Ethaboxam; Pesticide Tolerances, 36086-36090 [2017-16371]
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BILLING CODE 8320–01–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA–HQ–OPP–2015–0676; FRL–9961–69]
A. Does this action apply to me?
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
This regulation establishes
tolerances for residues of ethaboxam in
or on Ginseng; Pepper/eggplant,
subgroup 8–10B; Vegetable, cucurbit,
group 9; and Vegetable, tuberous and
corm, subgroup 1C. Valent USA
Corporation requested these tolerances
under the Federal Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
DATES: This regulation is effective
August 3, 2017. Objections and requests
for hearings must be received on or
before October 2, 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).
SUMMARY:
The docket for this action,
identified by docket identification (ID)
number EPA–HQ–OPP–2015–0676, 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.
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Mike 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
Ethaboxam; Pesticide Tolerances
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
[FR Doc. 2017–16132 Filed 8–2–17; 8:45 am]
ADDRESSES:
*
You may be potentially affected by
this action if you are an agricultural
producer, food manufacturer, or
pesticide manufacturer. The following
list of North American Industrial
Classification System (NAICS) codes is
not intended to be exhaustive, but rather
provides a guide to help readers
determine whether this document
applies to them. Potentially affected
entities may include:
• Crop production (NAICS code 111).
• Animal production (NAICS code
112).
• Food manufacturing (NAICS code
311).
• Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS
code 32532).
B. How can I get electronic access to
other related information?
You may access a frequently updated
electronic version of EPA’s tolerance
regulations at 40 CFR part 180 through
the Government Printing Office’s e-CFR
site at https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/textidx?&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title40/
40tab_02.tpl
C. How can I file an objection or hearing
request?
Under FFDCA section 408(g), 21
U.S.C. 346a, any person may file an
objection to any aspect of this regulation
and may also request a hearing on those
objections. You must file your objection
or request a hearing on this regulation
in accordance with the instructions
provided in 40 CFR part 178. To ensure
proper receipt by EPA, you must
identify docket ID number EPA–HQ–
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9918
9903
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OPP–2015–0676 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 October 2, 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–
2015–0676, 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 April 25,
2016 (81 FR 24044) (FRL–9944–86),
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 5F8383) by Valent
USA Corporation, 1600 Riviera Avenue,
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Suite 200, Walnut Creek, CA 94596. The
petition requested that 40 CFR 180.622
be amended by establishing tolerances
for residues of the fungicide ethaboxam,
N-(cyano-2-thienylmethyl)-4-ethyl-2(ethlyamino)-5-thiazolecarboxamide, in
or on ginseng at 0.09 parts per million
(ppm); Pepper/eggplant (Crop Subgroup
8–10B) at 0.6 ppm; Cucurbit Vegetables
(Crop Group 9) at 0.3 ppm; and
Tuberous and corm Vegetable Subgroup
1C at 0.01 ppm. That document
referenced a summary of the petition
prepared by Valent USA 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 petition, EPA has
corrected proposed commodity
definitions and revised certain proposed
crop tolerances. 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 ethaboxam
including exposure resulting from the
tolerances established by this action.
EPA’s assessment of exposures and risks
associated with ethaboxam follows.
A. Toxicological Profile
EPA has evaluated the available
toxicity data and considered its validity,
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completeness, and reliability as well as
the relationship of the results of the
studies to human risk. EPA has also
considered available information
concerning the variability of the
sensitivities of major identifiable
subgroups of consumers, including
infants and children.
The toxicology database for
ethaboxam is complete. The male
reproductive system is a target for
ethaboxam, with alterations to the male
reproductive organs as well as
functional effects on male reproduction
observed in several oral subchronic and
chronic rat studies. In subchronic
studies in rats, there were severe
testicular alterations including small
testes, decreased testicular weight and
atrophy, abnormal spermatids in the
testes, and interstitial cell hyperplasia.
In the epididymis, there were small
epididymides, decreased epididymal
weights, abnormal spermatogenic cells,
and absent spermatozoa. Decreased
seminal vesicle and prostate weights
were also observed. Effects were also
seen after chronic exposure including
decreased epididymal and seminal
vesicle weights, seminiferous tubule
atrophy, small/flaccid testes and
epididymides, abnormal spermatogenic
cells in the epididymal duct, absent
sperm, epididymal vacuolation, and
reduced colloid in the prostate. Fine
vacuolation of the adrenal zona
glomerulosa was also observed in both
sexes in the rat studies, along with
decreased body weight in females.
