Tin Oxide; Exemption From the Requirement of a Tolerance, 55970-55974 [2018-24585]
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associated with fireworks displays and
swim events. During the enforcement
period, no person or vessel may enter
the safety zones without permission of
the Captain of the Port (COTP).
The regulation for the safety
zone described in 33 CFR 165.160 will
DATES:
be enforced on the date and times listed
in the table below.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If
you have questions on this notice of
enforcement, call or email Petty Officer
First Class Ronald Sampert U.S. Coast
Guard; telephone 718–354–4197, email
ronald.j.sampert@uscg.mil.
The Coast
Guard will enforce the safety zones
listed in 33 CFR 165.160 on the
specified date and time as indicated in
Table 1 below. This regulation was
published in the Federal Register on
November 9, 2011 (76 FR 69614).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
TABLE 1
1. Pyro Engineering Inc., Liberty Island Safety Zone, 33 CFR 165.160
(2.1).
2. Circle Line Sightseeing Yachts NYE, Liberty Island Safety Zone, 3
CFR 165.160 (2.1).
Under the provisions of 33 CFR
165.160, vessels may not enter the safety
zones unless given permission from the
COTP or a designated representative.
Spectator vessels may transit outside the
safety zones but may not anchor, block,
loiter in, or impede the transit of other
vessels. The Coast Guard may be
assisted by other Federal, State, or local
law enforcement agencies in enforcing
this regulation.
This notice of enforcement is issued
under authority of 33 CFR 165.160(a)
and 5 U.S.C. 552(a). In addition to this
notice in the Federal Register, the Coast
Guard will provide mariners with
advanced notification of enforcement
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and marine information broadcasts.
If the COTP determines that a safety
zone need not be enforced for the full
duration stated in this notice of
enforcement, a Broadcast Notice to
Mariners may be used to grant general
permission to enter the safety zone.
Dated: October 3, 2018.
J.P. Tama,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the
Port New York.
[FR Doc. 2018–24573 Filed 11–8–18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110–04–P
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA–HQ–OPP–2017–0614; FRL–9982–73]
Tin Oxide; Exemption From the
Requirement of a Tolerance
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
AGENCY:
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ACTION:
• Launch site: A barge located in approximate position 40°41′16.5″ N
074°02′23″ W (NAD 1983), located in Federal Anchorage 20–C,
about 360 yards east of Liberty Island. This Safety Zone is a 360yard radius from the barge.
• Date: November 29, 2018.
• Time: 10:00 p.m.–11:30 p.m.
• Launch site: A barge located in approximate position 40°41′16.5″ N
074°02′23″ W (NAD 1983), located in Federal Anchorage 20–C,
about 360 yards east of Liberty Island. This Safety Zone is a 360yard radius from the barge.
• Date: December 31, 2018–January 1, 2019.
• Time: 11:00 p.m.–01:00 a.m.
Final rule.
This regulation establishes an
exemption from the requirement of a
tolerance for residues of tin oxide (CAS
Reg. No. 18282–10–5) when used as an
inert ingredient (seed treatment
colorant) not to exceed 40% by weight
in pesticide formulations applied to
growing crops. Exponent on behalf of
Aceto Corporation submitted a petition
to EPA under the Federal Food, Drug,
and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), requesting
establishment of an exemption from the
requirement of a tolerance. This
regulation eliminates the need to
establish a maximum permissible level
for residues of tin oxide.
DATES: This regulation is effective
November 9, 2018. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received
on or before January 8, 2019, 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–2017–0614, 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
SUMMARY:
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information about the docket available
at https://www.epa.gov/dockets.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michael L. 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 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.
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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–2017–0614 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 January 8, 2019. 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–
2017–0614, 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.
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II. Petition for Exemption
In the Federal Register of March 21,
2018 (83 FR 12311) (FRL–9974–76),
EPA issued a document pursuant to
FFDCA section 408, 21 U.S.C. 346a,
announcing the filing of a pesticide
petition (PP IN–11058) by Exponent
(1150 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 1100,
Washington, DC 20036), on behalf of
Aceto Corporation (Aceto, 4 Tri Harbor
Court, Port Washington, NY 11050). The
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petition requested that 40 CFR 180.920
be amended by establishing an
exemption from the requirement of a
tolerance for residues of tin oxide (CAS
Reg. No. 18282–10–5) when used as an
inert ingredient (seed treatment
colorant) in pesticide formulations
applied to growing crops not to exceed
40% by weight. That document
referenced a summary of the petition
prepared by Exponent on behalf of
Aceto Corporation, the petitioner, which
is available in the docket, https://
www.regulations.gov. There were no
timely comments received in response
to the notice of filing.
