Rimsulfuron; Pesticide Tolerances, 3621-3625 [2012-1258]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 16 / Wednesday, January 25, 2012 / Rules and Regulations
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) (Pub. L. 104–4).
This action does not involve any
technical standards that would require
Agency consideration of voluntary
consensus standards pursuant to section
12(d) of the National Technology
Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995
(NTTAA), Public Law 104–113, section
12(d) (15 U.S.C. 272 note).
VII. Congressional Review Act
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180
Environmental protection,
Administrative practice and procedure,
Agricultural commodities, Pesticides
and pests, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
Dated: January 13, 2012.
Lois Rossi,
Director, Registration Division, Office of
Pesticide Programs.
Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is
amended as follows:
sroberts on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with RULES
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 180.593 is amended in
paragraph (a) by alphabetically adding
VerDate Mar<15>2010
21:03 Jan 24, 2012
Jkt 226001
§ 180.593 Etoxazole; tolerances for
residues.
(a) General. * * *
Parts per
million
Commodity
*
*
Corn,
Corn,
Corn,
Corn,
Corn,
Corn,
*
*
field, forage ...................
field, grain .....................
field, refined oil .............
field, stover ...................
pop, grain ......................
pop, stover ....................
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
0.80
0.01
0.03
4.0
0.01
4.0
*
*
*
[FR Doc. 2012–1254 Filed 1–24–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
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).
■
the following commodities to the table
to read as follows:
[EPA–HQ–OPP–2010–1017; FRL–9332–1]
Rimsulfuron; Pesticide Tolerances
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
This regulation establishes
tolerances for residues of rimsulfuron in
or on the caneberry subgroup 13–07A
and the bushberry subgroup 13–07B.
Interregional Research Project No. 4 (IR–
4) requested these tolerances under the
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
(FFDCA).
DATES: This regulation is effective
January 25, 2012. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received
on or before March 26, 2012, 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–2010–1017. 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.
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00063
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
3621
Publicly available docket materials are
available in the electronic docket at
https://www.regulations.gov, or, if only
available in hard copy, at the OPP
Regulatory Public Docket in Rm. S–
4400, One Potomac Yard (South Bldg.),
2777 S. Crystal Dr., Arlington, VA. The
Docket Facility is open from 8:30 a.m.
to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday,
excluding legal holidays. The Docket
Facility telephone number is (703) 305–
5805.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Andrew Ertman, Registration Division
(7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs,
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington,
DC 20460–0001; telephone number:
(703) 308–9367; email address:
ertman.andrew@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. General Information
A. Does this action apply to me?
You may be potentially affected by
this action if you are an agricultural
producer, food manufacturer, or
pesticide manufacturer. Potentially
affected entities may include, but are
not limited to those engaged in the
following activities:
• Crop production (NAICS code 111).
• Animal production (NAICS code
112).
• Food manufacturing (NAICS code
311).
• Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS
code 32532).
This listing is not intended to be
exhaustive, but rather to provide a guide
for readers regarding entities likely to be
affected by this action. Other types of
entities not listed in this unit could also
be affected. The North American
Industrial Classification System
(NAICS) codes have been provided to
assist you and others in determining
whether this action might apply to
certain entities. If you have any
questions regarding the applicability of
this action to a particular entity, consult
the person listed under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT.
B. How can I get electronic access to
other related information?
You may 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://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/
text/text-idx?&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/
Title40/40tab_02.tpl.
C. How can I file an objection or hearing
request?
Under FFDCA section 408(g), 21
U.S.C. 346a, any person may file an
E:\FR\FM\25JAR1.SGM
25JAR1
3622
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 16 / Wednesday, January 25, 2012 / Rules and Regulations
sroberts on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with RULES
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–2010–1017 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 March 26, 2012. 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. Information not marked
confidential pursuant to 40 CFR part 2
may be disclosed publicly by EPA
without prior notice. Submit a copy of
your non-CBI objection or hearing
request, identified by docket ID number
EPA–HQ–OPP–2010–1017, 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.
metabolites and degradates, in or on
caneberry, subgroup 13–07A at
0.01parts per million (ppm) and
bushberry, subgroup 13–07B at 0.01
ppm. That notice referenced a summary
of the petition prepared by DuPont, the
registrant, which is available in the
docket, https://www.regulations.gov.
There were no comments received in
response to the notice of filing.
II. Summary of Petitioned-for Tolerance
In the Federal Register of February
25, 2011 (76 FR 10584) (FRL–8863–3),
EPA issued a notice pursuant to section
408(d)(3) of FFDCA, 21 U.S.C.
346a(d)(3), announcing the filing of a
pesticide petition (PP 0E7809) by IR–4,
Rutgers, The State University of New
Jersey, 500 College Rd. East, Suite
201W., Princeton, NJ 08540. The
petition requested that 40 CFR 180.478
be amended by establishing tolerances
for residues of the herbicide
rimsulfuron, N-((4,6dimethoxypyrimidin-2yl)aminocarbonyl)-3-(ethylsulfonyl)-2pyridinesulfonamide, including its
A. Toxicological Profile
EPA has evaluated the available
toxicity data and considered its validity,
completeness, and reliability as well as
the relationship of the results of the
studies to human risk. EPA has also
considered available information
concerning the variability of the
sensitivities of major identifiable
subgroups of consumers, including
infants and children.