There were no treatment-related male
reproductive effects observed in mice,
but there were effects seen in the liver.
In mice, increased liver weights
associated with centrilobular
hypertrophy and liver histopathology
(eosinophilic foci) were observed after
chronic exposure. In dogs, decreased
body weight and body weight gain,
decreased thymus weights and thymus
atrophy/involution, and hematopoiesis
of the spleen were noted after
subchronic exposure. No treatmentrelated effects were noted in dogs after
chronic exposure. There is no concern
for neurotoxicity or immunotoxicity
after exposure to ethaboxam. No
evidence of increased quantitative or
qualitative susceptibility was seen in
the developmental toxicity studies in
rats and rabbits; however, increased
qualitative susceptibility was seen in
the rat reproduction study where
decreased body weight, decreased
viability, and delayed sexual maturation
were seen in offspring animals in the
presence of limited parental effects
(decreased body weight and body
weight gain). Ethaboxam is classified as
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having ‘‘suggestive evidence of
carcinogenic potential,’’ based on an
increased incidence of benign Leydig
cell tumors in male rats. The Agency
has determined that quantification of
cancer risk using a non-linear approach
(based on the POD of 5.5 mg/kg/day for
establishing a chronic reference dose)
would adequately account for all
chronic toxicity since the POD is 6-fold
lower than the lowest dose that induced
tumors.
Specific information on the studies
received and the nature of the adverse
effects caused by ethaboxam 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
‘‘Ethaboxam. Human Health Risk
Assessment for the Proposed First Food
Uses on Fruiting Vegetables (Pepper/
Eggplant Subgroup 8–10B), Cucurbit
Vegetables (Group 9), Ginseng, and
Potato (Tuberous and Corm Vegetable
Subgroup 1C)’’ at pages 27–32 in docket
ID number EPA–HQ–OPP–2015–0676.
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 ethaboxam used for
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human risk assessment is shown in the
Table of this unit.
TABLE—SUMMARY OF TOXICOLOGICAL DOSES AND ENDPOINTS FOR ETHABOXAM FOR USE IN HUMAN HEALTH RISK
ASSESSMENT
Point of departure and uncertainty/safety factors
Exposure/scenario
RfD, PAD, LOC
for risk
assessment
Study and toxicological effects
Acute dietary (All Populations) .........
No appropriate endpoint attributable to a single dose identified.
Chronic dietary (All populations) ......
NOAEL= 5.5 mg/kg/day .......
UFA = 10x
UFH = 10x
FQPA SF = 1x
Cancer (Oral, dermal, inhalation) .....
Classification: ‘‘Suggestive Evidence of Carcinogenicity’’, based on an increased incidence of benign
Leydig Cell tumors in males. Cancer risk has been assessed using a non-linear approach.
Chronic RfD =
0.055 mg/kg/
day.
cPAD = 0.055
mg/kg/day
Combined Chronic/Carcinogenicity-Rat.
LOAEL = 16.4 mg/kg/day based on effects observed
in the male reproductive organs (testes,
epididymides, prostate, seminal vesicles).
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. FQPA SF = Food Quality Protection Act safety factor. 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 ethaboxam, EPA considered
exposure under the petitioned-for
tolerances as well as all existing
ethaboxam tolerances in 40 CFR
180.622. EPA assessed dietary
exposures from ethaboxam in food as
follows:
i. Acute exposure. Quantitative acute
dietary exposure and risk assessments
are performed for a food-use pesticide,
if a toxicological study has indicated the
possibility of an effect of concern
occurring as a result of a 1-day or single
exposure.
No such effects were identified in the
toxicological studies for ethaboxam;
therefore, a quantitative acute dietary
exposure assessment is unnecessary.
ii. Chronic exposure. In conducting
the chronic dietary exposure assessment
EPA used the food consumption data
from the 2003–2008 U.S. Department of
Agriculture’s (USDA’s) National Health
and Nutrition Examination Survey,
What We Eat in America (NHANES/
WWEIA). Tolerance-level residues and
100% crop treated were assumed for all
crops. Empirical data indicate that
residues of ethaboxam in processed
grape (e.g., juice, raisins, etc.) and
potato (e.g., flakes, chips, etc.)
commodities are not expected to exceed
the tolerance level for grapes or
potatoes; therefore, no concentration
factors were used in this analysis.
iii. Cancer. Based on the data
summarized in Unit III.A., EPA has
concluded that a nonlinear RfD
approach is appropriate for assessing
cancer risk to ethaboxam. Cancer risk
was assessed using the same exposure
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estimates as discussed in Unit III.C.1.ii.,
chronic exposure.
iv. Anticipated residue and percent
crop treated (PCT) information. EPA did
not use anticipated residue and/or PCT
information in the dietary assessment
for ethaboxam. Tolerance-level residues
and/or 100% CT 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 ethaboxam in drinking water. These
simulation models take into account
data on the physical, chemical, and fate/
transport characteristics of ethaboxam.
