of chemicals
that would be expected to be
immunotoxic. Therefore, these
identified effects do not raise a concern
necessitating an additional uncertainty.
ii. There is no indication that
NAPAAS is a neurotoxic chemical and
there is no need for a developmental
neurotoxicity study or additional UFs to
account for neurotoxicity.
iii. There is no evidence that
NAPAAS results in increased
susceptibility in in utero rats or rabbits
in the prenatal developmental studies or
in young rats in the 2–generation
reproduction study.
iv. There are no residual uncertainties
identified in the exposure databases.
The food exposure assessments are
considered to be highly conservative as
they are based on the use of the highest
tolerance level from the surrogate
pesticides for every food and 100 PCT
is assumed for all crops. EPA made
conservative (protective) assumptions in
the ground water and surface water
modeling used to assess exposure to
NAPAAS in drinking water. EPA used
similarly conservative assumptions to
assess postapplication exposure of
children as well as incidental oral
exposure of toddlers. These assessments
will not underestimate the exposure and
risks posed by NAPAAS.
E. Aggregate Risks and Determination of
Safety
Determination of safety section. EPA
determines whether acute and chronic
dietary pesticide exposures are safe by
comparing aggregate exposure estimates
to the acute PAD (aPAD) and chronic
PAD (cPAD). For linear cancer risks,
EPA calculates the lifetime probability
of acquiring cancer given the estimated
aggregate exposure. Short-term,
intermediate-term, and chronic-term
risks are evaluated by comparing the
estimated aggregate food, water, and
residential exposure to the appropriate
PODs to ensure that an adequate MOE
exists.
1. Acute risk. An acute aggregate risk
assessment takes into account acute
exposure estimates from dietary
consumption of food and drinking
water. No adverse effect resulting from
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 159 / Wednesday, August 18, 2010 / Rules and Regulations
a single oral exposure was identified
and no acute dietary endpoint was
selected. Therefore, NAPAAS is not
expected to pose an acute risk.
2. Chronic risk. Using the exposure
assumptions described in this unit for
chronic exposure, EPA has concluded
that chronic exposure to NAPAAS from
food and water will utilize 106% of the
cPAD for children 1-2 years old, the
population group receiving the greatest
exposure. There are no residential uses
for NAPAAS.
3. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S.
population. The Agency has not
identified any concerns for
carcinogenicity relating to NAPAAS.
4. Determination of safety. EPA notes
that the risk for children is slightly
above a cPAD of 100%. The dietary
exposure estimates overstate dietary risk
because it assumes that the NAPAAS
are present at the maximum limitation
(10% by weight in herbicide products,
4% by weight in insecticide products,
and 4% by weight in fungicide
products) because surfactants are
generally used at levels far below these
percentages. EPA examined several of
the pesticide products associated with
the tolerance/commodity combinations
which are the drivers of the risk
assessment and found that these
products did not contain surfactants at
levels greater than 2.25% and that none
of the surfactants were NAPAAS.
Therefore, given the exceptionally
conservative nature of the exposure
assessment, EPA believes that actual
risks are significantly lower and are not
of concern. Based on this risk
assessment, 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 NAPAAS residues.
V. Other Considerations
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A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
EPA is establishing a limitation on the
amount of NAPAAS that may be used in
end-use pesticide formulations. That
limitation will be enforced through the
pesticide registration process under the
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), 7 U.S.C. 136
et seq. EPA will not register any
pesticide for sale or distribution that
contains a maximum concentration in
formulated end-use products of
NAPAAS greater than 10% by weight in
herbicide products, 4% by weight in
insecticide products, and 4% by weight
in fungicide products.
B. International Residue Limits
The Agency is not aware of any
country requiring a tolerance for
VerDate Mar<15>2010
15:12 Aug 17, 2010
Jkt 220001
NAPAAS nor have any CODEX
Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) been
established for any food crops at this
time.