Rimsulfuron has low acute toxicity by
oral, dermal, and inhalation routes of
exposure. It is a moderate eye irritant
and is not a dermal sensitizer. In
subchronic and chronic toxicity studies
in rats, toxic effects included decreased
VerDate Mar<15>2010
21:03 Jan 24, 2012
Jkt 226001
III. Aggregate Risk Assessment and
Determination of Safety
Section 408(b)(2)(A)(i) of FFDCA
allows EPA to establish a tolerance (the
legal limit for a pesticide chemical
residue in or on a food) only if EPA
determines that the tolerance is ‘‘safe.’’
Section 408(b)(2)(A)(ii) of FFDCA
defines ‘‘safe’’ to mean that ‘‘there is a
reasonable certainty that no harm will
result from aggregate exposure to the
pesticide chemical residue, including
all anticipated dietary exposures and all
other exposures for which there is
reliable information.’’ This includes
exposure through drinking water and in
residential settings, but does not include
occupational exposure. Section
408(b)(2)(C) of FFDCA requires EPA to
give special consideration to exposure
of infants and children to the pesticide
chemical residue in establishing a
tolerance and to ‘‘ensure that there is a
reasonable certainty that no harm will
result to infants and children from
aggregate exposure to the pesticide
chemical residue * * *.’’
Consistent with section 408(b)(2)(D)
of FFDCA, and the factors specified in
section 408(b)(2)(D) of FFDCA, EPA has
reviewed the available scientific data
and other relevant information in
support of this action. EPA has
sufficient data to assess the hazards of
and to make a determination on
aggregate exposure for rimsulfuron
including exposure resulting from the
tolerances established by this action.
EPA’s assessment of exposures and risks
associated with rimsulfuron follows.
PO 00000
Frm 00064
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
body weight, decreased body weight
gain, increased relative liver and
absolute kidney weights, and diuresis.
In the subchronic study in mice,
increased red blood cell (RBC) and
hemoglobin, and decreased body weight
gain and food efficiency were observed.
In the chronic study in mice, decreased
body weight, increased incidences of
dilation and cysts in the glandular
stomach, and degeneration of the
testicular artery and tunica albuginea
were observed. In the subchronic study
in dogs, diuresis was indicated by
urinary volume, platelet concentration
and kidney weights accompanied by
decreased urinary osmolality. In the
chronic study in dogs, increased
absolute liver and kidney weights,
increased seminiferous tubule
degeneration, and increased number of
spermatid giant cells present in
epididymides in males were observed.
In the developmental toxicity study in
rats, no toxicity was seen at the highest
dose tested (HDT). In the developmental
toxicity study in rabbits, and in the 2generation reproduction toxicity study
in rats, developmental/offspring toxicity
was seen in the presence of maternal/
systemic toxicity and at similar dose
levels. There is no quantitative or
qualitative evidence of increased
susceptibility following pre- and/or
postnatal exposures, and there are no
concerns or residual uncertainties.
Rimsulfuron was classified by EPA as
‘‘not likely to be carcinogenic to
humans’’ based on the absence of
tumors in carcinogenicity studies
conducted in rats and mice.
Specific information on the studies
received and the nature of the adverse
effects caused by rimsulfuron as well as
the no-observed-adverse-effect-level
(NOAEL) and the lowest-observedadverse-effect-level (LOAEL) from the
toxicity studies can be found at https://
www.regulations.gov in document
‘‘Rimsulfuron. Human Health Risk
Assessment for Proposed Section 3 Uses
on Caneberry and Bushberry,’’ pp. 31–
33 in docket ID number EPA–HQ–OPP–
2010–1017.
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
E:\FR\FM\25JAR1.SGM
25JAR1
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 16 / Wednesday, January 25, 2012 / Rules and Regulations
toxicological study to determine the
dose at which the NOAEL and the
LOAEL are identified. 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
3623
assessment process, see https://
www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/
riskassess.htm.
A summary of the toxicological
endpoints for rimsulfuron used for
human risk assessment is shown in the
Table of this unit.
TABLE—SUMMARY OF TOXICOLOGICAL DOSES AND ENDPOINTS FOR RIMSULFURON FOR USE IN HUMAN HEALTH RISK
ASSESSMENT
Point of departure and
uncertainty/safety factors
Exposure/Scenario
Acute dietary (Females 13–50
years of age and General population including infants and children).
Chronic dietary (All populations) ....
Cancer (Oral, dermal, inhalation) ..
RfD, PAD, LOC for risk
assessment
Study and toxicological effects
No appropriate endpoint attributable to a single dose identified.
NOAEL = 11.8 mg/kg/day ............
UFA = 10x
UFH = 10x
FQPA SF = 1x
Chronic RfD = 0.118 mg/kg/day
cPAD = 0.118 mg/kg/day
Combined
Chronic/Carcinogenicity-Rat LOAEL= 121 mg/
kg/day in males; 568mg/kg/day
in females (NOAEL=163 mg/kg/
day), based on decreased body
weight gains and liver effects.
