Quinoxyfen; Pesticide Tolerances, 57276-57280 [2013-22597]
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I. General Information
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[FR Doc. 2013–22623 Filed 9–17–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA–HQ–OPP–2012–0911; FRL–9398–9]
Quinoxyfen; Pesticide Tolerances
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
This regulation establishes
tolerances for residues of quinoxyfen in
or on multiple commodities which are
identified and discussed later in this
document. This regulation also deletes
the established tolerances in or on
grape; pepper, bell; pepper, nonbell; and
strawberry as they will be superseded
by crop group/subgroup tolerances
established by this tolerance rule. The
Interregional Research Project Number 4
(IR–4) Project Headquarters requested
these tolerances under the Federal Food,
Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
DATES: This regulation is effective
September 18, 2013. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received
on or before November 18, 2013, 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–2012–0911, 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: Lois
Rossi, Registration Division (7505P),
Office of Pesticide Programs,
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington,
DC 20460–0001; telephone number:
(703) 305–7090; email address:
RDFRNotices@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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SUMMARY:
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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://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/textidx?&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–2012–0911 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 November 18, 2013. 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
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–
2012–0911, by one of the following
methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
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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.html.
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 Wednesday,
January 16, 2013 (78 FR 3377) (FRL–
9375–4), EPA issued a document
pursuant to FFDCA section 408(d)(3), 21
U.S.C. 346a(d)(3), announcing the filing
of a pesticide petition (PP 2E8117) by
IR–4 Project Headquarters, 500 College
Road East, Suite 201W, Princeton, NJ
08540. The petition requested that 40
CFR 180.588 be amended by
establishing tolerances for residues of
the fungicide quinoxyfen, 5,7-dichloro4-(4-fluorophenoxy)quinoline, in or on
berry, low growing, subgroup 13–07G at
0.90 parts per million (ppm); fruiting,
small, vine climbing, except fuzzy
kiwifruit, subgroup 13–07F at 0.60 ppm
and vegetable, fruiting, group 8–10 at
1.7 ppm. In addition, the petition
requested removal of established
tolerances in or on grape at 0.60 ppm;
strawberry at 0.90 ppm; pepper, bell at
0.35 ppm; and pepper, nonbell at 1.7
ppm, as these will be superseded upon
approval of the proposed tolerances.
That document referenced a summary of
the petition prepared by Dow
AgroSciences 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.
EPA has revised proposed tolerance
levels for several commodities and
revised the quinoxyfen tolerance
expression for all established
commodities. The reasons for these
changes are 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
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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 quinoxyfen
including exposure resulting from the
tolerances established by this action.
EPA’s assessment of exposures and risks
associated with quinoxyfen follows.
A. Toxicological Profile
EPA has evaluated the available
toxicity data and considered their
validity, completeness, and reliability as
well as the relationship of the results of
the studies to human risk. EPA has also
considered available information
concerning the variability of the
sensitivities of major identifiable
subgroups of consumers, including
infants and children.
The primary target organs affected by
quinoxyfen are the liver and kidney.
The most sensitive species was the rat.
Liver effects were seen in the
subchronic rat and mouse studies as
well as the chronic dog study.
Subchronic effects observed in rats and
mice at high doses included increased
liver weights, hepatocellular
hypertrophy, and individual cell
hepatocellular necrosis. Chronic effects
observed in the dog included increased
liver weights, increased alkaline
phosphatase levels, and increased
incidence of very slight to slight
microscopic hepatic lesions. Kidney
effects were noted in the rat combined
chronic/carcinogenicity study that
resulted in an increased severity of
chronic progressive
glomerulonephropathy in males. Bodyweight decrements were seen in the rat
and/or mouse subchronic, chronic and
carcinogenicity studies as well as the
rabbit developmental and rat
reproduction studies.
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Oral rat and rabbit developmental
studies showed no increased qualitative
or quantitative susceptibility of
offspring to quinoxyfen in utero. In the
rabbit developmental toxicity study,
maternal and developmental toxicity
were observed at the highest dose tested
(HDT) (lowest-observed adverse-effect
level; LOAEL = 200 mg/kg/day).
Maternal effects included inanition
(exhaustion due to lack of nourishment),
clinical signs, decreased body weight
and body-weight gains, decreased food
consumption, and increased incidence
of abortion late in pregnancy.
