Acute Aquatic Life Screening Values for 6PPD and 6PPD-Quinone in Freshwater, 50325-50326 [2024-13009]

Download as PDF 50325 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 115 / Thursday, June 13, 2024 / Notices ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL–11976–01–OW] Acute Aquatic Life Screening Values for 6PPD and 6PPD-Quinone in Freshwater Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the availability of Acute Freshwater Aquatic Life Screening Values for 6PPD (N-(1,3-Dimethylbutyl)-N′-phenyl-pphenylenediamine) and its transformation product 6PPD-quinone (6PPD-q; N-(1,3-Dimethylbutyl)-N′phenyl-p-phenylenediamine quinone). The EPA developed these screening values as information under Clean Water Act (CWA) section 304(a)(2)(B) on factors for the protection of aquatic life. States and authorized Tribes may consider these screening values in their water quality protection programs. The screening values for acute exposures to 6PPD and 6PPD-q in freshwater are 8,900 nanograms per liter (ng/L) and 11 ng/L, respectively. Consistent with CWA section 304(a)(2), the EPA expects to update these screening values from time to time as new information becomes available. This announcement is in accordance with CWA section 304(a)(3), which directs the EPA to publish information developed under 304(a)(2) in the Federal Register and make it available to States, authorized Tribes, and the public. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amanda Jarvis, Health and Ecological Criteria Division, Office of Water (Mail Code 4304T), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (202) 566–1163; email address: jarvis.amanda@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: I. What are 6PPD and 6PPD-quinone and how do they affect aquatic life? 6PPD-quinone (6PPD-q) is a breakdown product of the rubber-tire antioxidant compound 6PPD (N-(1,3Dimethylbutyl)-N′-phenyl-pphenylenediamine). Detections of 6PPD and 6PPD-q in waterways across the United States and elsewhere indicate that they are present in aquatic systems and may present a potential risk to aquatic organisms. Although ‘‘urban stream syndrome’’ or ‘‘urban runoff mortality syndrome’’ (URMS) was first reported in Puget Sound during monitoring of urban streams between 1999 and 2001, URMS was not linked to 6PPD-q until 2021 by Tian et al. (2021). URMS describes the death of adult salmon fish (particularly coho salmon) returning from the ocean to urban waterways and was first reported in Puget Sound (Washington, USA) during monitoring of urban streams between 1999 and 2001. II. What are aquatic life screening values? The EPA derived these screening values in accordance with section 304(a)(2) of the Clean Water Act (CWA) to provide States, authorized Tribes, and stakeholders with the best available information on the toxicity of 6PPD and 6PPD-q to aquatic organisms. They are distinct from national recommended ambient water quality criteria (AWQC) issued in accordance with the provisions of section 304(a)(1) of the CWA for protection of aquatic life from toxic chemicals. Empirical data are very limited for 6PPD and 6PPD-q and do not fulfill the EPA’s data requirements for deriving national recommended AWQC. Further, much of the available data were developed using aquatic toxicity testing approaches that do not fully conform with EPA’s 850 Ecological Effects Test Guidelines or other standard test guidelines, such as those of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) or the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). These deviations from standard testing methods made the derived toxicity values and the derived screening values more uncertain than national recommended AWQC. These screening values are based solely on data and scientific judgments about the relationship between 6PPD and 6PPD-q concentrations and potential effects to aquatic organisms. What are EPA’s 6PPD and 6PPD-q aquatic life screening values in freshwater? The EPA’s 6PPD and 6PPD-q aquatic life screening value documents provide a critical review of 6PPD and 6PPD-q toxicity data, quantify the toxicity of these chemicals to aquatic life based on available data, and provide separate acute screening values for 6PPD and 6PPD-q. Under CWA section 304(a)(2)(B), the EPA develops, from time to time, information ