Fluoxastrobin; Pesticide Tolerances, 26467-26471 [2012-10704]
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 87 / Friday, May 4, 2012 / Rules and Regulations
Unit I.C. of the SUPPLEMENTARY
Parts per
million
Commodity
INFORMATION).
6.0
30.0
*
*
*
Grape ....................................
Grape, raisin .........................
*
*
*
*
Onion, bulb, subgroup 3–07A
Onion, green, subgroup 3–
07B ....................................
*
*
*
*
Vegetable, leafy (except
Brassica) group 4 ..............
*
*
3.0
7.0
*
0.6
15.0
*
30.0
*
*
*
*
*
(d) Indirect or inadvertent residues.
Tolerances are established for the
indirect or inadvertent residues of the
fungicide dimethomorph, in or on the
commodities in the following table.
Compliance with the following
tolerance levels specified in the
following table is to be determined by
measuring only dimethomorph (E,Z)-4[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(3,4dimethoxyphenyl)acryloyl]morpholine
calculated in or on the following
commodities:
Commodity
EPA has established a
docket for this action under docket
identification (ID) number EPA–HQ–
OPP–2009–0677. 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:
Heather Garvie, Registration Division,
Office of Pesticide Programs,
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington,
DC 20460–0001; telephone number:
(703) 308–0034; email address:
garvie.heather@epa.gov.
ADDRESSES:
Brassica, head and stem,
subgroup 5A ......................
Brassica, leafy greens, subgroup 5B ...........................
Parts per million
Wheat, forage .....................
Wheat, hay .........................
Wheat, straw .......................
0.15
0.15
0.4
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
[FR Doc. 2012–10709 Filed 5–3–12; 8:45 am]
I. General Information
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
A. Does this action apply to me?
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA–HQ–OPP–2009–0677; FRL–9345–3]
Fluoxastrobin; Pesticide Tolerances
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
This regulation establishes
tolerances for residues of fluoxastrobin
in or on peanut and peanut, refined oil.
Arysta LifeScience North America, LLC
requested these tolerances under the
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
(FFDCA).
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SUMMARY:
This regulation is effective May
4, 2012. Objections and requests for
hearings must be received on or before
July 3, 2012, and must be filed in
accordance with the instructions
provided in 40 CFR part 178 (see also
DATES:
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You may be potentially affected by
this action if you are an agricultural
producer, food manufacturer, or
pesticide manufacturer. Potentially
affected entities may include, but are
not limited to those engaged in the
following activities:
• Crop production (NAICS code 111).
• Animal production (NAICS code
112).
• Food manufacturing (NAICS code
311).
• Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS
code 32532).
This listing is not intended to be
exhaustive, but rather to provide a guide
for readers regarding entities likely to be
affected by this action. Other types of
entities not listed in this unit could also
be affected. The North American
Industrial Classification System
(NAICS) codes have been provided to
assist you and others in determining
whether this action might apply to
certain entities. If you have any
questions regarding the applicability of
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26467
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
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–2009–0677 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 July 3, 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–2009–0677, by one of
the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
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.
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 87 / Friday, May 4, 2012 / Rules and Regulations
II. Summary of Petitioned-For
Tolerance
EPA’s assessment of exposures and risks
associated with fluoxastrobin follows.
In the Federal Register of July 20,
2011 (76 FR 43236) (FRL–8880–1), EPA
issued a notice pursuant to FFDCA
section 408(d)(3), 21 U.S.C. 346a(d)(3),
announcing the filing of a pesticide
petition (PP #1F7871) by Arysta
LifeScience North America, LLC, 15401
Weston Parkway, Suite 150, Cary, NC
27513. The petition requested that 40
CFR 180.609 be amended by revising
tolerances for residues of the fungicide
fluoxastrobin in or on peanut and
peanut oil, from 0.01 and 0.03 to 0.02
and 0.06 parts per million (ppm)
respectively. That notice referenced a
summary of the petition prepared by
Arysta LifeScinece North America, LLC,
the registrant, which is available in the
docket, https://www.regulations.gov.
There were no comments received in
response to the notice of filing.
Based upon review of the data
supporting the petition, EPA has
corrected the commodity definition for
peanut oil. The reason for this change is
explained in Unit IV.C.
