Saflufenacil; Pesticide Tolerances, 9861-9866 [2014-03734]
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 35 / Friday, February 21, 2014 / Rules and Regulations
Inert ingredients
Limits
Uses
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a-alkyl (minimum C6 linear, branched, saturated and/or unsaturated)-w- Not to exceed 30% of pesticide formu- Surfactants,
related
hydroxypolyoxyethylene polymer with or without polyoxypropylene, mixture of
lation.
surfactants
di- and monohydrogen phosphate esters and the corresponding ammonium,
calcium, magnesium, monoethanolamine, potassium, sodium and zinc salts of
the phosphate esters; minimum oxyethylene content averages 2 moles; minimum oxypropylene content is 0 moles (CAS Reg. Nos. 9004–80–2, 9046–01–
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67786–06–5, 67989–06–4, 68070–99–5, 68071–17–0, 68071–35–2, 68071–
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68186–36–7, 68186–34–5, 68186–37–8, 68238–84–6, 68311–02–4, 68311–
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68458–48–0, 68511–15–9, 68511–36–4, 68511–37–5, 68551–05–3, 68585–
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68607–14–7, 68610–64–0, 68610–65–1, 68649–29–6, 68649–30–9, 68650–
84–0, 68815–11–2, 68855–46–9, 68856–03–1, 68890–90–4, 68890–91–5,
68891–12–3, 68891–13–4, 68891–26–9, 68908–64–5, 68909–65–9, 68909–
67–1, 68909–69–3, 68921–24–4, 68921–60–8, 68954–87–0, 68954–88–1,
68954–92–7, 68987–35–9, 69029–43–2, 69980–69–4, 70247–99–3, 70248–
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72623–68–8, 72828–56–9, 72828–57–0, 73018–34–5, 73038–25–2, 73050–
08–5, 73050–09–6, 73361–29–2, 73378–71–9, 73378–72–0, 73559–42–9,
73559–43–0, 73559–44–1, 73559–45–2, 74499–76–6, 76930–25–1, 78330–
22–0, 78330–24–2, 91254–26–1, 93925–54–3, 96416–89–6, 103170–31–6,
103170–32–7, 106233–09–4, 106233–10–7, 108818–88–8, 110392–49–9,
111798–26–6, 111905–50–1, 116671–23–9, 117584–36–8, 119415–05–3,
121158–61–0, 121158–63–2, 125139–13–1, 125301–86–2, 125301–87–3,
126646–03–5, 129870–77–5, 129870–80–0, 130354–37–9, 136504–88–6,
143372–50–3, 143372–51–4, 154518–39–5, 154518–40–8, 155240–11–2,
160498–49–7, 160611–24–5, 171543–66–1, 210493–60–0, 246159–55–7,
251298–11–0, 261627–68–3, 317833–96–8, 422563–19–7, 873662–29–4,
936100–29–7, 936100–30–0, 1072943–56–6, 1187742–89–7, 1187743–35–6).
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[FR Doc. 2014–03733 Filed 2–20–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA–HQ–OPP–2012–0775 and EPA–HQ–
OPP–2013–0008; FRL–9905–87]
Saflufenacil; Pesticide Tolerances
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
This regulation establishes
tolerances for residues of saflufenacil in
or on multiple commodities which are
identified and discussed later in this
document. BASF Corporation requested
these tolerances under the Federal Food,
Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
DATES: This regulation is effective
February 21, 2014. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received
on or before April 22, 2014, 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 dockets in this action,
identified by docket identification (ID)
number EPA–HQ–OPP–2012–0775 and
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SUMMARY:
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EPA–HQ–OPP–2013–0008, are 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
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9861
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adjuvants
of
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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
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proper receipt by EPA, you must
identify the docket ID number EPA–
HQ–OPP–2012–0775 and/or EPA–HQ–
OPP–2013–0008 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 April 22, 2014. 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–
2012–0775 and/or EPA–HQ–OPP–2013–
0008, 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 November
7, 2012 (77 FR 66781) (FRL–9367–5)
(EPA–HQ–OPP–2012–0775), 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 2E8065) by BASF
Corporation, 26 Davis Dr., P.O. Box
13528, Research Triangle Park, NC
27709–3528. The petition requested that
40 CFR 180.649 be amended by
establishing tolerances for residues of
the herbicide, saflufenacil, including its
metabolites and degradates, in or on
sugarcane, cane at 0.03 parts per million
(ppm); sugarcane, molasses at 0.075
ppm; and sugarcane, refined sugar at
0.045 ppm. That document referenced a
summary of the petition prepared by
BASF Corporation, the registrant, which
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is available in the docket, https://
www.regulations.gov. There were no
comments received in response to the
notice of filing.
In the Federal Register of February
27, 2013 (78 FR 13295) (FRL–9380–2)
(EPA–HQ–OPP–2013–0008), 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 2F8139) by BASF
Corporation, 26 Davis Dr., P.O. Box
13528, Research Triangle Park, NC
27709–3528. The petition requested that
40 CFR 180.649 be amended by
establishing tolerances for residues of
the herbicide, saflufenacil, including its
metabolites and degradates, in or on
crayfish at 0.01 ppm. In the Federal
Register of December 30, 2013 (78 FR
79359) (FRL–9903–69) (EPA–HQ–OPP–
2013–0008) EPA issued a document
pursuant to FFDCA section 408(d)(3), 21
U.S.C. 346a(d)(3), announcing a revision
to the original pesticide petition (PP
2F8139) by BASF Corporation, 26 Davis
Dr., P.O. Box 13528, Research Triangle
Park, NC 27709–3528. The revised
petition requested that 40 CFR 180.649
be amended by establishing tolerances
for residues of the herbicide,
saflufenacil, including its metabolites
and degradates, in or on fish-freshwater
finfish and fish-shellfish crustacean at
0.01 ppm instead of ‘‘crayfish at 0.01
ppm’’ based on the Agency’s evaluation
of the data supporting the original
petition. That document referenced a
summary of the petition prepared by
BASF Corporation, the registrant, which
is available in the docket, https://
www.regulations.gov. There were no
comments received in response to the
notice of filing.