Further information regarding EPA
drinking water models used in pesticide
exposure assessment can be found at
https://www.epa.gov/oppefed1/models/
water/index.htm.
Based on the Pesticide in Water
Calculator (PWC) v1.50 and Pesticide
Root Zone Model Ground Water (PRZM
GW), the estimated drinking water
concentrations (EDWCs) of ethaboxam
for chronic exposures for non-cancer
assessments are estimated to be 3.91
ppb for surface water and 7.4 ppb for
ground water.
Modeled estimates of drinking water
concentrations were directly entered
into the dietary exposure model. For
chronic dietary risk assessment, the
water concentration of value 7.4 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).
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Ethaboxam 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 ethaboxam to
share a common mechanism of toxicity
with any other substances, and
ethaboxam does not appear to produce
a toxic metabolite produced by other
substances. For the purposes of this
tolerance action, therefore, EPA has
assumed that ethaboxam 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
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FQPA Safety Factor (SF). In applying
this provision, EPA either retains the
default value of 10X, or uses a different
additional safety factor when reliable
data available to EPA support the choice
of a different factor.
2. Prenatal and postnatal sensitivity.
There is evidence of increased
qualitative susceptibility in the rat
developmental and reproduction
studies. Considering the overall toxicity
profile and the doses and endpoints
selected for risk assessment for
ethaboxam, the degree of concern for
prenatal and postnatal effects observed
in the studies is low based on the
following: The developmental/offspring
effects observed in the studies are well
characterized and occur in the presence
of maternal toxicity; a clear NOAEL has
been identified in both of the studies;
and there are no residual uncertainties
for pre-and/or postnatal toxicity.
Furthermore, the toxicology endpoint
established for risk assessment is based
on a lower NOAEL than the
reproductive NOAEL, and thus is
considered protective of developmental/
offspring effects.
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 ethaboxam
is complete.
ii. There is no indication that
ethaboxam is a neurotoxic chemical and
there is no need for a developmental
neurotoxicity study or additional UFs to
account for neurotoxicity.
iii. Although there is evidence of
increased qualitative susceptibility in
the rat reproduction study, the offspring
effects observed in the study are well
characterized and clear NOAELs/
LOAELs have been identified in the
study for the effects of concern.
Additionally, the points of departure
(PODs) selected for risk assessment are
protective of potential offspring effects.
iv. There are no residual uncertainties
identified in the exposure databases.
The dietary food exposure assessments
were performed based on 100% CT and
tolerance-level residues. EPA made
conservative (protective) assumptions in
the ground and surface water modeling
used to assess exposure to ethaboxam in
drinking water. These assessments will
not underestimate the exposure and
risks posed by ethaboxam.
E. Aggregate Risks and Determination of
Safety
EPA determines whether acute and
chronic dietary pesticide exposures are
safe by comparing aggregate exposure
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estimates to the acute PAD (aPAD) and
chronic PAD (cPAD). For linear cancer
risks, EPA calculates the lifetime
probability of acquiring cancer given the
estimated aggregate exposure. Short-,
intermediate-, and chronic-term risks
are evaluated by comparing the
estimated aggregate food, water, and
residential exposure to the appropriate
PODs to ensure that an adequate MOE
exists.
1. Acute risk. An acute aggregate risk
assessment takes into account acute
exposure estimates from dietary
consumption of food and drinking
water. No adverse effect resulting from
a single oral exposure was identified
and no acute dietary endpoint was
selected. Therefore, ethaboxam is not
expected to pose an acute risk.
2. Chronic risk. Using the exposure
assumptions described in this unit for
chronic exposure, EPA has concluded
that chronic exposure to ethaboxam
from food and water will utilize 36% of
the cPAD for children 1–2 years old the
population group receiving the greatest
exposure. There are no residential uses
for ethaboxam.
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).