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. The most recent
human health risk assessment for
fluoxastrobin was conducted for use on
the squash/cucumber crop subgroup 9B.
Since that time, no new toxicology data
have been submitted to the Agency and
the hazard characterization and toxicity
endpoints for risk assessment remain
unchanged. Specific information on the
studies received and the nature of the
adverse effects caused by fluoxastrobin
as well as the no-observed-adverseeffect-level (NOAEL) and the lowestobserved-adverse-effect-level (LOAEL)
from the toxicity studies are discussed
in the final rule that established a
tolerance for residues of fluoxastrobin in
or on squash/cucumber subgroup 9B.
This rule was published in the Federal
Register of August 17, 2011 (76 FR
50893) (FRL–8884–4).
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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 FFDCA section
408(b)(2)(D), and the factors specified in
FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(D), EPA has
reviewed the available scientific data
and other relevant information in
support of this action. EPA has
sufficient data to assess the hazards of
and to make a determination on
aggregate exposure for fluoxastrobin
including exposure resulting from the
tolerances established by this action.
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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
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assessment process, see https://
www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/
riskassess.htm.
A summary of the toxicological
endpoints for fluoxastrobin used for
human risk assessment is shown in
Table 1 of the final rule published in the
Federal Register of August 17, 2011.
C. Exposure Assessment
1. Dietary exposure from food and
feed uses. In evaluating dietary
exposure to fluoxastrobin, EPA
considered exposure under the
petitioned-for tolerances as well as all
existing fluoxastrobin tolerances in 40
CFR 180.609. EPA assessed dietary
exposures from fluoxastrobin 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 fluoxastrobin; 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 United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA) 1994–1996 and
1998 Continuing Survey of Food Intake
by Individuals (CSFII). As to residue
levels in food, EPA conducted a
conservative dietary exposure
assessment for fluoxastrobin. The
assumptions of this dietary assessment
included tolerance level residues and
100 percent crop treated (PCT).
iii. Cancer. Based on the data
summarized in Unit III.A., EPA has
concluded that fluoxastrobin 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 PCT
information. EPA did not use
anticipated residue information in the
dietary assessment for fluoxastrobin.
Tolerance level residues and/or 100 PCT
were assumed for all food commodities.
2. Dietary exposure from drinking
water. Based on laboratory studies,
fluoxastrobin persists in soils for several
months to several years and is slightly
to moderately mobile in soil.
The Agency used screening level
water exposure models in the dietary
exposure analysis and risk assessment
for fluoxastrobin in drinking water.
These simulation models take into
account data on the physical, chemical,
and fate/transport characteristics of
fluoxastrobin. Further information
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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 Pesticide Root Zone
Model/Exposure Analysis Modeling
System (PRZM/EXAMS) and Screening
Concentration in Ground Water (SCI–
GROW) models, the estimated drinking
water concentrations (EDWCs) of
fluoxastrobin for chronic exposures for
non-cancer assessments are estimated to
be 52.9 parts per billion (ppb) for
surface water and 0.23 ppb for ground
water. Modeled estimates of drinking
water concentrations were directly
entered into the dietary exposure model.
For chronic dietary risk assessment, the
water concentration of value 53 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).
Fluoxastrobin is currently registered for
the following uses that could result in
residential exposures: Spot treatment
and/or broadcast control of diseases on
turf, including lawns and golf courses.
EPA assessed residential exposure using
the following assumptions: Because of
the potential for application four times
per year, exposure duration is expected
to be short-term and intermediate-term.
A short-term dermal endpoint was not
identified; therefore, only intermediateterm dermal risks as well as short- and
intermediate-term inhalation risks were
assessed. Homeowner residential
applicators are expected to be adults.
There is also the potential for
homeowners and their families (of
varying ages) to be exposed as a result
of entering areas that have previously
been treated with fluoxastrobin.
Exposure might occur on areas such as
lawns used by children or recreational
areas such as golf courses used by adults
and youths. Potential routes of exposure
include dermal (adults and children)
and incidental oral ingestion (children).
Since no acute hazard has been
identified, an assessment of episodic
granular ingestion was not conducted.
While it is assumed that most
residential use will result in short-term
(1 to 30 days) post-application
exposures, it is believed that
intermediate-term exposures (greater
than 30 days up to 180 days) are also
possible. Further information regarding
EPA standard assumptions and generic
inputs for residential exposures may be
found at: https://www.epa.gov/
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pesticides/science/residential-exposuresop.html.