In the Federal Register of June 5, 2013
(78 FR 33785) (FRL–9386–2) (EPA–HQ–
OPP–2013–0008), 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 2F8129) by BASF
Corporation, 26 Davis Dr., P.O. Box
13528, Research Triangle Park, NC
27709–3528. The petition requested that
40 CFR 180.649 be amended by
amending tolerances for residues of the
herbicide, saflufenacil, including its
metabolites and degradates, in or on
rice, straw at 0.30 ppm and amend the
current commodity definition ‘‘Grain,
cereal, forage, fodder and straw group
16’’ to ‘‘Grain, cereal, forage, fodder and
straw group 16 (except rice straw).’’
That document referenced a summary of
the petition prepared by BASF
Corporation, the registrant, which is
available in the docket, https://
www.regulations.gov. There were no
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comments received in response to the
notice of filing.
Based upon review of the data
supporting the petitions, EPA has
determined that the tolerance level of
0.03 ppm requested for sugarcane, cane
is increased to 0.05 ppm; and the
tolerance level of 0.075 ppm requested
for sugarcane, molasses is increased to
0.08 ppm. Additionally, tolerances
requested for sugarcane, refined sugar
and rice, straw are not being established
at this time. 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
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 saflufenacil
including exposure resulting from the
tolerances established by this action.
EPA’s assessment of exposures and risks
associated with saflufenacil 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.
Saflufenacil has low acute toxicity via
all routes of exposure. Subchronic and
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chronic toxicity studies in rats, mice,
and dogs identified the hematopoietic
system as the primary target of
saflufenacil. Consistent with its
proposed mode of toxicity involving
protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase (PPO)
inhibition and subsequent disruption of
heme biosynthesis, decreased
hematological parameters were seen at
about the same dose level [lowestobserved adverse-effect levels (LOAELs)
of 13–39 milligram/kilogram/day (mg/
kg/day)] across species, except in the
case of the dog, where the effects were
seen at a slightly higher dose (LOAELs
of 50–100 mg/kg/day). These effects
occurred around the same dose level
from short- through long-term exposures
without increasing in severity. In line
with findings that male rats achieve a
greater systemic exposure than females,
males were the most sensitive sex in
mice and rats. Effects were also seen in
the liver (increased weight,
centrilobular fatty change, lymphoid
infiltrate) in mice, the spleen (increased
spleen weight and extramedullary
hematopoiesis) in rats, and in both of
these organs (increased iron storage in
the liver and extramedullary
hematopoiesis in the spleen) in dogs.
These effects also occurred around the
same dose level from short- through
long-term exposures without increasing
in severity.
Increased fetal susceptibility was
observed in the developmental toxicity
studies in the rat and rabbit and in the
2-generation reproduction study in the
rat. Developmental effects (decreased
fetal body weights and increased
skeletal variations in rats and increased
liver porphyrins in rabbits) occurred at
doses that were not maternally toxic,
indicating increased quantitative
susceptibility. In the 2-generation
reproductive toxicity study in rats, the
reported offspring effects were more
severe than the maternal effects at the
same dose level, indicating evidence for
increased qualitative susceptibility. An
increased number of stillborn pups,
decreased viability and lactation
indices, decreased pre-weaning body
weight and/or body-weight gain, and
changes in hematological parameters
occurred at the same dose level as
maternal decrements in food intake,
body weight, body-weight gain, and
changes in hematological parameters
and organ weights indicative of anemia.
There is no evidence of neurotoxicity
or immunotoxicity in the saflufenacil
database.
Saflufenacil was weakly clastogenic
in the in vitro chromosomal aberration
assay in V79 cells in the presence of S9
activation; however, the response was
not evident in the absence of S9
activation. It was neither mutagenic in
bacterial cells nor clastogenic in rodents
in vivo. Carcinogenicity studies in rats
and mice showed no evidence of
increased incidence of tumors at the
tested doses. Saflufenacil is classified as
‘‘not likely carcinogenic to humans.’’
Specific information on the studies
received and the nature of the adverse
effects caused by saflufenacil 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
‘‘Saflufenacil. Human-Health Risk
Assessment in Support of Tolerances for
Residues in/on Fish, Crayfish, and
Imported Sugarcane’’ at p. 26 in docket
9863
ID numbers EPA–HQ–OPP–2012–0775
and EPA–HQ–OPP–2013–0008.
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 saflufenacil used for
human risk assessment is shown in
Table 1 of this unit.
TABLE 1—SUMMARY OF TOXICOLOGICAL DOSES AND ENDPOINTS FOR SAFLUFENACIL FOR USE IN HUMAN HEALTH RISK
ASSESSMENT
Exposure/scenario
Acute dietary (General
population including
infants and children).
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Chronic dietary (All
populations).