Although short-term and intermediateterm adverse effects were identified,
ethaboxam is not registered for any use
patterns that would result in short-term
or intermediate-term residential
exposure. Because there is no
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 or
intermediate-term risk), no further
assessment of residential risk is
necessary. EPA relies on the chronic
dietary risk assessment for evaluating
short-term and intermediate-term risk
for ethaboxam.
4. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S.
population. As discussed in Unit III.A.,
EPA has determined that the chronic
reference dose (cRfD) is protective of the
potential cancer effects. Because chronic
exposure does not exceed the Agency’s
level of concern, EPA concludes that
ethaboxam does not pose a cancer risk.
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 ethaboxam
residues.
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IV. Other Considerations
A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
Adequate enforcement methodology
Liquid Chromotography with tandem
mass spectrometrometry (LC–MS/MS) is
available to enforce the tolerance
expression.
The method may be requested from:
Chief, Analytical Chemistry Branch,
Environmental Science Center, 701
Mapes Rd., Ft. Meade, MD 20755–5350;
telephone number: (410) 305–2905;
email address: residuemethods@
epa.gov.
B. International Residue Limits
In making its tolerance decisions, EPA
seeks to harmonize U.S. tolerances with
international standards whenever
possible, consistent with U.S. food
safety standards and agricultural
practices. EPA considers the
international maximum residue limits
(MRLs) established by the Codex
Alimentarius Commission (Codex), as
required by FFDCA section 408(b)(4).
The Codex Alimentarius is a joint
United Nations Food and Agriculture
Organization/World Health
Organization food standards program,
and it is recognized as an international
food safety standards-setting
organization in trade agreements to
which the United States is a party. EPA
may establish a tolerance that is
different from a Codex MRL; however,
FFDCA section 408(b)(4) requires that
EPA explain the reasons for departing
from the Codex level.
MRLs have not been established by
Codex for residues of ethaboxam on the
commodities in this action.
C. Revisions to Petitioned-For
Tolerances
To reflect the correct commodity
definitions, EPA revised the proposed
commodity listings for Potato (Tuberous
and Corm Vegetable Subgroup 1C);
Peppers (Pepper/Eggplant Crop
Subgroup 8–10B); and Cucurbit
Vegetables (Crop Group 9) to Vegetable,
tuberous and corm, subgroup 1C;
Pepper/eggplant, subgroup 8–10B; and
Vegetable, cucurbit, group 9,
respectively.
The petitioner requested that the
tolerances for Pepper/eggplant,
subgroup 8–10B be set at 0.6 ppm and
Ginseng be set at 0.09 ppm; however,
the Agency is establishing the tolerances
at 0.90 ppm and 0.10 ppm, respectively,
based on Agency calculations using data
obtained from the submitted residue
studies. The Agency used the
Organization of Economic Cooperation
and Development (OECD) maximum
residue limit (MRL) calculation
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procedures to derive the recommended
levels. For crop groups, and per EPA’s
current policy, a tolerance level for each
representative commodity was
calculated separately, and then the
maximum value within each crop group
was selected as the tolerance level.
All of EPA’s tolerance levels are
expressed to provide sufficient
precision for enforcement purposes.
This may include the addition of
trailing zeros, as was the case for
Vegetable, cucurbit, group 9 for which
a tolerance of 0.3 ppm was proposed
and a tolerance at 0.30 ppm is being
established.
Finally, EPA is revising the tolerance
expression to clarify (1) that, as
provided in FFDCA section 408(a)(3),
the tolerance covers metabolites and
degradates of ethaboxam not specifically
mentioned; and (2) that compliance
with the specified tolerance levels is to
be determined by measuring only the
specific compounds mentioned in the
tolerance expression.
pmangrum on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES
V. Conclusion
Therefore, tolerances are established
for residues of ethaboxam (N-(cyano-2thienylmethyl)-4-ethyl-2-(ethlyamino)5-thiazolecarboxamide), including its
metabolites and degradates, in or on
Ginseng at 0.10 ppm; Pepper/eggplant,
subgroup 8–10B at 0.90 ppm; Vegetable,
cucurbit, group 9 at 0.30 ppm; and
Vegetable, tuberous and corm, subgroup
1C at 0.01 ppm. Compliance with the
tolerance levels specified above is to be
determined by measuring only
ethaboxam (N-(cyano-2-thienylmethyl)4-ethyl-2-(ethlyamino)-5thiazolecarboxamide).
VI. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
This action 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 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
VerDate Sep<11>2014
13:28 Aug 02, 2017
Jkt 241001
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,
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
Agricultural commodities, Pesticides
and pests, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
Dated: June 29, 2017.