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 fluoxastrobin to
share a common mechanism of toxicity
with any other substances, and
fluoxastrobin does not appear to
produce a toxic metabolite produced by
other substances. For the purposes of
this tolerance action, therefore, EPA has
assumed that fluoxastrobin 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
Food Quality Protection Act Safety
Factor (FQPA 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.
The database for evaluating in utero or
postnatal susceptibility includes
developmental toxicity studies in both
rats and rabbits and a 2-generation
reproduction study in the rat. The data
provide no indication of increased
susceptibility of rats or rabbits to
prenatal and postnatal exposure to
fluoxastrobin.
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:
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i. The toxicity database for
fluoxastrobin is complete with the
exception of an acceptable functional
immunotoxicity study. The Agency does
have an immunotoxicity study for
fluoxastrobin but it has deficiencies that
make it unacceptable at this time. The
study may be acceptable if additional
information is submitted. Nonetheless,
the Agency does not believe that
conducting a new immunotoxicity study
will result in a lower NOAEL than the
regulatory dose for risk assessment.
First, the available data do not indicate
that fluoxastrobin results in primary
immune system effects; a NOAEL for
decreased spleen weight in the absence
of histopathological findings (male rats)
was 53 milligrams/kilogram/day (mg/
kg/day). In addition, there was no
indication of a functional effect on the
immune system in the unacceptable
mouse immunotoxicity study at doses as
high as 2,383 mg/kg/day. Finally, the
registrant recently submitted a new
immunotoxicity study. The Agency has
not fully reviewed the study at this
time, but a preliminary screen indicates
that fluoxastrobin does not appear to
significantly affect the immune system
and would not provide a Point of
Departure lower than that currently
used for risk assessment. For all of these
reasons, the Agency therefore believes
that no additional safety factor is
needed to account for the deficiencies in
the first immunotoxicity study.
ii. There is no indication that
fluoxastrobin is a neurotoxic chemical
and there is no need for a
developmental neurotoxicity study or
additional uncertainty factors to account
for neurotoxicity.
iii. There is no evidence that
fluoxastrobin results in increased
susceptibility in in utero rats or rabbits
in the prenatal developmental studies or
in young rats in the 2-generation
reproduction study.
iv. There are no residual uncertainties
identified in the exposure databases.
EPA made conservative (protective)
assumptions in the ground water and
surface water modeling used to assess
exposure to fluoxastrobin 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 fluoxastrobin.
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 acute PAD (aPAD) and
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chronic PAD (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, fluoxastrobin 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 fluoxastrobin
from food and water will utilize 47% of
the cPAD for children 1–2 years old, the
population group receiving the greatest
exposure. Based on the explanation in
Unit III.C.3., regarding residential use
patterns, chronic residential exposure to
residues of fluoxastrobin is not
expected.
3. Short- and intermediate-term risk.
Short- and intermediate-term aggregate
exposure take into account short- and
intermediate-term residential exposure
plus chronic exposure to food and water
(considered to be a background
exposure level). Fluoxastrobin is
currently registered for uses that could
result in both short- and intermediateterm residential exposure, and the
Agency has determined that it is
appropriate to aggregate chronic
exposure through food and water with
short- and intermediate-term residential
exposures of adults and children to
fluoxastrobin. Because all short- and
intermediate-term quantitative hazard
assessments (via the dermal and
incidental oral routes) for fluoxastrobin
are based on the same endpoint, a
screening-level, conservative aggregate
risk assessment was conducted that
combined the short-term incidental oral
and intermediate-term exposure
estimates (i.e., the highest exposure
estimates) in the risk assessments for
adults. The Agency believes that most
residential exposure will be short-term,
based on the use pattern.
There is potential short- and
intermediate-term exposure to
fluoxastrobin via the dietary (which is
considered background exposure) and
residential (which is considered
primary) pathways. For adults, these
pathways lead to exposure via the oral
(background), and dermal and
inhalation (primary) routes. For
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children, these pathways lead to
exposure via the oral (background), and
incidental oral and dermal (primary)
routes.
