Propamocarb; Pesticide Tolerance, 9519-9523 [2017-02479]
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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 24 / Tuesday, February 7, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
stationary source monitoring and
reporting requirements of section
110(a)(2)(F). We will address these
requirements in a separate action.
[FR Doc. 2017–02530 Filed 2–6–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA–HQ–OPP–2016–0083; FRL–9957–68]
Propamocarb; Pesticide Tolerance
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
This regulation establishes a
tolerance for residues of propamocarb in
or on potato. Bayer CropScience
requested these tolerances under the
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
(FFDCA).
DATES: This regulation is effective
February 7, 2017. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received
on or before April 10, 2017, 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–2016–0083, 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), West William
Jefferson Clinton 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:
Registration Division (7505P), Office of
Pesticide Programs, Environmental
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania
Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460–0001;
main telephone number: (703) 305–
7090; email address: RDFRNotices@
epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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SUMMARY:
I. General Information
A. Does this action apply to me?
You may be potentially affected by
this action if you are an agricultural
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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–2016–0083 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 10, 2017. 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–
2016–0083, 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.
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9519
• 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 October 27,
2016 (81 FR 74753) (FRL–9954–27),
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 5F8430) by Bayer
CropScience, 2 T.W. Alexander Drive,
P.O. Box 12014, Research Triangle Park,
NC 27709. The petition requested that
40 CFR 180.499 be amended by
increasing the tolerance for residues of
the fungicide propamocarb
hydrochloride, in or on potato from 0.06
to 0.30 parts per million (ppm). That
document referenced a summary of the
petition prepared by Bayer CropScience,
the registrant, which is available in the
docket, https://www.regulations.gov.
There were no comments received
concerning this action for propamocarb
in response to the notice of filing.
III. Aggregate Risk Assessment and
Determination of Safety
Section 408(b)(2)(A)(i) of FFDCA
allows EPA to establish a tolerance (the
legal limit for a pesticide chemical
residue in or on a food) only if EPA
determines that the tolerance is ‘‘safe.’’
Section 408(b)(2)(A)(ii) of FFDCA
defines ‘‘safe’’ to mean that ‘‘there is a
reasonable certainty that no harm will
result from aggregate exposure to the
pesticide chemical residue, including
all anticipated dietary exposures and all
other exposures for which there is
reliable information.’’ This includes
exposure through drinking water and in
residential settings, but does not include
occupational exposure. Section
408(b)(2)(C) of FFDCA requires EPA to
give special consideration to exposure
of infants and children to the pesticide
chemical residue in establishing a
tolerance and to ‘‘ensure that there is a
reasonable certainty that no harm will
result to infants and children from
aggregate exposure to the pesticide
chemical residue. . . .’’
Consistent with FFDCA section
408(b)(2)(D), and the factors specified in
FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(D), EPA has
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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 propamocarb-HCl
including exposure resulting from the
tolerances established by this action.
EPA’s assessment of exposures and risks
associated with propamocarb-HCl
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.
Propamocarb-HCl is a List C
carbamate fungicide with specific
activity against numerous Oomycete
species, which cause foliar diseases and
seedling, seed, root, foot, and stem rot
in various edible and ornamental crops.
Consistent with other carbamates,
propamocarb-HCl’s database showed
evidence of neurotoxicity in rats, though
it does not inhibit cholinesterase.
Neurotoxic effects include decreased
motor activity following acute exposure
and vacuolization of the choroid plexus
(ventricles of the brain which produce
cerebral spinal fluid) following
subchronic and chronic durations.
Other effects observed are indicative of
toxicity to the digestive and GI tracts in
dogs (chronic erosive gastritis,
vacuolization of the salivary gland and
stomach), and the eye in dogs and rats
(hyporeflectability of the fundus, retinal
degeneration, and vacuolization of the
retinal gland). In all species, decreases
in body weights, body-weight gains, and
food consumption were observed
following subchronic and chronic
exposure. Available immunotoxicity
data does not indicate an immunotoxic
effect from exposure to propamocarb.
Effects in the route-specific dermal
and inhalation studies were primarily
portal-of-entry effects. Dermal exposure
caused dermal irritation in rats and
rabbits at relatively high doses (>500
milligram/kilogram/day (mg/kg/day)).
Inhalation exposure caused labored
breathing and the appearance of red
material around the nose. Systemic
effects were observed following
inhalation exposure at similar doses that
caused portal-of-entry effects and
included kidney cysts and changes in
hematological parameters.