Donna Davis,
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. Section 180.622, paragraph (a) is
revised to read as follows:
■
§ 180.622 Ethaboxam; tolerances for
residues.
(a) General. Tolerances are
established for residues of ethaboxam,
including its metabolites and
degradates, in or on the commodities
listed in the table below. Compliance
with the tolerance levels specified
below is to be determined by measuring
only ethaboxam (N-(cyano-2thienylmethyl)-4-ethyl-2-(ethylamino)5-thiazolecarboxamide) in or on the
commodity.
Parts per
million
Commodity
Ginseng ................................
Grape 1 ..................................
Pepper/eggplant subgroup
8–10B ................................
Vegetable, cucurbit, group 9
Vegetable, tuberous and
corm, subgroup 1C ...........
0.10
6.0
0.90
0.30
0.01
1 There
is no U.S. registration as of September 27, 2006.
*
*
*
*
*
[FR Doc. 2017–16371 Filed 8–2–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA–HQ–OPP–2014–0679; FRL–9963–02]
Cyclaniliprole; Pesticide Tolerances
and Exemption From the Requirement
of a Tolerance
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
This regulation establishes
tolerances for residues of cyclaniliprole
in or on multiple commodities that are
identified and discussed later in this
document. ISK Biosciences Corporation
requested these tolerances under the
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\03AUR1.SGM
03AUR1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 148 (Thursday, August 3, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36086-36090]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-16371]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA-HQ-OPP-2015-0676; FRL-9961-69]
Ethaboxam; Pesticide Tolerances
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of
ethaboxam in or on Ginseng; Pepper/eggplant, subgroup 8-10B; Vegetable,
cucurbit, group 9; and Vegetable, tuberous and corm, subgroup 1C.
Valent USA Corporation requested these tolerances under the Federal
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
DATES: This regulation is effective August 3, 2017. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received on or before October 2, 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-2015-0676, 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: Mike 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
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-2015-0676 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
October 2, 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-2015-0676, 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 April 25, 2016 (81 FR 24044) (FRL-9944-
86), 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
5F8383) by Valent USA Corporation, 1600 Riviera Avenue,
[[Page 36087]]
Suite 200, Walnut Creek, CA 94596. The petition requested that 40 CFR
180.622 be amended by establishing tolerances for residues of the
fungicide ethaboxam, N-(cyano-2-thienylmethyl)-4-ethyl-2-(ethlyamino)-
5-thiazolecarboxamide, in or on ginseng at 0.09 parts per million
(ppm); Pepper/eggplant (Crop Subgroup 8-10B) at 0.6 ppm; Cucurbit
Vegetables (Crop Group 9) at 0.3 ppm; and Tuberous and corm Vegetable
Subgroup 1C at 0.01 ppm. That document referenced a summary of the
petition prepared by Valent USA 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 petition, EPA has
corrected proposed commodity definitions and revised certain proposed
crop tolerances. 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 ethaboxam including exposure
resulting from the tolerances established by this action. EPA's
assessment of exposures and risks associated with ethaboxam follows.
A. Toxicological Profile
EPA has evaluated the available toxicity data and considered its
validity, completeness, and reliability as well as the relationship of
the results of the studies to human risk. EPA has also considered
available information concerning the variability of the sensitivities
of major identifiable subgroups of consumers, including infants and
children.