Developmental toxicity was evidenced
as increased incidence of abortion late
in pregnancy. No maternal or
developmental toxicity was observed in
the rat developmental study up to the
limit dose of 1,000 mg/kg/day. In the 2generation rat reproduction study, no
parental effects were observed up to the
HDT (100 mg/kg/day) while firstgeneration pup weights were reduced at
the same dose. There is apparent
quantitative susceptibility when looking
at the 2-generation reproductive study
in isolation, but when using a weightof-evidence approach that puts the
offspring findings in the 2-generation
reproduction toxicity study in context
with the full toxicological database
there is no concern for susceptibility to
offspring since it is anticipated that
parental toxicity would have been
observed at the same dose (see Unit
III.D.2).
No evidence of neurotoxicity or
neuropathology was seen in any of the
submitted studies.
A 28-day immunotoxicity study
showed no evidence that quinoxyfen
elicits an immunotoxic response up to
the HDT.
The EPA has classified quinoxyfen as
‘‘not likely to be carcinogenic to
humans’’ based on no evidence of
carcinogenicity in rat or mice studies.
Moreover, quinoxyfen did not show
evidence of mutagenicity in in vitro or
in vivo studies.
Specific information on the studies
received and the nature of the adverse
effects caused by quinoxyfen as well as
the no-observed-adverse-effect-level
(NOAEL) and the lowest-observedadverse-effect-level (LOAEL) from the
toxicity studies can be found at https://
www.regulations.gov in document:
‘‘Quinoxyfen. Human-Health Risk
Assessment for the Proposed Uses on
Vegetable, Fruiting, Group 8–10; Fruit,
Small Vine Climbing, Except Fuzzy
Kiwifruit, Subgroup 13–07F; and Berry,
Low Growing Subgroup 13–07G,’’ dated
August 20, 2013, pp. 27–30 in docket ID
number EPA–HQ–OPP–2012–0911.
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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
assessment process, see https://
www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/
riskassess.htm.
Following is a summary of the ‘‘DoseResponse Assessment’’ with the
appropriate toxicological endpoints
used if available from the human health
risk assessment.
1. Acute dietary endpoint (all
populations). There were no adverse
effects observed attributable to a single
dose for the general population
(including infants and children) or
females 13–49 years of age; therefore, an
acute RfD and PAD were not calculated
for this exposure scenario.
2. Chronic dietary endpoint (all
populations). The chronic RfD (cRfD)
was established based on the NOAEL
(20 mg/kg/day) from the rat combined
chronic toxicity/carcinogenicity study.
The LOAEL of 80 mg/kg/day in this
study is based on increases in severity
of chronic progressive
glomerulonephropathy in the males and
minimal decreases in body weight and
body-weight gain in both sexes. The
NOAEL of 20 mg/kg was chosen because
the study and endpoint are appropriate
for the route and duration of exposure.
The cPAD of 0.2 mg/kg/day is derived
from the NOAEL of 20 mg/kg/day and
a 100-fold uncertainty factor (10X for
interspecies extrapolation, 10X for
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intraspecies variation, and 1X for FQPA
SF).
3. Cancer classification. The Agency
classified quinoxyfen as ‘‘not likely to
be carcinogenic to humans’’ by all
routes of exposure based upon lack of
evidence of carcinogenicity in rats and
mice.
C. Exposure Assessment
1. Dietary exposure from food and
feed uses. In evaluating dietary
exposure to quinoxyfen, EPA
considered exposure under the
petitioned-for tolerances as well as all
existing quinoxyfen tolerances in 40
CFR 180.588. EPA assessed dietary
exposures from quinoxyfen 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 one-day or
single exposure. No such effects were
identified in the toxicological studies
for quinoxyfen; therefore, a quantitative
acute dietary exposure assessment is
unnecessary.
ii. Chronic exposure. In conducting
the chronic dietary exposure assessment
EPA used Dietary Exposure Evaluation
Model—Food Consumption Intake
Database (DEEM–FCID), ver. 3.16 which
incorporates consumption data from the
United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA) 2003–2008 National Health and
Nutrition Examination Survey, What We
Eat in America (NHANES/WWEA). The
unrefined chronic analysis assumed 100
percent crop treated (PCT), DEEM 7.81
default concentration factors, and
tolerance-level residues for all existing
and proposed crop uses.
iii. Cancer. Based on the data
summarized in Unit III.A., EPA has
concluded that quinoxyfen 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 or PCT information
in the dietary assessment for
quinoxyfen. Tolerance-level residues
and 100 PCT were assumed for all food
commodities.