Effects were observed in fetuses and
offspring in the database at the same
doses that elicited less severe effects in
parental animals. In the developmental
rat study, fetal effects included
increased death, increased incidences of
minor skeletal anomalies, increased
incidences of small fetus, inter-atrial
septal defects, and hemorrhage in the
ears, upper GI tract, and nasopharynx/
sinuses. Maternal effects consisted of
decreased absolute body-weights,
decreased food consumption, postimplantation loss, and mortality. In the
rat two-generation reproduction study,
offspring effects consisted of deaths,
decreased weights, and decreased
viability and lactation indices and litter
size. Parental effects were consistent
with those previously described for
adults in the hazard database.
Reproductive effects consisted of
increased vacuolization and decreased
weight of the epididymides, decreased
sperm counts and motility, and
abnormal sperm morphology.
Propamocarb-HCl was categorized as
having low acute toxicity via the oral,
dermal, and inhalation routes (Toxicity
Categories III–IV). It is not a dermal
irritant or a dermal sensitizer. It is
considered a slight eye irritant.
EPA classified propamocarb-HCl as
‘‘not likely to be carcinogenic to
humans’’ by all routes of exposure based
upon lack of evidence of carcinogenicity
in rats and mice.
Specific information on the studies
received and the nature of the adverse
effects caused by propamocarb-HCl as
well as the no-observed-adverse-effectlevel (NOAEL) and the lowest-observedadverse-effect-level (LOAEL) from the
toxicity studies can be found at https://
www.regulations.gov in document,
‘‘Propamocarb Hydrochloride
(propamocarb-HCl): Human Health
Assessment for Registration Review and
a Petition for Increasing the Permanent
Tolerance for Residues in/on Potato’’ at
pp. 16–18 in docket ID number EPA–
HQ–OPP–2016–0083.
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 the NOAEL and the
LOAEL are identified. Uncertainty/
safety factors are used in conjunction
with the POD to calculate a safe
exposure level—generally referred to as
a population-adjusted dose (PAD) or a
reference dose (RfD)—and a safe margin
of exposure (MOE). For non-threshold
risks, the Agency assumes that any
amount of exposure will lead to some
degree of risk. Thus, the Agency
estimates risk in terms of the probability
of an occurrence of the adverse effect
expected in a lifetime. For more
information on the general principles
EPA uses in risk characterization and a
complete description of the risk
assessment process, see https://
www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/
riskassess.htm.
A summary of toxicological endpoints
for propamocarb-HCl used for humanhealth risk assessment is shown in
Table 1 of this unit.
TABLE 1—SUMMARY OF TOXICOLOGICAL DOSES AND ENDPOINTS FOR PROPAMOCARB FOR USE IN HUMAN HEALTH RISK
ASSESSMENT
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Exposure/scenario
Acute dietary (Females 13–50
years of age).
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Point of departure
and uncertainty/
safety factors
NOAEL = 150 mg/
kg/day.
UFA = 10x
UFH = 10x
FQPA SF = 1x
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RfD, PAD, LOC for
risk assessment
Study and toxicological effects
Acute RfD = 1.5 mg/
kg/day.
aPAD = 1.5 mg/kg/
day.
Developmental Toxicity Study-Rabbit LOAEL = 300 mg/kg/day
based on post-implantation loss.
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TABLE 1—SUMMARY OF TOXICOLOGICAL DOSES AND ENDPOINTS FOR PROPAMOCARB FOR USE IN HUMAN HEALTH RISK
ASSESSMENT—Continued
Exposure/scenario
Acute dietary (General population including infants and
children).
Chronic dietary (All populations)
Cancer (Oral, dermal, inhalation).
Point of departure
and uncertainty/
safety factors
RfD, PAD, LOC for
risk assessment
Study and toxicological effects
NOAEL = 200 mg/
kg/day.
UFA = 10x
UFH = 10x
FQPA SF = 1x
NOAEL = 12 mg/kg/
day.
UFA = 10x
UFH = 10x
FQPA SF = 1x
Acute RfD = 2 mg/
kg/day.
aPAD = 2 mg/kg/day
Acute Neurotoxicity Screening Battery—Rat LOAEL = 2,000
mg/kg/day based on decreased motor activity.
Chronic RfD = 0.12
mg/kg/day.
cPAD = 0.12 mg/kg/
day.