The toxicology database for ethaboxam is complete. The male
reproductive system is a target for ethaboxam, with alterations to the
male reproductive organs as well as functional effects on male
reproduction observed in several oral subchronic and chronic rat
studies. In subchronic studies in rats, there were severe testicular
alterations including small testes, decreased testicular weight and
atrophy, abnormal spermatids in the testes, and interstitial cell
hyperplasia. In the epididymis, there were small epididymides,
decreased epididymal weights, abnormal spermatogenic cells, and absent
spermatozoa. Decreased seminal vesicle and prostate weights were also
observed. Effects were also seen after chronic exposure including
decreased epididymal and seminal vesicle weights, seminiferous tubule
atrophy, small/flaccid testes and epididymides, abnormal spermatogenic
cells in the epididymal duct, absent sperm, epididymal vacuolation, and
reduced colloid in the prostate. Fine vacuolation of the adrenal zona
glomerulosa was also observed in both sexes in the rat studies, along
with decreased body weight in females. There were no treatment-related
male reproductive effects observed in mice, but there were effects seen
in the liver. In mice, increased liver weights associated with
centrilobular hypertrophy and liver histopathology (eosinophilic foci)
were observed after chronic exposure. In dogs, decreased body weight
and body weight gain, decreased thymus weights and thymus atrophy/
involution, and hematopoiesis of the spleen were noted after subchronic
exposure. No treatment-related effects were noted in dogs after chronic
exposure. There is no concern for neurotoxicity or immunotoxicity after
exposure to ethaboxam. No evidence of increased quantitative or
qualitative susceptibility was seen in the developmental toxicity
studies in rats and rabbits; however, increased qualitative
susceptibility was seen in the rat reproduction study where decreased
body weight, decreased viability, and delayed sexual maturation were
seen in offspring animals in the presence of limited parental effects
(decreased body weight and body weight gain). Ethaboxam is classified
as having ``suggestive evidence of carcinogenic potential,'' based on
an increased incidence of benign Leydig cell tumors in male rats. The
Agency has determined that quantification of cancer risk using a non-
linear approach (based on the POD of 5.5 mg/kg/day for establishing a
chronic reference dose) would adequately account for all chronic
toxicity since the POD is 6-fold lower than the lowest dose that
induced tumors.
Specific information on the studies received and the nature of the
adverse effects caused by ethaboxam 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 ``Ethaboxam. Human Health Risk
Assessment for the Proposed First Food Uses on Fruiting Vegetables
(Pepper/Eggplant Subgroup 8-10B), Cucurbit Vegetables (Group 9),
Ginseng, and Potato (Tuberous and Corm Vegetable Subgroup 1C)'' at
pages 27-32 in docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2015-0676.
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 ethaboxam used for
[[Page 36088]]
human risk assessment is shown in the Table of this unit.
Table--Summary of Toxicological Doses and Endpoints for Ethaboxam 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 (All Populations).. No appropriate endpoint attributable to a single dose identified.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chronic dietary (All populations) NOAEL= 5.5 mg/kg/day Chronic RfD = 0.055 Combined Chronic/Carcinogenicity-
UFA = 10x........... mg/kg/day. Rat.
UFH = 10x........... cPAD = 0.055 mg/kg/ LOAEL = 16.4 mg/kg/day based on
FQPA SF = 1x........ day. effects observed in the male
reproductive organs (testes,
epididymides, prostate, seminal
vesicles).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cancer (Oral, dermal, inhalation) Classification: ``Suggestive Evidence of Carcinogenicity'', based on an
increased incidence of benign Leydig Cell tumors in males. Cancer risk has
been assessed using a non-linear approach.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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. FQPA SF = Food Quality
Protection Act safety factor. 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 ethaboxam, EPA considered exposure under the petitioned-for
tolerances as well as all existing ethaboxam tolerances in 40 CFR
180.622. EPA assessed dietary exposures from ethaboxam in food as
follows:
i. Acute exposure. Quantitative acute dietary exposure and risk
assessments are performed for a food-use pesticide, if a toxicological
study has indicated the possibility of an effect of concern occurring
as a result of a 1-day or single exposure.
No such effects were identified in the toxicological studies for
ethaboxam; therefore, a quantitative acute dietary exposure assessment
is unnecessary.
ii. Chronic exposure. In conducting the chronic dietary exposure
assessment EPA used the food consumption data from the 2003-2008 U.S.
Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) National Health and Nutrition
Examination Survey, What We Eat in America (NHANES/WWEIA). Tolerance-
level residues and 100% crop treated were assumed for all crops.
Empirical data indicate that residues of ethaboxam in processed grape
(e.g., juice, raisins, etc.) and potato (e.g., flakes, chips, etc.)
commodities are not expected to exceed the tolerance level for grapes
or potatoes; therefore, no concentration factors were used in this
analysis.
iii. Cancer. Based on the data summarized in Unit III.A., EPA has
concluded that a nonlinear RfD approach is appropriate for assessing
cancer risk to ethaboxam. Cancer risk was assessed using the same
exposure estimates as discussed in Unit III.C.1.ii., chronic exposure.
iv. Anticipated residue and percent crop treated (PCT) information.
EPA did not use anticipated residue and/or PCT information in the
dietary assessment for ethaboxam. Tolerance-level residues and/or 100%
CT 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 ethaboxam in drinking water. These simulation models
take into account data on the physical, chemical, and fate/transport
characteristics of ethaboxam. Further information regarding EPA
drinking water models used in pesticide exposure assessment can be
found at https://www.epa.gov/oppefed1/models/water/index.htm.