Using the exposure assumptions
described in this unit for short-term
exposures, EPA has concluded the
combined short- and intermediate-term
food, water, and residential exposures
result in aggregate MOEs of 630 for
adults; 170 for children (1–2 years old).
Because EPA’s level of concern for
fluoxastrobin is a MOE of 100 or below,
these MOEs are not of concern.
4. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S.
population. Based on the lack of
evidence of carcinogenicity in two
adequate rodent carcinogenicity studies,
fluoxastrobin 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 fluoxastrobin
residues.
IV. Other Considerations
A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
Adequate enforcement methodology
(liquid chromatography/mass
spectrometry/mass spectrometry) is
available to enforce the tolerance
expression. Method No. 00604 is
available for plant commodities and
Method No. 00691 is available for
animal commodities. 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.
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There are currently no established
Mexican, Canadian, or Codex MRLs or
tolerances for fluoxastrobin in/on
peanuts.
C. Revisions to Petitioned-For
Tolerances
The proposed commodity term has
been revised to agree with the Agency’s
Food and Feed Commodity Vocabulary.
The petitioned for commodities were
peanut and peanut oil. The correct
commodity definitions are peanut and
peanut, refined oil.
V. Conclusion
Therefore, tolerances are established
for residues of fluoxastrobin, in or on
peanut and peanut, refined oil at s 0.02
and 0.06 ppm respectively.
VI. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
This final rule establishes tolerances
under FFDCA section 408(d) 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 FFDCA section 408(d), 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
E:\FR\FM\04MYR1.SGM
04MYR1
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 87 / Friday, May 4, 2012 / Rules and Regulations
of FFDCA section 408(n)(4). 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.
erowe on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with RULES
Dated: April 25, 2012.
Daniel J. Rosenblatt,
Acting Director, Registration Division, Office
of Pesticide Programs.
Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is
amended as follows:
PART 180—[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for part 180
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
15:04 May 03, 2012
Jkt 226001
26471
[Docket DOT–OST–2010–0026]
the online instructions for submitting
comments.
• Mail: Docket Management Facility,
U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200
New Jersey Ave. SE., West Building
Ground Floor Room W12–140,
Washington, DC 20590–0001;
• Hand Delivery: West Building
Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200
New Jersey Ave. SE., between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The telephone
number is 202–366–9329;
Instructions: You must include the
agency name and docket number DOTOST–2010–0026 or the Regulatory
Identification Number (2105–AE14) for
the rulemaking at the beginning of your
comments. All comments received will
be posted without change to https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information provided.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Bohdan Baczara, U.S. Department of
Transportation, Office of Drug and
Alcohol Policy and Compliance, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington,
DC 20590; 202–366–3784 (voice), 202–
366–3897 (fax), or
bohdan.baczara@dot.gov (email).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
RIN 2105–AE14
Background
2. Section 180.609 is amended by
revising the following entries in the
table in paragraph (a)(1) to read as
follows:
■
§ 180.609 Fluoxastrobin; tolerances for
residues.
(a) * * *
(1) * * *
Parts per
million
Commodity
*
*
*
Peanut ...............................
*
*
0.02
*
*
*
Peanut, refined oil .............
*
*
0.06
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
[FR Doc. 2012–10704 Filed 5–3–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Office of the Secretary
49 CFR Part 40
Procedures for Transportation
Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing
Programs: 6-acetylmorphine (6–AM)
Testing
Office of the Secretary, DOT.
Interim final rule.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Department is amending
certain provisions of its drug testing
procedures for 6-acetylmorphine (6–
AM), a unique metabolite of heroin.
Laboratories and Medical Review
Officers (MROs) will no longer be
required to consult with one another
regarding the testing for the presence of
morphine when the laboratory confirms
the presence of 6–AM. This rule is
intended to streamline the laboratory
process for analyzing and reporting 6–
AM positive results and will facilitate
MRO verification of 6–AM positive
results.
SUMMARY:
The rule is effective July 3, 2012.
Comments to this interim final rule
should be submitted by June 4, 2012.
Late-filed comments will be considered
to the extent practicable.