2. Dietary exposure from drinking
water. The Agency used screening level
water exposure models in the dietary
exposure analysis and risk assessment
for quinoxyfen in drinking water. These
simulation models take into account
data on the physical, chemical, and fate/
transport characteristics of quinoxyfen.
Further information regarding EPA
drinking water models used in pesticide
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exposure assessment can be found at
https://www.epa.gov/oppefed1/models/
water/index.htm.
Based on the First Index Reservoir
Screening Tool (FIRST) for surface
water, and the Screening Concentration
in Ground Water (SCI–GROW) models
for ground water, the estimated drinking
water concentrations (EDWCs) of
quinoxyfen for chronic exposure,
assessments are estimated to be 0.66
ppb for surface water and for ground
water, the estimated drinking water
concentration is 0.0034 ppb.
Modeled estimates of drinking water
concentrations were directly entered
into the dietary exposure model. For
chronic dietary risk assessment, the
water concentration of value 0.66 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).
Quinoxyfen is not registered for any
specific use patterns that would result
in residential exposure.
4. Cumulative effects from substances
with a common mechanism of toxicity.
Section 408(b)(2)(D)(v) of FFDCA
requires that, when considering whether
to establish, modify, or revoke a
tolerance, the Agency consider
‘‘available information’’ concerning the
cumulative effects of a particular
pesticide’s residues and ‘‘other
substances that have a common
mechanism of toxicity.’’
EPA has not found quinoxyfen to
share a common mechanism of toxicity
with any other substances, and
quinoxyfen does not appear to produce
a toxic metabolite produced by other
substances. For the purposes of this
tolerance action, therefore, EPA has
assumed that quinoxyfen 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
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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.
Oral rat and rabbit developmental
studies showed no increased qualitative
or quantitative susceptibility of
offspring to quinoxyfen in utero. In
isolation, there is evidence of increased
quantitative susceptibility in the
2-generation reproduction toxicity
study. No parental effects were observed
up to the HDT (100 mg/kg/day) while
first-generation pup weights were
reduced at the same dose. Concern is
low since:
i. The effects in pups are well
characterized with a clear NOAEL of 20
mg/kg/day.
ii. The pup effects are minimal at the
LOAEL and only noted in the firstgeneration offspring.
iii. The doses and endpoints selected
for regulatory purposes would address
concerns for the pup effects noted in the
rat reproduction study.
Additionally, taking into consideration
the full toxicological database, there
would be no susceptibility to offspring
since assessments to parental animals
are intentionally limited in the 2generation reproduction study to avoid
stressing dams and affecting the rearing
and care of offspring. If additional
evaluations had been performed on
parental animals in the 2-generation
reproduction study, including
histopathology and organ weight
assessments, then it is expected that the
kidney and liver effects observed in the
rat subchronic oral study and in the
interim (12 months) and final sacrifices
of the rat chronic toxicity/
carcinogenicity study would have been
seen at the 100 mg/kg/day dose in the
reproduction study. Therefore, when
using a weight-of-evidence approach
that puts the offspring findings in the 2generation reproduction toxicity study
in context with the full toxicological
database there is no concern for
susceptibility to offspring since it is
anticipated that parental toxicity would
have been observed at the same dose.
3. Conclusion. EPA has determined
that reliable data show the safety of
infants and children would be
adequately protected if the FQPA SF is
reduced to 1X. That decision is based on
the following findings:
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i. The toxicity database for
quinoxyfen is complete.
ii. There is no indication that
quinoxyfen is a neurotoxic chemical
based on available acute and subchronic
neurotoxicity studies. EPA determined
that there is no need to require a
developmental neurotoxicity study or
apply additional uncertainty factors to
account for neurotoxicity.
iii. Using the full toxicological
database, there is no indication that
quinoxyfen will result in increased
susceptibility to offspring (see Unit
III.D.2).
iv. There are no residual uncertainties
identified in the exposure databases.
The dietary food exposure assessments
were performed based on 100 PCT,
tolerance-level residues, and DEEM 7.81
default processing factors. EPA made
conservative (protective) assumptions in
the ground and surface water modeling
used to assess exposure to quinoxyfen
in drinking water. These assessments
will not underestimate the exposure and
risks posed by quinoxyfen.
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
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 and no acute
dietary endpoint was identified for any
segment of the United States (U.S.)
population. Therefore, quinoxyfen 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 quinoxyfen
from food and water will utilize 8.5% of
the cPAD for children 1–2 years old the
population group receiving the greatest
exposure. There are no residential uses
for quinoxyfen.
3. Short-term and intermediate-term
risks. Short-term and intermediate-term
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aggregate exposure takes into account
short-term and intermediate-term
residential exposure plus chronic
exposure to food and water (considered
to be a background exposure level).
Quinoxyfen is not registered for any use
patterns that would result in residential
exposure. Therefore, the short-term and
intermediate-term aggregate risk is the
sum of the risk from exposure to
quinoxyfen through food and water and
will not be greater than the chronic
aggregate risk.
4. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S.
population. Based on the lack of
evidence of carcinogenicity in two
adequate rodent carcinogenicity studies,
quinoxyfen 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 quinoxyfen
residues.
IV. Other Considerations
A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
An adequate gas chromatography/
mass-selective detector (GC/MSD)
method is available for enforcing
quinoxyfen tolerances (DowElanco
Procedure ERC95.26); a successful
petition method validation (PMV) has
been completed. The lowest level of
method validation (LLMV) was 0.01
ppm. Samples from the submitted field
and processing studies were analyzed
using a high-performance liquid
chromatography/mass spectrometry
(HPLC/MS) method derived from Dow
AgroSciences Report RF 98–200 dated
May 31, 1999; method entitled
‘‘Determination of Residues of
Quinoxyfen Applied as EF–1295 in
Hops.’’ The LLMV was 0.01 ppm for
quinoxyfen in all tomato matrices.
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
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(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.
Codex MRLs are established for
residues of quinoxyfen per se in/on
grapes, strawberries, and peppers. EPA
is raising the level of the requested U.S.
tolerances for residues of quinoxyfen in/
on the berry, low growing subgroup 13–
07G and the fruit, small, vine climbing,
except fuzzy kiwifruit, subgroup 13–07F
in order to harmonize with the Codex
MRLs. Harmonization of the requested
U.S. tolerance for residues of
quinoxyfen in/on the vegetable, fruiting,
group 8–10 (1.7 ppm) with the Codex
MRL for peppers (1 ppm) is not possible
because residue data from field trials
conducted in the U.S. with quinoxyfen
show that residues levels resulting from
use of quinoxyfen under the existing
U.S. registration on peppers may exceed
the Codex MRL.
C. Revisions to Petitioned-for Tolerances
EPA increased the proposed tolerance
levels for fruit, small, vine climbing,
except fuzzy kiwifruit, subgroup 13–07F
and berry, low growing, subgroup 13–
07G to 2.0 ppm and 1.0 ppm,
respectively, in order to harmonize with
international Codex maximum residue
limits (MRLs). EPA relied on
Organization for Economic Co-operation
and Development (OECD) tolerancecalculation procedures and the
submitted residue data sets in
establishing these tolerances.
In addition, EPA revised the
quinoxyfen tolerance expression to
clarify:
1. That, as provided in FFDCA section
408(a)(3), the tolerance covers
metabolites and degradates of
quinoxyfen not specifically mentioned;
and
2. That compliance with the specified
tolerance levels is to be determined by
measuring only the specific compounds
mentioned in the tolerance expression.
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 181 / Wednesday, September 18, 2013 / Rules and Regulations
V. Conclusion
Therefore, tolerances are established
for residues of quinoxyfen (5,7-dichloro4-(4-fluorophen oxy)quinoline) in or on
berry, low growing, subgroup 13–07G at
1.0 ppm; fruit, small, vine climbing,
except fuzzy kiwifruit, subgroup 13–07F
at 2.0 ppm; and vegetable, fruiting,
group 8–10 at 1.7 ppm.
pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with RULES
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
VerDate Mar<15>2010
15:23 Sep 17, 2013
Jkt 229001
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: September 9, 2013.
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 § 180.588 amend paragraph (a) as
follows:
■ i. Revise the introductory text,
■ ii. Remove entries for commodities:
‘‘Grape’’; ‘‘Pepper, bell’’; ‘‘Pepper,
nonbell’’; and ‘‘Strawberry’’, and
■ iii. Alphabetically add the following
commodities to the table.
The additions read as follows:
■
§ 180.588 Quinoxyfen; tolerance for
residues.
(a) General. Tolerances are
established for residues of the fungicide
quinoxyfen, including its metabolites
and degradates, in or on the
commodities in the following table.
PO 00000
Frm 00054
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
Compliance with the tolerance levels
specified in the following table is to be
determined by measuring only
quinoxyfen (5,7-dichloro-4-(4fluorophenoxy)quinoline).
Parts per
million
Commodity
*
*
*
*
Berry, low growing, subgroup
13–07G .................................
Fruit, small vine climbing, except fuzzy kiwifruit, subgroup
13–07F ..................................
*
*
*
*
*
Vegetable, fruiting, group 8–10
*
*
*
*
*
1.0
2.0
1.7
*
[FR Doc. 2013–22597 Filed 9–17–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA–HQ–OPP–2012–0635; FRL–9395–1]
Chlorantraniliprole; Pesticide
Tolerances
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
This regulation establishes
tolerances for residues of the insecticide
chlorantraniliprole in or on multiple
commodities which are identified and
discussed later in this document. In
addition, this regulation removes
established tolerances for certain
commodities/groups superseded by this
action. The Interregional Research
Project Number 4 (IR–4) requested these
tolerances under the Federal Food,
Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
DATES: This regulation is effective
September 18, 2013. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received
on or before November 18, 2013, 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–2012–0635, 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
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\18SER1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 181 (Wednesday, September 18, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57276-57280]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-22597]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA-HQ-OPP-2012-0911; FRL-9398-9]
Quinoxyfen; Pesticide Tolerances
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of
quinoxyfen in or on multiple commodities which are identified and
discussed later in this document. This regulation also deletes the
established tolerances in or on grape; pepper, bell; pepper, nonbell;
and strawberry as they will be superseded by crop group/subgroup
tolerances established by this tolerance rule. The Interregional
Research Project Number 4 (IR-4) Project Headquarters requested these
tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
DATES: This regulation is effective September 18, 2013. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received on or before November 18, 2013,
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-2012-0911, 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: Lois Rossi, Registration Division
(7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency,
1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone
number: (703) 305-7090; email address: RDFRNotices@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://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/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-2012-0911 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
November 18, 2013. 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 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-2012-0911, 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.html.
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 Wednesday, January 16, 2013 (78 FR 3377)
(FRL-9375-4), EPA issued a document pursuant to FFDCA section
408(d)(3), 21 U.S.C. 346a(d)(3), announcing the filing of a pesticide
petition (PP 2E8117) by IR-4 Project Headquarters, 500 College Road
East, Suite 201W, Princeton, NJ 08540. The petition requested that 40
CFR 180.588 be amended by establishing tolerances for residues of the
fungicide quinoxyfen, 5,7-dichloro-4-(4-fluorophenoxy)quinoline, in or
on berry, low growing, subgroup 13-07G at 0.90 parts per million (ppm);
fruiting, small, vine climbing, except fuzzy kiwifruit, subgroup 13-07F
at 0.60 ppm and vegetable, fruiting, group 8-10 at 1.7 ppm. In
addition, the petition requested removal of established tolerances in
or on grape at 0.60 ppm; strawberry at 0.90 ppm; pepper, bell at 0.35
ppm; and pepper, nonbell at 1.7 ppm, as these will be superseded upon
approval of the proposed tolerances. That document referenced a summary
of the petition prepared by Dow AgroSciences 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.
EPA has revised proposed tolerance levels for several commodities
and revised the quinoxyfen tolerance expression for all established
commodities. The reasons for these changes are 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
[[Page 57277]]
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 quinoxyfen including exposure
resulting from the tolerances established by this action. EPA's
assessment of exposures and risks associated with quinoxyfen follows.
A. Toxicological Profile
EPA has evaluated the available toxicity data and considered their
validity, completeness, and reliability as well as the relationship of
the results of the studies to human risk. EPA has also considered
available information concerning the variability of the sensitivities
of major identifiable subgroups of consumers, including infants and
children.
The primary target organs affected by quinoxyfen are the liver and
kidney. The most sensitive species was the rat. Liver effects were seen
in the subchronic rat and mouse studies as well as the chronic dog
study. Subchronic effects observed in rats and mice at high doses
included increased liver weights, hepatocellular hypertrophy, and
individual cell hepatocellular necrosis. Chronic effects observed in
the dog included increased liver weights, increased alkaline
phosphatase levels, and increased incidence of very slight to slight
microscopic hepatic lesions. Kidney effects were noted in the rat
combined chronic/carcinogenicity study that resulted in an increased
severity of chronic progressive glomerulonephropathy in males. Body-
weight decrements were seen in the rat and/or mouse subchronic, chronic
and carcinogenicity studies as well as the rabbit developmental and rat
reproduction studies.