Based on the Pesticide in Water Calculator (PWC) v1.50 and
Pesticide Root Zone Model Ground Water (PRZM GW), the estimated
drinking water concentrations (EDWCs) of ethaboxam for chronic
exposures for non-cancer assessments are estimated to be 3.91 ppb for
surface water and 7.4 ppb for ground water.
Modeled estimates of drinking water concentrations were directly
entered into the dietary exposure model. For chronic dietary risk
assessment, the water concentration of value 7.4 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).
Ethaboxam 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 ethaboxam to share a common mechanism of toxicity
with any other substances, and ethaboxam does not appear to produce a
toxic metabolite produced by other substances. For the purposes of this
tolerance action, therefore, EPA has assumed that ethaboxam 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
[[Page 36089]]
FQPA Safety Factor (SF). In applying this provision, EPA either retains
the default value of 10X, or uses a different additional safety factor
when reliable data available to EPA support the choice of a different
factor.
2. Prenatal and postnatal sensitivity. There is evidence of
increased qualitative susceptibility in the rat developmental and
reproduction studies. Considering the overall toxicity profile and the
doses and endpoints selected for risk assessment for ethaboxam, the
degree of concern for prenatal and postnatal effects observed in the
studies is low based on the following: The developmental/offspring
effects observed in the studies are well characterized and occur in the
presence of maternal toxicity; a clear NOAEL has been identified in
both of the studies; and there are no residual uncertainties for pre-
and/or postnatal toxicity. Furthermore, the toxicology endpoint
established for risk assessment is based on a lower NOAEL than the
reproductive NOAEL, and thus is considered protective of developmental/
offspring effects.
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 ethaboxam is complete.
ii. There is no indication that ethaboxam is a neurotoxic chemical
and there is no need for a developmental neurotoxicity study or
additional UFs to account for neurotoxicity.
iii. Although there is evidence of increased qualitative
susceptibility in the rat reproduction study, the offspring effects
observed in the study are well characterized and clear NOAELs/LOAELs
have been identified in the study for the effects of concern.
Additionally, the points of departure (PODs) selected for risk
assessment are protective of potential offspring effects.
iv. There are no residual uncertainties identified in the exposure
databases. The dietary food exposure assessments were performed based
on 100% CT and tolerance-level residues. EPA made conservative
(protective) assumptions in the ground and surface water modeling used
to assess exposure to ethaboxam in drinking water. These assessments
will not underestimate the exposure and risks posed by ethaboxam.
E. Aggregate Risks and Determination of Safety
EPA determines whether acute and chronic dietary pesticide
exposures are safe by comparing aggregate exposure estimates to the
acute PAD (aPAD) and chronic PAD (cPAD). For linear cancer risks, EPA
calculates the lifetime probability of acquiring cancer given the
estimated aggregate exposure. Short-, intermediate-, and chronic-term
risks are evaluated by comparing the estimated aggregate food, water,
and residential exposure to the appropriate PODs to ensure that an
adequate MOE exists.
1. Acute risk. An acute aggregate risk assessment takes into
account acute exposure estimates from dietary consumption of food and
drinking water. No adverse effect resulting from a single oral exposure
was identified and no acute dietary endpoint was selected. Therefore,
ethaboxam is not expected to pose an acute risk.
2. Chronic risk. Using the exposure assumptions described in this
unit for chronic exposure, EPA has concluded that chronic exposure to
ethaboxam from food and water will utilize 36% of the cPAD for children
1-2 years old the population group receiving the greatest exposure.
There are no residential uses for ethaboxam.
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). Although
short-term and intermediate-term adverse effects were identified,
ethaboxam is not registered for any use patterns that would result in
short-term or intermediate-term residential exposure. Because there is
no 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 or intermediate-term
risk), no further assessment of residential risk is necessary. EPA
relies on the chronic dietary risk assessment for evaluating short-term
and intermediate-term risk for ethaboxam.
4. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S. population. As discussed in Unit
III.A., EPA has determined that the chronic reference dose (cRfD) is
protective of the potential cancer effects. Because chronic exposure
does not exceed the Agency's level of concern, EPA concludes that
ethaboxam does not pose a cancer risk.
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 ethaboxam residues.
IV. Other Considerations
A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
Adequate enforcement methodology Liquid Chromotography with tandem
mass spectrometrometry (LC-MS/MS) is available to enforce the tolerance
expression.
The method may be requested from: Chief, Analytical Chemistry
Branch, Environmental Science Center, 701 Mapes Rd., Ft. Meade, MD
20755-5350; telephone number: (410) 305-2905; email address:
residuemethods@epa.gov.
B. International Residue Limits
In making its tolerance decisions, EPA seeks to harmonize U.S.
tolerances with international standards whenever possible, consistent
with U.S. food safety standards and agricultural practices. EPA
considers the international maximum residue limits (MRLs) established
by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), as required by FFDCA
section 408(b)(4). The Codex Alimentarius is a joint United Nations
Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization food
standards program, and it is recognized as an international food safety
standards-setting organization in trade agreements to which the United
States is a party. EPA may establish a tolerance that is different from
a Codex MRL; however, FFDCA section 408(b)(4) requires that EPA explain
the reasons for departing from the Codex level.
MRLs have not been established by Codex for residues of ethaboxam
on the commodities in this action.
C. Revisions to Petitioned-For Tolerances
To reflect the correct commodity definitions, EPA revised the
proposed commodity listings for Potato (Tuberous and Corm Vegetable
Subgroup 1C); Peppers (Pepper/Eggplant Crop Subgroup 8-10B); and
Cucurbit Vegetables (Crop Group 9) to Vegetable, tuberous and corm,
subgroup 1C; Pepper/eggplant, subgroup 8-10B; and Vegetable, cucurbit,
group 9, respectively.
The petitioner requested that the tolerances for Pepper/eggplant,
subgroup 8-10B be set at 0.6 ppm and Ginseng be set at 0.09 ppm;
however, the Agency is establishing the tolerances at 0.90 ppm and 0.10
ppm, respectively, based on Agency calculations using data obtained
from the submitted residue studies. The Agency used the Organization of
Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) maximum residue limit (MRL)
calculation
[[Page 36090]]
procedures to derive the recommended levels. For crop groups, and per
EPA's current policy, a tolerance level for each representative
commodity was calculated separately, and then the maximum value within
each crop group was selected as the tolerance level.
All of EPA's tolerance levels are expressed to provide sufficient
precision for enforcement purposes. This may include the addition of
trailing zeros, as was the case for Vegetable, cucurbit, group 9 for
which a tolerance of 0.3 ppm was proposed and a tolerance at 0.30 ppm
is being established.
Finally, EPA is revising the tolerance expression to clarify (1)
that, as provided in FFDCA section 408(a)(3), the tolerance covers
metabolites and degradates of ethaboxam not specifically mentioned; and
(2) that compliance with the specified tolerance levels is to be
determined by measuring only the specific compounds mentioned in the
tolerance expression.
V. Conclusion
Therefore, tolerances are established for residues of ethaboxam (N-
(cyano-2-thienylmethyl)-4-ethyl-2-(ethlyamino)-5-thiazolecarboxamide),
including its metabolites and degradates, in or on Ginseng at 0.10 ppm;
Pepper/eggplant, subgroup 8-10B at 0.90 ppm; Vegetable, cucurbit, group
9 at 0.30 ppm; and Vegetable, tuberous and corm, subgroup 1C at 0.01
ppm. Compliance with the tolerance levels specified above is to be
determined by measuring only ethaboxam (N-(cyano-2-thienylmethyl)-4-
ethyl-2-(ethlyamino)-5-thiazolecarboxamide).
VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
This action 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 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: June 29, 2017.
Donna Davis,
Acting Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.
Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is amended as follows:
PART 180--[AMENDED]
0
1. The authority citation for part 180 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.
0
2. Section 180.622, paragraph (a) is revised to read as follows:
Sec. 180.622 Ethaboxam; tolerances for residues.
(a) General. Tolerances are established for residues of ethaboxam,
including its metabolites and degradates, in or on the commodities
listed in the table below. Compliance with the tolerance levels
specified below is to be determined by measuring only ethaboxam (N-
(cyano-2-thienylmethyl)-4-ethyl-2-(ethylamino)-5-thiazolecarboxamide)
in or on the commodity.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parts per
Commodity million
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ginseng................................................. 0.10
Grape \1\............................................... 6.0
Pepper/eggplant subgroup 8-10B.......................... 0.90
Vegetable, cucurbit, group 9............................ 0.30
Vegetable, tuberous and corm, subgroup 1C............... 0.01
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ There is no U.S. registration as of September 27, 2006.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2017-16371 Filed 8-2-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P