Carcinogenicity Study—Mouse LOAEL = 95 mg/kg/day based
on decreased absolute body-weights in females.
Classification: ‘‘not likely to be carcinogenic to humans’’ based on the absence of treatment-related tumors in
two adequate rodent carcinogenicity studies.
FQPA SF = Food Quality Protection Act Safety Factor. LOAEL = lowest-observed-adverse-effect-level. LOC = level of concern. mg/kg/day =
milligram/kilogram/day. MOE = margin of exposure. 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 propamocarb, EPA
considered exposure under the
petitioned-for tolerances as well as all
existing propamocarb tolerances in 40
CFR 180.499. EPA assessed dietary
exposures from propamocarb in food as
follows:
i. Acute exposure. Quantitative acute
dietary exposure and risk assessments
are performed for a food-use pesticide,
if a toxicological study has indicated the
possibility of an effect of concern
occurring as a result of a 1-day or single
exposure. Such effects were identified
for propamocarb. In estimating acute
dietary exposure, EPA used food
consumption information from the
United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA) 2003–2008 National Health and
Nutrition Examination Survey, What We
Eat in America, (NHANES/WWEIA). As
to residue levels in food, EPA used
tolerance-level residues and assumed
100% crop treated (PCT) for all
commodities.
ii. Chronic exposure. In conducting
the chronic dietary exposure assessment
EPA used the food consumption data
from the USDA 2003–2008 NHANES/
WWEIA. As to residue levels in food,
EPA used tolerance-level residues and
assumed 100 PCT for all commodities.
iii. Cancer. Based on the data
summarized in Unit III.A., EPA has
concluded that propamocarb does not
pose a cancer risk to humans. Therefore,
a dietary exposure assessment for the
purpose of assessing cancer risk is
unnecessary.
iv. Anticipated residue and percent
crop treated (PCT) information. EPA did
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not use anticipated residue and/or PCT
information in the dietary assessment
for propamocarb. 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 propamocarb in drinking water.
These simulation models take into
account data on the physical, chemical,
and fate/transport characteristics of
propamocarb. 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.
The revised estimated drinking water
concentrations (EDWCs) are those
modeled for surface waters based on
current labels and newly submitted fate
and transport data for the registration
review of propamocarb-HCl. All
currently labeled uses were assessed
including the potato tolerance increase
described in this action.
Surface water values were obtained
from FLnurserySTD_V2 model for the
acute value, and NJnurserySTD_V2
model for the chronic values
representing foliar application to
ornamentals in nurseries. Ground Water
acute and chronic values were obtained
from FLCITRUS_STD.SCN GW scenario.
The EDWCs of propamocarb for acute
exposures are 4,860 parts per billion
(ppb) for surface water, and 73 ppb for
ground water. The EDWCs of
propamocarb for chronic exposure for
non-cancer assessments are 385 ppb for
surface water, and 70 ppb for ground
water.
Modeled estimates of drinking water
concentrations were directly entered
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into the dietary exposure model. For
acute dietary risk assessment, the water
concentration value of 4,860 ppb was
used to assess the contribution to
drinking water. For chronic dietary risk
assessment, the water concentration of
value 385 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).
Propamocarb is registered for use on
golf course turf, which may result in
dermal post-application exposures.
Although potential dermal postapplication exposures were previously
assessed (K. Lowe, 05/15/2013,
D377624), EPA no longer considers the
effects found in the dermal study to be
adverse and therefore, no longer
identifies a dermal hazard. As a result,
there is no need to conduct a
quantitative residential exposure
assessment.
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 propamocarb to share a common
mechanism of toxicity with any other
substances, and propamocarb does not
appear to produce a toxic metabolite
produced by other substances. Although
a carbamate, propamocarb-HCl is not an
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N-methyl carbamate and does not cause
cholinesterase inhibition. Thus, it was
not included in the N-methyl carbamate
cumulative risk assessment. For the
purposes of this tolerance action,
therefore, EPA has assumed that
propamocarb does not have a common
mechanism of toxicity with other
substances. For information regarding
EPA’s efforts to determine which
chemicals have a common mechanism
of toxicity and to evaluate the
cumulative effects of such chemicals,
see EPA’s Web site at https://
www.epa.gov/pesticides/cumulative.