VI. Conclusions
Therefore, an exemption from the
requirement of a tolerance is established
under 40 CFR 180.910 and 40 CFR
180.930 for N-alkyl (C8-C18) primary
amines and acetate salts where the alkyl
group is linear and may be saturated
and/or unsaturated when used as an
inert ingredient (surfactant and related
adjuvants of surfactants) in pesticide
formulations applied to pre-harvest and
post-harvest crops and animals at a
maximum concentration in formulated
end-use products of 10% by weight in
herbicide products, 4% by weight in
insecticide products, and 4% by weight
in fungicide products.
VII. 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
PO 00000
Frm 00051
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
50895
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
General of the United States. EPA will
submit a report containing this rule and
other required information to the U.S.
Senate, the U.S. House of
Representatives, and the Comptroller
General of the United States prior to
publication of this final rule in the
Federal Register. This final rule is not
a ‘‘major rule’’ as defined by 5 U.S.C.
804(2).
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180
Environmental protection,
Administrative practice and procedure,
Agricultural commodities, Pesticides
and pests, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
Dated: August 9, 2010.
Lois Rossi,
Director, Registration Division, Office of
Pesticide Programs.
Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is
amended as follows:
■
PART 180—[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for part 180
continues to read as follows:
■
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50896
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 159 / Wednesday, August 18, 2010 / Rules and Regulations
Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.
2. In §180.910, the table is amended
by adding alphabetically the following
inert ingredients to read as follows:
■
§ 180.910 N-alkyl (C8-C18) primary amines
and accetate salts; Exemption from the
requirement of a tolerance.
*
*
*
*
Inert ingredients
*
Limits
*
N-alkyl (C8-C18) primary amines and their
where the alkyl group is linear and may
and/or unsaturated (CAS Reg. Nos.
61790-58-7, 61790-59-8, 61790-60-1,
61790-33-8, 68155-38-4)
Uses
*
*
*
*
*
acetate salts Concentration in formulated endbe saturated
use products not to exceed 10%
61790-57-6,
by weight in herbicide products,
61788-46-3,
4% by weight in insecticide
products, and 4% by weight in
fungicide products.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Inert ingredients
*
Limits
*
N-alkyl (C8-C18) primary amines and their
where the alkyl group is linear and may
and/or unsaturated (CAS Reg. Nos.
61790-58-7, 61790-59-8, 61790-60-1,
61790-33-8, 68155-38-4)
*
Uses
*
*
*
*
*
acetate salts Concentration in formulated endbe saturated
use products not to exceed 10%
61790-57-6,
by weight in herbicide products,
61788-46-3,
4% by weight in insecticide
products, and 4% by weight in
fungicide products.
*
*
*
*
*
establish a maximum permissible level
for residues of DEG.
[FR Doc. 2010–20300 Filed 8–17–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–S
This regulation is effective
August 18, 2010. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received
on or before October 18, 2010, and must
be filed in accordance with the
instructions provided in 40 CFR part
178 (see also Unit I.C. of the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION).
DATES:
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA–HQ–OPP–2008–0474; FRL–8838–9]
Diethylene Glycol (DEG); Exemption
from the Requirement of a Tolerance
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
This regulation establishes an
exemption from the requirement of a
tolerance for residues of diethylene
glycol (DEG) (CAS No. 111–46–6) when
used as an inert ingredient as a solvent,
stabilizer and/or antifreeze within
pesticide formulations without
limitation, under 40 CFR 180.920, for
use on growing crops and raw
agricultural commodities pre-harvest
Huntsman, Dow AgroSciences L.L.C.,
Nufarm Americas Inc., BASF, Stepan
Company, Loveland Products Inc., and
Rhodia Inc. submitted a petition to EPA
under the Federal Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), requesting
establishment of an exemption from the
requirement of a tolerance. This
regulation eliminates the need to
erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with RULES
SUMMARY:
Jkt 220001
EPA has established a
docket for this action under docket
identification (ID) number EPA–HQ–
OPP–2008–0474. 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
ADDRESSES:
AGENCY:
15:12 Aug 17, 2010
*
§ 180.930 N-alkyl (C8-C18) primary amines
and accetate salts; Exemption from the
requirement of a tolerance.