Rimsulfuron is considered ‘‘not likely to be carcinogenic to humans’’ due to the absence of tumors in rat
and mouse carcinogenicity studies.
UFA = extrapolation from animal to human (interspecies). UFH = potential variation in sensitivity among members of the human population
(intraspecies). FQPA SF = Food Quality Protection Act Safety Factor. PAD = population adjusted dose (a = acute, c = chronic). RfD = reference
dose. Mg/kg/day = milligrams/kilograms/day.
sroberts on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with RULES
C. Exposure Assessment
1. Dietary exposure from food and
feed uses. In evaluating dietary
exposure to rimsulfuron, EPA
considered exposure under the
petitioned-for tolerances as well as all
existing rimsulfuron tolerances in 40
CFR 180.478. EPA assessed dietary
exposures from rimsulfuron in food as
follows:
i. Acute exposure. Quantitative acute
dietary exposure and risk assessments
are performed for a food-use pesticide,
if a toxicological study has indicated the
possibility of an effect of concern
occurring as a result of a 1-day or single
exposure.
No such effects were identified in the
toxicological studies for rimsulfuron;
therefore, a quantitative acute dietary
exposure assessment is unnecessary.
ii. Chronic exposure. In conducting
the chronic dietary exposure assessment
EPA used the food consumption data
from the USDA 1994–1996 and 1998
Continuing Surveys of Food by
Individuals (CSFII). As to residue levels
in food, EPA assumed that rimsulfuron
residues were present at tolerance levels
in all commodities for which tolerances
have been established, and that 100% of
those crops were treated with
rimsulfuron.
iii. Cancer. Based on the data
summarized in Unit III.A., EPA has
VerDate Mar<15>2010
21:03 Jan 24, 2012
Jkt 226001
concluded that rimsulfuron does not
pose a cancer risk to humans. Therefore,
a dietary exposure assessment for the
purpose of assessing cancer risk is
unnecessary.
iv. Anticipated residue and percent
crop treated (PCT) information. EPA did
not use anticipated residue and/or PCT
information in the dietary assessment
for rimsulfuron. Tolerance level
residues and 100 PCT 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 rimsulfuron in drinking water. These
simulation models take into account
data on the physical, chemical, and fate/
transport characteristics of rimsulfuron.
Further information regarding EPA
drinking water models used in pesticide
exposure assessment can be found at
https://www.epa.gov/oppefed1/models/
water/index.htm.
Based on the First Index Reservoir
Screening Tool (FIRST) and Screening
Concentration in Ground Water (SCI–
GROW) models, the estimated drinking
water concentrations (EDWCs) of
rimsulfuron for acute exposures are
estimated to be 5.596 parts per billion
(ppb) for surface water and 0.016 ppb
for ground water and for chronic
exposures for non-cancer assessments
PO 00000
Frm 00065
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
are estimated to be 0.120 ppb for surface
water and 0.016 ppb for ground water.
Modeled estimates of drinking water
concentrations were directly entered
into the dietary exposure model. For the
chronic dietary risk assessment, the
water concentration of value 0.120 ppb
was used to assess the contribution to
drinking water.
3. From non-dietary exposure. The
term ‘‘residential exposure’’ is used in
this document to refer to nonoccupational, non-dietary exposure
(e.g., for lawn and garden pest control,
indoor pest control, termiticides, and
flea and tick control on pets).
Rimsulfuron is not registered for any
specific use patterns that would result
in residential exposure.
4. Cumulative effects from substances
with a common mechanism of toxicity.
Section 408(b)(2)(D)(v) of FFDCA
requires that, when considering whether
to establish, modify, or revoke a
tolerance, the Agency consider
‘‘available information’’ concerning the
cumulative effects of a particular
pesticide’s residues and ‘‘other
substances that have a common
mechanism of toxicity.’’
EPA has not found rimsulfuron to
share a common mechanism of toxicity
with any other substances, and
rimsulfuron does not appear to produce
a toxic metabolite produced by other
substances. For the purposes of this
E:\FR\FM\25JAR1.SGM
25JAR1
3624
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 16 / Wednesday, January 25, 2012 / Rules and Regulations
sroberts on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with RULES
tolerance action, therefore, EPA has
assumed that rimsulfuron 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 Web site 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 developmental toxicity study in
rats, no developmental toxicity was seen
at the HDT. In the developmental
toxicity study in rabbits and in the 2generation study in rats, developmental
and offspring toxicity were seen in the
presence of maternal/systemic toxicity.
Consequently, there is no evidence of
quantitative or qualitative increased
susceptibility following in utero or
postnatal exposures. Therefore, there are
no concerns, nor residual uncertainties
for pre- and/or postnatal toxicity after
exposure to rimsulfuron.
