Propamocarb; Pesticide Tolerances, 66616-66620 [2019-26130]
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Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 234 / Thursday, December 5, 2019 / Rules and Regulations
Dated: November 22, 2019.
Anne L. Idsal,
Acting Assistant Administrator.
I. General Information
[FR Doc. 2019–26136 Filed 12–4–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA–HQ–OPP–2018–0623; FRL–10000–33]
Propamocarb; Pesticide Tolerances
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
This regulation establishes
tolerances for residues of propamocarb
(also referred to as propamocarb
hydrochloride (HCl) in this document)
in or on guava, starfruit, the leafy greens
subgroup 4–16A, the tuberous and corm
vegetable subgroup 1C, and the fruiting
vegetable group 8–10. Interregional
Research Project Number 4 (IR–4)
requested these tolerances under the
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
(FFDCA).
DATES: This regulation is effective
December 5, 2019. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received
on or before February 3, 2020, 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–2018–0623, is
available at https://www.regulations.gov
or at the Office of Pesticide Programs
Regulatory Public Docket (OPP Docket)
in the Environmental Protection Agency
Docket Center (EPA/DC), West William
Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 3334, 1301
Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC
20460–0001. The Public Reading Room
is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, excluding legal
holidays. The telephone number for the
Public Reading Room is (202) 566–1744,
and the telephone number for the OPP
Docket is (703) 305–5805. Please review
the visitor instructions and additional
information about the docket available
at https://www.epa.gov/dockets.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michael Goodis, Registration Division
(7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs,
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC
20460–0001; main telephone number:
(703) 305–7090; email address:
RDFRNotices@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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SUMMARY:
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A. Does this action apply to me?
You may be potentially affected by
this action if you are an agricultural
producer, food manufacturer, or
pesticide manufacturer. The following
list of North American Industrial
Classification System (NAICS) codes is
not intended to be exhaustive, but rather
provides a guide to help readers
determine whether this document
applies to them. Potentially affected
entities may include:
• Crop production (NAICS code 111).
• Animal production (NAICS code
112).
• Food manufacturing (NAICS code
311).
• Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS
code 32532).
B. How can I get electronic access to
other related information?
You may access a frequently updated
electronic version of EPA’s tolerance
regulations at 40 CFR part 180 through
the Government Publishing Office’s eCFR 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–2018–0623 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 February 3, 2020. 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–
2018–0623, by one of the following
methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
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instructions for submitting comments.
Do not submit electronically any
information you consider to be CBI or
other information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute.
• Mail: OPP Docket, Environmental
Protection Agency Docket Center (EPA/
DC), (28221T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave.
NW, Washington, DC 20460–0001.
• Hand Delivery: To make special
arrangements for hand delivery or
delivery of boxed information, please
follow the instructions at https://
www.epa.gov/dockets/contacts.html.
Additional instructions on commenting
or visiting the docket, along with more
information about dockets generally, is
available at https://www.epa.gov/
dockets.
II. Summary of Petitioned-For
Tolerance
In the Federal Register of December
21, 2018 (83 FR 65660) (FRL–9985–67),
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 8E8692) by IR–4,
IR–4 Project Headquarters, Rutgers, The
State University of New Jersey, 500
College Road East, Suite 201 W,
Princeton, NJ 08540. The petition
requested that 40 CFR part 180 be
amended by establishing tolerances for
residues of the propamocarb (propyl N[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]carbamate in
or on the following raw agricultural
commodities: Guava at 0.05 parts per
million (ppm); starfruit at 0.05 ppm;
leafy greens subgroup 4–16A at 150
ppm; vegetable, tuberous and corm,
subgroup 1C at 0.30 ppm; and vegetable,
fruiting, group 8–10 at 4.0 ppm. The
petition also requested to amend 40 CFR
180.499 by removing the established
tolerances for the residues of
propamocarb in or on lettuce, head at 50
ppm; lettuce, leaf at 90 ppm; potato at
0.30 ppm; and vegetable, fruiting, group
8 at 2.0 ppm. That document referenced
a summary of the petition prepared by
Bayer CropScience, the registrant,
which is available in the docket, https://
www.regulations.gov. There were no
comments received in response to the
notice of filing.
EPA is establishing tolerances that
vary slightly from what was requested to
be consistent with Organization for
Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD) Rounding Class
Practice.
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
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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 propamocarb
including exposure resulting from the
tolerances established by this action.
EPA’s assessment of exposures and risks
associated with propamocarb follows.
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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.
Although propamocarb is a carbamate
fungicide, it doesn not inhibit
cholinesterase like many other
carbamate pesticides, such as N-methyl
carbamates. Neurotoxic effects include
decreased motor activity following acute
exposure and vacuolization of the
choroid plexus (ventricles of the brain
which produce cerebral spinal fluid)
following subchronic and chronic
durations. Other effects observed are
indicative of toxicity to the digestive
and gastro-intestinal (GI) tracts in dogs
(chronic erosive gastritis, vacuolization
of the salivary gland and stomach), and
the eye (hyporeflectivity of the fundus,
retinal degeneration, and vacuolization
of the retinal gland). In all species,
decreased body weights, body-weight
gains, and food consumption were
observed following subchronic and
chronic exposure.