ADDRESSES: To ensure that you do not
duplicate your docket submissions,
please submit them by only one of the
following means:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov and follow
DATES:
PO 00000
Frm 00055
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
For its drug testing regulation, the
Department of Transportation (DOT) is
required by the Omnibus Transportation
Employee Testing Act of 1991 (Omnibus
Act) to incorporate the laboratory testing
protocols and standards established by
the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services (HHS). The Omnibus
Act requires that we utilize HHScertified laboratories and that we follow
the HHS Mandatory Guidelines for
identifying the specific drugs for which
we test and the scientific methodologies
the laboratories must use for testing.
Because of these requirements and to
create consistency with certain aspects
of the new HHS Mandatory Guidelines
effective October 1, 2010 [73 FR 71858],
the DOT published its final rule on
August 16, 2010 [75 FR 49850], also
effective October 1, 2010, to harmonize
with many aspects of the revised
Mandatory Guidelines.
One item with which the DOT
harmonized was the laboratory testing
for 6-acetylmorphine (6–AM) without a
morphine marker. 6–AM is a unique
metabolite produced when a person
uses the illicit drug heroin. Prior to the
October 1, 2010 rulemaking, both HHS
and DOT regulations required the
laboratory to first test for morphine, and
if it detected morphine at the HHS/DOT
cutoff of 2000ng/mL, the lab would then
test for 6–AM.
E:\FR\FM\04MYR1.SGM
04MYR1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 87 (Friday, May 4, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26467-26471]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-10704]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0677; FRL-9345-3]
Fluoxastrobin; Pesticide Tolerances
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of
fluoxastrobin in or on peanut and peanut, refined oil. Arysta
LifeScience North America, LLC requested these tolerances under the
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
DATES: This regulation is effective May 4, 2012. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received on or before July 3, 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-2009-0677. 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: Heather Garvie, Registration Division,
Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number:
(703) 308-0034; email address: garvie.heather@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
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-2009-0677 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
July 3, 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-2009-0677, by one of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the online 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.
[[Page 26468]]
II. Summary of Petitioned-For Tolerance
In the Federal Register of July 20, 2011 (76 FR 43236) (FRL-8880-
1), EPA issued a notice pursuant to FFDCA section 408(d)(3), 21 U.S.C.
346a(d)(3), announcing the filing of a pesticide petition (PP
1F7871) by Arysta LifeScience North America, LLC, 15401 Weston
Parkway, Suite 150, Cary, NC 27513. The petition requested that 40 CFR
180.609 be amended by revising tolerances for residues of the fungicide
fluoxastrobin in or on peanut and peanut oil, from 0.01 and 0.03 to
0.02 and 0.06 parts per million (ppm) respectively. That notice
referenced a summary of the petition prepared by Arysta LifeScinece
North America, LLC, the registrant, which is available in the docket,
https://www.regulations.gov. There were no comments received in response
to the notice of filing.
Based upon review of the data supporting the petition, EPA has
corrected the commodity definition for peanut oil. The reason for this
change is explained in Unit IV.C.
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 FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(D), and the factors
specified in FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(D), EPA has reviewed the available
scientific data and other relevant information in support of this
action. EPA has sufficient data to assess the hazards of and to make a
determination on aggregate exposure for fluoxastrobin including
exposure resulting from the tolerances established by this action.
EPA's assessment of exposures and risks associated with fluoxastrobin
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. The most recent human health risk assessment for
fluoxastrobin was conducted for use on the squash/cucumber crop
subgroup 9B. Since that time, no new toxicology data have been
submitted to the Agency and the hazard characterization and toxicity
endpoints for risk assessment remain unchanged. Specific information on
the studies received and the nature of the adverse effects caused by
fluoxastrobin as well as the no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL)
and the lowest-observed-adverse-effect-level (LOAEL) from the toxicity
studies are discussed in the final rule that established a tolerance
for residues of fluoxastrobin in or on squash/cucumber subgroup 9B.
This rule was published in the Federal Register of August 17, 2011 (76
FR 50893) (FRL-8884-4).
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 fluoxastrobin used for
human risk assessment is shown in Table 1 of the final rule published
in the Federal Register of August 17, 2011.