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
rimsulfuron is complete with the
exception of the acute and subchronic
neurotoxicity and the immunotoxicity
studies which are required by the new
part 158 guidelines. Despite the
requirement for these studies, there is
no evidence that rimsulfuron either
causes neurotoxic effects or directly
targets the immune system, and
therefore an additional uncertainty
factor is not needed to account for the
lack of these studies.
ii. A developmental neurotoxicity
study is not required because neither
the subchronic or chronic toxicity
VerDate Mar<15>2010
21:03 Jan 24, 2012
Jkt 226001
studies in rats and dogs, the
developmental toxicity studies in rats
and rabbits, nor the 2-generation
reproduction study indicated that the
nervous system was specifically affected
by treatment with rimsulfuron.
iii. There is no evidence that
rimsulfuron results in increased
susceptibility in in utero rats or rabbits
in the prenatal developmental studies or
in young rats in the 2-generation
reproduction study.
iv. There are no residual uncertainties
identified in the exposure databases.
The dietary food exposure assessments
were performed based on 100 PCT and
tolerance-level residues. EPA made
conservative (protective) assumptions in
the ground and surface water modeling
used to assess exposure to rimsulfuron
in drinking water. These assessments
will not underestimate the exposure and
risks posed by rimsulfuron.
E. Aggregate Risks and Determination of
Safety
EPA determines whether acute and
chronic dietary pesticide exposures are
safe by comparing aggregate exposure
estimates to the aPAD and cPAD. For
linear cancer risks, EPA calculates the
lifetime probability of acquiring cancer
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 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
a single oral exposure was identified
and no acute dietary endpoint was
selected. Therefore, rimsulfuron 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 rimsulfuron
from food and water will utilize < 1% of
the cPAD for children 1–2 years old, the
population group receiving the greatest
exposure. There are no residential uses
for rimsulfuron.
3. Short- and intermediate-term risk.
Short- and intermediate-term aggregate
exposure takes into account short- and
intermediate-term residential exposure
plus chronic exposure to food and water
(considered to be a background
exposure level).
Short- and intermediate-term adverse
effects were identified; however,
rimsulfuron is not registered for any use
patterns that would result in short- and/
or intermediate-term residential
PO 00000
Frm 00066
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
exposure. Short- and intermediate-term
risk is assessed based on short- and
intermediate-term residential exposure
plus chronic dietary exposure. Because
there is no short- and/or intermediateterm residential exposure and chronic
dietary exposure has already been
assessed under the appropriately
protective cPAD (which is at least as
protective as the POD used to assess
short- and intermediate-term risk), no
further assessment of short- and
intermediate-term risk is necessary, and
EPA relies on the chronic dietary risk
assessment for evaluating short- and
intermediate-term risk for rimsulfuron.
4. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S.
population. Based on the lack of
evidence of carcinogenicity in two
adequate rodent carcinogenicity studies,
rimsulfuron is not expected to pose a
cancer risk to humans.
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 rimsulfuron
residues.
IV. Other Considerations
A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
Adequate enforcement methodology
(liquid chromatography with tandem
mass spectroscopy (LC/MS/MS)) is
available to enforce the tolerance
expression. The method may be
requested from: Chief, Analytical
Chemistry Branch, Environmental
Science Center, 701 Mapes Rd. Ft.
Meade, MD 20755–5350; telephone
number: (410) 305–2905; email address:
residuemethods@epa.gov.
B. International Residue Limits
In making its tolerance decisions, EPA
seeks to harmonize U.S. tolerances with
international standards whenever
possible, consistent with U.S. food
safety standards and agricultural
practices. EPA considers the
international maximum residue limits
(MRLs) established by the Codex
Alimentarius Commission (Codex), as
required by FFDCA section 408(b)(4).
The Codex Alimentarius is a joint U.N.
Food and Agriculture Organization/
World Health Organization food
standards program, and it is recognized
as an international food safety
standards-setting organization in trade
agreements to which the United States
is a party. EPA may establish a tolerance
that is different from a Codex MRL;
however, FFDCA section 408(b)(4)
requires that EPA explain the reasons
for departing from the Codex level.
E:\FR\FM\25JAR1.SGM
25JAR1
3625
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 16 / Wednesday, January 25, 2012 / Rules and Regulations
The Codex has not established a MRL
for rimsulfuron.
sroberts on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with RULES
V. Conclusion
Therefore, tolerances are established
for residues of rimsulfuron, N-((4,6dimethoxypyrimidin-2yl)aminocarbonyl)-3-(ethylsulfonyl)-2pyridinesulfonamide, including its
metabolites and degradates, in or on
caneberry, subgroup 13–07A at 0.01
ppm; and bushberry, subgroup 13–07B
at 0.01 ppm.
VI. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
This final rule establishes tolerances
under section 408(d) of FFDCA in
response to a petition submitted to the
Agency. The Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) has exempted these types
of actions from review under Executive
Order 12866, entitled Regulatory
Planning and Review (58 FR 51735,
October 4, 1993). Because this final rule
has been exempted from review under
Executive Order 12866, this final rule is
not subject to Executive Order 13211,
entitled Actions Concerning Regulations
That Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use (66 FR 28355, May
22, 2001) or Executive Order 13045,
entitled Protection of Children from
Environmental Health Risks and Safety
Risks (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997).