Oral rat and rabbit developmental studies showed no increased
qualitative or quantitative susceptibility of offspring to quinoxyfen
in utero. In the rabbit developmental toxicity study, maternal and
developmental toxicity were observed at the highest dose tested (HDT)
(lowest-observed adverse-effect level; LOAEL = 200 mg/kg/day). Maternal
effects included inanition (exhaustion due to lack of nourishment),
clinical signs, decreased body weight and body-weight gains, decreased
food consumption, and increased incidence of abortion late in
pregnancy. Developmental toxicity was evidenced as increased incidence
of abortion late in pregnancy. No maternal or developmental toxicity
was observed in the rat developmental study up to the limit dose of
1,000 mg/kg/day. In the 2-generation rat reproduction study, no
parental effects were observed up to the HDT (100 mg/kg/day) while
first-generation pup weights were reduced at the same dose. There is
apparent quantitative susceptibility when looking at the 2-generation
reproductive study in isolation, but when using a weight-of-evidence
approach that puts the offspring findings in the 2-generation
reproduction toxicity study in context with the full toxicological
database there is no concern for susceptibility to offspring since it
is anticipated that parental toxicity would have been observed at the
same dose (see Unit III.D.2).
No evidence of neurotoxicity or neuropathology was seen in any of
the submitted studies.
A 28-day immunotoxicity study showed no evidence that quinoxyfen
elicits an immunotoxic response up to the HDT.
The EPA has classified quinoxyfen as ``not likely to be
carcinogenic to humans'' based on no evidence of carcinogenicity in rat
or mice studies. Moreover, quinoxyfen did not show evidence of
mutagenicity in in vitro or in vivo studies.
Specific information on the studies received and the nature of the
adverse effects caused by quinoxyfen as well as the no-observed-
adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) and the lowest-observed-adverse-effect-
level (LOAEL) from the toxicity studies can be found at https://www.regulations.gov in document: ``Quinoxyfen. Human-Health Risk
Assessment for the Proposed Uses on Vegetable, Fruiting, Group 8-10;
Fruit, Small Vine Climbing, Except Fuzzy Kiwifruit, Subgroup 13-07F;
and Berry, Low Growing Subgroup 13-07G,'' dated August 20, 2013, pp.
27-30 in docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2012-0911.
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.
Following is a summary of the ``Dose-Response Assessment'' with the
appropriate toxicological endpoints used if available from the human
health risk assessment.
1. Acute dietary endpoint (all populations). There were no adverse
effects observed attributable to a single dose for the general
population (including infants and children) or females 13-49 years of
age; therefore, an acute RfD and PAD were not calculated for this
exposure scenario.
2. Chronic dietary endpoint (all populations). The chronic RfD
(cRfD) was established based on the NOAEL (20 mg/kg/day) from the rat
combined chronic toxicity/carcinogenicity study. The LOAEL of 80 mg/kg/
day in this study is based on increases in severity of chronic
progressive glomerulonephropathy in the males and minimal decreases in
body weight and body-weight gain in both sexes. The NOAEL of 20 mg/kg
was chosen because the study and endpoint are appropriate for the route
and duration of exposure. The cPAD of 0.2 mg/kg/day is derived from the
NOAEL of 20 mg/kg/day and a 100-fold uncertainty factor (10X for
interspecies extrapolation, 10X for
[[Page 57278]]
intraspecies variation, and 1X for FQPA SF).
3. Cancer classification. The Agency classified quinoxyfen as ``not
likely to be carcinogenic to humans'' by all routes of exposure based
upon lack of evidence of carcinogenicity in rats and mice.
C. Exposure Assessment
1. Dietary exposure from food and feed uses. In evaluating dietary
exposure to quinoxyfen, EPA considered exposure under the petitioned-
for tolerances as well as all existing quinoxyfen tolerances in 40 CFR
180.588. EPA assessed dietary exposures from quinoxyfen 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 one-day or single exposure. No such effects were
identified in the toxicological studies for quinoxyfen; therefore, a
quantitative acute dietary exposure assessment is unnecessary.
ii. Chronic exposure. In conducting the chronic dietary exposure
assessment EPA used Dietary Exposure Evaluation Model--Food Consumption
Intake Database (DEEM-FCID), ver. 3.16 which incorporates consumption
data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2003-2008
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, What We Eat in
America (NHANES/WWEA). The unrefined chronic analysis assumed 100
percent crop treated (PCT), DEEM 7.81 default concentration factors,
and tolerance-level residues for all existing and proposed crop uses.
iii. Cancer. Based on the data summarized in Unit III.A., EPA has
concluded that quinoxyfen 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 or PCT information in the dietary assessment for
quinoxyfen. Tolerance-level residues and 100 PCT were assumed for all
food commodities.
2. Dietary exposure from drinking water. The Agency used screening
level water exposure models in the dietary exposure analysis and risk
assessment for quinoxyfen in drinking water. These simulation models
take into account data on the physical, chemical, and fate/transport
characteristics of quinoxyfen. Further information regarding EPA
drinking water models used in pesticide exposure assessment can be
found at https://www.epa.gov/oppefed1/models/water/index.htm.
Based on the First Index Reservoir Screening Tool (FIRST) for
surface water, and the Screening Concentration in Ground Water (SCI-
GROW) models for ground water, the estimated drinking water
concentrations (EDWCs) of quinoxyfen for chronic exposure, assessments
are estimated to be 0.66 ppb for surface water and for ground water,
the estimated drinking water concentration is 0.0034 ppb.
Modeled estimates of drinking water concentrations were directly
entered into the dietary exposure model. For chronic dietary risk
assessment, the water concentration of value 0.66 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). Quinoxyfen is not
registered for any specific use patterns that would result in
residential exposure.
4. Cumulative effects from substances with a common mechanism of
toxicity. Section 408(b)(2)(D)(v) of FFDCA requires that, when
considering whether to establish, modify, or revoke a tolerance, the
Agency consider ``available information'' concerning the cumulative
effects of a particular pesticide's residues and ``other substances
that have a common mechanism of toxicity.''
EPA has not found quinoxyfen to share a common mechanism of
toxicity with any other substances, and quinoxyfen does not appear to
produce a toxic metabolite produced by other substances. For the
purposes of this tolerance action, therefore, EPA has assumed that
quinoxyfen 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. Oral rat and rabbit
developmental studies showed no increased qualitative or quantitative
susceptibility of offspring to quinoxyfen in utero. In isolation, there
is evidence of increased quantitative susceptibility in the 2-
generation reproduction toxicity study. No parental effects were
observed up to the HDT (100 mg/kg/day) while first-generation pup
weights were reduced at the same dose. Concern is low since:
i. The effects in pups are well characterized with a clear NOAEL of
20 mg/kg/day.
ii. The pup effects are minimal at the LOAEL and only noted in the
first-generation offspring.
iii. The doses and endpoints selected for regulatory purposes would
address concerns for the pup effects noted in the rat reproduction
study.
Additionally, taking into consideration the full toxicological
database, there would be no susceptibility to offspring since
assessments to parental animals are intentionally limited in the 2-
generation reproduction study to avoid stressing dams and affecting the
rearing and care of offspring. If additional evaluations had been
performed on parental animals in the 2-generation reproduction study,
including histopathology and organ weight assessments, then it is
expected that the kidney and liver effects observed in the rat
subchronic oral study and in the interim (12 months) and final
sacrifices of the rat chronic toxicity/carcinogenicity study would have
been seen at the 100 mg/kg/day dose in the reproduction study.
Therefore, when using a weight-of-evidence approach that puts the
offspring findings in the 2-generation reproduction toxicity study in
context with the full toxicological database there is no concern for
susceptibility to offspring since it is anticipated that parental
toxicity would have been observed at the same dose.
3. Conclusion. EPA has determined that reliable data show the
safety of infants and children would be adequately protected if the
FQPA SF is reduced to 1X. That decision is based on the following
findings:
[[Page 57279]]
i. The toxicity database for quinoxyfen is complete.
ii. There is no indication that quinoxyfen is a neurotoxic chemical
based on available acute and subchronic neurotoxicity studies. EPA
determined that there is no need to require a developmental
neurotoxicity study or apply additional uncertainty factors to account
for neurotoxicity.
iii. Using the full toxicological database, there is no indication
that quinoxyfen will result in increased susceptibility to offspring
(see Unit III.D.2).
iv. There are no residual uncertainties identified in the exposure
databases. The dietary food exposure assessments were performed based
on 100 PCT, tolerance-level residues, and DEEM 7.81 default processing
factors. EPA made conservative (protective) assumptions in the ground
and surface water modeling used to assess exposure to quinoxyfen in
drinking water. These assessments will not underestimate the exposure
and risks posed by quinoxyfen.
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 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
and no acute dietary endpoint was identified for any segment of the
United States (U.S.) population. Therefore, quinoxyfen 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
quinoxyfen from food and water will utilize 8.5% of the cPAD for
children 1-2 years old the population group receiving the greatest
exposure. There are no residential uses for quinoxyfen.
