Trifloxystrobin; Pesticide Tolerances, 65827-65831 [2012-26757]
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 211 / Wednesday, October 31, 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) (2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.).
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) (15 U.S.C. 272 note).
VIII. Congressional Review Act
Pursuant to the Congressional Review
Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), 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 the rule in the Federal
Register. This action 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: October 15, 2012.
Lois Rossi,
Director, Registration Division, Office of
Pesticide Programs.
Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is
amended as follows:
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PART 180—[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for part 180
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.
2. In § 180.920, the table is amended
by adding alphabetically the following
entry immediately before the entry for
‘‘Camphor (CAS Reg. No. 76–22–2).’’
■
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§ 180.920 Inert ingredients used preharvest; exemptions from the requirement
of a tolerance.
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Inert ingredients
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Limits
Uses
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Calcium gluconate (CAS
Reg. No. 299–
28–5).
............
Sequestrant.
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BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA–HQ–OPP–2012–0225; FRL–9360–9]
Trifloxystrobin; Pesticide Tolerances
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
This regulation amends
tolerances for residues of trifloxystrobin
in or on almond hulls; and Vegetable,
root, except sugarbeet, subgroup 1B,
except radish. Bayer CropScience
requested amendments to these
tolerances under the Federal Food,
Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
DATES: This regulation is effective
October 31, 2012. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received
on or before December 31, 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: The docket for this action,
identified by docket identification (ID)
number EPA–HQ–OPP–2012–0225, is
available at https://www.regulations.gov
or at the Office of Pesticide Programs
Regulatory Public Docket (OPP Docket)
in the Environmental Protection Agency
Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West
Bldg., Rm. 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave.
NW., Washington, DC 20460–0001. The
Public Reading Room is open from 8:30
a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through
Friday, excluding legal holidays. The
telephone number for the Public
Reading Room is (202) 566–1744, and
the telephone number for the OPP
Docket is (703) 305–5805. Please review
the visitor instructions and additional
SUMMARY:
Frm 00055
information about the docket available
at https://www.epa.gov/dockets.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dominic Schuler, Registration Division
(7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs,
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington,
DC 20460–0001; telephone number:
(703) 347–0260; email address:
schuler.dominic@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. General Information
[FR Doc. 2012–26523 Filed 10–30–12; 8:45 am]
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A. Does this action apply to me?
You may be potentially affected by
this action if you are an agricultural
producer, food manufacturer, or
pesticide manufacturer. The following
list of North American Industrial
Classification System (NAICS) codes is
not intended to be exhaustive, but rather
provides a guide to help readers
determine whether this document
applies to them. Potentially affected
entities may include:
• Crop production (NAICS code 111).
• Animal production (NAICS code
112).
• Food manufacturing (NAICS code
311).
• Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS
code 32532).
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–2012–0225 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 December 31, 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 (excluding
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any Confidential Business Information
(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 the non-CBI copy of your
objection or hearing request, identified
by docket ID number EPA–HQ–OPP–
2012–0225, by one of the following
methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
instructions for submitting comments.
Do not submit electronically any
information you consider to be CBI or
other information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute.
• Mail: OPP Docket, Environmental
Protection Agency Docket Center (EPA/
DC), (28221T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave.
NW., Washington, DC 20460–0001.
• Hand Delivery: To make special
arrangements for hand delivery or
delivery of boxed information, please
follow the instructions at https://www.
epa.gov/dockets/contacts.htm.
Additional instructions on commenting
or visiting the docket, along with more
information about dockets generally, is
available at https://www.epa.gov/
dockets.
II. Summary of Petitioned-For
Tolerance
In the Federal Register of July, 25
2012 (77 FR 43565) (FRL–9353–6), 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 1F7930) by Bayer
CropScience, 2 TW Alexander Dr., RTP,
NC 27709. The petition requested that
40 CFR 180.555 be amended by
increasing tolerances for residues of the
fungicide trifloxystrobin, (benzeneacetic
acid, (E,E)-[alpha]-(methoxyimino)-2[[[[1-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]
ethylidene]amino]oxy] methyl]-methyl
ester), in or on almond hulls at 9.0 parts
per million (ppm). That notice
referenced a summary of the petition
prepared by Bayer CropScience, the
registrant, which is available in the
docket, https://www.regulations.gov.