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Effects in the route-specific dermal
and inhalation studies were primarily
portal-of-entry effects. Dermal exposure
caused dermal irritation in rats and
rabbits at relatively high doses (greater
than 500 mg/kg/day). Inhalation
exposure caused labored breathing and
the appearance of red material around
the nose. Systemic effects were observed
following inhalation exposure at similar
doses that caused portal-of-entry effects;
these included kidney cysts and
changes in hematological parameters.
There was no evidence of increased
quantitative pre- or postnatal
susceptibility in the toxicity database
for propamocarb-HCl in rats or rabbits.
There was an increased qualitative
susceptibility for propamocarb-HCl in
rats. In the developmental rat studies,
fetal effects included increased death,
increased incidences of minor skeletal
anomalies, increased incidences of
small fetus, inter-atrial septal defects,
and hemorrhage in the ears, upper GI
tract, and nasopharynx/sinuses.
Maternal effects consisted of decreased
absolute body-weights, food
consumption, post-implantation loss,
and mortality. In rabbits there was an
increased incidence of postimplantation loss in one of the two
available studies, and no fetal effects in
the second study. In the rat 2-generation
reproduction studies, offspring effects
consisted of decreased weights in both
studies, as well as death, decreased
viability and lactation indices and litter
size at the limit dose (1,000 mg/kg/day)
in one study. Parental effects were
consistent with those previously
described for adults. Reproductive
effects consisted of increased
vacuolization and decreased weight of
the epididymides, decreased sperm
counts and motility, and abnormal
sperm morphology.
The Agency has classified
propamocarb-HCl as ‘‘not likely to be
carcinogenic to humans’’ by all routes of
exposure based upon lack of evidence of
carcinogenicity in rats and mice.
Specific information on the studies
received and the nature of the adverse
effects caused by propamocarb 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 the document
titled ‘‘Propamocarb Hydrochloride
(HCl). Human Health Risk Assessment
for Proposed Uses on Leafy Green
Subgroup 4–16A, Guava, and Starfruit;
and Crop Conversions for Fruiting
Vegetable Group 8 to Crop Group 8–10,
and Potato to Subgroup 1C (Tuberous
and Corm Vegetables Subgroup)’’ on
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pages 28–33 in docket ID number EPA–
HQ–OPP–2018–0623.
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://
www2.epa.gov/pesticide-science-andassessing-pesticide-risks/assessinghuman-health-risk-pesticide.
A summary of the toxicological
endpoints for propamocarb used for
human risk assessment is discussed in
Unit III.B. of the final rule published in
the Federal Register of February 7, 2017
(82 FR 9519) (FRL–9957–68).
C. Exposure Assessment
1. Dietary exposure from food and
feed uses. In evaluating dietary
exposure to propamocarb, EPA
considered exposure under the
petitioned-for tolerances as well as all
existing propamocarb tolerances in 40
CFR 180.499. EPA assessed dietary
exposures from propamocarb in food as
follows:
i. Acute exposure. Quantitative acute
dietary exposure and risk assessments
are performed for a food-use pesticide,
if a toxicological study has indicated the
possibility of an effect of concern
occurring as a result of a 1-day or single
exposure.
Such effects were identified for
propamocarb. In estimating acute
dietary exposure, EPA used food
consumption information from the
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United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA) 2003–2008 National Health and
Nutrition Examination Survey, What We
Eat in America, (NHANES/WWEIA). As
to residue levels in food, EPA used
tolerance-level residues and assumed
100 percent crop treated (PCT) for all
commodities.
ii. Chronic exposure. In conducting
the chronic dietary exposure
assessment, EPA used the food
consumption data from the USDA 2003–
2008 NHANES/WWEIA. As to residue
levels in food, EPA used tolerance-level
residues and assumed 100 PCT for all
commodities.
iii. Cancer. Based on the data
summarized in Unit III.A., EPA has
concluded that propamocarb does not
pose a cancer risk to humans. Therefore,
a dietary exposure assessment for the
purpose of assessing cancer risk is
unnecessary.
iv. Anticipated residue and PCT
information. EPA did not use
anticipated residue or PCT information
in the dietary assessment for
propamocarb. Tolerance level residues
and 100 PCT were assumed for all food
commodities.
2. Dietary exposure from drinking
water. The Agency used screening level
water exposure models in the dietary
exposure analysis and risk assessment
for propamocarb in drinking water.
These simulation models take into
account data on the physical, chemical,
and fate/transport characteristics of
propamocarb. Further information
regarding EPA drinking water models
used in pesticide exposure assessment
can be found at https://www2.epa.gov/
pesticide-science-and-assessingpesticide-risks/about-water-exposuremodels-used-pesticide.
Based on the Surface Water
Concentration Calculator (SWCC) and
Pesticide Root Zone Model Ground
Water (PRZM GW), the estimated
drinking water concentrations (EDWCs)
of propamocarb for acute exposures are
4,860 parts per billion (ppb) for surface
water and 73 ppb for ground water. The
EDWCs of propamocarb for chronic
exposures are 385 ppb for surface water
and 70 ppb for ground water.
Modeled estimates of drinking water
concentrations were directly entered
into the dietary exposure model. For the
acute dietary risk assessment, the water
concentration value of 4,860 ppb was
used to assess the contribution to
drinking water. For the chronic dietary
risk assessment, the water concentration
of value 385 ppb was used to assess the
contribution to drinking water.