C. Exposure Assessment
1. Dietary exposure from food and feed uses. In evaluating dietary
exposure to fluoxastrobin, EPA considered exposure under the
petitioned-for tolerances as well as all existing fluoxastrobin
tolerances in 40 CFR 180.609. EPA assessed dietary exposures from
fluoxastrobin 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 fluoxastrobin; 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 United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA) 1994-1996 and 1998 Continuing Survey
of Food Intake by Individuals (CSFII). As to residue levels in food,
EPA conducted a conservative dietary exposure assessment for
fluoxastrobin. The assumptions of this dietary assessment included
tolerance level residues and 100 percent crop treated (PCT).
iii. Cancer. Based on the data summarized in Unit III.A., EPA has
concluded that fluoxastrobin 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 PCT information. EPA did not use
anticipated residue information in the dietary assessment for
fluoxastrobin. Tolerance level residues and/or 100 PCT were assumed for
all food commodities.
2. Dietary exposure from drinking water. Based on laboratory
studies, fluoxastrobin persists in soils for several months to several
years and is slightly to moderately mobile in soil.
The Agency used screening level water exposure models in the
dietary exposure analysis and risk assessment for fluoxastrobin in
drinking water. These simulation models take into account data on the
physical, chemical, and fate/transport characteristics of
fluoxastrobin. Further information
[[Page 26469]]
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 Pesticide Root Zone Model/Exposure Analysis Modeling
System (PRZM/EXAMS) and Screening Concentration in Ground Water (SCI-
GROW) models, the estimated drinking water concentrations (EDWCs) of
fluoxastrobin for chronic exposures for non-cancer assessments are
estimated to be 52.9 parts per billion (ppb) for surface water and 0.23
ppb for ground water. Modeled estimates of drinking water
concentrations were directly entered into the dietary exposure model.
For chronic dietary risk assessment, the water concentration of value
53 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). Fluoxastrobin is
currently registered for the following uses that could result in
residential exposures: Spot treatment and/or broadcast control of
diseases on turf, including lawns and golf courses. EPA assessed
residential exposure using the following assumptions: Because of the
potential for application four times per year, exposure duration is
expected to be short-term and intermediate-term. A short-term dermal
endpoint was not identified; therefore, only intermediate-term dermal
risks as well as short- and intermediate-term inhalation risks were
assessed. Homeowner residential applicators are expected to be adults.
There is also the potential for homeowners and their families (of
varying ages) to be exposed as a result of entering areas that have
previously been treated with fluoxastrobin. Exposure might occur on
areas such as lawns used by children or recreational areas such as golf
courses used by adults and youths. Potential routes of exposure include
dermal (adults and children) and incidental oral ingestion (children).
Since no acute hazard has been identified, an assessment of episodic
granular ingestion was not conducted. While it is assumed that most
residential use will result in short-term (1 to 30 days) post-
application exposures, it is believed that intermediate-term exposures
(greater than 30 days up to 180 days) are also possible. Further
information regarding EPA standard assumptions and generic inputs for
residential exposures may be found at: https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/science/residential-exposure-sop.html.
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 fluoxastrobin to share a common mechanism of
toxicity with any other substances, and fluoxastrobin does not appear
to produce a toxic metabolite produced by other substances. For the
purposes of this tolerance action, therefore, EPA has assumed that
fluoxastrobin 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 Food Quality
Protection Act Safety Factor (FQPA 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. The database for evaluating
in utero or postnatal susceptibility includes developmental toxicity
studies in both rats and rabbits and a 2-generation reproduction study
in the rat. The data provide no indication of increased susceptibility
of rats or rabbits to prenatal and postnatal exposure to fluoxastrobin.
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 fluoxastrobin is complete with the
exception of an acceptable functional immunotoxicity study. The Agency
does have an immunotoxicity study for fluoxastrobin but it has
deficiencies that make it unacceptable at this time. The study may be
acceptable if additional information is submitted. Nonetheless, the
Agency does not believe that conducting a new immunotoxicity study will
result in a lower NOAEL than the regulatory dose for risk assessment.