There were no comments received in
response to the notice of filing. Bayer
CropScience’s petition also requested
that EPA delete the trifloxystrobin
tolerance for ‘‘Vegetable, root, except
sugar beet, subgroup 1B, except radish.’’
This tolerance was superseded by the
establishment of the tolerance
‘‘Vegetable, root, except sugar beet,
subgroup 1B’’ in the Federal Register of
January 2, 2008 (73 FR 52).
Inadvertently, EPA failed to remove the
‘‘Vegetable, root, except sugar beet,
subgroup 1B, except radish’’ tolerance
when it established the broader
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‘‘Vegetable, root, except sugar beet,
subgroup 1B’’ tolerance.
In addition to the petitioner’s requests
EPA has deleted the tolerance for
almond. The reason for this change is
explained in Unit IV.D.
III. Aggregate Risk Assessment and
Determination of Safety
Section 408(b)(2)(A)(i) of FFDCA
allows EPA to amend 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 amending 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 trifloxystrobin
including exposure resulting from the
tolerances amended by this action.
EPA’s assessment of exposures and risks
associated with trifloxystrobin 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.
Trifloxystrobin exhibits very low
toxicity following single oral, dermal
and inhalation exposures. It is a strong
dermal sensitizer. In repeated dose tests
in rats, the liver is the target organ for
trifloxystrobin; toxicity is induced
following oral and dermal exposure for
28 days. There is no evidence of
increased susceptibility following
prenatal exposure to rats and rabbits
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and postnatal exposures to rats.
Trifloxystrobin was determined not to
be carcinogenic in mice or rats
following long-term dietary
administration. Trifloxystrobin is
positive for mutagenicity in Chinese
Hamster V79 cells, albeit at cytotoxic
dose levels. However, trifloxystrobin is
negative in the remaining mutagenicity
studies.
Specific information on the studies
received and the nature of the adverse
effects caused by trifloxystrobin as well
as the no-observed-adverse-effect-level
(NOAEL) and the lowest-observedadverse-effect-level (LOAEL) from the
toxicity studies are discussed in the
final rule published in the Federal
Register of June 11, 2010 (75 FR 33190)
(FRL–8829–2), and at https://
www.regulations.gov in the document
‘‘Trifloxystrobin. Human Health Risk
Assessment for a Section 3 Petition
Proposing Increased Tolerances for
Residues in/on Field, Sweet and Pop
Corn,’’ pp. 17–21 in docket ID number
EPA–HQ–OPP–2009–0278.
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
trifloxystrobin used for human risk
assessment is discussed in Unit III.B. of
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the final rule published in the Federal
Register of June 11, 2010 (75 FR 33190).
C. Exposure Assessment
1. Dietary exposure from food and
feed uses. In evaluating dietary
exposure to trifloxystrobin, EPA
considered exposure under the
petitioned-for tolerances as well as all
existing trifloxystrobin tolerances in 40
CFR 180.555. EPA assessed dietary
exposures from trifloxystrobin 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. Such effects were identified
for trifloxystrobin. In estimating acute
dietary exposure for females 13–49
years old, EPA conducted an analysis
using the Dietary Exposure Evaluation
Model (DEEMTM 7.81), which used food
consumption information from the
United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA) 1994–1996 and 1998
Nationwide Continuing Surveys of Food
Intake by Individuals (CSFII). As to
residue levels in food, EPA used
tolerance level residues. EPA assumed
all commodities with established or
proposed tolerances were treated with
trifloxystrobin.
ii. Chronic exposure. In conducting
the chronic dietary exposure assessment
EPA used the food consumption data
from the USDA 1994–1996 and 1998
CSFII. As to residue levels in food, EPA
used tolerance level residues for all
commodities with the exception of
apples, oranges and grapes. For these
commodities EPA used anticipated
residues from field residue trials. EPA
assumed all commodities with
established or proposed tolerances were
treated with trifloxystrobin.
iii. Cancer. Based on the data
summarized in Unit III.A., EPA has
concluded that trifloxystrobin 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 information.