D. Safety Factor for Infants and
Children
1. In general. Section 408(b)(2)(C) of
FFDCA provides that EPA shall apply
an additional tenfold (10X) margin of
safety for infants and children in the
case of threshold effects to account for
prenatal and postnatal toxicity and the
completeness of the database on toxicity
and exposure unless EPA determines
based on reliable data that a different
margin of safety will be safe for infants
and children. This additional margin of
safety is commonly referred to as the
Food Quality Protection Act Safety
Factor (FQPA SF). In applying this
provision, EPA either retains the default
value of 10X, or uses a different
additional safety factor when reliable
data available to EPA support the choice
of a different factor.
2. Prenatal and postnatal sensitivity.
There is no evidence of increased
quantitative pre- or post-natal
susceptibility following exposure to
propamocarb-HCl. There is evidence of
increased qualitative susceptibility in
the database; however, concern for these
effects is low because: (1) The effects are
well characterized, (2) clear NOAELs
were established, (3) the endpoints
selected are protective of these effects,
and (4) the effects were seen in the
presence of maternal/parental toxicity.
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
propamocarb is complete.
ii. Although there was evidence of
neurotoxicity (decreased motor activity
and vacuolization of the choroid plexus)
in several studies following
propamocarb-HCl exposure, including
the ACN and SCN studies; there is no
need for a developmental neurotoxicity
study or additional uncertainty factors
(UFs) to account for neurotoxicity
because the neurotoxicity effects are
well-characterized with clear NOAEL/
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LOAEL values and the selected
endpoints are protective of the observed
effects.
iii. Although there is evidence of
increased qualitative susceptibility from
exposure to propamocarb, there is no
need to retain the 10X FQPA SF
because: (1) The effects are well
characterized; (2) clear NOAELs were
established; (3) the endpoints selected
are protective of these effects; and (4)
the effects were seen in the presence of
maternal/parental toxicity.
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 propamocarb
in drinking water. These assessments
will not underestimate the exposure and
risks posed by propamocarb.
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
propamocarb will occupy 21% of the
aPAD for females (13–49 years old) and
42% of the aPAD for infants (<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 propamocarb
from food and water will utilize 26% of
the cPAD for children (3–5 years old)
the population group receiving the
greatest exposure. There are no chronic
or long-term residential exposures from
uses of propamocarb.
3. Short-term and intermediate-term
risk. 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).
Because no short-term or intermediateterm adverse effect was identified,
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propamocarb is not expected to pose a
short-term or intermediate-term risk.
IV. Other Considerations
A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
A gas chromatography/nitrogenphosphorus detection (GC/NPD) method
is available for the enforcement of
residues of propamocarb in plant
commodities. This method has
undergone a successful independent
laboratory validation (ILV) and petition
method validation (PMV), and is
currently listed in the Pesticide
Analytical Manual (PAM) Vol. II. An
adequate liquid chromatography with
tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS)
for the enforcement of residues of
propamocarb and its metabolites in
livestock commodities has been
submitted to the Agency. This method
has undergone successful ILVs and a
PMV. The results of a Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) multiresidue
testing study indicate that propamocarb
and its metabolites are not recovered by
any of the protocols. The recoveries of
propamocarb with the QuEChERS
multiresidue method are marginally
adequate (68–69%; https://www.crlpesticides.eu/library/docs/fv/CRLFV_
Multiresidue_methods.pdf).
B. International Residue Limits
In making its tolerance decisions, EPA
seeks to harmonize U.S. tolerances with
international standards whenever
possible, consistent with U.S. food
safety standards and agricultural
practices. EPA considers the
international maximum residue limits
(MRLs) established by the Codex
Alimentarius Commission (Codex), as
required by FFDCA section 408(b)(4).
The Codex Alimentarius is a joint
United Nations Food and Agriculture
Organization/World Health
Organization food standards program,
and it is recognized as an international
food safety standards-setting
organization in trade agreements to
which the United States is a party. EPA
may establish a tolerance that is
different from a Codex MRL; however,
FFDCA section 408(b)(4) requires that
EPA explain the reasons for departing
from the Codex level.
The Codex has established a MRL for
propamocarb in or on potato at 0.30
ppm. This MRL is the same as the
tolerance established for propamocarb
in the United States.
V. Conclusion
Therefore, a tolerance is established
for residues of propamocarb in or on
potato at 0.30 ppm.