3. In §180.930, the table is amended
by adding alphabetically the following
inert ingredients to read as follows:
■
VerDate Mar<15>2010
*
Surfactants, related adjuvants of surfactants
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Fmt 4700
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*
Surfactants, related adjuvants of surfactants
*
Facility telephone number is (703) 305–
5805.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisa
Austin, Registration Division (7505P),
Office of Pesticide Programs,
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington,
DC 20460–0001; telephone number:
(703) 305–7894; e-mail address:
austin.lisa@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
E:\FR\FM\18AUR1.SGM
18AUR1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 159 (Wednesday, August 18, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50891-50896]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-20300]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0046; FRL-8836-4]
N-alkyl (C8-C18) Primary Amines and Acetate Salts; 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 N-alkyl (C8-C18) primary amines and
acetate salts where the alkyl group is linear and may be saturated and/
or unsaturated, herein referred to in this document as NAPAAS, when
used as a surfactant and related adjuvants of surfactants for pre-
harvest and post-harvest uses under 40 CFR 180.910 and application to
animals under 40 CFR 180.930 at a maximum concentration in formulated
end-use products of 10% by weight in herbicide products, 4% by weight
in insecticide products, and 4% by weight in fungicide products. The
Joint Inerts Task Force (JITF), Cluster Support Team Number 25
submitted a petition to EPA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic
Act (FFDCA), requesting an establishment of an exemption from the
requirement of a tolerance. This regulation eliminates the need to
establish a maximum permissible level for residues of NAPAAS.
DATES: This regulation is effective August 18, 2010. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received on or before October 18, 2010,
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-2009-0046. 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: Lisa Austin, Registration Division
(7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency,
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone
number: (703) 305-7894; e-mail address: austin.lisa@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 Get Electronic Access to Other Related Information?
You may 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. To access the Harmonized Test Guidelines
referenced in this document electronically, please go to https://www.epa.gov/oppts and select ``Test Methods and Guidelines.''
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-2009-0046 in the subject line on the first page of
your submission. All objections and requests for a hearing must be in
writing, and must be received by the Hearing Clerk on or before October
18, 2010. Addresses for mail and hand delivery of objections and
hearing requests are provided in 40 CFR 178.25(b).
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-2009-0046, by one of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments.
Mail: Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) Regulatory Public
Docket (7502P), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001.
Delivery: OPP Regulatory Public Docket (7502P),
Environmental Protection Agency, Rm. S-4400, One Potomac Yard (South
Bldg.), 2777 S. Crystal Dr., Arlington, VA. Deliveries are only
accepted during the Docket Facility's normal hours of operation (8:30
a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays).
Special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed
information. The Docket Facility telephone number is (703) 305-5805.
II. Petition for Exemption
In the Federal Register of February 4, 2010, (75 FR 5793) (FRL-
8807-5), EPA issued a notice pursuant to section 408 of FFDCA, 21
U.S.C. 346a, announcing the filing of a pesticide petition (PP 9E7627)
by The JITF, Cluster Support Team 25 (CST 25), c/o CropLife
[[Page 50892]]
America, 1156 15th Street, NW., Suite 400, Washington, DC 20005. The
petition requested that 40 CFR 180.910 and 40 CFR 180.930 be amended by
establishing an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for
residues of NAPAAS when used as at surfactant and related adjuvants of
surfactants in pesticide formulations applied to pre-harvest and post-
harvest crops and animals. These uses are considered inert ingredients
in pesticide products. The concentration in formulated end-use products
not to exceed 10% by weight in herbicide products, 4% by weight in
other pesticidal products. That notice referenced a summary of the
petition prepared by the JITF, Cluster Support Team Number 25 (CST 25),
the petitioner, which is available in the docket, https://www.regulations.gov. There were no comments received in response to the
notice of filing.