Section 408(b)(2)(E) of FFDCA
authorizes EPA to use available data and
information on the anticipated residue
levels of pesticide residues in food and
the actual levels of pesticide residues
that have been measured in food. If EPA
relies on such information, EPA must
require pursuant to FFDCA section
408(f)(1) that data be provided 5 years
after the tolerance is established,
modified, or left in effect, demonstrating
that the levels in food are not above the
levels anticipated. For the present
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action, EPA will issue such Data CallIns as are required by FFDCA section
408(b)(2)(E) and authorized under
FFDCA section 408(f)(1). Data will be
required to be submitted no later than
5 years from the date of issuance of
these tolerances.
2. Dietary exposure from drinking
water. The Agency used screening level
water exposure models in the dietary
exposure analysis and risk assessment
for trifloxystrobin in drinking water.
These simulation models take into
account data on the physical, chemical,
and fate/transport characteristics of
trifloxystrobin. 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 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
trifloxystrobin plus its major
degradation product, are estimated to be
47.98 parts per billion (ppb) and 47.31
ppb for surface water for acute and
chronic exposures, respectively.
Modeled estimates of drinking water
concentrations were directly entered
into the dietary exposure model.
3. From non-dietary exposure. The
term ‘‘residential exposure’’ is used in
this document to refer to nonoccupational, non-dietary exposure
(e.g., for lawn and garden pest control,
indoor pest control, termiticides, and
flea and tick control on pets).
Trifloxystrobin is currently registered
for the following uses that could result
in residential exposures: Ornamentals
and turfgrass. EPA assessed residential
exposure under the following exposure
scenarios: Adult post application
dermal exposure; and children’s postapplication dermal and/or hand-tomouth exposure. 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 trifloxystrobin to
share a common mechanism of toxicity
with any other substances, and
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trifloxystrobin does not appear to
produce a toxic metabolite produced by
other substances. For the purposes of
this tolerance action, therefore, EPA has
assumed that trifloxystrobin 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.
There is no indication of increased
susceptibility of rat or rabbits to
trifloxystrobin. In the prenatal
developmental study in rats, there was
no developmental toxicity at the limit
dose. In the prenatal developmental
study in rabbits, developmental toxicity
was seen at a dose that was higher than
the dose that caused maternal toxicity.
In the 2-generation reproduction study,
there was no offspring toxicity at the
highest dose tested.
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 database is complete except for
an inhalation study. An immunotoxicity
study has been submitted; preliminary
examination of the data found no
evidence of immunotoxicity. In
addition, the entire trifloxystrobin
toxicity database was examined and
there was no indication that this
chemical directly targets the immune
system. EPA does not believe that the
immunotoxicity study will result in a
dose less than the points of departure
already used in this risk assessment and
an additional database uncertainty
factor (UF) for potential immunotoxicity
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does not need to be applied. Regarding
the requirement for an inhalation
toxicity study, the Agency has increased
its focus on the uncertainties associated
with route-to-route extrapolation (i.e.,
the use of oral toxicity studies for
inhalation risk assessment) and is
presently requiring inhalation toxicity
studies more frequently. Although an
inhalation toxicity study is now
required for trifloxystrobin based on the
current weight of the evidence
approach, residential inhalation
exposure is not anticipated; therefore,
there are no uncertainties with respect
to residential inhalation exposures to
trifloxystrobin and no need to retain an
additional database uncertainty factor
for this safety finding.
ii. There is no indication that
trifloxystrobin is a neurotoxic chemical
and there is no need for a
developmental neurotoxicity study or
additional UFs to account for
neurotoxicity. A waiver for a subchronic
neurotoxicity study has been granted.
There is no evidence of neurotoxicity in
subchronic and chronic toxicity studies
(rats, dogs, mice), in developmental
toxicity studies (rats, rabbits), or in a
reproductive toxicity study (rats). There
is no concern for neurotoxicity for
trifloxystrobin based on the available
database, limited findings in an acute
neurotoxicity study, and lack of
neurotoxicity in other fungicides of the
strobilurin class.
iii. There is no evidence that
trifloxystrobin 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 acute dietary exposure assessment
was unrefined, and the chronic dietary
exposure assessment was partially
refined, assuming 100% crop treated
and tolerance-level residues for all
commodities except for apples, grapes,
and oranges where the average field trial
residues were used. By using these
screening-level assessments with minor
refinement, actual exposures/risks from
residues in food will not be
underestimated. EPA made conservative
(protective) assumptions in the ground
water and surface water modeling used
to assess exposure to trifloxystrobin 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 trifloxystrobin.