III. Inert Ingredient Definition
Inert ingredients are all ingredients
that are not active ingredients as defined
in 40 CFR 153.125 and include, but are
not limited to, the following types of
ingredients (except when they have a
pesticidal efficacy of their own):
Solvents such as alcohols and
hydrocarbons; surfactants such as
polyoxyethylene polymers and fatty
acids; carriers such as clay and
diatomaceous earth; thickeners such as
carrageenan and modified cellulose;
wetting, spreading, and dispersing
agents; propellants in aerosol
dispensers; microencapsulating agents;
and emulsifiers. The term ‘‘inert’’ is not
intended to imply nontoxicity; the
ingredient may or may not be
chemically active. Generally, EPA has
exempted inert ingredients from the
requirement of a tolerance based on the
low toxicity of the individual inert
ingredients.
IV. Aggregate Risk Assessment and
Determination of Safety
Section 408(c)(2)(A)(i) of FFDCA
allows EPA to establish an exemption
from the requirement for 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
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aggregate exposure to the pesticide
chemical residue. . . .’’
EPA establishes exemptions from the
requirement of a tolerance only in those
cases where it can be clearly
demonstrated that the risks from
aggregate exposure to pesticide
chemical residues under reasonably
foreseeable circumstances will pose no
appreciable risks to human health. In
order to determine the risks from
aggregate exposure to pesticide inert
ingredients, the Agency considers the
toxicity of the inert in conjunction with
possible exposure to residues of the
inert ingredient through food, drinking
water, and through other exposures that
occur as a result of pesticide use in
residential settings. If EPA is able to
determine that a finite tolerance is not
necessary to ensure that there is a
reasonable certainty that no harm will
result from aggregate exposure to the
inert ingredient, an exemption from the
requirement of a tolerance may be
established.
Consistent with FFDCA section
408(c)(2)(A), and the factors specified in
FFDCA section 408(c)(2)(B), 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 tin oxide
including exposure resulting from the
exemption established by this action.
EPA’s assessment of exposures and risks
associated with tin oxide follows.
A. Toxicological Profile
EPA has evaluated the available
toxicity data and considered their
validity, completeness, and reliability as
well as the relationship of the results of
the studies to human risk. EPA has also
considered available information
concerning the variability of the
sensitivities of major identifiable
subgroups of consumers, including
infants and children. Specific
information on the studies received and
the nature of the adverse effects caused
by tin oxide as well as the no-observedadverse-effect-level (NOAEL) and the
lowest-observed-adverse-effect-level
(LOAEL) from the toxicity studies are
discussed in this unit.
Although limited data are available on
tin oxide, tin oxide belongs to the
chemical class of water insoluble
inorganic tins; therefore, the Agency
used data available on inorganic tins,
specifically tin (II) chloride (CAS Reg
No. 21651–19–4) to fill data gaps.
The acute oral toxicity of tin oxide is
very low. The lethal dose, (LD)50>20,000
milligrams/kilograms (mg/kg) in rats
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and mice. There is no eye irritation in
Leghorn eggs nor in bovine cornea.
The only repeated dose studies
available with tin oxide are the 28-day
and 13-week oral toxicity studies in rats.
No toxicity is observed in either study
up to 1,000 and 500 mg/kg/day,
respectively of tin oxide, the highest
dose tested in both studies.
Although developmental and
reproduction toxicity studies are not
available on tin oxide, evidence of
potential developmental or
reproduction toxicity is not observed in
the available studies with tin oxide and
no toxicity is seen up to 500 mg/kg/day,
the highest dose tested. Available
reproduction and developmental studies
with tin (II) chloride that show no
maternal, offspring or reproduction
toxicity at 40 mg/kg/day, the highest
dose tested, in rats, although these
studies are of limited value since the
doses tested were not high enough to
assess developmental and reproduction
effects. Nevertheless, there is no
concern for fetal susceptibility due to
dietary exposure to tin oxide because it
is insoluble and is not expected to be
absorbed or cause systemic toxicity.
Also, no toxicity is observed in
reproduction organs at 500 and 1,000
mg/kg/day, the highest doses tested in
the 13- and 4-week, respectively, oral
toxicity studies in rats.
Carcinogenicity studies with tin (II)
chloride in rats and mice indicate that
inorganic tins are not carcinogenic at 40
and 60 mg/kg/day, respectively, the
highest dose tested.
In an in vitro mutagenicity assay, tin
oxide caused micronuclei and
karyorrhexis in lung macrophages. The
toxicologic significance of this finding is
equivocal.
Neurotoxicity and immunotoxicity
studies are not available for review.