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VI. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
This action establishes a tolerance
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 action
has been exempted from review under
Executive Order 12866, this action 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 action 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 action 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 action. In addition, this action
does not impose any enforceable duty or
contain any unfunded mandate as
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:06 Feb 06, 2017
Jkt 241001
described under Title II of the Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act (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
(NTTAA) (15 U.S.C. 272 note).
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
VII. Congressional Review Act
9523
SUMMARY:
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: January 6, 2017.
Daniel J. Rosenblatt,
Acting Director, Registration Division, Office
of Pesticide Programs.
Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is
amended as follows:
PART 180—[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for part 180
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.
2. In § 180.499, revise the entry for
‘‘Potato’’ in the table in paragraph (a) to
read as follows:
■
§ 180.499 Propamocarb; tolerances for
residues.
(a) * * *
Parts per
million
Commodity
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
0.30
*
*
[FR Doc. 2017–02479 Filed 2–6–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
PO 00000
Frm 00035
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
[EPA–HQ–OPP–2016–0594; FRL–9958–07]
2,4–D; Pesticide Tolerances
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
This regulation establishes a
tolerance for residues of 2,4–D in or on
cotton, gin byproducts and amends the
existing tolerance on cotton, undelinted
seed. Dow AgroSciences requested these
tolerances under the Federal Food,
Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
DATES: This regulation is effective
February 7, 2017. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received
on or before April 10, 2017, 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–2016–0594, 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), West William
Jefferson Clinton 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:
Michael Goodis, Registration Division
(7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs,
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington,
DC 20460–0001; main telephone
number: (703) 305–7090; email address:
RDFRNotices@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. General Information
*
Potato ...................................
40 CFR Part 180
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
E:\FR\FM\07FER1.SGM
07FER1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 7, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9519-9523]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-02479]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA-HQ-OPP-2016-0083; FRL-9957-68]
Propamocarb; Pesticide Tolerance
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This regulation establishes a tolerance for residues of
propamocarb in or on potato. Bayer CropScience requested these
tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
DATES: This regulation is effective February 7, 2017. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received on or before April 10, 2017, 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-2016-0083, 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), West William Jefferson Clinton 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: Registration Division (7505P), Office
of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; main 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-2016-0083 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 10, 2017. 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-2016-0083, 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 October 27, 2016 (81 FR 74753) (FRL-
9954-27), 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
5F8430) by Bayer CropScience, 2 T.W. Alexander Drive, P.O. Box 12014,
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. The petition requested that 40 CFR
180.499 be amended by increasing the tolerance for residues of the
fungicide propamocarb hydrochloride, in or on potato from 0.06 to 0.30
parts per million (ppm). That document referenced a summary of the
petition prepared by Bayer CropScience, the registrant, which is
available in the docket, https://www.regulations.gov. There were no
comments received concerning this action for propamocarb in response to
the notice of filing.
III. Aggregate Risk Assessment and Determination of Safety
Section 408(b)(2)(A)(i) of FFDCA allows EPA to establish a
tolerance (the legal limit for a pesticide chemical residue in or on a
food) only if EPA determines that the tolerance is ``safe.'' Section
408(b)(2)(A)(ii) of FFDCA defines ``safe'' to mean that ``there is a
reasonable certainty that no harm will result from aggregate exposure
to the pesticide chemical residue, including all anticipated dietary
exposures and all other exposures for which there is reliable
information.'' This includes exposure through drinking water and in
residential settings, but does not include occupational exposure.
Section 408(b)(2)(C) of FFDCA requires EPA to give special
consideration to exposure of infants and children to the pesticide
chemical residue in establishing a tolerance and to ``ensure that there
is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result to infants and
children from aggregate exposure to the pesticide chemical residue. . .
.''
Consistent with FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(D), and the factors
specified in FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(D), EPA has
[[Page 9520]]
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
propamocarb-HCl including exposure resulting from the tolerances
established by this action. EPA's assessment of exposures and risks
associated with propamocarb-HCl 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.
Propamocarb-HCl is a List C carbamate fungicide with specific
activity against numerous Oomycete species, which cause foliar diseases
and seedling, seed, root, foot, and stem rot in various edible and
ornamental crops.