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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 population
adjusted dose (aPAD) and chronic
population adjusted dose (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. Using the exposure
assumptions discussed in this unit for
acute exposure, the acute dietary
exposure from food and water to
trifloxystrobin will occupy 1.9% of the
aPAD for females 13–49 years old, the
population group receiving the greatest
exposure.
2. Chronic risk. Using the exposure
assumptions described in this unit for
chronic exposure, EPA has concluded
that chronic exposure to trifloxystrobin
from food and water will utilize 64% 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 trifloxystrobin is not
expected.
3. Short-term risk. Short-term
aggregate exposure takes into account
short-term residential exposure plus
chronic exposure to food and water
(considered to be a background
exposure level).
Trifloxystrobin is currently registered
for uses that could result in short-term
residential exposure, and the Agency
has determined that it is appropriate to
aggregate chronic exposure through food
and water with short-term residential
exposures to trifloxystrobin.
Using the exposure assumptions
described in this unit for short-term
exposures, EPA has concluded the
combined short-term food, water, and
residential exposures result in aggregate
MOEs of 1,100 for adults (dermal
residential + dietary food and drinking
water exposures); 650 for children 1–2
years (dermal residential + dietary food
and drinking water exposures); and 130
for children 1–2 years (incidental oral
residential + dietary food and drinking
water exposures). Because EPA’s level
of concern for trifloxystrobin is a MOE
of 100 or less, these MOEs are not of
concern.
4. Intermediate-term risk.
Intermediate-term aggregate exposure
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takes into account intermediate-term
residential exposure plus chronic
exposure to food and water (considered
to be a background exposure level).
Trifloxystrobin is not expected to pose
an intermediate-term risk based on a
short soil half-life (approximately 2
days).
5. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S.
population. Based on the lack of
evidence of carcinogenicity in two
adequate rodent carcinogenicity studies,
trifloxystrobin is not expected to pose a
cancer risk to humans.
6. 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
trifloxystrobin residues.
IV. Other Considerations
A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
Adequate enforcement methodology
(gas chromatography with nitrogen
phosphorus detection (GC/NPD),
Method AG–659A and liquid
chromatography with tandem mass
spectrometry detection (LC/MS/MS),
Method No. 200177) 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
United Nations 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.
The Codex has established an MRL for
trifloxystrobin in or on almond hulls at
3.0 ppm. This MRL is different than the
proposed amended tolerance at 9.0 ppm
for trifloxystrobin in the United States.
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Previously, the domestic tolerance
and Codex MRL of trifloxystrobin were
harmonized at 3.0 ppm. The proposed
amendment, to reduce the preharvest
interval of almond hulls from 60 days to
14 days requires an increase in the
tolerance level from 3.0 ppm to 9.0
ppm.
C. Revisions to Petitioned-For
Tolerances
EPA is deleting the existing tolerance
for almonds. The removal of the specific
tolerance for almonds is a result of the
coverage of almonds within the
established tolerance for nut, tree, group
14 at 0.04 ppm.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES
V. Conclusion
Therefore, the tolerance is amended
for residues of trifloxystrobin,
(benzeneacetic acid, (E,E)-[alpha](methoxyimino)-2-[[[[1-[3
(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethylidene]
amino] oxy]methyl]-methyl ester), in or
on almond, hulls from 3.0 ppm to 9.0
ppm. EPA is also granting the
petitioner’s request to remove the
tolerance for Vegetable, root, except
sugar beet, subgroup 1B, except radish.
This tolerance should have been
removed by EPA in its January 2, 2008
rulemaking, (73 FR 52) (FRL–8342–6),
that added a tolerance for ‘‘Vegetable,
root, except sugar beet, subgroup 1B.’’
The ‘‘Vegetable, root, except sugar beet,
subgroup 1B’’ tolerance was intended as
a replacement for the tolerance
‘‘Vegetable, root, except sugar beet,
subgroup 1B, except radish.’’ EPA is
correcting that error in this action.
Finally, the specific tolerance is
removed for almonds because this
commodity is covered by crop group
tolerances.
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
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:49 Oct 30, 2012
Jkt 229001
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
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) (2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.).
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) (15 U.S.C. 272 note).