However, no evidence of neurotoxicity
and immunotoxicity is observed in the
submitted studies.
The absorption of inorganic tin
compounds from the gastrointestinal
tract in humans and animals is very low
with as much as 98% excreted directly
in the feces. Because of their limited
absorption, inorganic tin compounds
have low systemic toxicity.
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
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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.
The 13-week oral toxicity study in
rats is selected for the chronic dietary
exposure scenario. No toxicity is
observed up to 500 mg/kg/day, the
highest dose tested. The lowest NOAEL
in the database is found in the
developmental and reproduction
toxicity studies in the rat. In these
studies, no treatment related adverse
toxicity is observed at 800 ppm (40 mg
tin/kg/day), the highest dose tested in
both studies. However, the
developmental and reproduction
toxicity studies are not considered
appropriate for risk assessment since
tested doses are not high enough to
assess developmental and reproduction
toxicity. Therefore, the 13-week toxicity
study in rats treated with tin oxide is
used for the chronic dietary exposure
scenario. There is no concern for the
lack of developmental and reproduction
toxicity studies because tin oxide is an
insoluble tin and is not expected to be
absorbed or cause systemic toxicity.
Further supporting the lack of toxicity,
no systemic toxicity or adverse effects
are observed up to 500 mg/kg/day, the
highest dose tested, in the 13-week
toxicity study in rats. Based on the
weight of evidence, there is no concern
for increased susceptibility and no
additional uncertainty factor is
necessary. The standard inter- and intraspecies uncertainty factors of 10x are
applied. Dermal and inhalation
endpoints were not selected as tin oxide
is not expected to be dermally absorbed
because it is insoluble, and not expected
to be absorbed in the lungs due to its
particle size.
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C. Exposure Assessment
1. Dietary exposure from food and
feed uses. In evaluating dietary
exposure to tin oxide, EPA considered
exposure under the proposed exemption
from the requirement of a tolerance.
EPA assessed dietary exposures from tin
oxide in food as follows:
Dietary exposure (food and drinking
water) to tin oxide can occur following
ingestion of foods with residues from
treated crops with pesticide
formulations containing tin oxide. In
addition, dietary exposure can occur
from exposure to non-pesticidal sources
of tin oxide. FDA has approved the use
of tin oxide as a colorant in food-contact
articles at a maximum level of 1.1% by
weight in colorants otherwise composed
of mica and titanium dioxide, provided
that the maximum loading rate for the
colorant in the food-contact material
does not exceed 3% by weight for
polymers, 5% for paper and paperboard,
15% for coatings, or 30% for ink
formulations. See Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) threshold of
regulation (TOR) exemption 98–004. It
may be used, in combination with
silicon dioxide and titanium dioxide, as
a colorant for food-contact polymers,
paper and paperboard, coatings, and in
printing inks applied to non-foodcontact surfaces of food-contact articles.
The food contact substance will be used
at a level not to exceed 6% of the total
colorant weight. See FDA, Food Contact
Notification (FCN) 000431. Tin oxide
can also be used as a pigment for all
polyolefins for food contact applications
as long as the use level does not exceed
0.5% by weight of the polymer and is
subject to certain limitations. See FDA,
Food Contact Notification (FCN) 235.
Because no adverse effects
attributable to a single exposure of tin
oxide are seen in the toxicity databases,
an acute dietary risk assessment is not
necessary. For the chronic dietary risk
assessment, EPA used the Dietary
Exposure Evaluation Model software
with the Food Commodity Intake
Database (DEEM–FCIDTM), Version 3.16,
and food consumption information from
the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s
(USDA’s) 2003–2008 National Health
and Nutrition Examination Survey,
What We Eat in America (NHANES/
WWEIA). As to residue levels in food,
no residue data were submitted for tin
oxide. In the absence of specific residue
data, EPA utilized a highly conservative
assumption that the residues on all
commodities are 47 ppm based on the
effective application rate of tin oxide
when used as a colorant for seed
treatment pesticide products and the
presumption that all applied tin oxide
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would be present in the edible portions
of crops derived from treated seed. A
complete description of the general
approach taken to assess inert
ingredient risks in the absence of
residue data is contained in the
memorandum entitled ‘‘Alkyl Amines
Polyalkoxylates (Cluster 4): Acute and
Chronic Aggregate (Food and Drinking
Water) Dietary Exposure and Risk
Assessments for the Inerts,’’ (D361707,
S. Piper, 2/25/09) and can be found at
https://www.regulations.gov in docket ID
number EPA–HQ–OPP–2008–0738.