Consistent with other carbamates, propamocarb-HCl's database showed
evidence of neurotoxicity in rats, though it does not inhibit
cholinesterase. Neurotoxic effects include decreased motor activity
following acute exposure and vacuolization of the choroid plexus
(ventricles of the brain which produce cerebral spinal fluid) following
subchronic and chronic durations. Other effects observed are indicative
of toxicity to the digestive and GI tracts in dogs (chronic erosive
gastritis, vacuolization of the salivary gland and stomach), and the
eye in dogs and rats (hyporeflectability of the fundus, retinal
degeneration, and vacuolization of the retinal gland). In all species,
decreases in body weights, body-weight gains, and food consumption were
observed following subchronic and chronic exposure. Available
immunotoxicity data does not indicate an immunotoxic effect from
exposure to propamocarb.
Effects in the route-specific dermal and inhalation studies were
primarily portal-of-entry effects. Dermal exposure caused dermal
irritation in rats and rabbits at relatively high doses (>500
milligram/kilogram/day (mg/kg/day)). Inhalation exposure caused labored
breathing and the appearance of red material around the nose. Systemic
effects were observed following inhalation exposure at similar doses
that caused portal-of-entry effects and included kidney cysts and
changes in hematological parameters.
Effects were observed in fetuses and offspring in the database at
the same doses that elicited less severe effects in parental animals.
In the developmental rat study, fetal effects included increased death,
increased incidences of minor skeletal anomalies, increased incidences
of small fetus, inter-atrial septal defects, and hemorrhage in the
ears, upper GI tract, and nasopharynx/sinuses. Maternal effects
consisted of decreased absolute body-weights, decreased food
consumption, post-implantation loss, and mortality. In the rat two-
generation reproduction study, offspring effects consisted of deaths,
decreased weights, and decreased viability and lactation indices and
litter size. Parental effects were consistent with those previously
described for adults in the hazard database. Reproductive effects
consisted of increased vacuolization and decreased weight of the
epididymides, decreased sperm counts and motility, and abnormal sperm
morphology.
Propamocarb-HCl was categorized as having low acute toxicity via
the oral, dermal, and inhalation routes (Toxicity Categories III-IV).
It is not a dermal irritant or a dermal sensitizer. It is considered a
slight eye irritant.
EPA classified propamocarb-HCl as ``not likely to be carcinogenic
to humans'' by all routes of exposure based upon lack of evidence of
carcinogenicity in rats and mice.
Specific information on the studies received and the nature of the
adverse effects caused by propamocarb-HCl 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, ``Propamocarb Hydrochloride
(propamocarb-HCl): Human Health Assessment for Registration Review and
a Petition for Increasing the Permanent Tolerance for Residues in/on
Potato'' at pp. 16-18 in docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2016-0083.
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 the NOAEL and the LOAEL are identified.
Uncertainty/safety factors are used in conjunction with the POD to
calculate a safe exposure level--generally referred to as a population-
adjusted dose (PAD) or a reference dose (RfD)--and a safe margin of
exposure (MOE). For non-threshold risks, the Agency assumes that any
amount of exposure will lead to some degree of risk. Thus, the Agency
estimates risk in terms of the probability of an occurrence of the
adverse effect expected in a lifetime. For more information on the
general principles EPA uses in risk characterization and a complete
description of the risk assessment process, see https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/riskassess.htm.
A summary of toxicological endpoints for propamocarb-HCl used for
human-health risk assessment is shown in Table 1 of this unit.
Table 1--Summary of Toxicological Doses and Endpoints for Propamocarb 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 (Females 13-50 NOAEL = 150 mg/kg/ Acute RfD = 1.5 mg/ Developmental Toxicity Study-
years of age). day. kg/day. Rabbit LOAEL = 300 mg/kg/day
UFA = 10x........... aPAD = 1.5 mg/kg/ based on post-implantation loss.
UFH = 10x........... day.
FQPA SF = 1x........
[[Page 9521]]
Acute dietary (General population NOAEL = 200 mg/kg/ Acute RfD = 2 mg/kg/ Acute Neurotoxicity Screening
including infants and children). day. day. Battery--Rat LOAEL = 2,000 mg/kg/
UFA = 10x........... aPAD = 2 mg/kg/day. day based on decreased motor
UFH = 10x........... activity.
FQPA SF = 1x........
Chronic dietary (All populations) NOAEL = 12 mg/kg/day Chronic RfD = 0.12 Carcinogenicity Study--Mouse LOAEL
UFA = 10x........... mg/kg/day. = 95 mg/kg/day based on decreased
UFH = 10x........... cPAD = 0.12 mg/kg/ absolute body-weights in females.