3. From non-dietary exposure. The
term ‘‘residential exposure’’ is used in
this document to refer to
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nonoccupational, non-dietary exposure
(e.g., for lawn and garden pest control,
indoor pest control, termiticides, and
flea and tick control on pets).
Propamocarb is registered for use on
golf course turf, which may result in
dermal post-application exposures. No
dermal hazard was identified in the
toxicity database, so there is no need to
conduct a quantitative residential
exposure assessment.
4. Cumulative effects from substances
with a common mechanism of toxicity.
Section 408(b)(2)(D)(v) of FFDCA
requires that, when considering whether
to establish, modify, or revoke a
tolerance, the Agency consider
‘‘available information’’ concerning the
cumulative effects of a particular
pesticide’s residues and ‘‘other
substances that have a common
mechanism of toxicity.’’
Unlike other pesticides for which EPA
has followed a cumulative risk approach
based on a common mechanism of
toxicity, EPA has not made a common
mechanism of toxicity finding as to
propamocarb-HCl and any other
substances and propamocarb-HCl does
not appear to produce a toxic metabolite
produced by other substances. Although
a carbamate, propamocarb-HCl is not an
N-methyl carbamate and does not cause
cholinesterase inhibition. Thus, it was
not included in the N-methyl carbamate
cumulative risk assessment. For the
purposes of this action, therefore, EPA
has not assumed that propamocarb-HCl
has a common mechanism of toxicity
with other substances.
D. Safety Factor for Infants and
Children
1. In general. Section 408(b)(2)(C) of
FFDCA provides that EPA shall apply
an additional tenfold (10X) margin of
safety for infants and children in the
case of threshold effects to account for
prenatal and postnatal toxicity and the
completeness of the database on toxicity
and exposure unless EPA determines
based on reliable data that a different
margin of safety will be safe for infants
and children. This additional margin of
safety is commonly referred to as the
FQPA Safety Factor (SF). In applying
this provision, EPA either retains the
default value of 10X, or uses a different
additional safety factor when reliable
data available to EPA support the choice
of a different factor.
2. Prenatal and postnatal sensitivity.
There was no evidence of increased
quantitative pre- or postnatal
susceptibility in the toxicity database
for propamocarb-HCl in rats or rabbits.
There was an increased qualitative
susceptibility for propamocarb-HCl in
rats. In the developmental rat studies,
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fetal effects included increased death,
increased incidences of minor skeletal
anomalies, increased incidences of
small fetus, inter-atrial septal defects,
and hemorrhage in the ears, upper GI
tract, and nasopharynx/sinuses.
Maternal effects consisted of decreased
absolute body-weights, food
consumption, post-implantation loss,
and mortality. In rabbits there was an
increased incidence of postimplantation loss in one of the two
available studies, and no fetal effects in
the second study. In the rat 2-generation
reproduction studies, offspring effects
consisted of decreased weights in both
studies, as well as death, decreased
viability and lactation indices and litter
size at the limit dose (1,000 mg/kg/day)
in one study. Parental effects were
consistent with those previously
described for adults. Reproductive
effects consisted of increased
vacuolization and decreased weight of
the epididymides, decreased sperm
counts and motility, and abnormal
sperm morphology.
3. Conclusion. EPA has determined
that reliable data show the safety of
infants and children would be
adequately protected if the FQPA SF
were reduced to 1X. That decision is
based on the following findings:
i. The toxicity database for
propamocarb is complete.
ii. There are two guidelines acute
neurotoxicity (ACN) and two
subchronic neurotoxicity (SCN) studies
for propamocarb-HCl. There was
evidence of neurotoxicity (decreased
motor activity and vacuolization of the
choroid plexus) in several studies
following propamocarb-HCl exposure,
including the ACN and SCN studies;
however, concern is low since the
effects are well-characterized with clear
NOAEL/LOAEL values and the selected
endpoints are protective of the observed
effects.
iii. There is no evidence of increased
quantitative pre- or post-natal
susceptibility following exposure to
propamocarb-HCl. There is evidence of
increased qualitative susceptibility in
one of the rat studies in the database;
however, concern for these effects is low
because: (1) The effects are well
characterized, (2) clear NOAELs were
established, (3) the endpoints selected
are protective of these effects, and (4)
the effects were seen in the presence of
maternal/parental toxicity.
iv. There are no residual uncertainties
identified in the exposure databases.
The dietary food exposure assessments
were performed based on 100 PCT and
tolerance-level residues. EPA made
conservative (protective) assumptions in
the ground and surface water modeling
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used to assess exposure to propamocarb
in drinking water. These assessments
will not underestimate the exposure and
risks posed by propamocarb.
E. Aggregate Risks and Determination of
Safety
EPA determines whether acute and
chronic dietary pesticide exposures are
safe by comparing aggregate exposure
estimates to the acute PAD (aPAD) and
chronic PAD (cPAD). For linear cancer
risks, EPA calculates the lifetime
probability of acquiring cancer given the
estimated aggregate exposure. Short-,
intermediate-, and chronic-term risks
are evaluated by comparing the
estimated aggregate food, water, and
residential exposure to the appropriate
PODs to ensure that an adequate MOE
exists.
1. Acute risk. Using the exposure
assumptions discussed in this unit for
acute exposure, the acute dietary
exposure from food and water to
propamocarb will occupy 42% of the
aPAD for all infants, the population
group receiving the greatest exposure.