2. Dietary exposure from drinking
water. For the purpose of the screening
level dietary risk assessment to support
this request for an exemption from the
requirement of a tolerance for tin oxide,
a conservative drinking water
concentration value of 100 parts per
billion (ppb) based on screening level
modeling was used to assess the
contribution to drinking water for the
chronic dietary risk assessments for
parent compound. These values were
directly entered into the dietary
exposure model.
3. From non-dietary exposure. The
term ‘‘residential exposure’’ is used in
this document to refer to nonoccupational, non-dietary exposure
(e.g., textiles (clothing and diapers),
carpets, swimming pools, and hard
surface disinfection on walls, floors,
tables).
Tin oxide is not expected to be used
as an inert ingredient in pesticide
products that are registered for specific
uses that may result in residential
exposure, as the requested use is for
commercial use only. However, tin
oxide is present in cosmetics and
personal care products. The typical
reported concentration for tin oxide in
cosmetics and personal care products
ranges from 0.03 to 1.3%. Based on the
2013 Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
document, tin oxide is used in dusting
powders (up to 0.03%), body and hand
cosmetic sprays (up to 0.06%), and
other fragrance preparations (up to
0.08%).
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 tin oxide to share
a common mechanism of toxicity with
any other substances, and tin oxide does
not appear to produce a toxic metabolite
produced by other substances. For the
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purposes of this tolerance action,
therefore, EPA has assumed that tin
oxide 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 website at https://
www.epa.gov/pesticides/cumulative.
D. Safety Factor for Infants and
Children
Section 408(b)(2)(C) of FFDCA
provides that EPA shall apply an
additional tenfold (10X) margin of safety
for infants and children in the case of
threshold effects to account for prenatal
and postnatal toxicity and the
completeness of the database on toxicity
and exposure unless EPA determines
based on reliable data that a different
margin of safety will be safe for infants
and children. This additional margin of
safety is commonly referred to as the
FQPA 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.
The Agency has concluded that there
is reliable data to determine that infants
and children will be safe if the FQPA SF
of 10x is reduced to 1X for the chronic
dietary assessment for the following
reasons. First, the toxicity database for
tin oxide contains subchronic,
carcinogenicity and mutagenicity
studies. There is no indication of
immunotoxicity or neurotoxicity in the
available studies; therefore, there is no
need to require an immunotoxicity or
neurotoxicity study. Although no
developmental and reproduction
toxicity studies with tin oxide are
available, there is no concern for fetal
susceptibility because tin oxide is
insoluble and is not expected to be
absorbed or cause systemic toxicity.
Further supporting the lack of toxicity,
no adverse effects or systemic toxicity
are observed up to 500 mg/kg/day, the
highest dose tested, in the 13-week
toxicity study in rats. Based on the
weight of evidence, there is no concern
for increased susceptibility and, the
Agency has concluded that reducing the
FQPA SF to 1X is appropriate.
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
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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.
2. Chronic risk. Using the exposure
assumptions described in this unit for
chronic exposure, EPA has concluded
that chronic exposure to tin oxide from
food and water will utilize 38.3% of the
cPAD for children 1–2 years old, the
population group receiving the greatest
exposure. Based on the available data,
oral exposure to tin oxide residues from
non-pesticide uses is expected to be
negligible compared to the conservative
estimates of exposure resulting from the
proposed use as a colorant for seed
treatment pesticides, and not expected
to significantly impact dietary exposure.
3. Short- and intermediate-term risks.
Short- and intermediate-term aggregate
exposures take into account short- and
intermediate-term residential exposures
plus chronic exposure to food and water
(considered to be a background
exposure level).
Tin oxide is not expected to be used
as an inert ingredient in pesticide
products that could result in short- and
intermediate-term residential exposure
as the request is strictly for commercial
seed treatment use only, although tin
oxide is currently approved for use in
cosmetic, manufacturing applications.
Dermal exposure to residues of tin
oxide is not expected to result in
systemic toxicity as tin oxide is
insoluble and not absorbed through the
skin. Inhalation exposure is possible
due to its use in cosmetics and personal
care products. However, as reported in
the CIR 2013 on tin oxide, inhalation
exposure to tin oxide particles are not
expected as 95–99% of the particles are
>10 micrometers (um) and not expected
to enter the lungs. Because of the lack
of adverse effects from dermal or
inhalation exposure, the Agency does
not expect these residential exposures to
pose risks of concern.
4. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S.
population. Based on the lack of
evidence of carcinogenicity in two
rodent carcinogenicity studies, tin oxide
is not expected to pose a cancer risk to
humans.
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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 tin oxide
residues.