FQPA SF = 1x........ day.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cancer (Oral, dermal, inhalation) Classification: ``not likely to be carcinogenic to humans'' based on the
absence of treatment-related tumors in two adequate rodent carcinogenicity
studies.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FQPA SF = Food Quality Protection Act Safety Factor. LOAEL = lowest-observed-adverse-effect-level. LOC = level
of concern. mg/kg/day = milligram/kilogram/day. MOE = margin of exposure. 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 propamocarb, EPA considered exposure under the petitioned-
for tolerances as well as all existing propamocarb tolerances in 40 CFR
180.499. EPA assessed dietary exposures from propamocarb in food as
follows:
i. Acute exposure. Quantitative acute dietary exposure and risk
assessments are performed for a food-use pesticide, if a toxicological
study has indicated the possibility of an effect of concern occurring
as a result of a 1-day or single exposure. Such effects were identified
for propamocarb. In estimating acute dietary exposure, EPA used food
consumption information from the United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA) 2003-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination
Survey, What We Eat in America, (NHANES/WWEIA). As to residue levels in
food, EPA used tolerance-level residues and assumed 100% crop treated
(PCT) for all commodities.
ii. Chronic exposure. In conducting the chronic dietary exposure
assessment EPA used the food consumption data from the USDA 2003-2008
NHANES/WWEIA. As to residue levels in food, EPA used tolerance-level
residues and assumed 100 PCT for all commodities.
iii. Cancer. Based on the data summarized in Unit III.A., EPA has
concluded that propamocarb does not pose a cancer risk to humans.
Therefore, a dietary exposure assessment for the purpose of assessing
cancer risk is unnecessary.
iv. Anticipated residue and percent crop treated (PCT) information.
EPA did not use anticipated residue and/or PCT information in the
dietary assessment for propamocarb. 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 propamocarb in drinking water. These simulation models
take into account data on the physical, chemical, and fate/transport
characteristics of propamocarb. 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.
The revised estimated drinking water concentrations (EDWCs) are
those modeled for surface waters based on current labels and newly
submitted fate and transport data for the registration review of
propamocarb-HCl. All currently labeled uses were assessed including the
potato tolerance increase described in this action.
Surface water values were obtained from FLnurserySTD_V2 model for
the acute value, and NJnurserySTD_V2 model for the chronic values
representing foliar application to ornamentals in nurseries. Ground
Water acute and chronic values were obtained from FLCITRUS_STD.SCN GW
scenario.
The EDWCs of propamocarb for acute exposures are 4,860 parts per
billion (ppb) for surface water, and 73 ppb for ground water. The EDWCs
of propamocarb for chronic exposure for non-cancer assessments are 385
ppb for surface water, and 70 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 4,860 ppb was used to
assess the contribution to drinking water. For chronic dietary risk
assessment, the water concentration of value 385 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). Propamocarb is
registered for use on golf course turf, which may result in dermal
post-application exposures. Although potential dermal post-application
exposures were previously assessed (K. Lowe, 05/15/2013, D377624), EPA
no longer considers the effects found in the dermal study to be adverse
and therefore, no longer identifies a dermal hazard. As a result, there
is no need to conduct a quantitative residential exposure assessment.
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
propamocarb to share a common mechanism of toxicity with any other
substances, and propamocarb does not appear to produce a toxic
metabolite produced by other substances. Although a carbamate,
propamocarb-HCl is not an
[[Page 9522]]
N-methyl carbamate and does not cause cholinesterase inhibition. Thus,
it was not included in the N-methyl carbamate cumulative risk
assessment. For the purposes of this tolerance action, therefore, EPA
has assumed that propamocarb does not have a common mechanism of
toxicity with other substances. For information regarding EPA's efforts
to determine which chemicals have a common mechanism of toxicity and to
evaluate the cumulative effects of such chemicals, see EPA's Web site
at https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/cumulative.
D. Safety Factor for Infants and Children
1. In general. Section 408(b)(2)(C) of FFDCA provides that EPA
shall apply an additional tenfold (10X) margin of safety for infants
and children in the case of threshold effects to account for prenatal
and postnatal toxicity and the completeness of the database on toxicity
and exposure unless EPA determines based on reliable data that a
different margin of safety will be safe for infants and children. This
additional margin of safety is commonly referred to as the Food Quality
Protection Act Safety Factor (FQPA SF). In applying this provision, EPA
either retains the default value of 10X, or uses a different additional
safety factor when reliable data available to EPA support the choice of
a different factor.