2. Chronic risk. Using the exposure
assumptions described in this unit for
chronic exposure, EPA has concluded
that chronic exposure to propamocarb
from food and water will utilize 53% of
the cPAD for females 13 to 49 years old,
the population group receiving the
greatest exposure. Based on the
explanation in Unit III.C.3., regarding
residential use patterns, chronic
residential exposure to residues of
propamocarb is not expected.
3. Short- and Intermediate-term risk.
Short- and intermediate-term aggregate
exposure takes into account short- and
intermediate-term residential exposure
plus chronic exposure to food and water
(considered to be a background
exposure level).
A short- and intermediate-term oral
adverse effect was identified; however,
propamocarb is not registered for any
use patterns that would result in either
short- or intermediate-term oral
residential exposure. Short- and
intermediate-term risk is assessed based
on short- and intermediate-term
residential exposure plus chronic
dietary exposure. Because there is no
short- or intermediate-term oral
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- or
intermediate-term risk), no further
assessment of short- or intermediateterm risk is necessary, and EPA relies on
the chronic dietary risk assessment for
evaluating short- and intermediate-term
risk for propamocarb.
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5. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S.
population. Based on the lack of
evidence of carcinogenicity in two
adequate rodent carcinogenicity studies,
propamocarb is not expected to pose a
cancer risk to humans.
6. 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 propamocarb
residues.
IV. Other Considerations
A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
An adequate gas chromatography/
nitrogen-phosphorus detection (GC/
NPD) method is available for enforcing
the proposed tolerances. The method
has undergone a successful independent
laboratory validation and petition
method validation and is currently
listed in the Pesticide Analytical
Manual (PAM) Vol. II.
B. International Residue Limits
In making its tolerance decisions, EPA
seeks to harmonize U.S. tolerances with
international standards whenever
possible, consistent with U.S. food
safety standards and agricultural
practices. EPA considers the
international maximum residue limits
(MRLs) established by the Codex
Alimentarius Commission (Codex), as
required by FFDCA section 408(b)(4).
The Codex Alimentarius is a joint
United Nations Food and Agriculture
Organization/World Health
Organization food standards program,
and it is recognized as an international
food safety standards-setting
organization in trade agreements to
which the United States is a party. EPA
may establish a tolerance that is
different from a Codex MRL; however,
FFDCA section 408(b)(4) requires that
EPA explain the reasons for departing
from the Codex level.
Codex does not have maximum
residue limits (MRLs) for guava and
starfruit so harmonization is not an
issue.
Codex does have MRLs for leaf and
head lettuce at 100 ppm which is
different than the U.S. tolerance being
established on the leafy greens subgroup
4–16A. EPA is not harmonizing the U.S.
tolerance with the Codex MRL because
based on available residue data and
using the OECD MRL calculation
procedure, the tolerance value should
be 150 ppm. EPA uses the OECD MRL
calculation procedure in order to ensure
that the tolerance value is not
underestimated.
Codex has MRLs on eggplant at 0.3
ppm, bell pepper at 3 ppm and tomato
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at 2 ppm. The U.S. tolerance of 4 ppm
on the fruiting vegetable group 8–10 is
not harmonized with the Codex MRLs
for the individual crops. Because EPA
has data supporting the establishment of
the crop groups and no data that
indicate a need to establish separate
individual commodities, the effect is
that tolerances for individual
commodities are not harmonized with
Codex MRLs.
Codex has a potato MRL established
0.3 ppm and is harmonized with the
U.S. tolerance of 0.3 ppm on the
tuberous and corm vegetable subgroup
1C.
V. Conclusion
Therefore, tolerances are established
for residues of propamocarb (propyl N[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]carbamate in
or on guava at 0.05 ppm; leafy greens
subgroup 4–16A at 150 ppm; starfruit at
0.05 ppm; vegetable, fruiting, group 8–
10 at 4 ppm; and vegetable, tuberous
and corm, subgroup 1C at 0.3 ppm.
Additionally, the following tolerances
are withdrawn from 40 CFR 180.499 as
unnecessary due to the newly
established tolerances: Lettuce, head at
50 ppm; lettuce, leaf at 90 ppm; potato
at 0.30 ppm; and vegetable, fruiting,
group 8 at 2.0 ppm.
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), 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
E:\FR\FM\05DER1.SGM
05DER1
66620
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 234 / Thursday, December 5, 2019 / Rules and Regulations
Populations’’ (59 FR 7629, February 16,
1994).
Since tolerances and exemptions that
are established on the basis of a petition
under FFDCA section 408(d), such as
the tolerances in this final rule, do not
require the issuance of a proposed rule,
the requirements of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601 et
seq.), do not apply.
This 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
jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with RULES
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180
Environmental protection,
Administrative practice and procedure,
Agricultural commodities, Pesticides
and pests, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
16:17 Dec 04, 2019
Jkt 250001
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)
Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is
number EPA–HQ–OPP–2018–0162, is
amended as follows:
available at https://www.regulations.gov
or at the Office of Pesticide Programs
PART 180—[AMENDED]
Regulatory Public Docket (OPP Docket)
■ 1. The authority citation for part 180
in the Environmental Protection Agency
continues to read as follows:
Docket Center (EPA/DC), West William
Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 3334, 1301
Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.
Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC
■ 2. In § 180.499(a):
20460–0001. The Public Reading Room
■ a. Remove ‘‘the following table’’ and
‘‘the following tolerance levels’’ and add is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, excluding legal
‘‘table 1 to this paragraph (a)’’ and ‘‘the
holidays. The telephone number for the
tolerance levels in table 1 to this
Public Reading Room is (202) 566–1744,
paragraph (a)’’ in their places,
and the telephone number for the OPP
respectively; and
Docket is (703) 305–5805. Please review
■ b. Revise the table.
the visitor instructions and additional
The revision reads as follows:
information about the docket available
§ 180.499 Propamocarb; tolerances for
at https://www.epa.gov/dockets.
residues.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
(a) * * *
Michael Goodis, Registration Division
(7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs,
TABLE 1 TO PARAGRAPH (a)
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC
Parts per
20460–0001; main telephone number:
Commodity
million
(703) 305–7090; email address:
Guava .........................................
0.05 RDFRNotices@epa.gov.
Leafy greens subgroup 4–16A ...
150 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Starfruit .......................................
Tomato, paste .............................
Vegetable, cucurbit, group 9 ......
Vegetable, fruiting, group 8–10 ..
Vegetable, tuberous and corm,
subgroup 1C ...........................
*
*
*
*
0.05
5.0
1.5
4
0.3
*
[FR Doc. 2019–26130 Filed 12–4–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA–HQ–OPP–2018–0162; FRL–10002–00]
Fenpyroximate; Pesticide Tolerances
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).
VerDate Sep<11>2014
Dated: October 25, 2019.
Daniel Rosenblatt,
Acting Director, Registration Division, Office
of Pesticide Programs.
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
This regulation establishes
tolerances for residues of fenpyroximate
in or on multiple commodities which
are identified and discussed later in this
document. Interregional Research
Project Number 4 (IR–4) requested these
tolerances under the Federal Food,
Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
DATES: This regulation is effective
December 5, 2019. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received
on or before February 3, 2020, and must
be filed in accordance with the
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00060
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
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 Publishing Office’s eCFR 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
E:\FR\FM\05DER1.SGM
05DER1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 234 (Thursday, December 5, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66616-66620]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-26130]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA-HQ-OPP-2018-0623; FRL-10000-33]
Propamocarb; Pesticide Tolerances
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of
propamocarb (also referred to as propamocarb hydrochloride (HCl) in
this document) in or on guava, starfruit, the leafy greens subgroup 4-
16A, the tuberous and corm vegetable subgroup 1C, and the fruiting
vegetable group 8-10. Interregional Research Project Number 4 (IR-4)
requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic
Act (FFDCA).
DATES: This regulation is effective December 5, 2019. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received on or before February 3, 2020,
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-2018-0623, is available at https://www.regulations.gov or at the Office of Pesticide Programs Regulatory
Public Docket (OPP Docket) in the Environmental Protection Agency
Docket Center (EPA/DC), West William Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 3334,
1301 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460-0001. The Public
Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through
Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public
Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the OPP
Docket is (703) 305-5805. Please review the visitor instructions and
additional information about the docket available at https://www.epa.gov/dockets.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Goodis, Registration Division
(7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency,
1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460-0001; main telephone
number: (703) 305-7090; email address: [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 EPA's
tolerance regulations at 40 CFR part 180 through the Government
Publishing 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-2018-0623 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
February 3, 2020. 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-2018-0623, 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 December 21, 2018 (83 FR 65660) (FRL-
9985-67), 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
8E8692) by IR-4, IR-4 Project Headquarters, Rutgers, The State
University of New Jersey, 500 College Road East, Suite 201 W,
Princeton, NJ 08540. The petition requested that 40 CFR part 180 be
amended by establishing tolerances for residues of the propamocarb
(propyl N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]carbamate in or on the following raw
agricultural commodities: Guava at 0.05 parts per million (ppm);
starfruit at 0.05 ppm; leafy greens subgroup 4-16A at 150 ppm;
vegetable, tuberous and corm, subgroup 1C at 0.30 ppm; and vegetable,
fruiting, group 8-10 at 4.0 ppm. The petition also requested to amend
40 CFR 180.499 by removing the established tolerances for the residues
of propamocarb in or on lettuce, head at 50 ppm; lettuce, leaf at 90
ppm; potato at 0.30 ppm; and vegetable, fruiting, group 8 at 2.0 ppm.
That document referenced a summary of the petition prepared by Bayer
CropScience, the registrant, which is available in the docket, https://www.regulations.gov. There were no comments received in response to the
notice of filing.
EPA is establishing tolerances that vary slightly from what was
requested to be consistent with Organization for Economic Cooperation
and Development (OECD) Rounding Class Practice.
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
[[Page 66617]]
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 propamocarb including exposure
resulting from the tolerances established by this action. EPA's
assessment of exposures and risks associated with propamocarb 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.
Although propamocarb is a carbamate fungicide, it doesn not inhibit
cholinesterase like many other carbamate pesticides, such as N-methyl
carbamates. Neurotoxic effects include decreased motor activity
following acute exposure and vacuolization of the choroid plexus
(ventricles of the brain which produce cerebral spinal fluid) following
subchronic and chronic durations. Other effects observed are indicative
of toxicity to the digestive and gastro-intestinal (GI) tracts in dogs
(chronic erosive gastritis, vacuolization of the salivary gland and
stomach), and the eye (hyporeflectivity of the fundus, retinal
degeneration, and vacuolization of the retinal gland). In all species,
decreased body weights, body-weight gains, and food consumption were
observed following subchronic and chronic exposure.