First, the available data do not indicate that fluoxastrobin results in
primary immune system effects; a NOAEL for decreased spleen weight in
the absence of histopathological findings (male rats) was 53
milligrams/kilogram/day (mg/kg/day). In addition, there was no
indication of a functional effect on the immune system in the
unacceptable mouse immunotoxicity study at doses as high as 2,383 mg/
kg/day. Finally, the registrant recently submitted a new immunotoxicity
study. The Agency has not fully reviewed the study at this time, but a
preliminary screen indicates that fluoxastrobin does not appear to
significantly affect the immune system and would not provide a Point of
Departure lower than that currently used for risk assessment. For all
of these reasons, the Agency therefore believes that no additional
safety factor is needed to account for the deficiencies in the first
immunotoxicity study.
ii. There is no indication that fluoxastrobin is a neurotoxic
chemical and there is no need for a developmental neurotoxicity study
or additional uncertainty factors to account for neurotoxicity.
iii. There is no evidence that fluoxastrobin results in increased
susceptibility in in utero rats or rabbits in the prenatal
developmental studies or in young rats in the 2-generation reproduction
study.
iv. There are no residual uncertainties identified in the exposure
databases. EPA made conservative (protective) assumptions in the ground
water and surface water modeling used to assess exposure to
fluoxastrobin 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 fluoxastrobin.
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
acute PAD (aPAD) and
[[Page 26470]]
chronic PAD (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,
fluoxastrobin 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
fluoxastrobin from food and water will utilize 47% of the cPAD for
children 1-2 years old, the population group receiving the greatest
exposure. Based on the explanation in Unit III.C.3., regarding
residential use patterns, chronic residential exposure to residues of
fluoxastrobin is not expected.
3. Short- and intermediate-term risk. Short- and intermediate-term
aggregate exposure take into account short- and intermediate-term
residential exposure plus chronic exposure to food and water
(considered to be a background exposure level). Fluoxastrobin is
currently registered for uses that could result in both short- and
intermediate-term residential exposure, and the Agency has determined
that it is appropriate to aggregate chronic exposure through food and
water with short- and intermediate-term residential exposures of adults
and children to fluoxastrobin. Because all short- and intermediate-term
quantitative hazard assessments (via the dermal and incidental oral
routes) for fluoxastrobin are based on the same endpoint, a screening-
level, conservative aggregate risk assessment was conducted that
combined the short-term incidental oral and intermediate-term exposure
estimates (i.e., the highest exposure estimates) in the risk
assessments for adults. The Agency believes that most residential
exposure will be short-term, based on the use pattern.
There is potential short- and intermediate-term exposure to
fluoxastrobin via the dietary (which is considered background exposure)
and residential (which is considered primary) pathways. For adults,
these pathways lead to exposure via the oral (background), and dermal
and inhalation (primary) routes. For children, these pathways lead to
exposure via the oral (background), and incidental oral and dermal
(primary) routes.
Using the exposure assumptions described in this unit for short-
term exposures, EPA has concluded the combined short- and intermediate-
term food, water, and residential exposures result in aggregate MOEs of
630 for adults; 170 for children (1-2 years old). Because EPA's level
of concern for fluoxastrobin is a MOE of 100 or below, these MOEs are
not of concern.
4. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S. population. Based on the lack of
evidence of carcinogenicity in two adequate rodent carcinogenicity
studies, fluoxastrobin 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 fluoxastrobin residues.
IV. Other Considerations
A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
Adequate enforcement methodology (liquid chromatography/mass
spectrometry/mass spectrometry) is available to enforce the tolerance
expression. Method No. 00604 is available for plant commodities and
Method No. 00691 is available for animal commodities. 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. There are currently no
established Mexican, Canadian, or Codex MRLs or tolerances for
fluoxastrobin in/on peanuts.
C. Revisions to Petitioned-For Tolerances
The proposed commodity term has been revised to agree with the
Agency's Food and Feed Commodity Vocabulary. The petitioned for
commodities were peanut and peanut oil. The correct commodity
definitions are peanut and peanut, refined oil.
V. Conclusion
Therefore, tolerances are established for residues of
fluoxastrobin, in or on peanut and peanut, refined oil at s 0.02 and
0.06 ppm respectively.
VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
This final rule establishes tolerances under FFDCA section 408(d)
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 FFDCA section 408(d), 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
[[Page 26471]]
of FFDCA section 408(n)(4). 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: April 25, 2012.
Daniel J. Rosenblatt,
Acting 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 180.609 is amended by revising the following entries in the
table in paragraph (a)(1) to read as follows:
Sec. 180.609 Fluoxastrobin; tolerances for residues.
(a) * * *
(1) * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parts per
Commodity million
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
Peanut................................................ 0.02
* * * * *
Peanut, refined oil................................... 0.06
* * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2012-10704 Filed 5-3-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P