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. Aggregate Risk Assessment and Determination of Safety
Section 408(c)(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 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.
Consistent with section 408(c)(2)(A) of FFDCA, and the factors
specified in FFDCA section 408(c)(2)(B), EPA has reviewed the available
scientific data and other relevant information in support of this
action. EPA has sufficient data to assess the hazards of and to make a
determination on aggregate exposure for NAPAAS including exposure
resulting from the exemption established by this action. EPA's
assessment of exposures and risks associated with NAPAAS follows.
A. Toxicological Profile
EPA has evaluated the available toxicity data and considered their
validity, completeness, and reliability as well as the relationship of
the results of the studies to human risk. EPA has also considered
available information concerning the variability of the sensitivities
of major identifiable subgroups of consumers, including infants and
children. Specific information on the studies received and the nature
of the adverse effects caused by NAPAAS as well as the NOAEL and the
LOAEL from the toxicity studies are discussed in this unit.
The available mammalian toxicology database for NAPAAS consists of
one Harmonized Test Guideline 870.3650 (combined repeated dose toxicity
study with the reproduction/developmental toxicity screening test in
rats); acute oral, dermal, and eye toxicity data; and in vitro
mutagenicity data.
The NAPAAS are not acutely toxic by the oral route of exposure but
are corrosive to the skin and are severe eye irritants. There is no
clear target organ identified for the NAPAAS. In the Harmonized Test
Guideline 870.3650 study on the representative surfactant, treatment-
related microscopic lesions were observed in both sexes, which included
histomorphologic changes in the stomach (hyperplasia and hyperkeratosis
of the squamous mucosa of the forestomach), and erosions, ulcers,
inflammatory cell infiltrations, and/or edema in the submucosa of the
forestomach and glandular areas of the mucosa. The accumulation of
macrophages was most prevalent in the mesenteric lymph nodes and small
intestine where they were large with an abundant amount of pale foamy
cytoplasm. In the mesenteric lymph node and liver, coalescence of the
large macrophages occurred forming microgranulomas. Thymic atrophy was
observed in both sexes. Histologically, the thymus was smaller due to a
decrease in the amount of cortical lymphocytes, which may be an
indirect or secondary phenomenon, as thymic atrophy often occurs in
animals under stress. No evidence of potential neurotoxicity was
observed in females, and the reduced motor activity observed in the
high-dose males was considered to be secondary to the gastrointestinal
irritation and general malaise and not a neurotoxic effect.
There was no evidence of increased susceptibility to the offspring
following prenatal and postnatal (four days) exposure and reproductive
toxicity was not observed. There is no evidence of mutagenicity or
carcinogenicity.
Primary amines and primary amine acetates are biologically
equivalent and follow the same metabolic pathways of oxidation by
monoamine oxidases to generate the C8-C10 fatty acid and ammonia. The
fatty acid would be degraded by well-known pathways ([beta]-oxidation)
to successive releases of acetic acid, which enters into intermediary
metabolism or is metabolized ultimately to carbon dioxide and water.
The CST 25 NAPAAS primary amines and primary amine acetate salt may
also be conjugated, whether by glucuronidation or sulfonation, and
excreted directly.
There are no chronic toxicity studies available for this series of
surfactants. The Agency used a qualitative structure activity
relationship (SAR) database, DEREK 11, to determine if there were
structural alerts suggestive of
[[Page 50893]]
carcinogenicity. No structural alerts were identified.
Specific information on the studies received and the nature of the
adverse effects caused by the NAPAAS, as well as, the NOAEL and the
LOAEL from the toxicity studies can be found at https://www.regulations.gov in the document ``N-Alkyl (C8-C18) Primary Amines
and Acetate Salts (NAPAAS - JITF CST 25 Inert Ingredients). Health Risk
Assessment to Support Proposed Exemption from the Requirement of a
Tolerance When Used as Inert Ingredients in Pesticide Formulations,''
pp. 8-12 and 19-22 in docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0046.