V. Other Considerations
A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
An analytical method is not required
for enforcement purposes since the
Agency is establishing an exemption
from the requirement of a tolerance
without any numerical limitation. The
Agency ensures compliance with the
limitation in the tolerance exemption
through the registration of pesticides
with formulations that satisfy the
limitation under the Federal Insecticide,
Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act
(FIFRA).
VI. Conclusions
Therefore, an exemption from the
requirement of a tolerance is established
under 40 CFR 180.920 for residues of tin
oxide (CAS Reg. No. 18282–10–5) when
used as an inert ingredient (colorant) in
pesticide seed treatment formulations
applied to growing crops not to exceed
40% by weight.
VII. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with RULES
This action establishes an exemption
to the requirement for 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), nor is it considered a
regulatory action under Executive Order
13771, entitled ‘‘Reducing Regulations
and Controlling Regulatory Costs’’ (82
FR 9339, February 3, 2017). 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 exemption 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).
VIII. Congressional Review Act
Pursuant to the Congressional Review
Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), EPA will
submit a report containing this rule and
other required information to the U.S.
Senate, the U.S. House of
Representatives, and the Comptroller
General of the United States prior to
publication of the rule in the Federal
Register. This action is not a ‘‘major
rule’’ as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180
Environmental protection,
Administrative practice and procedure,
Agricultural commodities, Pesticides
and pests, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
Dated: November 1, 2018.
Michael L. Goodis,
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 § 180.920, add alphabetically the
inert ingredient ‘‘Tin oxide (CAS Reg.
No. 18282–10–5)’’ to the table to read as
follows:
■
§ 180.920 Inert ingredients used preharvest; exemptions from the requirement
of a tolerance.
*
*
*
*
*
Inert ingredients
Limits
*
*
Tin oxide (CAS Reg. No. 18282–10–5) ...
*
*
*
*
Not to exceed 40% by weight for use in seed treatment pesticide formulations
only.
*
*
*
*
Uses
*
*
[FR Doc. 2018–24585 Filed 11–8–18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 218 (Friday, November 9, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55970-55974]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-24585]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA-HQ-OPP-2017-0614; FRL-9982-73]
Tin Oxide; Exemption From the Requirement of a Tolerance
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This regulation establishes an exemption from the requirement
of a tolerance for residues of tin oxide (CAS Reg. No. 18282-10-5) when
used as an inert ingredient (seed treatment colorant) not to exceed 40%
by weight in pesticide formulations applied to growing crops. Exponent
on behalf of Aceto Corporation submitted a petition to EPA under the
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), requesting establishment
of an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance. This regulation
eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible level for
residues of tin oxide.
DATES: This regulation is effective November 9, 2018. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received on or before January 8, 2019,
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-2017-0614, 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 L. 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:
[email protected].
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 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.
[[Page 55971]]
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-2017-0614 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
January 8, 2019. 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-2017-0614, 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. Petition for Exemption
In the Federal Register of March 21, 2018 (83 FR 12311) (FRL-9974-
76), EPA issued a document pursuant to FFDCA section 408, 21 U.S.C.
346a, announcing the filing of a pesticide petition (PP IN-11058) by
Exponent (1150 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20036),
on behalf of Aceto Corporation (Aceto, 4 Tri Harbor Court, Port
Washington, NY 11050). The petition requested that 40 CFR 180.920 be
amended by establishing an exemption from the requirement of a
tolerance for residues of tin oxide (CAS Reg. No. 18282-10-5) when used
as an inert ingredient (seed treatment colorant) in pesticide
formulations applied to growing crops not to exceed 40% by weight. That
document referenced a summary of the petition prepared by Exponent on
behalf of Aceto Corporation, the petitioner, which is available in the
docket, https://www.regulations.gov. There were no timely comments
received in response to the notice of filing.
III. Inert Ingredient Definition
Inert ingredients are all ingredients that are not active
ingredients as defined in 40 CFR 153.125 and include, but are not
limited to, the following types of ingredients (except when they have a
pesticidal efficacy of their own): Solvents such as alcohols and
hydrocarbons; surfactants such as polyoxyethylene polymers and fatty
acids; carriers such as clay and diatomaceous earth; thickeners such as
carrageenan and modified cellulose; wetting, spreading, and dispersing
agents; propellants in aerosol dispensers; microencapsulating agents;
and emulsifiers. The term ``inert'' is not intended to imply
nontoxicity; the ingredient may or may not be chemically active.
Generally, EPA has exempted inert ingredients from the requirement of a
tolerance based on the low toxicity of the individual inert
ingredients.
IV. Aggregate Risk Assessment and Determination of Safety
Section 408(c)(2)(A)(i) of FFDCA allows EPA to establish an
exemption from the requirement for 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. . . .''