This final rule does not contain any
information collections subject to OMB
approval under the Paperwork
Reduction Act (PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501 et
seq., nor does it require any special
considerations under Executive Order
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
VerDate Mar<15>2010
21:03 Jan 24, 2012
Jkt 226001
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) (Pub. L. 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).
Parts per
million
Commodity
*
*
*
*
Bushberry, subgroup 13–07B ...
Caneberry, subgroup 13–07A ..
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
0.01
0.01
*
*
[FR Doc. 2012–1258 Filed 1–24–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY
Federal Emergency Management
Agency
44 CFR Part 67
[Docket ID FEMA–2011–0002]
VII. Congressional Review Act
The Congressional Review Act, 5
U.S.C. 801 et seq., generally provides
that before a rule may take effect, the
agency promulgating the rule must
submit a rule report to each House of
the Congress and to the Comptroller
General of the United States. EPA will
submit a report containing this rule and
other required information to the U.S.
Senate, the U.S. House of
Representatives, and the Comptroller
General of the United States prior to
publication of this final rule in the
Federal Register. This final rule is not
a ‘‘major rule’’ as defined by 5 U.S.C.
804(2).
Final Flood Elevation Determinations
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180
Environmental protection,
Administrative practice and procedure,
Agricultural commodities, Pesticides
and pests, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
DATES:
Dated: January 11, 2012.
Lois Rossi,
Director, Registration Division, Office of
Pesticide Programs.
Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is
amended as follows:
PART 180—[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for part 180
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.
2. Section 180.478 is amended by
alphabetically adding the following
commodities to the table in paragraph
(a) to read as follows:
■
§ 180.478 Rimsulfuron; tolerances for
residues.
PO 00000
(a) * * *
Frm 00067
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
Federal Emergency
Management Agency, DHS.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
Base (1% annual-chance)
Flood Elevations (BFEs) and modified
BFEs are made final for the
communities listed below. The BFEs
and modified BFEs are the basis for the
floodplain management measures that
each community is required either to
adopt or to show evidence of being
already in effect in order to qualify or
remain qualified for participation in the
National Flood Insurance Program
(NFIP).
SUMMARY:
The date of issuance of the Flood
Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) showing
BFEs and modified BFEs for each
community. This date may be obtained
by contacting the office where the maps
are available for inspection as indicated
in the table below.
ADDRESSES: The final BFEs for each
community are available for inspection
at the office of the Chief Executive
Officer of each community. The
respective addresses are listed in the
table below.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Luis
Rodriguez, Chief, Engineering
Management Branch, Federal Insurance
and Mitigation Administration, Federal
Emergency Management Agency, 500 C
Street SW., Washington, DC 20472,
(202) 646–4064, or (email)
luis.rodriguez1@dhs.gov.
The
Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) makes the final determinations
listed below for the modified BFEs for
each community listed. These modified
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
E:\FR\FM\25JAR1.SGM
25JAR1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 16 (Wednesday, January 25, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3621-3625]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-1258]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-1017; FRL-9332-1]
Rimsulfuron; Pesticide Tolerances
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of
rimsulfuron in or on the caneberry subgroup 13-07A and the bushberry
subgroup 13-07B. Interregional Research Project No. 4 (IR-4) requested
these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
(FFDCA).
DATES: This regulation is effective January 25, 2012. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received on or before March 26, 2012, 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-2010-1017. 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: Andrew Ertman, Registration Division
(7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency,
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone
number: (703) 308-9367; email address: ertman.andrew@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. General Information
A. Does this action apply to me?
You may be potentially affected by this action if you are an
agricultural producer, food manufacturer, or pesticide manufacturer.
Potentially affected entities may include, but are not limited to those
engaged in the following activities:
Crop production (NAICS code 111).
Animal production (NAICS code 112).
Food manufacturing (NAICS code 311).
Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS code 32532).
This listing is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather to
provide a guide for readers regarding entities likely to be affected by
this action. Other types of entities not listed in this unit could also
be affected. The North American Industrial Classification System
(NAICS) codes have been provided to assist you and others in
determining whether this action might apply to certain entities. If you
have any questions regarding the applicability of this action to a
particular entity, consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT.
B. How can I get electronic access to other related information?
You may 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://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title40/40tab_02.tpl.
C. How can I file an objection or hearing request?
Under FFDCA section 408(g), 21 U.S.C. 346a, any person may file an
[[Page 3622]]
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-2010-1017 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
March 26, 2012. 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. Information not marked confidential pursuant to 40 CFR part 2
may be disclosed publicly by EPA without prior notice. Submit a copy of
your non-CBI objection or hearing request, identified by docket ID
number EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-1017, 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. Summary of Petitioned-for Tolerance
In the Federal Register of February 25, 2011 (76 FR 10584) (FRL-
8863-3), EPA issued a notice pursuant to section 408(d)(3) of FFDCA, 21
U.S.C. 346a(d)(3), announcing the filing of a pesticide petition (PP
0E7809) by IR-4, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 500
College Rd. East, Suite 201W., Princeton, NJ 08540. The petition
requested that 40 CFR 180.478 be amended by establishing tolerances for
residues of the herbicide rimsulfuron, N-((4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-
yl)aminocarbonyl)-3-(ethylsulfonyl)-2-pyridinesulfonamide, including
its metabolites and degradates, in or on caneberry, subgroup 13-07A at
0.01parts per million (ppm) and bushberry, subgroup 13-07B at 0.01 ppm.