Effects in the route-specific dermal and inhalation studies were
primarily portal-of-entry effects. Dermal exposure caused dermal
irritation in rats and rabbits at relatively high doses (greater than
500 mg/kg/day). Inhalation exposure caused labored breathing and the
appearance of red material around the nose. Systemic effects were
observed following inhalation exposure at similar doses that caused
portal-of-entry effects; these included kidney cysts and changes in
hematological parameters.
There was no evidence of increased quantitative pre- or postnatal
susceptibility in the toxicity database for propamocarb-HCl in rats or
rabbits. There was an increased qualitative susceptibility for
propamocarb-HCl in rats. In the developmental rat studies, fetal
effects included increased death, increased incidences of minor
skeletal anomalies, increased incidences of small fetus, inter-atrial
septal defects, and hemorrhage in the ears, upper GI tract, and
nasopharynx/sinuses. Maternal effects consisted of decreased absolute
body-weights, food consumption, post-implantation loss, and mortality.
In rabbits there was an increased incidence of post-implantation loss
in one of the two available studies, and no fetal effects in the second
study. In the rat 2-generation reproduction studies, offspring effects
consisted of decreased weights in both studies, as well as death,
decreased viability and lactation indices and litter size at the limit
dose (1,000 mg/kg/day) in one study. Parental effects were consistent
with those previously described for adults. Reproductive effects
consisted of increased vacuolization and decreased weight of the
epididymides, decreased sperm counts and motility, and abnormal sperm
morphology.
The Agency has classified propamocarb-HCl as ``not likely to be
carcinogenic to humans'' by all routes of exposure based upon lack of
evidence of carcinogenicity in rats and mice.
Specific information on the studies received and the nature of the
adverse effects caused by propamocarb 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 the document titled ``Propamocarb Hydrochloride
(HCl). Human Health Risk Assessment for Proposed Uses on Leafy Green
Subgroup 4-16A, Guava, and Starfruit; and Crop Conversions for Fruiting
Vegetable Group 8 to Crop Group 8-10, and Potato to Subgroup 1C
(Tuberous and Corm Vegetables Subgroup)'' on pages 28-33 in docket ID
number EPA-HQ-OPP-2018-0623.
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://www2.epa.gov/pesticide-science-and-assessing-pesticide-risks/assessing-human-health-risk-pesticide.
A summary of the toxicological endpoints for propamocarb used for
human risk assessment is discussed in Unit III.B. of the final rule
published in the Federal Register of February 7, 2017 (82 FR 9519)
(FRL-9957-68).
C. Exposure Assessment
1. Dietary exposure from food and feed uses. In evaluating dietary
exposure to propamocarb, EPA considered exposure under the petitioned-
for tolerances as well as all existing propamocarb tolerances in 40 CFR
180.499. EPA assessed dietary exposures from propamocarb in food as
follows:
i. Acute exposure. Quantitative acute dietary exposure and risk
assessments are performed for a food-use pesticide, if a toxicological
study has indicated the possibility of an effect of concern occurring
as a result of a 1-day or single exposure.
Such effects were identified for propamocarb. In estimating acute
dietary exposure, EPA used food consumption information from the
[[Page 66618]]
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2003-2008 National
Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, What We Eat in America,
(NHANES/WWEIA). As to residue levels in food, EPA used tolerance-level
residues and assumed 100 percent crop treated (PCT) for all
commodities.
ii. Chronic exposure. In conducting the chronic dietary exposure
assessment, EPA used the food consumption data from the USDA 2003-2008
NHANES/WWEIA. As to residue levels in food, EPA used tolerance-level
residues and assumed 100 PCT for all commodities.
iii. Cancer. Based on the data summarized in Unit III.A., EPA has
concluded that propamocarb does not pose a cancer risk to humans.
Therefore, a dietary exposure assessment for the purpose of assessing
cancer risk is unnecessary.
iv. Anticipated residue and PCT information. EPA did not use
anticipated residue or PCT information in the dietary assessment for
propamocarb. Tolerance level residues and 100 PCT were assumed for all
food commodities.
2. Dietary exposure from drinking water. The Agency used screening
level water exposure models in the dietary exposure analysis and risk
assessment for propamocarb in drinking water. These simulation models
take into account data on the physical, chemical, and fate/transport
characteristics of propamocarb. Further information regarding EPA
drinking water models used in pesticide exposure assessment can be
found at https://www2.epa.gov/pesticide-science-and-assessing-pesticide-risks/about-water-exposure-models-used-pesticide.
Based on the Surface Water Concentration Calculator (SWCC) and
Pesticide Root Zone Model Ground Water (PRZM GW), the estimated
drinking water concentrations (EDWCs) of propamocarb for acute
exposures are 4,860 parts per billion (ppb) for surface water and 73
ppb for ground water. The EDWCs of propamocarb for chronic exposures
are 385 ppb for surface water and 70 ppb for ground water.
Modeled estimates of drinking water concentrations were directly
entered into the dietary exposure model. For the acute dietary risk
assessment, the water concentration value of 4,860 ppb was used to
assess the contribution to drinking water. For the chronic dietary risk
assessment, the water concentration of value 385 ppb was used to assess
the contribution to drinking water.
3. From non-dietary exposure. The term ``residential exposure'' is
used in this document to refer to nonoccupational, non-dietary exposure
(e.g., for lawn and garden pest control, indoor pest control,
termiticides, and flea and tick control on pets). Propamocarb is
registered for use on golf course turf, which may result in dermal
post-application exposures. No dermal hazard was identified in the
toxicity database, so there is no need to conduct a quantitative
residential exposure assessment.
4. Cumulative effects from substances with a common mechanism of
toxicity. Section 408(b)(2)(D)(v) of FFDCA requires that, when
considering whether to establish, modify, or revoke a tolerance, the
Agency consider ``available information'' concerning the cumulative
effects of a particular pesticide's residues and ``other substances
that have a common mechanism of toxicity.''
Unlike other pesticides for which EPA has followed a cumulative
risk approach based on a common mechanism of toxicity, EPA has not made
a common mechanism of toxicity finding as to propamocarb-HCl and any
other substances and propamocarb-HCl does not appear to produce a toxic
metabolite produced by other substances. Although a carbamate,
propamocarb-HCl is not an N-methyl carbamate and does not cause
cholinesterase inhibition. Thus, it was not included in the N-methyl
carbamate cumulative risk assessment. For the purposes of this action,
therefore, EPA has not assumed that propamocarb-HCl has a common
mechanism of toxicity with other substances.
D. Safety Factor for Infants and Children
1. In general. Section 408(b)(2)(C) of FFDCA provides that EPA
shall apply an additional tenfold (10X) margin of safety for infants
and children in the case of threshold effects to account for prenatal
and postnatal toxicity and the completeness of the database on toxicity
and exposure unless EPA determines based on reliable data that a
different margin of safety will be safe for infants and children. This
additional margin of safety is commonly referred to as the FQPA Safety
Factor (SF). In applying this provision, EPA either retains the default
value of 10X, or uses a different additional safety factor when
reliable data available to EPA support the choice of a different
factor.
2. Prenatal and postnatal sensitivity. There was no evidence of
increased quantitative pre- or postnatal susceptibility in the toxicity
database for propamocarb-HCl in rats or rabbits. There was an increased
qualitative susceptibility for propamocarb-HCl in rats. In the
developmental rat studies, fetal effects included increased death,
increased incidences of minor skeletal anomalies, increased incidences
of small fetus, inter-atrial septal defects, and hemorrhage in the
ears, upper GI tract, and nasopharynx/sinuses. Maternal effects
consisted of decreased absolute body-weights, food consumption, post-
implantation loss, and mortality. In rabbits there was an increased
incidence of post-implantation loss in one of the two available
studies, and no fetal effects in the second study. In the rat 2-
generation reproduction studies, offspring effects consisted of
decreased weights in both studies, as well as death, decreased
viability and lactation indices and litter size at the limit dose
(1,000 mg/kg/day) in one study. Parental effects were consistent with
those previously described for adults. Reproductive effects consisted
of increased vacuolization and decreased weight of the epididymides,
decreased sperm counts and motility, and abnormal sperm morphology.
3. Conclusion. EPA has determined that reliable data show the
safety of infants and children would be adequately protected if the
FQPA SF were reduced to 1X. That decision is based on the following
findings:
i. The toxicity database for propamocarb is complete.
ii. There are two guidelines acute neurotoxicity (ACN) and two
subchronic neurotoxicity (SCN) studies for propamocarb-HCl. There was
evidence of neurotoxicity (decreased motor activity and vacuolization
of the choroid plexus) in several studies following propamocarb-HCl
exposure, including the ACN and SCN studies; however, concern is low
since the effects are well-characterized with clear NOAEL/LOAEL values
and the selected endpoints are protective of the observed effects.
iii. There is no evidence of increased quantitative pre- or post-
natal susceptibility following exposure to propamocarb-HCl. There is
evidence of increased qualitative susceptibility in one of the rat
studies in the database; however, concern for these effects is low
because: (1) The effects are well characterized, (2) clear NOAELs were
established, (3) the endpoints selected are protective of these
effects, and (4) the effects were seen in the presence of maternal/
parental toxicity.
iv. There are no residual uncertainties identified in the exposure
databases. The dietary food exposure assessments were performed based
on 100 PCT and tolerance-level residues. EPA made conservative
(protective) assumptions in the ground and surface water modeling
[[Page 66619]]
used to assess exposure to propamocarb in drinking water. These
assessments will not underestimate the exposure and risks posed by
propamocarb.
E. Aggregate Risks and Determination of Safety
EPA determines whether acute and chronic dietary pesticide
exposures are safe by comparing aggregate exposure estimates to the
acute PAD (aPAD) and chronic PAD (cPAD). For linear cancer risks, EPA
calculates the lifetime probability of acquiring cancer given the
estimated aggregate exposure. Short-, intermediate-, and chronic-term
risks are evaluated by comparing the estimated aggregate food, water,
and residential exposure to the appropriate PODs to ensure that an
adequate MOE exists.
1. Acute risk. Using the exposure assumptions discussed in this
unit for acute exposure, the acute dietary exposure from food and water
to propamocarb will occupy 42% of the aPAD for all infants, the
population group receiving the greatest exposure.