EPA establishes exemptions from the requirement of a tolerance only
in those cases where it can be clearly demonstrated that the risks from
aggregate exposure to pesticide chemical residues under reasonably
foreseeable circumstances will pose no appreciable risks to human
health. In order to determine the risks from aggregate exposure to
pesticide inert ingredients, the Agency considers the toxicity of the
inert in conjunction with possible exposure to residues of the inert
ingredient through food, drinking water, and through other exposures
that occur as a result of pesticide use in residential settings. If EPA
is able to determine that a finite tolerance is not necessary to ensure
that there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result from
aggregate exposure to the inert ingredient, an exemption from the
requirement of a tolerance may be established.
Consistent with FFDCA section 408(c)(2)(A), and the factors
specified in FFDCA section 408(c)(2)(B), 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 tin oxide including exposure
resulting from the exemption established by this action. EPA's
assessment of exposures and risks associated with tin oxide follows.
A. Toxicological Profile
EPA has evaluated the available toxicity data and considered their
validity, completeness, and reliability as well as the relationship of
the results of the studies to human risk. EPA has also considered
available information concerning the variability of the sensitivities
of major identifiable subgroups of consumers, including infants and
children. Specific information on the studies received and the nature
of the adverse effects caused by tin oxide as well as the no-observed-
adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) and the lowest-observed-adverse-effect-
level (LOAEL) from the toxicity studies are discussed in this unit.
Although limited data are available on tin oxide, tin oxide belongs
to the chemical class of water insoluble inorganic tins; therefore, the
Agency used data available on inorganic tins, specifically tin (II)
chloride (CAS Reg No. 21651-19-4) to fill data gaps.
The acute oral toxicity of tin oxide is very low. The lethal dose,
(LD)50>20,000 milligrams/kilograms (mg/kg) in rats
[[Page 55972]]
and mice. There is no eye irritation in Leghorn eggs nor in bovine
cornea.
The only repeated dose studies available with tin oxide are the 28-
day and 13-week oral toxicity studies in rats. No toxicity is observed
in either study up to 1,000 and 500 mg/kg/day, respectively of tin
oxide, the highest dose tested in both studies.
Although developmental and reproduction toxicity studies are not
available on tin oxide, evidence of potential developmental or
reproduction toxicity is not observed in the available studies with tin
oxide and no toxicity is seen up to 500 mg/kg/day, the highest dose
tested. Available reproduction and developmental studies with tin (II)
chloride that show no maternal, offspring or reproduction toxicity at
40 mg/kg/day, the highest dose tested, in rats, although these studies
are of limited value since the doses tested were not high enough to
assess developmental and reproduction effects. Nevertheless, there is
no concern for fetal susceptibility due to dietary exposure to tin
oxide because it is insoluble and is not expected to be absorbed or
cause systemic toxicity. Also, no toxicity is observed in reproduction
organs at 500 and 1,000 mg/kg/day, the highest doses tested in the 13-
and 4-week, respectively, oral toxicity studies in rats.
Carcinogenicity studies with tin (II) chloride in rats and mice
indicate that inorganic tins are not carcinogenic at 40 and 60 mg/kg/
day, respectively, the highest dose tested.
In an in vitro mutagenicity assay, tin oxide caused micronuclei and
karyorrhexis in lung macrophages. The toxicologic significance of this
finding is equivocal.
Neurotoxicity and immunotoxicity studies are not available for
review. However, no evidence of neurotoxicity and immunotoxicity is
observed in the submitted studies.
The absorption of inorganic tin compounds from the gastrointestinal
tract in humans and animals is very low with as much as 98% excreted
directly in the feces. Because of their limited absorption, inorganic
tin compounds have low systemic toxicity.
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.
The 13-week oral toxicity study in rats is selected for the chronic
dietary exposure scenario. No toxicity is observed up to 500 mg/kg/day,
the highest dose tested. The lowest NOAEL in the database is found in
the developmental and reproduction toxicity studies in the rat. In
these studies, no treatment related adverse toxicity is observed at 800
ppm (40 mg tin/kg/day), the highest dose tested in both studies.
However, the developmental and reproduction toxicity studies are not
considered appropriate for risk assessment since tested doses are not
high enough to assess developmental and reproduction toxicity.