B. Toxicological Points of Departure/Levels of Concern
Once a pesticide's toxicological profile is determined, EPA
identifies toxicological points of departure (POD) and levels of
concern to use in evaluating the risk posed by human exposure to the
pesticide. For hazards that have a threshold below which there is no
appreciable risk, the toxicological POD is used as the basis for
derivation of reference values for risk assessment. PODs are developed
based on a careful analysis of the doses in each toxicological study to
determine the dose at which no adverse effects are observed (the NOAEL)
and the lowest dose at which adverse effects of concern are identified
(the LOAEL). Uncertainty/safety factors are used in conjunction with
the POD to calculate a safe exposure level - generally referred to as a
population-adjusted dose (PAD) or a reference dose (RfD); and a safe
margin of exposure (MOE). 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 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 NAPAAS used for human
risk assessment is discussed in Unit IV.A of the final rule published
in the Federal Register of July 29, 2009, (74 FR 37578) (FRL-8428-9).
C. Exposure Assessment
1. Dietary exposure from food and feed uses. In evaluating dietary
exposure to NAPAAS, EPA considered exposure under the proposed
exemption from the requirement of a tolerance. EPA assessed dietary
exposures from NAPAAS in food as follows:
i. Acute exposure. No adverse effects attributable to a single
exposure of the NAPAAS inerts were seen in the toxicity databases;
therefore, an acute exposure assessment for the NAPAAS is not
necessary.
ii. Chronic exposure. In conducting the chronic dietary exposure
assessment, 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, no residue data were submitted for the NAPAAS. In the
absence of specific residue data, EPA has developed an approach which
uses surrogate information to derive upper bound exposure estimates for
the subject inert ingredient. Upper bound exposure estimates are based
on the highest tolerance for a given commodity from a list of high-use
insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides. A complete description of the
general approach taken to assess inert ingredient risks in the absence
of residue data is contained in the memorandum entitled ``Alkyl Amines
Polyalkoxylates (Cluster 4): Acute and Chronic Aggregate (Food and
Drinking Water) Dietary Exposure and Risk Assessments for the Inerts.''
(D361707, S. Piper, 2/25/09) and can be found at https://www.regulations.gov in docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0738.
In the dietary exposure assessment, the Agency assumed that the
residue level of the inert ingredient would be no higher than the
highest tolerance for a given commodity. Implicit in this assumption is
that there would be similar rates of degradation (if any) between the
active and inert ingredient and that the concentration of inert
ingredient in the scenarios leading to these highest of tolerances
would be no higher than the concentration of the active ingredient.
The Agency believes the assumptions used to estimate dietary
exposures lead to an extremely conservative assessment of dietary risk
due to a series of compounded conservatisms. First, assuming that the
level of residue for an inert ingredient is equal to the level of
residue for the active ingredient will overstate exposure. The
concentration of active ingredient in agricultural products is
generally at least 50% of the product and often can be much higher.
Further, pesticide products rarely have a single inert ingredient;
rather there is generally a combination of different inert ingredients
used which additionally reduces the concentration of any single inert
ingredient in the pesticide product in relation to that of the active
ingredient. In the case of NAPAAS, EPA made a specific adjustment to
the dietary exposure assessment to account for the use limitations of
the amount of NAPAAS that may be in formulations (to no more than 10%
by weight in herbicide products, 4% by weight in insecticide products,
and 4% by weight in fungicide products) and assumed that the NAPAAS are
present at the maximum limitation rather than at equal quantities with
the active ingredient. This remains a very conservative assumption
because surfactants are generally used at levels far below this
percentage. For example, EPA examined several of the pesticide products
associated with the tolerance/commodity combination which are the
driver of the risk assessment and found that these products did not
contain surfactants at levels greater than 2.25% and that none of the
surfactants were NAPAAS.
Second, the conservatism of this methodology is compounded by EPA's
decision to assume that, for each commodity, the active ingredient
which will serve as a guide to the potential level of inert ingredient
residues is the active ingredient with the highest tolerance level.
This assumption overstates residue values because it would be highly
unlikely, given the high number of inert ingredients, that a single
inert ingredient or class of ingredients would be present at the level
of the active ingredient in the highest tolerance for every commodity.
Finally, a third compounding conservatism is EPA's assumption that all
foods contain the inert ingredient at the highest tolerance level. In
other words, EPA assumed 100% of all foods are treated with the inert
ingredient at the rate and manner necessary to produce the highest
residue legally possible for an active ingredient. In summary, EPA
chose a very conservative method for estimating what level of inert
residue could be on food, then used this methodology to choose the
highest possible residue that could be found on food and assumed that
all food contained this residue. No consideration was given to
potential degradation between harvest and consumption even though
monitoring data shows that tolerance level residues are typically one
to two orders of magnitude higher than actual residues in food when
distributed in commerce.
Accordingly, although sufficient information to quantify actual
residue levels in food is not available, the compounding of these
conservative
[[Page 50894]]
assumptions will lead to a significant exaggeration of actual
exposures. EPA does not believe that this approach underestimates
exposure in the absence of residue data.
iii. Cancer. The Agency used a qualitative structure activity
relationship (SAR) database, DEREK 11, to determine if there were
structural alerts suggestive of carcinogenicity. No structural alerts
for carcinogenicity were identified. The Agency has not identified any
concerns for carcinogenicity relating to the inerts NAPAAS. Therefore a
cancer dietary exposure assessment is not necessary to assess cancer
risk.
iv. Anticipated residue and percent crop treated (PCT)
information. EPA did not use anticipated residue and/or PCT information
in the dietary assessment for NAPAAS. Tolerance level residues and/or
100 PCT were assumed for all food commodities.
2. Dietary exposure from drinking water. For the purpose of the
screening level dietary risk assessment to support this request for an
exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for NAPAAS, a
conservative drinking water concentration value of 100 ppb based on
screening level modeling was used to assess the contribution to
drinking water for the chronic dietary risk assessments for parent
compound. These values were directly entered into the dietary exposure
model.
3. From non-dietary exposure. The term ``residential exposure'' is
used in this document to refer to non-occupational, non-dietary
exposure (e.g., textiles (clothing and diapers), carpets, swimming
pools, and hard surface disinfection on walls, floors, tables).
The Agency has reviewed the submitted petition as well as all
available data on the use of these inert ingredients in pesticide
formulations, and concludes that the NAPAAS inerts are not used in
formulations that would be applied in and around the home or in a way
that would result in residential exposures; therefore, a residential
exposure risk assessment is not required for the NAPAAS inerts.
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 NAPAAS to share a common mechanism of toxicity
with any other substances, and NAPAAS does not appear to produce a
toxic metabolite produced by other substances. For the purposes of this
tolerance action, therefore, EPA has assumed that NAPAAS does not have
a common mechanism of toxicity with other substances. For information
regarding EPA's efforts to determine which chemicals have a common
mechanism of toxicity and to evaluate the cumulative effects of such
chemicals, see EPA's website at https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/cumulative.
D. Safety Factor for Infants and Children
1. In general. Section 408(b)(2)(C) of FFDCA provides that EPA
shall apply an additional tenfold (10X) margin of safety for infants
and children in the case of threshold effects to account for prenatal
and postnatal toxicity and the completeness of the database on toxicity
and exposure unless EPA determines based on reliable data that a
different margin of safety will be safe for infants and children. This
additional margin of safety is commonly referred to as the FQPA Safety
Factor (SF). In applying this provision, EPA either retains the default
value of 10X, or uses a different additional safety factor when
reliable data available to EPA support the choice of a different
factor.