3. Short-term and intermediate-term risks. Short-term and
intermediate-term aggregate exposure takes into account short-term and
intermediate-term residential exposure plus chronic exposure to food
and water (considered to be a background exposure level). Quinoxyfen is
not registered for any use patterns that would result in residential
exposure. Therefore, the short-term and intermediate-term aggregate
risk is the sum of the risk from exposure to quinoxyfen through food
and water and will not be greater than the chronic aggregate risk.
4. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S. population. Based on the lack of
evidence of carcinogenicity in two adequate rodent carcinogenicity
studies, quinoxyfen 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 quinoxyfen residues.
IV. Other Considerations
A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
An adequate gas chromatography/mass-selective detector (GC/MSD)
method is available for enforcing quinoxyfen tolerances (DowElanco
Procedure ERC95.26); a successful petition method validation (PMV) has
been completed. The lowest level of method validation (LLMV) was 0.01
ppm. Samples from the submitted field and processing studies were
analyzed using a high-performance liquid chromatography/mass
spectrometry (HPLC/MS) method derived from Dow AgroSciences Report RF
98-200 dated May 31, 1999; method entitled ``Determination of Residues
of Quinoxyfen Applied as EF-1295 in Hops.'' The LLMV was 0.01 ppm for
quinoxyfen in all tomato matrices.
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.
Codex MRLs are established for residues of quinoxyfen per se in/on
grapes, strawberries, and peppers. EPA is raising the level of the
requested U.S. tolerances for residues of quinoxyfen in/on the berry,
low growing subgroup 13-07G and the fruit, small, vine climbing, except
fuzzy kiwifruit, subgroup 13-07F in order to harmonize with the Codex
MRLs. Harmonization of the requested U.S. tolerance for residues of
quinoxyfen in/on the vegetable, fruiting, group 8-10 (1.7 ppm) with the
Codex MRL for peppers (1 ppm) is not possible because residue data from
field trials conducted in the U.S. with quinoxyfen show that residues
levels resulting from use of quinoxyfen under the existing U.S.
registration on peppers may exceed the Codex MRL.
C. Revisions to Petitioned-for Tolerances
EPA increased the proposed tolerance levels for fruit, small, vine
climbing, except fuzzy kiwifruit, subgroup 13-07F and berry, low
growing, subgroup 13-07G to 2.0 ppm and 1.0 ppm, respectively, in order
to harmonize with international Codex maximum residue limits (MRLs).
EPA relied on Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development
(OECD) tolerance-calculation procedures and the submitted residue data
sets in establishing these tolerances.
In addition, EPA revised the quinoxyfen tolerance expression to
clarify:
1. That, as provided in FFDCA section 408(a)(3), the tolerance
covers metabolites and degradates of quinoxyfen not specifically
mentioned; and
2. That compliance with the specified tolerance levels is to be
determined by measuring only the specific compounds mentioned in the
tolerance expression.
[[Page 57280]]
V. Conclusion
Therefore, tolerances are established for residues of quinoxyfen
(5,7-dichloro-4-(4-fluorophen oxy)quinoline) in or on berry, low
growing, subgroup 13-07G at 1.0 ppm; fruit, small, vine climbing,
except fuzzy kiwifruit, subgroup 13-07F at 2.0 ppm; and vegetable,
fruiting, group 8-10 at 1.7 ppm.
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: September 9, 2013.
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. 180.588 amend paragraph (a) as follows:
0
i. Revise the introductory text,
0
ii. Remove entries for commodities: ``Grape''; ``Pepper, bell'';
``Pepper, nonbell''; and ``Strawberry'', and
0
iii. Alphabetically add the following commodities to the table.
The additions read as follows:
Sec. 180.588 Quinoxyfen; tolerance for residues.
(a) General. Tolerances are established for residues of the
fungicide quinoxyfen, including its metabolites and degradates, in or
on the commodities in the following table. Compliance with the
tolerance levels specified in the following table is to be determined
by measuring only quinoxyfen (5,7-dichloro-4-(4-
fluorophenoxy)quinoline).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parts per
Commodity million
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
Berry, low growing, subgroup 13-07G........................ 1.0
Fruit, small vine climbing, except fuzzy kiwifruit, 2.0
subgroup 13-07F...........................................
* * * * *
Vegetable, fruiting, group 8-10............................ 1.7
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2013-22597 Filed 9-17-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P