Therefore, the 13-week toxicity study in rats treated with tin oxide is
used for the chronic dietary exposure scenario. There is no concern for
the lack of developmental and reproduction toxicity studies because tin
oxide is an insoluble tin and is not expected to be absorbed or cause
systemic toxicity. Further supporting the lack of toxicity, no systemic
toxicity or adverse effects are observed up to 500 mg/kg/day, the
highest dose tested, in the 13-week toxicity study in rats. Based on
the weight of evidence, there is no concern for increased
susceptibility and no additional uncertainty factor is necessary. The
standard inter- and intra-species uncertainty factors of 10x are
applied. Dermal and inhalation endpoints were not selected as tin oxide
is not expected to be dermally absorbed because it is insoluble, and
not expected to be absorbed in the lungs due to its particle size.
C. Exposure Assessment
1. Dietary exposure from food and feed uses. In evaluating dietary
exposure to tin oxide, EPA considered exposure under the proposed
exemption from the requirement of a tolerance. EPA assessed dietary
exposures from tin oxide in food as follows:
Dietary exposure (food and drinking water) to tin oxide can occur
following ingestion of foods with residues from treated crops with
pesticide formulations containing tin oxide. In addition, dietary
exposure can occur from exposure to non-pesticidal sources of tin
oxide. FDA has approved the use of tin oxide as a colorant in food-
contact articles at a maximum level of 1.1% by weight in colorants
otherwise composed of mica and titanium dioxide, provided that the
maximum loading rate for the colorant in the food-contact material does
not exceed 3% by weight for polymers, 5% for paper and paperboard, 15%
for coatings, or 30% for ink formulations. See Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) threshold of regulation (TOR) exemption 98-004. It
may be used, in combination with silicon dioxide and titanium dioxide,
as a colorant for food-contact polymers, paper and paperboard,
coatings, and in printing inks applied to non-food-contact surfaces of
food-contact articles. The food contact substance will be used at a
level not to exceed 6% of the total colorant weight. See FDA, Food
Contact Notification (FCN) 000431. Tin oxide can also be used as a
pigment for all polyolefins for food contact applications as long as
the use level does not exceed 0.5% by weight of the polymer and is
subject to certain limitations. See FDA, Food Contact Notification
(FCN) 235.
Because no adverse effects attributable to a single exposure of tin
oxide are seen in the toxicity databases, an acute dietary risk
assessment is not necessary. For the chronic dietary risk assessment,
EPA used the Dietary Exposure Evaluation Model software with the Food
Commodity Intake Database (DEEM-FCIDTM), Version 3.16, and
food consumption information from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's
(USDA's) 2003-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey,
What We Eat in America (NHANES/WWEIA). As to residue levels in food, no
residue data were submitted for tin oxide. In the absence of specific
residue data, EPA utilized a highly conservative assumption that the
residues on all commodities are 47 ppm based on the effective
application rate of tin oxide when used as a colorant for seed
treatment pesticide products and the presumption that all applied tin
oxide
[[Page 55973]]
would be present in the edible portions of crops derived from treated
seed. A complete description of the general approach taken to assess
inert ingredient risks in the absence of residue data is contained in
the memorandum entitled ``Alkyl Amines Polyalkoxylates (Cluster 4):
Acute and Chronic Aggregate (Food and Drinking Water) Dietary Exposure
and Risk Assessments for the Inerts,'' (D361707, S. Piper, 2/25/09) and
can be found at https://www.regulations.gov in docket ID number EPA-HQ-
OPP-2008-0738.
2. Dietary exposure from drinking water. For the purpose of the
screening level dietary risk assessment to support this request for an
exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for tin oxide, a
conservative drinking water concentration value of 100 parts per
billion (ppb) based on screening level modeling was used to assess the
contribution to drinking water for the chronic dietary risk assessments
for parent compound. These values were directly entered into the
dietary exposure model.
3. From non-dietary exposure. The term ``residential exposure'' is
used in this document to refer to non-occupational, non-dietary
exposure (e.g., textiles (clothing and diapers), carpets, swimming
pools, and hard surface disinfection on walls, floors, tables).
Tin oxide is not expected to be used as an inert ingredient in
pesticide products that are registered for specific uses that may
result in residential exposure, as the requested use is for commercial
use only. However, tin oxide is present in cosmetics and personal care
products. The typical reported concentration for tin oxide in cosmetics
and personal care products ranges from 0.03 to 1.3%. Based on the 2013
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) document, tin oxide is used in dusting
powders (up to 0.03%), body and hand cosmetic sprays (up to 0.06%), and
other fragrance preparations (up to 0.08%).
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 tin oxide to share a common mechanism of toxicity
with any other substances, and tin oxide does not appear to produce a
toxic metabolite produced by other substances. For the purposes of this
tolerance action, therefore, EPA has assumed that tin oxide 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 website at https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/cumulative.
D. Safety Factor for Infants and Children
Section 408(b)(2)(C) of FFDCA provides that EPA shall apply an
additional tenfold (10X) margin of safety for infants and children in
the case of threshold effects to account for prenatal and postnatal
toxicity and the completeness of the database on toxicity and exposure
unless EPA determines based on reliable data that a different margin of
safety will be safe for infants and children. This additional margin of
safety is commonly referred to as the FQPA 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.
The Agency has concluded that there is reliable data to determine
that infants and children will be safe if the FQPA SF of 10x is reduced
to 1X for the chronic dietary assessment for the following reasons.
First, the toxicity database for tin oxide contains subchronic,
carcinogenicity and mutagenicity studies. There is no indication of
immunotoxicity or neurotoxicity in the available studies; therefore,
there is no need to require an immunotoxicity or neurotoxicity study.
Although no developmental and reproduction toxicity studies with tin
oxide are available, there is no concern for fetal susceptibility
because tin oxide is insoluble and is not expected to be absorbed or
cause systemic toxicity. Further supporting the lack of toxicity, no
adverse effects or systemic toxicity are observed up to 500 mg/kg/day,
the highest dose tested, in the 13-week toxicity study in rats. Based
on the weight of evidence, there is no concern for increased
susceptibility and, the Agency has concluded that reducing the FQPA SF
to 1X is appropriate.
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.
2. Chronic risk. Using the exposure assumptions described in this
unit for chronic exposure, EPA has concluded that chronic exposure to
tin oxide from food and water will utilize 38.3% of the cPAD for
children 1-2 years old, the population group receiving the greatest
exposure. Based on the available data, oral exposure to tin oxide
residues from non-pesticide uses is expected to be negligible compared
to the conservative estimates of exposure resulting from the proposed
use as a colorant for seed treatment pesticides, and not expected to
significantly impact dietary exposure.
3. Short- and intermediate-term risks. Short- and intermediate-term
aggregate exposures take into account short- and intermediate-term
residential exposures plus chronic exposure to food and water
(considered to be a background exposure level).
Tin oxide is not expected to be used as an inert ingredient in
pesticide products that could result in short- and intermediate-term
residential exposure as the request is strictly for commercial seed
treatment use only, although tin oxide is currently approved for use in
cosmetic, manufacturing applications.
Dermal exposure to residues of tin oxide is not expected to result
in systemic toxicity as tin oxide is insoluble and not absorbed through
the skin. Inhalation exposure is possible due to its use in cosmetics
and personal care products. However, as reported in the CIR 2013 on tin
oxide, inhalation exposure to tin oxide particles are not expected as
95-99% of the particles are >10 micrometers (um) and not expected to
enter the lungs. Because of the lack of adverse effects from dermal or
inhalation exposure, the Agency does not expect these residential
exposures to pose risks of concern.
4. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S. population. Based on the lack of
evidence of carcinogenicity in two rodent carcinogenicity studies, tin
oxide is not expected to pose a cancer risk to humans.
[[Page 55974]]
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 tin oxide residues.
V. Other Considerations
A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
An analytical method is not required for enforcement purposes since
the Agency is establishing an exemption from the requirement of a
tolerance without any numerical limitation. The Agency ensures
compliance with the limitation in the tolerance exemption through the
registration of pesticides with formulations that satisfy the
limitation under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide
Act (FIFRA).
VI. Conclusions
Therefore, an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance is
established under 40 CFR 180.920 for residues of tin oxide (CAS Reg.
No. 18282-10-5) when used as an inert ingredient (colorant) in
pesticide seed treatment formulations applied to growing crops not to
exceed 40% by weight.
VII. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
This action establishes an exemption to the requirement for 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), nor is it considered a regulatory action under
Executive Order 13771, entitled ``Reducing Regulations and Controlling
Regulatory Costs'' (82 FR 9339, February 3, 2017). 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 exemption 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).
VIII. Congressional Review Act
Pursuant to the Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.),
EPA will submit a report containing this rule and other required
information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, and
the Comptroller General of the United States prior to publication of
the rule in the Federal Register. This action is not a ``major rule''
as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180
Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure,
Agricultural commodities, Pesticides and pests, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
Dated: November 1, 2018.
Michael L. Goodis,
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. 180.920, add alphabetically the inert ingredient ``Tin
oxide (CAS Reg. No. 18282-10-5)'' to the table to read as follows:
Sec. 180.920 Inert ingredients used pre-harvest; exemptions from the
requirement of a tolerance.
* * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inert ingredients Limits Uses
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * * * *
Tin oxide (CAS Reg. No. Not to exceed 40% by Colorant.
18282-10-5). weight for use in
seed treatment
pesticide
formulations only.
* * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[FR Doc. 2018-24585 Filed 11-8-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P