That notice referenced a summary of the petition prepared by DuPont,
the registrant, which is available in the docket, https://www.regulations.gov. There were no comments received in response to the
notice of filing.
III. Aggregate Risk Assessment and Determination of Safety
Section 408(b)(2)(A)(i) of FFDCA allows EPA to establish a
tolerance (the legal limit for a pesticide chemical residue in or on a
food) only if EPA determines that the tolerance is ``safe.'' Section
408(b)(2)(A)(ii) of FFDCA defines ``safe'' to mean that ``there is a
reasonable certainty that no harm will result from aggregate exposure
to the pesticide chemical residue, including all anticipated dietary
exposures and all other exposures for which there is reliable
information.'' This includes exposure through drinking water and in
residential settings, but does not include occupational exposure.
Section 408(b)(2)(C) of FFDCA requires EPA to give special
consideration to exposure of infants and children to the pesticide
chemical residue in establishing a tolerance and to ``ensure that there
is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result to infants and
children from aggregate exposure to the pesticide chemical residue * *
*.''
Consistent with section 408(b)(2)(D) of FFDCA, and the factors
specified in section 408(b)(2)(D) of FFDCA, EPA has reviewed the
available scientific data and other relevant information in support of
this action. EPA has sufficient data to assess the hazards of and to
make a determination on aggregate exposure for rimsulfuron including
exposure resulting from the tolerances established by this action.
EPA's assessment of exposures and risks associated with rimsulfuron
follows.
A. Toxicological Profile
EPA has evaluated the available toxicity data and considered its
validity, completeness, and reliability as well as the relationship of
the results of the studies to human risk. EPA has also considered
available information concerning the variability of the sensitivities
of major identifiable subgroups of consumers, including infants and
children.
Rimsulfuron has low acute toxicity by oral, dermal, and inhalation
routes of exposure. It is a moderate eye irritant and is not a dermal
sensitizer. In subchronic and chronic toxicity studies in rats, toxic
effects included decreased body weight, decreased body weight gain,
increased relative liver and absolute kidney weights, and diuresis. In
the subchronic study in mice, increased red blood cell (RBC) and
hemoglobin, and decreased body weight gain and food efficiency were
observed. In the chronic study in mice, decreased body weight,
increased incidences of dilation and cysts in the glandular stomach,
and degeneration of the testicular artery and tunica albuginea were
observed. In the subchronic study in dogs, diuresis was indicated by
urinary volume, platelet concentration and kidney weights accompanied
by decreased urinary osmolality. In the chronic study in dogs,
increased absolute liver and kidney weights, increased seminiferous
tubule degeneration, and increased number of spermatid giant cells
present in epididymides in males were observed.
In the developmental toxicity study in rats, no toxicity was seen
at the highest dose tested (HDT). In the developmental toxicity study
in rabbits, and in the 2-generation reproduction toxicity study in
rats, developmental/offspring toxicity was seen in the presence of
maternal/systemic toxicity and at similar dose levels. There is no
quantitative or qualitative evidence of increased susceptibility
following pre- and/or postnatal exposures, and there are no concerns or
residual uncertainties.
Rimsulfuron was classified by EPA as ``not likely to be
carcinogenic to humans'' based on the absence of tumors in
carcinogenicity studies conducted in rats and mice.
Specific information on the studies received and the nature of the
adverse effects caused by rimsulfuron as well as the no-observed-
adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) and the lowest-observed-adverse-effect-
level (LOAEL) from the toxicity studies can be found at https://www.regulations.gov in document ``Rimsulfuron. Human Health Risk
Assessment for Proposed Section 3 Uses on Caneberry and Bushberry,''
pp. 31-33 in docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-1017.
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
[[Page 3623]]
toxicological study to determine the dose at which the NOAEL and the
LOAEL are identified. 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 rimsulfuron used for
human risk assessment is shown in the Table of this unit.
Table--Summary of Toxicological Doses and Endpoints for Rimsulfuron for Use in Human Health Risk Assessment
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point of departure and
Exposure/Scenario uncertainty/safety RfD, PAD, LOC for risk Study and toxicological
factors assessment effects
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acute dietary (Females 13-50 years of No appropriate endpoint attributable to a single dose identified.
age and General population including
infants and children).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chronic dietary (All populations).... NOAEL = 11.8 mg/kg/day. Chronic RfD = 0.118 mg/ Combined Chronic/
UFA = 10x.............. kg/day Carcinogenicity-Rat
UFH = 10x.............. cPAD = 0.118 mg/kg/day. LOAEL= 121 mg/kg/day
FQPA SF = 1x........... in males; 568mg/kg/day
in females (NOAEL=163
mg/kg/day), based on
decreased body weight
gains and liver
effects.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cancer (Oral, dermal, inhalation).... Rimsulfuron is considered ``not likely to be carcinogenic to humans'' due
to the absence of tumors in rat and mouse carcinogenicity studies.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UFA = extrapolation from animal to human (interspecies). UFH = potential variation in sensitivity among members
of the human population (intraspecies). FQPA SF = Food Quality Protection Act Safety Factor. PAD = population
adjusted dose (a = acute, c = chronic). RfD = reference dose. Mg/kg/day = milligrams/kilograms/day.