Point of departure and
uncertainty/safety
factors
RfD, PAD, LOC for
risk assessment
Study and toxicological effects
NOAEL = 500 mg/kg/
day.
UFA = 10X
UFH = 10X
FQPA SF = 1X
NOAEL= 4.6 mg/kg/
day.
Acute RfD = 5.0 mg/
kg/day.
aPAD = 5.0 mg/kg/day
Acute Neurotoxicity Study (rat).
LOAEL = 2,000 mg/kg/day based on decreased motor activity representing mild and transient systemic toxicity in male rats.
Chronic RfD = 0.046
mg/kg/day.
Chronic/Carcinogenicity (mouse).
LOAEL = 13.8 mg/kg/day based on decreased red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and porphyria observed in the satellite
group.
UFA = 10X
UFH = 10X
FQPA SF = 1X
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cPAD = 0.046 mg/kg/
day.
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TABLE 1—SUMMARY OF TOXICOLOGICAL DOSES AND ENDPOINTS FOR SAFLUFENACIL FOR USE IN HUMAN HEALTH RISK
ASSESSMENT—Continued
Exposure/scenario
Cancer (Oral, dermal,
inhalation).
Point of departure and
uncertainty/safety
factors
RfD, PAD, LOC for
risk assessment
Study and toxicological effects
Not likely carcinogenic to humans based on the lack of tumors in the mouse and rat carcinogenicity studies and lack of
mutagenicity.
FQPA SF = Food Quality Protection Act Safety Factor. LOAEL = lowest-observed-adverse-effect-level. LOC = level of concern. mg/kg/day =
milligram/kilogram/day. NOAEL = no-observed-adverse-effect-level. PAD = population-adjusted dose (a = acute, c = chronic). RfD = reference
dose. UF = uncertainty factor. UFA = extrapolation from animal to human (interspecies). UFH = potential variation in sensitivity among members
of the human population (intraspecies).
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C. Exposure Assessment
1. Dietary exposure from food and
feed uses. In evaluating dietary
exposure to saflufenacil, EPA
considered exposure under the
petitioned-for tolerances as well as all
existing saflufenacil tolerances in 40
CFR 180.649. EPA assessed dietary
exposures from saflufenacil in food as
follows:
i. Acute and chronic 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 saflufenacil.
In estimating both acute and chronic
dietary exposure, EPA used the Dietary
Exposure Evaluation Model—Food
Consumption Intake Database (DEEM)
which incorporates food consumption
information from the United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA)
National Health and Nutrition
Examination Survey, What We Eat in
America, (NHANES/WWEIA; 2003–
2008). As to residue levels in food, EPA
assumed 100 percent crop treated (PCT),
DEEM 7.81 default processing factors,
and tolerance-level or higher (i.e.,
tolerance levels adjusted to take into
account metabolite levels) residues for
all foods.
ii. Cancer. Based on the data
summarized in Unit III.A., EPA has
concluded that saflufenacil does not
pose a cancer risk to humans. Therefore,
a dietary exposure assessment for the
purpose of assessing cancer risk is
unnecessary.
iii. Anticipated residue and PCT
information. EPA did not use
anticipated residue and/or PCT
information in the dietary assessment
for saflufenacil. Tolerance level residues
and/or 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 saflufenacil in drinking water. These
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simulation models take into account
data on the physical, chemical, and fate/
transport characteristics of saflufenacil.
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 Tier 1 Rice Model and
Tier II Pesticide Root Zone Model
Ground Water (PRZM GW), the
estimated drinking water concentrations
(EDWCs) of saflufenacil for acute
exposures are estimated to be 133 parts
per billion (ppb) for surface water and
69.2 ppb for ground water. Chronic
exposures for non-cancer assessments
are estimated to be 120 ppb for surface
water and 51.5 ppb for ground water.
Modeled estimates of drinking water
concentrations were directly entered
into the dietary exposure model. For
acute dietary risk assessment, the water
concentration value of 133 ppb was
used to assess the contribution to
drinking water. For chronic dietary risk
assessment, the water concentration of
value 120 ppb was used to assess the
contribution to drinking water.
3. From non-dietary exposure. The
term ‘‘residential exposure’’ is used in
this document to refer to nonoccupational, non-dietary exposure
(e.g., for lawn and garden pest control,
indoor pest control, termiticides, and
flea and tick control on pets).
Saflufenacil 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 saflufenacil to share a common
mechanism of toxicity with any other
substances, and saflufenacil does not
appear to produce a toxic metabolite
produced by other substances. For the
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purposes of this tolerance action,
therefore, EPA has assumed that
saflufenacil does not have a common
mechanism of toxicity with other
substances. For information regarding
EPA’s efforts to determine which
chemicals have a common mechanism
of toxicity and to evaluate the
cumulative effects of such chemicals,
see EPA’s Web site at https://
www.epa.gov/pesticides/cumulative.
D. Safety Factor for Infants and
Children
1. In general. Section 408(b)(2)(C) of
FFDCA provides that EPA shall apply
an additional tenfold (10X) margin of
safety for infants and children in the
case of threshold effects to account for
prenatal and postnatal toxicity and the
completeness of the database on toxicity
and exposure unless EPA determines
based on reliable data that a different
margin of safety will be safe for infants
and children. This additional margin of
safety is commonly referred to as the
Food Quality Protection Act Safety
Factor (FQPA SF). In applying this
provision, EPA either retains the default
value of 10X, or uses a different
additional SF when reliable data
available to EPA support the choice of
a different factor.
2. Prenatal and postnatal sensitivity.
Increased fetal susceptibility was
observed in the developmental toxicity
studies in the rat and rabbit and in the
2-generation reproduction study in the
rat. Developmental effects (decreased
fetal body weights and increased
skeletal variations in rats and increased
liver porphyrins in rabbits) occurred at
doses that were not maternally toxic in
the developmental studies, indicating
increased quantitative susceptibility. In
the 2-generation reproductive toxicity
study in rats, the reported offspring
effects were more severe than the
maternal effects at the same dose level,
indicating evidence for increased
qualitative susceptibility. An increased
number of stillborn pups, decreased
viability and lactation indices,
decreased pre-weaning body weight
and/or body-weight gain, and changes
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1. Acute risk. Using the exposure
assumptions discussed in this unit for
acute exposure, the acute dietary
exposure from food and water to
saflufenacil will occupy <1% of the
aPAD for infants less than 1-year 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 saflufenacil
from food and water will utilize 18% of
the cPAD for infants <1-year old, the
population group receiving the greatest
exposure. There are no residential uses
for saflufenacil.
3. Short and intermediate-term risk.
Short and intermediate-term aggregate
exposure takes into account short and
intermediate-term residential exposures
plus chronic exposure to food and water
(considered to be a background
exposure level). Because there is no
short or intermediate-term residential
exposure and chronic dietary exposure
has already been assessed under the
appropriately protective cPAD (which is
at least as protective as the POD used to
assess short-term risk), no further
assessment of short or intermediate-term
risk is necessary, and EPA relies on the
chronic dietary risk assessment for
evaluating short-term risk for
saflufenacil.
4. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S.
population. Based on the lack of
evidence of carcinogenicity in two
adequate rodent carcinogenicity studies,
saflufenacil 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 saflufenacil
residues.
E. Aggregate Risks and Determination of
Safety
ehiers on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with RULES
in hematological parameters occurred at
the same dose level as maternal
decrements in food intake, body weight,
body-weight gain, and changes in
hematological parameters and organ
weights indicative of anemia.
3. Conclusion. EPA has determined
that reliable data show the safety of
infants and children would be
adequately protected if the FQPA SF
were reduced to 1X. That decision is
based on the following findings:
i. The toxicity database for
saflufenacil is complete.
ii. There is no indication that
saflufenacil is a neurotoxic chemical
and there is no need for a
developmental neurotoxicity study or
additional UFs to account for
neurotoxicity.
iii. The concern for increased
susceptibility following prenatal or
postnatal exposure is low because clear
NOAELs/LOAELs were established for
the developmental effects seen in rats
and rabbits as well as for the offspring
effects seen in the 2-generation
reproductive toxicity study. Further, the
dose-response relationship for the
effects of concern is also well
characterized and being used for
assessing risks. None of the effects in
the developmental or reproduction
studies were attributable to a single
exposure and, therefore, are not of
concern for acute risk assessment. The
chronic point of departure used for risk
assessment is protective of any
developmental and offspring effects
observed in these studies.
iv. There are no residual uncertainties
identified in the exposure databases.
The dietary food exposure assessments
were performed based on 100 PCT and
tolerance-level residues. EPA made
conservative (protective) assumptions in
the ground and surface water modeling
used to assess exposure to saflufenacil
in drinking water. These assessments
will not underestimate the exposure and
risks posed by saflufenacil.
Adequate enforcement methods
‘‘D0603/02’’ and ‘‘L0073/01’’ (liquid
chromatography/mass spectroscopy/
mass spectroscopy (LC–MS/MS)) are
available to enforce the tolerance
expression. These methods 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.
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.
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Jkt 232001
IV. Other Considerations
A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
B. International Residue Limits
In making its tolerance decisions, EPA
seeks to harmonize U.S. tolerances with
international standards whenever
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Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
9865
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 not
established a MRL for saflufenacil.
C. Revisions to Petitioned-for Tolerances
EPA has increased the tolerance level
requested by BASF Corporation in
petition 2E8065 for sugarcane, cane
from 0.03 ppm to 0.05 ppm based on the
residue data for sugarcane and use of
the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
tolerance calculation procedures. Also,
based on the residue data for sugarcane
and to account for concentrations of
residues during processing, a tolerance
of 0.08 ppm is required for residues in
or on sugarcane, molasses. Residues did
not concentrate in refined sugar, so the
tolerance proposed for this commodity
will not be established at this time. In
addition, the proposed tolerances for
rice straw in PP 2F8129 will not be
established since rice straw is not a
significant livestock item. Therefore, the
associated request for a change in the
commodity definition is not necessary.
V. Conclusion
Therefore, tolerances are established
for residues of saflufenacil, 2-chloro-5[3,6-dihydro-3-methyl-2,6-dioxo-4(trifluoromethyl)-1(2H)-pyrimidinyl]-4fluoro-N-[[methyl(1methylethyl)amino]sulfonyl]benzamide,
and its metabolites and degradates in or
on sugarcane, cane at 0.05 ppm and
sugarcane, molasses at 0.08 ppm. Also,
tolerances are established for residues of
the parent, saflufenacil, in fishfreshwater finfish and fish-shellfish,
crustacean at 0.01 ppm. Compliance
with the sugarcane, cane and sugarcane,
molasses tolerances is to be determined
by measuring the sum of saflufenacil, 2chloro-5-[3,6-dihydro-3-methyl-2,6dioxo-4-(trifluoromethyl)- 1(2H)pyrimidinyl]-4-fluoro-N -[[methyl(1methylethyl)amino]sulfonyl]benzamide,
and its metabolites N-[2-chloro-5-(2,6dioxo-4-(trifluoromethyl)-3,6-dihydro-
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ehiers on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with RULES
1(2H)-pyrimidinyl)-4-fluorobenzoyl]-Nisopropylsulfamide and N-[4-chloro-2fluoro-5 ({[(isopropylamino)sulfonyl]
amino}carbonyl)phenyl]urea calculated
as the stoichiometric equivalent of
saflufenacil; compliance with the fishfreshwater finfish and fish-shellfish,
crustacean tolerances are to be
determined by measuring only
saflufenacil, 2-chloro-5-[3,6-dihydro-3methyl-2,6-dioxo-4-(trifluoromethyl)1(2H)-pyrimidinyl]-4-fluoro-N[[methyl(1methylethyl)amino]sulfonyl]benzamide.
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 tolerances 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
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13:18 Feb 20, 2014
Jkt 232001
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
(1) * * *
Parts per
million
Commodity
*
*
*
*
*
Sugarcane, cane 2 ....................
Sugarcane, molasses 2 .............
*
*
*
*
0.05
0.08
*
*
*
*
*
*
U.S. registration as of February
21, 2014.
(2) * * *
2 No
Parts per
million
Commodity
*
*
*
*
*
Fish-freshwater finfish ..............
Fish-shellfish, crustacean .........
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
0.01
0.01
*
*
[FR Doc. 2014–03734 Filed 2–20–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
Environmental protection,
Administrative practice and procedure,
Agricultural commodities, Pesticides
and pests, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
50 CFR Part 622
Dated: February 11, 2014.
Lois Rossi,
Director, Registration Division, Office of
Pesticide Programs.
Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is
amended as follows:
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of
Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2014
Commercial Accountability Measure
and Closure for Coastal Migratory
Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of
Mexico and South Atlantic
PART 180—[AMENDED]
AGENCY:
1. The authority citation for part 180
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.
2. In § 180.649:
a. Add alphabetically the following
commodities and footnote 2 to the table
in paragraph (a)(1).
■ b. Add alphabetically the following
commodities to the table in paragraph
(a)(2).
The amendments read as follows:
■
■
§ 180.649 Saflufenacil; tolerances for
residues.
(a) * * *
PO 00000
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Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
[Docket No. 001005281–0369–02]
RIN 0648–XD137
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
NMFS implements an
accountability measure (AM) to close
the hook-and-line component of the
commercial sector for king mackerel in
the southern Florida west coast
subzone. This closure is necessary to
protect the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) king
mackerel resource.
DATES: This rule is effective 12:01 a.m.,
local time, February 21, 2014, through
June 30, 2014.
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\21FER1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 35 (Friday, February 21, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9861-9866]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-03734]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA-HQ-OPP-2012-0775 and EPA-HQ-OPP-2013-0008; FRL-9905-87]
Saflufenacil; Pesticide Tolerances
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of
saflufenacil in or on multiple commodities which are identified and
discussed later in this document. BASF Corporation requested these
tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
DATES: This regulation is effective February 21, 2014. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received on or before April 22, 2014, 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 dockets in this action, identified by docket
identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2012-0775 and EPA-HQ-OPP-2013-
0008, are 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
[[Page 9862]]
proper receipt by EPA, you must identify the docket ID number EPA-HQ-
OPP-2012-0775 and/or EPA-HQ-OPP-2013-0008 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 April 22, 2014. 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-2012-0775 and/or
EPA-HQ-OPP-2013-0008, 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 November 7, 2012 (77 FR 66781) (FRL-
9367-5) (EPA-HQ-OPP-2012-0775), 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 2E8065) by BASF Corporation, 26 Davis Dr., P.O.
Box 13528, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-3528. The petition
requested that 40 CFR 180.649 be amended by establishing tolerances for
residues of the herbicide, saflufenacil, including its metabolites and
degradates, in or on sugarcane, cane at 0.03 parts per million (ppm);
sugarcane, molasses at 0.075 ppm; and sugarcane, refined sugar at 0.045
ppm. That document referenced a summary of the petition prepared by
BASF Corporation, the registrant, which is available in the docket,
https://www.regulations.gov. There were no comments received in response
to the notice of filing.
In the Federal Register of February 27, 2013 (78 FR 13295) (FRL-
9380-2) (EPA-HQ-OPP-2013-0008), 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 2F8139) by BASF Corporation, 26 Davis Dr., P.O.
Box 13528, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-3528. The petition
requested that 40 CFR 180.649 be amended by establishing tolerances for
residues of the herbicide, saflufenacil, including its metabolites and
degradates, in or on crayfish at 0.01 ppm. In the Federal Register of
December 30, 2013 (78 FR 79359) (FRL-9903-69) (EPA-HQ-OPP-2013-0008)
EPA issued a document pursuant to FFDCA section 408(d)(3), 21 U.S.C.
346a(d)(3), announcing a revision to the original pesticide petition
(PP 2F8139) by BASF Corporation, 26 Davis Dr., P.O. Box 13528, Research
Triangle Park, NC 27709-3528. The revised petition requested that 40
CFR 180.649 be amended by establishing tolerances for residues of the
herbicide, saflufenacil, including its metabolites and degradates, in
or on fish-freshwater finfish and fish-shellfish crustacean at 0.01 ppm
instead of ``crayfish at 0.01 ppm'' based on the Agency's evaluation of
the data supporting the original petition. That document referenced a
summary of the petition prepared by BASF Corporation, the registrant,
which is available in the docket, https://www.regulations.gov. There
were no comments received in response to the notice of filing.
In the Federal Register of June 5, 2013 (78 FR 33785) (FRL-9386-2)
(EPA-HQ-OPP-2013-0008), 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 2F8129) by BASF Corporation, 26 Davis Dr., P.O. Box 13528,
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-3528. The petition requested that 40
CFR 180.649 be amended by amending tolerances for residues of the
herbicide, saflufenacil, including its metabolites and degradates, in
or on rice, straw at 0.30 ppm and amend the current commodity
definition ``Grain, cereal, forage, fodder and straw group 16'' to
``Grain, cereal, forage, fodder and straw group 16 (except rice
straw).'' That document referenced a summary of the petition prepared
by BASF Corporation, the registrant, which is available in the docket,
https://www.regulations.gov. There were no comments received in response
to the notice of filing.
Based upon review of the data supporting the petitions, EPA has
determined that the tolerance level of 0.03 ppm requested for
sugarcane, cane is increased to 0.05 ppm; and the tolerance level of
0.075 ppm requested for sugarcane, molasses is increased to 0.08 ppm.
Additionally, tolerances requested for sugarcane, refined sugar and
rice, straw are not being established at this time. 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
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 saflufenacil including exposure
resulting from the tolerances established by this action. EPA's
assessment of exposures and risks associated with saflufenacil 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.
Saflufenacil has low acute toxicity via all routes of exposure.
Subchronic and
[[Page 9863]]
chronic toxicity studies in rats, mice, and dogs identified the
hematopoietic system as the primary target of saflufenacil. Consistent
with its proposed mode of toxicity involving protoporphyrinogen IX
oxidase (PPO) inhibition and subsequent disruption of heme
biosynthesis, decreased hematological parameters were seen at about the
same dose level [lowest-observed adverse-effect levels (LOAELs) of 13-
39 milligram/kilogram/day (mg/kg/day)] across species, except in the
case of the dog, where the effects were seen at a slightly higher dose
(LOAELs of 50-100 mg/kg/day). These effects occurred around the same
dose level from short- through long-term exposures without increasing
in severity. In line with findings that male rats achieve a greater
systemic exposure than females, males were the most sensitive sex in
mice and rats. Effects were also seen in the liver (increased weight,
centrilobular fatty change, lymphoid infiltrate) in mice, the spleen
(increased spleen weight and extramedullary hematopoiesis) in rats, and
in both of these organs (increased iron storage in the liver and
extramedullary hematopoiesis in the spleen) in dogs. These effects also
occurred around the same dose level from short- through long-term
exposures without increasing in severity.
Increased fetal susceptibility was observed in the developmental
toxicity studies in the rat and rabbit and in the 2-generation
reproduction study in the rat. Developmental effects (decreased fetal
body weights and increased skeletal variations in rats and increased
liver porphyrins in rabbits) occurred at doses that were not maternally
toxic, indicating increased quantitative susceptibility. In the 2-
generation reproductive toxicity study in rats, the reported offspring
effects were more severe than the maternal effects at the same dose
level, indicating evidence for increased qualitative susceptibility. An
increased number of stillborn pups, decreased viability and lactation
indices, decreased pre-weaning body weight and/or body-weight gain, and
changes in hematological parameters occurred at the same dose level as
maternal decrements in food intake, body weight, body-weight gain, and
changes in hematological parameters and organ weights indicative of
anemia.
There is no evidence of neurotoxicity or immunotoxicity in the
saflufenacil database.
Saflufenacil was weakly clastogenic in the in vitro chromosomal
aberration assay in V79 cells in the presence of S9 activation;
however, the response was not evident in the absence of S9 activation.
It was neither mutagenic in bacterial cells nor clastogenic in rodents
in vivo. Carcinogenicity studies in rats and mice showed no evidence of
increased incidence of tumors at the tested doses. Saflufenacil is
classified as ``not likely carcinogenic to humans.''
Specific information on the studies received and the nature of the
adverse effects caused by saflufenacil 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 ``Saflufenacil. Human-Health Risk
Assessment in Support of Tolerances for Residues in/on Fish, Crayfish,
and Imported Sugarcane'' at p. 26 in docket ID numbers EPA-HQ-OPP-2012-
0775 and EPA-HQ-OPP-2013-0008.
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 saflufenacil used for
human risk assessment is shown in Table 1 of this unit.
Table 1--Summary of Toxicological Doses and Endpoints for Saflufenacil for Use in Human Health Risk Assessment
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point of departure
Exposure/scenario and uncertainty/ RfD, PAD, LOC for Study and toxicological effects
safety factors risk assessment
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acute dietary (General population NOAEL = 500 mg/kg/ Acute RfD = 5.0 mg/ Acute Neurotoxicity Study (rat).
including infants and children). day. kg/day. LOAEL = 2,000 mg/kg/day based on
UFA = 10X........... aPAD = 5.0 mg/kg/ decreased motor activity
UFH = 10X........... day. representing mild and transient
systemic toxicity in male rats.
FQPA SF = 1X
Chronic dietary (All populations) NOAEL= 4.6 mg/kg/day Chronic RfD = 0.046 Chronic/Carcinogenicity (mouse).
mg/kg/day. LOAEL = 13.8 mg/kg/day based on
decreased red blood cells,
hemoglobin, hematocrit, and
porphyria observed in the
satellite group.
UFA = 10X cPAD = 0.046 mg/kg/
UFH = 10X........... day.
FQPA SF = 1X
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 9864]]
Cancer (Oral, dermal, inhalation) Not likely carcinogenic to humans based on the lack of tumors in the mouse
and rat carcinogenicity studies and lack of mutagenicity.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FQPA SF = Food Quality Protection Act Safety Factor. LOAEL = lowest-observed-adverse-effect-level. LOC = level
of concern. mg/kg/day = milligram/kilogram/day. NOAEL = no-observed-adverse-effect-level. PAD = population-
adjusted dose (a = acute, c = chronic). RfD = reference dose. UF = uncertainty factor. UFA = extrapolation
from animal to human (interspecies). UFH = potential variation in sensitivity among members of the human
population (intraspecies).
C. Exposure Assessment
1. Dietary exposure from food and feed uses. In evaluating dietary
exposure to saflufenacil, EPA considered exposure under the petitioned-
for tolerances as well as all existing saflufenacil tolerances in 40
CFR 180.649. EPA assessed dietary exposures from saflufenacil in food
as follows:
i. Acute and chronic 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 saflufenacil.
In estimating both acute and chronic dietary exposure, EPA used the
Dietary Exposure Evaluation Model--Food Consumption Intake Database
(DEEM) which incorporates food consumption information from the United
States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Health and Nutrition
Examination Survey, What We Eat in America, (NHANES/WWEIA; 2003-2008).
As to residue levels in food, EPA assumed 100 percent crop treated
(PCT), DEEM 7.81 default processing factors, and tolerance-level or
higher (i.e., tolerance levels adjusted to take into account metabolite
levels) residues for all foods.
ii. Cancer. Based on the data summarized in Unit III.A., EPA has
concluded that saflufenacil does not pose a cancer risk to humans.
Therefore, a dietary exposure assessment for the purpose of assessing
cancer risk is unnecessary.
iii. Anticipated residue and PCT information. EPA did not use
anticipated residue and/or PCT information in the dietary assessment
for saflufenacil. Tolerance level residues and/or 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 saflufenacil in drinking water. These simulation models
take into account data on the physical, chemical, and fate/transport
characteristics of saflufenacil. 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 Tier 1 Rice Model and Tier II Pesticide Root Zone
Model Ground Water (PRZM GW), the estimated drinking water
concentrations (EDWCs) of saflufenacil for acute exposures are
estimated to be 133 parts per billion (ppb) for surface water and 69.2
ppb for ground water. Chronic exposures for non-cancer assessments are
estimated to be 120 ppb for surface water and 51.5 ppb for ground
water.
Modeled estimates of drinking water concentrations were directly
entered into the dietary exposure model. For acute dietary risk
assessment, the water concentration value of 133 ppb was used to assess
the contribution to drinking water. For chronic dietary risk
assessment, the water concentration of value 120 ppb was used to assess
the contribution to drinking water.
3. From non-dietary exposure. The term ``residential exposure'' is
used in this document to refer to non-occupational, non-dietary
exposure (e.g., for lawn and garden pest control, indoor pest control,
termiticides, and flea and tick control on pets). Saflufenacil 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
saflufenacil to share a common mechanism of toxicity with any other
substances, and saflufenacil does not appear to produce a toxic
metabolite produced by other substances. For the purposes of this
tolerance action, therefore, EPA has assumed that saflufenacil does not
have a common mechanism of toxicity with other substances. For
information regarding EPA's efforts to determine which chemicals have a
common mechanism of toxicity and to evaluate the cumulative effects of
such chemicals, see EPA's Web site at https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/cumulative.
D. Safety Factor for Infants and Children
1. In general. Section 408(b)(2)(C) of FFDCA provides that EPA
shall apply an additional tenfold (10X) margin of safety for infants
and children in the case of threshold effects to account for prenatal
and postnatal toxicity and the completeness of the database on toxicity
and exposure unless EPA determines based on reliable data that a
different margin of safety will be safe for infants and children. This
additional margin of safety is commonly referred to as the Food Quality
Protection Act Safety Factor (FQPA SF). In applying this provision, EPA
either retains the default value of 10X, or uses a different additional
SF when reliable data available to EPA support the choice of a
different factor.
2. Prenatal and postnatal sensitivity. Increased fetal
susceptibility was observed in the developmental toxicity studies in
the rat and rabbit and in the 2-generation reproduction study in the
rat. Developmental effects (decreased fetal body weights and increased
skeletal variations in rats and increased liver porphyrins in rabbits)
occurred at doses that were not maternally toxic in the developmental
studies, indicating increased quantitative susceptibility. In the 2-
generation reproductive toxicity study in rats, the reported offspring
effects were more severe than the maternal effects at the same dose
level, indicating evidence for increased qualitative susceptibility. An
increased number of stillborn pups, decreased viability and lactation
indices, decreased pre-weaning body weight and/or body-weight gain, and
changes
[[Page 9865]]
in hematological parameters occurred at the same dose level as maternal
decrements in food intake, body weight, body-weight gain, and changes
in hematological parameters and organ weights indicative of anemia.
3. Conclusion. EPA has determined that reliable data show the
safety of infants and children would be adequately protected if the
FQPA SF were reduced to 1X. That decision is based on the following
findings:
i. The toxicity database for saflufenacil is complete.
ii. There is no indication that saflufenacil is a neurotoxic
chemical and there is no need for a developmental neurotoxicity study
or additional UFs to account for neurotoxicity.
iii. The concern for increased susceptibility following prenatal or
postnatal exposure is low because clear NOAELs/LOAELs were established
for the developmental effects seen in rats and rabbits as well as for
the offspring effects seen in the 2-generation reproductive toxicity
study. Further, the dose-response relationship for the effects of
concern is also well characterized and being used for assessing risks.
None of the effects in the developmental or reproduction studies were
attributable to a single exposure and, therefore, are not of concern
for acute risk assessment. The chronic point of departure used for risk
assessment is protective of any developmental and offspring effects
observed in these studies.
iv. There are no residual uncertainties identified in the exposure
databases. The dietary food exposure assessments were performed based
on 100 PCT and tolerance-level residues. EPA made conservative
(protective) assumptions in the ground and surface water modeling used
to assess exposure to saflufenacil in drinking water. These assessments
will not underestimate the exposure and risks posed by saflufenacil.
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. Using the exposure assumptions discussed in this
unit for acute exposure, the acute dietary exposure from food and water
to saflufenacil will occupy <1% of the aPAD for infants less than 1-
year 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
saflufenacil from food and water will utilize 18% of the cPAD for
infants <1-year old, the population group receiving the greatest
exposure. There are no residential uses for saflufenacil.
3. Short and intermediate-term risk. Short and intermediate-term
aggregate exposure takes into account short and intermediate-term
residential exposures plus chronic exposure to food and water
(considered to be a background exposure level). Because there is no
short or intermediate-term residential exposure and chronic dietary
exposure has already been assessed under the appropriately protective
cPAD (which is at least as protective as the POD used to assess short-
term risk), no further assessment of short or intermediate-term risk is
necessary, and EPA relies on the chronic dietary risk assessment for
evaluating short-term risk for saflufenacil.
4. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S. population. Based on the lack of
evidence of carcinogenicity in two adequate rodent carcinogenicity
studies, saflufenacil 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 saflufenacil residues.
IV. Other Considerations
A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
Adequate enforcement methods ``D0603/02'' and ``L0073/01'' (liquid
chromatography/mass spectroscopy/mass spectroscopy (LC-MS/MS)) are
available to enforce the tolerance expression. These methods 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 not
established a MRL for saflufenacil.
C. Revisions to Petitioned-for Tolerances
EPA has increased the tolerance level requested by BASF Corporation
in petition 2E8065 for sugarcane, cane from 0.03 ppm to 0.05 ppm based
on the residue data for sugarcane and use of the Organization for
Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) tolerance calculation
procedures. Also, based on the residue data for sugarcane and to
account for concentrations of residues during processing, a tolerance
of 0.08 ppm is required for residues in or on sugarcane, molasses.
Residues did not concentrate in refined sugar, so the tolerance
proposed for this commodity will not be established at this time. In
addition, the proposed tolerances for rice straw in PP 2F8129 will not
be established since rice straw is not a significant livestock item.
Therefore, the associated request for a change in the commodity
definition is not necessary.
V. Conclusion
Therefore, tolerances are established for residues of saflufenacil,
2-chloro-5-[3,6-dihydro-3-methyl-2,6-dioxo-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1(2H)-
pyrimidinyl]-4-fluoro-N-[[methyl(1-
methylethyl)amino]sulfonyl]benzamide, and its metabolites and
degradates in or on sugarcane, cane at 0.05 ppm and sugarcane, molasses
at 0.08 ppm. Also, tolerances are established for residues of the
parent, saflufenacil, in fish-freshwater finfish and fish-shellfish,
crustacean at 0.01 ppm. Compliance with the sugarcane, cane and
sugarcane, molasses tolerances is to be determined by measuring the sum
of saflufenacil, 2-chloro-5-[3,6-dihydro-3-methyl-2,6-dioxo-4-
(trifluoromethyl)- 1(2H)-pyrimidinyl]-4-fluoro-N -[[methyl(1-
methylethyl)amino]sulfonyl]benzamide, and its metabolites N-[2-chloro-
5-(2,6-dioxo-4-(trifluoromethyl)-3,6-dihydro-
[[Page 9866]]
1(2H)-pyrimidinyl)-4-fluorobenzoyl]-N-isopropylsulfamide and N-[4-
chloro-2-fluoro-5
({[(isopropylamino)sulfonyl]amino{time} carbonyl)phenyl]urea calculated
as the stoichiometric equivalent of saflufenacil; compliance with the
fish-freshwater finfish and fish-shellfish, crustacean tolerances are
to be determined by measuring only saflufenacil, 2-chloro-5-[3,6-
dihydro-3-methyl-2,6-dioxo-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1(2H)-pyrimidinyl]-4-
fluoro-N-[[methyl(1-methylethyl)amino]sulfonyl]benzamide.
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 tolerances 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: February 11, 2014.
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. 180.649:
0
a. Add alphabetically the following commodities and footnote 2 to the
table in paragraph (a)(1).
0
b. Add alphabetically the following commodities to the table in
paragraph (a)(2).
The amendments read as follows:
Sec. 180.649 Saflufenacil; tolerances for residues.
(a) * * *
(1) * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parts per
Commodity million
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
Sugarcane, cane \2\........................................ 0.05
Sugarcane, molasses \2\.................................... 0.08
* * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
\2\ No U.S. registration as of February 21, 2014.
(2) * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parts per
Commodity million
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
Fish-freshwater finfish.................................... 0.01
Fish-shellfish, crustacean................................. 0.01
* * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2014-03734 Filed 2-20-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P