2. Chronic risk. Using the exposure assumptions described in this
unit for chronic exposure, EPA has concluded that chronic exposure to
propamocarb from food and water will utilize 53% of the cPAD for
females 13 to 49 years old, the population group receiving the greatest
exposure. Based on the explanation in Unit III.C.3., regarding
residential use patterns, chronic residential exposure to residues of
propamocarb is not expected.
3. Short- and Intermediate-term risk. Short- and intermediate-term
aggregate exposure takes into account short- and intermediate-term
residential exposure plus chronic exposure to food and water
(considered to be a background exposure level).
A short- and intermediate-term oral adverse effect was identified;
however, propamocarb is not registered for any use patterns that would
result in either short- or intermediate-term oral residential exposure.
Short- and intermediate-term risk is assessed based on short- and
intermediate-term residential exposure plus chronic dietary exposure.
Because there is no short- or intermediate-term oral 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- or intermediate-term risk), no further
assessment of short- or intermediate-term risk is necessary, and EPA
relies on the chronic dietary risk assessment for evaluating short- and
intermediate-term risk for propamocarb.
5. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S. population. Based on the lack of
evidence of carcinogenicity in two adequate rodent carcinogenicity
studies, propamocarb is not expected to pose a cancer risk to humans.
6. 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 propamocarb residues.
IV. Other Considerations
A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
An adequate gas chromatography/nitrogen-phosphorus detection (GC/
NPD) method is available for enforcing the proposed tolerances. The
method has undergone a successful independent laboratory validation and
petition method validation and is currently listed in the Pesticide
Analytical Manual (PAM) Vol. II.
B. International Residue Limits
In making its tolerance decisions, EPA seeks to harmonize U.S.
tolerances with international standards whenever possible, consistent
with U.S. food safety standards and agricultural practices. EPA
considers the international maximum residue limits (MRLs) established
by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), as required by FFDCA
section 408(b)(4). The Codex Alimentarius is a joint United Nations
Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization food
standards program, and it is recognized as an international food safety
standards-setting organization in trade agreements to which the United
States is a party. EPA may establish a tolerance that is different from
a Codex MRL; however, FFDCA section 408(b)(4) requires that EPA explain
the reasons for departing from the Codex level.
Codex does not have maximum residue limits (MRLs) for guava and
starfruit so harmonization is not an issue.
Codex does have MRLs for leaf and head lettuce at 100 ppm which is
different than the U.S. tolerance being established on the leafy greens
subgroup 4-16A. EPA is not harmonizing the U.S. tolerance with the
Codex MRL because based on available residue data and using the OECD
MRL calculation procedure, the tolerance value should be 150 ppm. EPA
uses the OECD MRL calculation procedure in order to ensure that the
tolerance value is not underestimated.
Codex has MRLs on eggplant at 0.3 ppm, bell pepper at 3 ppm and
tomato at 2 ppm. The U.S. tolerance of 4 ppm on the fruiting vegetable
group 8-10 is not harmonized with the Codex MRLs for the individual
crops. Because EPA has data supporting the establishment of the crop
groups and no data that indicate a need to establish separate
individual commodities, the effect is that tolerances for individual
commodities are not harmonized with Codex MRLs.
Codex has a potato MRL established 0.3 ppm and is harmonized with
the U.S. tolerance of 0.3 ppm on the tuberous and corm vegetable
subgroup 1C.
V. Conclusion
Therefore, tolerances are established for residues of propamocarb
(propyl N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]carbamate in or on guava at 0.05
ppm; leafy greens subgroup 4-16A at 150 ppm; starfruit at 0.05 ppm;
vegetable, fruiting, group 8-10 at 4 ppm; and vegetable, tuberous and
corm, subgroup 1C at 0.3 ppm.
Additionally, the following tolerances are withdrawn from 40 CFR
180.499 as unnecessary due to the newly established tolerances:
Lettuce, head at 50 ppm; lettuce, leaf at 90 ppm; potato at 0.30 ppm;
and vegetable, fruiting, group 8 at 2.0 ppm.
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), 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
[[Page 66620]]
Populations'' (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
Since tolerances and exemptions that are established on the basis
of a petition under FFDCA section 408(d), such as the tolerances in
this final rule, do not require the issuance of a proposed rule, the
requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601 et
seq.), do not apply.
This 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: October 25, 2019.
Daniel Rosenblatt,
Acting Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.
Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is amended as follows:
PART 180--[AMENDED]
0
1. The authority citation for part 180 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.
0
2. In Sec. 180.499(a):
0
a. Remove ``the following table'' and ``the following tolerance
levels'' and add ``table 1 to this paragraph (a)'' and ``the tolerance
levels in table 1 to this paragraph (a)'' in their places,
respectively; and
0
b. Revise the table.
The revision reads as follows:
Sec. 180.499 Propamocarb; tolerances for residues.
(a) * * *
Table 1 to Paragraph (a)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parts per
Commodity million
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guava....................................................... 0.05
Leafy greens subgroup 4-16A................................. 150
Starfruit................................................... 0.05
Tomato, paste............................................... 5.0
Vegetable, cucurbit, group 9................................ 1.5
Vegetable, fruiting, group 8-10............................. 4
Vegetable, tuberous and corm, subgroup 1C................... 0.3
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2019-26130 Filed 12-4-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P