2. Prenatal and postnatal sensitivity. There is no evidence of
increased quantitative pre- or post-natal susceptibility following
exposure to propamocarb-HCl. There is evidence of increased qualitative
susceptibility in the database; however, concern for these effects is
low because: (1) The effects are well characterized, (2) clear NOAELs
were established, (3) the endpoints selected are protective of these
effects, and (4) the effects were seen in the presence of maternal/
parental toxicity.
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 propamocarb is complete.
ii. Although there was evidence of neurotoxicity (decreased motor
activity and vacuolization of the choroid plexus) in several studies
following propamocarb-HCl exposure, including the ACN and SCN studies;
there is no need for a developmental neurotoxicity study or additional
uncertainty factors (UFs) to account for neurotoxicity because the
neurotoxicity effects are well-characterized with clear NOAEL/LOAEL
values and the selected endpoints are protective of the observed
effects.
iii. Although there is evidence of increased qualitative
susceptibility from exposure to propamocarb, there is no need to retain
the 10X FQPA SF because: (1) The effects are well characterized; (2)
clear NOAELs were established; (3) the endpoints selected are
protective of these effects; and (4) the effects were seen in the
presence of maternal/parental toxicity.
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 propamocarb in drinking water. These assessments
will not underestimate the exposure and risks posed by propamocarb.
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 propamocarb will occupy 21% of the aPAD for females (13-49 years
old) and 42% of the aPAD for infants (<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
propamocarb from food and water will utilize 26% of the cPAD for
children (3-5 years old) the population group receiving the greatest
exposure. There are no chronic or long-term residential exposures from
uses of propamocarb.
3. Short-term and intermediate-term risk. 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). Because no
short-term or intermediate-term adverse effect was identified,
propamocarb is not expected to pose a short-term or intermediate-term
risk.
IV. Other Considerations
A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
A gas chromatography/nitrogen-phosphorus detection (GC/NPD) method
is available for the enforcement of residues of propamocarb in plant
commodities. This method has undergone a successful independent
laboratory validation (ILV) and petition method validation (PMV), and
is currently listed in the Pesticide Analytical Manual (PAM) Vol. II.
An adequate liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/
MS) for the enforcement of residues of propamocarb and its metabolites
in livestock commodities has been submitted to the Agency. This method
has undergone successful ILVs and a PMV. The results of a Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) multiresidue testing study indicate that
propamocarb and its metabolites are not recovered by any of the
protocols. The recoveries of propamocarb with the QuEChERS multiresidue
method are marginally adequate (68-69%; https://www.crl-pesticides.eu/library/docs/fv/CRLFV_Multiresidue_methods.pdf).
B. International Residue Limits
In making its tolerance decisions, EPA seeks to harmonize U.S.
tolerances with international standards whenever possible, consistent
with U.S. food safety standards and agricultural practices. EPA
considers the international maximum residue limits (MRLs) established
by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), as required by FFDCA
section 408(b)(4). The Codex Alimentarius is a joint United Nations
Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization food
standards program, and it is recognized as an international food safety
standards-setting organization in trade agreements to which the United
States is a party. EPA may establish a tolerance that is different from
a Codex MRL; however, FFDCA section 408(b)(4) requires that EPA explain
the reasons for departing from the Codex level.
The Codex has established a MRL for propamocarb in or on potato at
0.30 ppm. This MRL is the same as the tolerance established for
propamocarb in the United States.
V. Conclusion
Therefore, a tolerance is established for residues of propamocarb
in or on potato at 0.30 ppm.
[[Page 9523]]
VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
This action establishes a tolerance 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 action has been
exempted from review under Executive Order 12866, this action 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 action 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 action 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 action. In addition, this
action does not impose any enforceable duty or contain any unfunded
mandate as described under Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
(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 (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: January 6, 2017.
Daniel J. Rosenblatt,
Acting Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.
Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is amended as follows:
PART 180--[AMENDED]
0
1. The authority citation for part 180 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.
0
2. In Sec. 180.499, revise the entry for ``Potato'' in the table in
paragraph (a) to read as follows:
Sec. 180.499 Propamocarb; tolerances for residues.
(a) * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parts per
Commodity million
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
Potato.................................................. 0.30
* * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2017-02479 Filed 2-6-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P