2. Prenatal and postnatal sensitivity. In the case of the NAPAAS,
there was no increased susceptibility to the offspring of rats
following prenatal and postnatal exposure in the Harmonized Test
Guideline 870.3650 reproductive/developmental screening study.
Decreased pup body weight was observed at 40 and 80 milligrams/
kilogram/day (mg/kg/day) where maternal/paternal toxicity was
manifested as microscopic lesions in the stomach, jejunum, thymus, and
lymph nodes at 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg/day. Since the rat reproduction/
developmental study identified a clear NOAEL of 20 mg/kg/day for
offspring effects, and the selected point of departure of 5 mg/kg/day
(parental NOAEL for stomach/jejunum/thymus/lymph node lesions) for the
dietary risk assessment is protective of the offspring effects, there
are no residual concerns.
3. Conclusion. EPA has determined that reliable data show the
safety of infants and children would be adequately protected if the
FQPA SF were reduced to 1X. That decision is based on the following
findings:
i. The toxicity database for the NAPAAS inerts is considered
adequate for assessing the risks to infants and children. The toxicity
data available on the NAPAAS consists of one Harmonized Test Guideline
870.3650 combined repeated dose toxicity study with the reproduction/
development toxicity screening test (rat); acute oral, dermal, and eye
toxicity data; and in vitro mutagenicity data. The Agency noted changes
in thymus weight and thymus atrophy. However, these were determined to
be non-specific changes not indicative of immunotoxicity. In addition,
no blood parameters were affected. Furthermore, these compounds do not
belong to a class of chemicals that would be expected to be
immunotoxic. Therefore, these identified effects do not raise a concern
necessitating an additional uncertainty.
ii. There is no indication that NAPAAS is a neurotoxic chemical and
there is no need for a developmental neurotoxicity study or additional
UFs to account for neurotoxicity.
iii. There is no evidence that NAPAAS results in increased
susceptibility in in utero rats or rabbits in the prenatal
developmental studies or in young rats in the 2-generation reproduction
study.
iv. There are no residual uncertainties identified in the exposure
databases. The food exposure assessments are considered to be highly
conservative as they are based on the use of the highest tolerance
level from the surrogate pesticides for every food and 100 PCT is
assumed for all crops. EPA made conservative (protective) assumptions
in the ground water and surface water modeling used to assess exposure
to NAPAAS in drinking water. EPA used similarly conservative
assumptions to assess postapplication exposure of children as well as
incidental oral exposure of toddlers. These assessments will not
underestimate the exposure and risks posed by NAPAAS.
E. Aggregate Risks and Determination of Safety
Determination of safety section. EPA determines whether acute and
chronic dietary pesticide exposures are safe by comparing aggregate
exposure estimates to the acute PAD (aPAD) and chronic PAD (cPAD). For
linear cancer risks, EPA calculates the lifetime probability of
acquiring cancer given the estimated aggregate exposure. Short-term,
intermediate-term, and chronic-term risks are evaluated by comparing
the estimated aggregate food, water, and residential exposure to the
appropriate PODs to ensure that an adequate MOE exists.
1. Acute risk. An acute aggregate risk assessment takes into
account acute exposure estimates from dietary consumption of food and
drinking water. No adverse effect resulting from
[[Page 50895]]
a single oral exposure was identified and no acute dietary endpoint was
selected. Therefore, NAPAAS is not expected to pose an acute risk.
2. Chronic risk. Using the exposure assumptions described in this
unit for chronic exposure, EPA has concluded that chronic exposure to
NAPAAS from food and water will utilize 106% of the cPAD for children
1-2 years old, the population group receiving the greatest exposure.
There are no residential uses for NAPAAS.
3. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S. population. The Agency has not
identified any concerns for carcinogenicity relating to NAPAAS.