VII. Congressional Review Act
Pursuant to the Congressional Review
Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), 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 the rule in the Federal
Register. This action is not a ‘‘major
rule’’ as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
PO 00000
Frm 00059
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180
Environmental protection,
Administrative practice and procedure,
Agricultural commodities, Pesticides
and pests, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
Dated: October 15, 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. In § 180.555, in the table in
paragraph (a), remove the entries for
‘‘Almond’’ and ‘‘Vegetable, root, except
sugar beet, subgroup 1B, except radish’’
and revise the entry for ‘‘Almond,
hulls’’ to read as follows:
■
§ 180.555 Trifloxystrobin; tolerances for
residues.
(a) * * *
Parts per
million
Commodity
*
*
*
*
Almond, hulls ............................
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
9.0
*
*
[FR Doc. 2012–26757 Filed 10–30–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA–HQ–OPP–2012–0279; FRL–9365–3]
A-(R-Nonylphenyl)poly(oxypropylene)
Block Polymer With Poly(oxyethylene);
Tolerance Exemption
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
This regulation amends an
exemption from the requirement of a
tolerance for residues of a-(rNonylphenyl)poly(oxypropylene) block
polymer with poly(oxyethylene); when
used as an inert ingredient in a pesticide
chemical formulation. Stephan
Company submitted a petition to EPA
under the Federal Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), requesting an
exemption from the requirement of a
tolerance. This regulation eliminates the
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\31OCR1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 211 (Wednesday, October 31, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65827-65831]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-26757]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA-HQ-OPP-2012-0225; FRL-9360-9]
Trifloxystrobin; Pesticide Tolerances
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This regulation amends tolerances for residues of
trifloxystrobin in or on almond hulls; and Vegetable, root, except
sugarbeet, subgroup 1B, except radish. Bayer CropScience requested
amendments to these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
DATES: This regulation is effective October 31, 2012. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received on or before December 31, 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: The docket for this action, identified by docket
identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2012-0225, is available at https://www.regulations.gov or at the Office of Pesticide Programs Regulatory
Public Docket (OPP Docket) in the Environmental Protection Agency
Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West Bldg., Rm. 3334, 1301 Constitution
Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001. The Public Reading Room is open
from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal
holidays. The telephone number for the Public Reading Room is (202)
566-1744, and the telephone number for the OPP Docket is (703) 305-
5805. Please review the visitor instructions and additional information
about the docket available at https://www.epa.gov/dockets.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dominic Schuler, Registration Division
(7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency,
1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone
number: (703) 347-0260; email address: schuler.dominic@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.
The following list of North American Industrial Classification System
(NAICS) codes is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a
guide to help readers determine whether this document applies to them.
Potentially affected entities may include:
Crop production (NAICS code 111).
Animal production (NAICS code 112).
Food manufacturing (NAICS code 311).
Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS code 32532).
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-2012-0225 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
December 31, 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 (excluding
[[Page 65828]]
any Confidential Business Information (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
the non-CBI copy of your objection or hearing request, identified by
docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2012-0225, by one of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Do not submit
electronically any information you consider to be CBI or other
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
Mail: OPP Docket, Environmental Protection Agency Docket
Center (EPA/DC), (28221T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC
20460-0001.
Hand Delivery: To make special arrangements for hand
delivery or delivery of boxed information, please follow the
instructions at https://www.epa.gov/dockets/contacts.htm.
Additional instructions on commenting or visiting the docket, along
with more information about dockets generally, is available at https://www.epa.gov/dockets.
II. Summary of Petitioned-For Tolerance
In the Federal Register of July, 25 2012 (77 FR 43565) (FRL-9353-
6), 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 1F7930)
by Bayer CropScience, 2 TW Alexander Dr., RTP, NC 27709. The petition
requested that 40 CFR 180.555 be amended by increasing tolerances for
residues of the fungicide trifloxystrobin, (benzeneacetic acid, (E,E)-
[alpha]-(methoxyimino)-2-[[[[1-[3-
(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethylidene]amino]oxy] methyl]-methyl ester), in
or on almond hulls at 9.0 parts per million (ppm). That notice
referenced a summary of the petition prepared by Bayer CropScience, the
registrant, which is available in the docket, https://www.regulations.gov. There were no comments received in response to the
notice of filing. Bayer CropScience's petition also requested that EPA
delete the trifloxystrobin tolerance for ``Vegetable, root, except
sugar beet, subgroup 1B, except radish.'' This tolerance was superseded
by the establishment of the tolerance ``Vegetable, root, except sugar
beet, subgroup 1B'' in the Federal Register of January 2, 2008 (73 FR
52). Inadvertently, EPA failed to remove the ``Vegetable, root, except
sugar beet, subgroup 1B, except radish'' tolerance when it established
the broader ``Vegetable, root, except sugar beet, subgroup 1B''
tolerance.
In addition to the petitioner's requests EPA has deleted the
tolerance for almond. The reason for this change is explained in Unit
IV.D.
III. Aggregate Risk Assessment and Determination of Safety
Section 408(b)(2)(A)(i) of FFDCA allows EPA to amend 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 amending 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 trifloxystrobin including
exposure resulting from the tolerances amended by this action. EPA's
assessment of exposures and risks associated with trifloxystrobin
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.
Trifloxystrobin exhibits very low toxicity following single oral,
dermal and inhalation exposures. It is a strong dermal sensitizer. In
repeated dose tests in rats, the liver is the target organ for
trifloxystrobin; toxicity is induced following oral and dermal exposure
for 28 days. There is no evidence of increased susceptibility following
prenatal exposure to rats and rabbits and postnatal exposures to rats.
Trifloxystrobin was determined not to be carcinogenic in mice or rats
following long-term dietary administration. Trifloxystrobin is positive
for mutagenicity in Chinese Hamster V79 cells, albeit at cytotoxic dose
levels. However, trifloxystrobin is negative in the remaining
mutagenicity studies.
Specific information on the studies received and the nature of the
adverse effects caused by trifloxystrobin 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
published in the Federal Register of June 11, 2010 (75 FR 33190) (FRL-
8829-2), and at https://www.regulations.gov in the document
``Trifloxystrobin. Human Health Risk Assessment for a Section 3
Petition Proposing Increased Tolerances for Residues in/on Field, Sweet
and Pop Corn,'' pp. 17-21 in docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0278.
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 trifloxystrobin used for human risk assessment is
discussed in Unit III.B. of
[[Page 65829]]
the final rule published in the Federal Register of June 11, 2010 (75
FR 33190).
C. Exposure Assessment
1. Dietary exposure from food and feed uses. In evaluating dietary
exposure to trifloxystrobin, EPA considered exposure under the
petitioned-for tolerances as well as all existing trifloxystrobin
tolerances in 40 CFR 180.555. EPA assessed dietary exposures from
trifloxystrobin 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. Such effects were identified
for trifloxystrobin. In estimating acute dietary exposure for females
13-49 years old, EPA conducted an analysis using the Dietary Exposure
Evaluation Model (DEEM\TM\ 7.81), which used food consumption
information from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
1994-1996 and 1998 Nationwide Continuing Surveys of Food Intake by
Individuals (CSFII). As to residue levels in food, EPA used tolerance
level residues. EPA assumed all commodities with established or
proposed tolerances were treated with trifloxystrobin.
ii. Chronic exposure. In conducting the chronic dietary exposure
assessment EPA used the food consumption data from the USDA 1994-1996
and 1998 CSFII. As to residue levels in food, EPA used tolerance level
residues for all commodities with the exception of apples, oranges and
grapes. For these commodities EPA used anticipated residues from field
residue trials. EPA assumed all commodities with established or
proposed tolerances were treated with trifloxystrobin.
iii. Cancer. Based on the data summarized in Unit III.A., EPA has
concluded that trifloxystrobin 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 information. Section 408(b)(2)(E) of FFDCA
authorizes EPA to use available data and information on the anticipated
residue levels of pesticide residues in food and the actual levels of
pesticide residues that have been measured in food. If EPA relies on
such information, EPA must require pursuant to FFDCA section 408(f)(1)
that data be provided 5 years after the tolerance is established,
modified, or left in effect, demonstrating that the levels in food are
not above the levels anticipated. For the present action, EPA will
issue such Data Call-Ins as are required by FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(E)
and authorized under FFDCA section 408(f)(1). Data will be required to
be submitted no later than 5 years from the date of issuance of these
tolerances.
2. Dietary exposure from drinking water. The Agency used screening
level water exposure models in the dietary exposure analysis and risk
assessment for trifloxystrobin in drinking water. These simulation
models take into account data on the physical, chemical, and fate/
transport characteristics of trifloxystrobin. 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 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
trifloxystrobin plus its major degradation product, are estimated to be
47.98 parts per billion (ppb) and 47.31 ppb for surface water for acute
and chronic exposures, respectively. Modeled estimates of drinking
water concentrations were directly entered into the dietary exposure
model.
3. From non-dietary exposure. The term ``residential exposure'' is
used in this document to refer to non-occupational, non-dietary
exposure (e.g., for lawn and garden pest control, indoor pest control,
termiticides, and flea and tick control on pets).
Trifloxystrobin is currently registered for the following uses that
could result in residential exposures: Ornamentals and turfgrass. EPA
assessed residential exposure under the following exposure scenarios:
Adult post application dermal exposure; and children's post-application
dermal and/or hand-to-mouth exposure. 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 trifloxystrobin to share a common mechanism of
toxicity with any other substances, and trifloxystrobin does not appear
to produce a toxic metabolite produced by other substances. For the
purposes of this tolerance action, therefore, EPA has assumed that
trifloxystrobin 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. There is no indication of
increased susceptibility of rat or rabbits to trifloxystrobin. In the
prenatal developmental study in rats, there was no developmental
toxicity at the limit dose. In the prenatal developmental study in
rabbits, developmental toxicity was seen at a dose that was higher than
the dose that caused maternal toxicity. In the 2-generation
reproduction study, there was no offspring toxicity at the highest dose
tested.
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 database is complete except for an inhalation study. An
immunotoxicity study has been submitted; preliminary examination of the
data found no evidence of immunotoxicity. In addition, the entire
trifloxystrobin toxicity database was examined and there was no
indication that this chemical directly targets the immune system. EPA
does not believe that the immunotoxicity study will result in a dose
less than the points of departure already used in this risk assessment
and an additional database uncertainty factor (UF) for potential
immunotoxicity
[[Page 65830]]
does not need to be applied. Regarding the requirement for an
inhalation toxicity study, the Agency has increased its focus on the
uncertainties associated with route-to-route extrapolation (i.e., the
use of oral toxicity studies for inhalation risk assessment) and is
presently requiring inhalation toxicity studies more frequently.
Although an inhalation toxicity study is now required for
trifloxystrobin based on the current weight of the evidence approach,
residential inhalation exposure is not anticipated; therefore, there
are no uncertainties with respect to residential inhalation exposures
to trifloxystrobin and no need to retain an additional database
uncertainty factor for this safety finding.
ii. There is no indication that trifloxystrobin is a neurotoxic
chemical and there is no need for a developmental neurotoxicity study
or additional UFs to account for neurotoxicity. A waiver for a
subchronic neurotoxicity study has been granted. There is no evidence
of neurotoxicity in subchronic and chronic toxicity studies (rats,
dogs, mice), in developmental toxicity studies (rats, rabbits), or in a
reproductive toxicity study (rats). There is no concern for
neurotoxicity for trifloxystrobin based on the available database,
limited findings in an acute neurotoxicity study, and lack of
neurotoxicity in other fungicides of the strobilurin class.
iii. There is no evidence that trifloxystrobin 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 acute dietary exposure assessment was unrefined, and the
chronic dietary exposure assessment was partially refined, assuming
100% crop treated and tolerance-level residues for all commodities
except for apples, grapes, and oranges where the average field trial
residues were used. By using these screening-level assessments with
minor refinement, actual exposures/risks from residues in food will not
be underestimated. EPA made conservative (protective) assumptions in
the ground water and surface water modeling used to assess exposure to
trifloxystrobin in drinking water. EPA used similarly conservative
assumptions to assess post-application exposure of children as well as
incidental oral exposure of toddlers. These assessments will not
underestimate the exposure and risks posed by trifloxystrobin.
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 population adjusted dose (aPAD) and chronic population adjusted
dose (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. Using the exposure assumptions discussed in this
unit for acute exposure, the acute dietary exposure from food and water
to trifloxystrobin will occupy 1.9% of the aPAD for females 13-49 years
old, the population group receiving the greatest exposure.
2. Chronic risk. Using the exposure assumptions described in this
unit for chronic exposure, EPA has concluded that chronic exposure to
trifloxystrobin from food and water will utilize 64% 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
trifloxystrobin is not expected.
3. Short-term risk. Short-term aggregate exposure takes into
account short-term residential exposure plus chronic exposure to food
and water (considered to be a background exposure level).
Trifloxystrobin is currently registered for uses that could result
in short-term residential exposure, and the Agency has determined that
it is appropriate to aggregate chronic exposure through food and water
with short-term residential exposures to trifloxystrobin.
Using the exposure assumptions described in this unit for short-
term exposures, EPA has concluded the combined short-term food, water,
and residential exposures result in aggregate MOEs of 1,100 for adults
(dermal residential + dietary food and drinking water exposures); 650
for children 1-2 years (dermal residential + dietary food and drinking
water exposures); and 130 for children 1-2 years (incidental oral
residential + dietary food and drinking water exposures). Because EPA's
level of concern for trifloxystrobin is a MOE of 100 or less, these
MOEs are not of concern.
4. Intermediate-term risk. Intermediate-term aggregate exposure
takes into account intermediate-term residential exposure plus chronic
exposure to food and water (considered to be a background exposure
level). Trifloxystrobin is not expected to pose an intermediate-term
risk based on a short soil half-life (approximately 2 days).
5. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S. population. Based on the lack of
evidence of carcinogenicity in two adequate rodent carcinogenicity
studies, trifloxystrobin is not expected to pose a cancer risk to
humans.
6. 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 trifloxystrobin residues.
IV. Other Considerations
A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
Adequate enforcement methodology (gas chromatography with nitrogen
phosphorus detection (GC/NPD), Method AG-659A and liquid chromatography
with tandem mass spectrometry detection (LC/MS/MS), Method No. 200177)
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 United Nations
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.
The Codex has established an MRL for trifloxystrobin in or on
almond hulls at 3.0 ppm. This MRL is different than the proposed
amended tolerance at 9.0 ppm for trifloxystrobin in the United States.
[[Page 65831]]
Previously, the domestic tolerance and Codex MRL of trifloxystrobin
were harmonized at 3.0 ppm. The proposed amendment, to reduce the
preharvest interval of almond hulls from 60 days to 14 days requires an
increase in the tolerance level from 3.0 ppm to 9.0 ppm.
C. Revisions to Petitioned-For Tolerances
EPA is deleting the existing tolerance for almonds. The removal of
the specific tolerance for almonds is a result of the coverage of
almonds within the established tolerance for nut, tree, group 14 at
0.04 ppm.
V. Conclusion
Therefore, the tolerance is amended for residues of
trifloxystrobin, (benzeneacetic acid, (E,E)-[alpha]-(methoxyimino)-2-
[[[[1-[3(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethylidene]amino] oxy]methyl]-methyl
ester), in or on almond, hulls from 3.0 ppm to 9.0 ppm. EPA is also
granting the petitioner's request to remove the tolerance for
Vegetable, root, except sugar beet, subgroup 1B, except radish. This
tolerance should have been removed by EPA in its January 2, 2008
rulemaking, (73 FR 52) (FRL-8342-6), that added a tolerance for
``Vegetable, root, except sugar beet, subgroup 1B.'' The ``Vegetable,
root, except sugar beet, subgroup 1B'' tolerance was intended as a
replacement for the tolerance ``Vegetable, root, except sugar beet,
subgroup 1B, except radish.'' EPA is correcting that error in this
action. Finally, the specific tolerance is removed for almonds because
this commodity is covered by crop group tolerances.
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
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) (2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.).
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) (15 U.S.C. 272 note).
VII. Congressional Review Act
Pursuant to the Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.),
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
the rule in the Federal Register. This action 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: October 15, 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. In Sec. 180.555, in the table in paragraph (a), remove the entries
for ``Almond'' and ``Vegetable, root, except sugar beet, subgroup 1B,
except radish'' and revise the entry for ``Almond, hulls'' to read as
follows:
Sec. 180.555 Trifloxystrobin; tolerances for residues.
(a) * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parts per
Commodity million
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
Almond, hulls.............................................. 9.0
* * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2012-26757 Filed 10-30-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P