C. Exposure Assessment
1. Dietary exposure from food and feed uses. In evaluating dietary
exposure to rimsulfuron, EPA considered exposure under the petitioned-
for tolerances as well as all existing rimsulfuron tolerances in 40 CFR
180.478. EPA assessed dietary exposures from rimsulfuron in food as
follows:
i. Acute exposure. Quantitative acute dietary exposure and risk
assessments are performed for a food-use pesticide, if a toxicological
study has indicated the possibility of an effect of concern occurring
as a result of a 1-day or single exposure.
No such effects were identified in the toxicological studies for
rimsulfuron; therefore, a quantitative acute dietary exposure
assessment is unnecessary.
ii. Chronic exposure. In conducting the chronic dietary exposure
assessment EPA used the food consumption data from the USDA 1994-1996
and 1998 Continuing Surveys of Food by Individuals (CSFII). As to
residue levels in food, EPA assumed that rimsulfuron residues were
present at tolerance levels in all commodities for which tolerances
have been established, and that 100% of those crops were treated with
rimsulfuron.
iii. Cancer. Based on the data summarized in Unit III.A., EPA has
concluded that rimsulfuron does not pose a cancer risk to humans.
Therefore, a dietary exposure assessment for the purpose of assessing
cancer risk is unnecessary.
iv. Anticipated residue and percent crop treated (PCT) information.
EPA did not use anticipated residue and/or PCT information in the
dietary assessment for rimsulfuron. Tolerance level residues and 100
PCT 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 rimsulfuron in drinking water. These simulation models
take into account data on the physical, chemical, and fate/transport
characteristics of rimsulfuron. Further information regarding EPA
drinking water models used in pesticide exposure assessment can be
found at https://www.epa.gov/oppefed1/models/water/index.htm.
Based on the First Index Reservoir Screening Tool (FIRST) and
Screening Concentration in Ground Water (SCI-GROW) models, the
estimated drinking water concentrations (EDWCs) of rimsulfuron for
acute exposures are estimated to be 5.596 parts per billion (ppb) for
surface water and 0.016 ppb for ground water and for chronic exposures
for non-cancer assessments are estimated to be 0.120 ppb for surface
water and 0.016 ppb for ground water.
Modeled estimates of drinking water concentrations were directly
entered into the dietary exposure model. For the chronic dietary risk
assessment, the water concentration of value 0.120 ppb was used to
assess the contribution to drinking water.
3. From non-dietary exposure. The term ``residential exposure'' is
used in this document to refer to non-occupational, non-dietary
exposure (e.g., for lawn and garden pest control, indoor pest control,
termiticides, and flea and tick control on pets). Rimsulfuron is not
registered for any specific use patterns that would result in
residential exposure.
4. Cumulative effects from substances with a common mechanism of
toxicity. Section 408(b)(2)(D)(v) of FFDCA requires that, when
considering whether to establish, modify, or revoke a tolerance, the
Agency consider ``available information'' concerning the cumulative
effects of a particular pesticide's residues and ``other substances
that have a common mechanism of toxicity.''
EPA has not found rimsulfuron to share a common mechanism of
toxicity with any other substances, and rimsulfuron does not appear to
produce a toxic metabolite produced by other substances. For the
purposes of this
[[Page 3624]]
tolerance action, therefore, EPA has assumed that rimsulfuron 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 Web site at https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/cumulative 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 developmental
toxicity study in rats, no developmental toxicity was seen at the HDT.
In the developmental toxicity study in rabbits and in the 2-generation
study in rats, developmental and offspring toxicity were seen in the
presence of maternal/systemic toxicity. Consequently, there is no
evidence of quantitative or qualitative increased susceptibility
following in utero or postnatal exposures. Therefore, there are no
concerns, nor residual uncertainties for pre- and/or postnatal toxicity
after exposure to rimsulfuron.
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 rimsulfuron is complete with the
exception of the acute and subchronic neurotoxicity and the
immunotoxicity studies which are required by the new part 158
guidelines. Despite the requirement for these studies, there is no
evidence that rimsulfuron either causes neurotoxic effects or directly
targets the immune system, and therefore an additional uncertainty
factor is not needed to account for the lack of these studies.
ii. A developmental neurotoxicity study is not required because
neither the subchronic or chronic toxicity studies in rats and dogs,
the developmental toxicity studies in rats and rabbits, nor the 2-
generation reproduction study indicated that the nervous system was
specifically affected by treatment with rimsulfuron.
iii. There is no evidence that rimsulfuron results in increased
susceptibility in in utero rats or rabbits in the prenatal
developmental studies or in young rats in the 2-generation reproduction
study.
iv. There are no residual uncertainties identified in the exposure
databases. The dietary food exposure assessments were performed based
on 100 PCT and tolerance-level residues. EPA made conservative
(protective) assumptions in the ground and surface water modeling used
to assess exposure to rimsulfuron in drinking water. These assessments
will not underestimate the exposure and risks posed by rimsulfuron.
E. Aggregate Risks and Determination of Safety
EPA determines whether acute and chronic dietary pesticide
exposures are safe by comparing aggregate exposure estimates to the
aPAD and cPAD. For linear cancer risks, EPA calculates the lifetime
probability of acquiring cancer 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 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 a single oral exposure
was identified and no acute dietary endpoint was selected. Therefore,
rimsulfuron 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
rimsulfuron from food and water will utilize < 1% of the cPAD for
children 1-2 years old, the population group receiving the greatest
exposure. There are no residential uses for rimsulfuron.
3. Short- and intermediate-term risk. Short- and intermediate-term
aggregate exposure takes into account short- and intermediate-term
residential exposure plus chronic exposure to food and water
(considered to be a background exposure level).
Short- and intermediate-term adverse effects were identified;
however, rimsulfuron is not registered for any use patterns that would
result in short- and/or intermediate-term residential exposure. Short-
and intermediate-term risk is assessed based on short- and
intermediate-term residential exposure plus chronic dietary exposure.
Because there is no short- and/or intermediate-term residential
exposure and chronic dietary exposure has already been assessed under
the appropriately protective cPAD (which is at least as protective as
the POD used to assess short- and intermediate-term risk), no further
assessment of short- and intermediate-term risk is necessary, and EPA
relies on the chronic dietary risk assessment for evaluating short- and
intermediate-term risk for rimsulfuron.
4. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S. population. Based on the lack of
evidence of carcinogenicity in two adequate rodent carcinogenicity
studies, rimsulfuron is not expected to pose a cancer risk to humans.
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 rimsulfuron residues.
IV. Other Considerations
A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
Adequate enforcement methodology (liquid chromatography with tandem
mass spectroscopy (LC/MS/MS)) is available to enforce the tolerance
expression. The method may be requested from: Chief, Analytical
Chemistry Branch, Environmental Science Center, 701 Mapes Rd. Ft.
Meade, MD 20755-5350; telephone number: (410) 305-2905; email address:
residuemethods@epa.gov.
B. International Residue Limits
In making its tolerance decisions, EPA seeks to harmonize U.S.
tolerances with international standards whenever possible, consistent
with U.S. food safety standards and agricultural practices. EPA
considers the international maximum residue limits (MRLs) established
by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), as required by FFDCA
section 408(b)(4). The Codex Alimentarius is a joint U.N. Food and
Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization food standards
program, and it is recognized as an international food safety
standards-setting organization in trade agreements to which the United
States is a party. EPA may establish a tolerance that is different from
a Codex MRL; however, FFDCA section 408(b)(4) requires that EPA explain
the reasons for departing from the Codex level.
[[Page 3625]]
The Codex has not established a MRL for rimsulfuron.
V. Conclusion
Therefore, tolerances are established for residues of rimsulfuron,
N-((4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl)aminocarbonyl)-3-(ethylsulfonyl)-2-
pyridinesulfonamide, including its metabolites and degradates, in or on
caneberry, subgroup 13-07A at 0.01 ppm; and bushberry, subgroup 13-07B
at 0.01 ppm.
VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
This final rule establishes tolerances under section 408(d) of
FFDCA in response to a petition submitted to the Agency. The Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) has exempted these types of actions from
review under Executive Order 12866, entitled Regulatory Planning and
Review (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993). Because this final rule has been
exempted from review under Executive Order 12866, this final rule is
not subject to Executive Order 13211, entitled Actions Concerning
Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or
Use (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001) or Executive Order 13045, entitled
Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks
(62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997). This final rule does not contain any
information collections subject to OMB approval under the Paperwork
Reduction Act (PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., nor does it require any
special considerations under Executive Order 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) (Pub. L. 104-4).
This action does not involve any technical standards that would
require Agency consideration of voluntary consensus standards pursuant
to section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement
Act of 1995 (NTTAA), Public Law 104-113, section 12(d) (15 U.S.C. 272
note).
VII. Congressional Review Act
The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., generally
provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating
the rule must submit a rule report to each House of the Congress and to
the Comptroller General of the United States. EPA will submit a report
containing this rule and other required information to the U.S. Senate,
the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the
United States prior to publication of this final rule in the Federal
Register. This final rule is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5
U.S.C. 804(2).
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180
Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure,
Agricultural commodities, Pesticides and pests, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
Dated: January 11, 2012.
Lois Rossi,
Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.
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 180.478 is amended by alphabetically adding the following
commodities to the table in paragraph (a) to read as follows:
Sec. 180.478 Rimsulfuron; tolerances for residues.
(a) * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parts per
Commodity million
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
Bushberry, subgroup 13-07B................................. 0.01
Caneberry, subgroup 13-07A................................. 0.01
* * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2012-1258 Filed 1-24-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P