4. Determination of safety. EPA notes that the risk for children is
slightly above a cPAD of 100%. The dietary exposure estimates overstate
dietary risk because it assumes that the NAPAAS are present at the
maximum limitation (10% by weight in herbicide products, 4% by weight
in insecticide products, and 4% by weight in fungicide products)
because surfactants are generally used at levels far below these
percentages. EPA examined several of the pesticide products associated
with the tolerance/commodity combinations which are the drivers of the
risk assessment and found that these products did not contain
surfactants at levels greater than 2.25% and that none of the
surfactants were NAPAAS. Therefore, given the exceptionally
conservative nature of the exposure assessment, EPA believes that
actual risks are significantly lower and are not of concern. Based on
this risk assessment, 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 NAPAAS residues.
V. Other Considerations
A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
EPA is establishing a limitation on the amount of NAPAAS that may
be used in end-use pesticide formulations. That limitation will be
enforced through the pesticide registration process under the Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), 7 U.S.C. 136 et
seq. EPA will not register any pesticide for sale or distribution that
contains a maximum concentration in formulated end-use products of
NAPAAS greater than 10% by weight in herbicide products, 4% by weight
in insecticide products, and 4% by weight in fungicide products.
B. International Residue Limits
The Agency is not aware of any country requiring a tolerance for
NAPAAS nor have any CODEX Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) been
established for any food crops at this time.
VI. Conclusions
Therefore, an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance is
established under 40 CFR 180.910 and 40 CFR 180.930 for N-alkyl (C8-
C18) primary amines and acetate salts where the alkyl group is linear
and may be saturated and/or unsaturated when used as an inert
ingredient (surfactant and related adjuvants of surfactants) in
pesticide formulations applied to pre-harvest and post-harvest crops
and animals at a maximum concentration in formulated end-use products
of 10% by weight in herbicide products, 4% by weight in insecticide
products, and 4% by weight in fungicide products.
VII. 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).
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 General of the United States. EPA will submit a report
containing this rule and other required information to the U.S. Senate,
the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the
United States prior to publication of this final rule in the Federal
Register. This final rule is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5
U.S.C. 804(2).
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180
Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure,
Agricultural commodities, Pesticides and pests, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
Dated: August 9, 2010.
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:
[[Page 50896]]
Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.
0
2. In Sec. 180.910, the table is amended by adding alphabetically the
following inert ingredients to read as follows:
Sec. 180.910 N-alkyl (C8-C18) primary amines and accetate salts;
Exemption from the requirement of a tolerance.
* * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inert ingredients Limits Uses
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * * * *
N-alkyl (C8-C18) primary amines Concentration in Surfactants,
and their acetate salts where formulated end- related adjuvants
the alkyl group is linear and use products not of surfactants
may be saturated and/or to exceed 10% by
unsaturated (CAS Reg. Nos. weight in
61790-57-6, 61790-58-7, 61790- herbicide
59-8, 61790-60-1, 61788-46-3, products, 4% by
61790-33-8, 68155-38-4) weight in
insecticide
products, and 4%
by weight in
fungicide
products.
* * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0
3. In Sec. 180.930, the table is amended by adding alphabetically the
following inert ingredients to read as follows:
Sec. 180.930 N-alkyl (C8-C18) primary amines and accetate salts;
Exemption from the requirement of a tolerance.
* * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inert ingredients Limits Uses
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * * * *
N-alkyl (C8-C18) primary amines Concentration in Surfactants,
and their acetate salts where formulated end- related adjuvants
the alkyl group is linear and use products not of surfactants
may be saturated and/or to exceed 10% by
unsaturated (CAS Reg. Nos. weight in
61790-57-6, 61790-58-7, 61790- herbicide
59-8, 61790-60-1, 61788-46-3, products, 4% by
61790-33-8, 68155-38-4) weight in
insecticide
products, and 4%
by weight in
fungicide
products.
* * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[FR Doc. 2010-20300 Filed 8-17-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-S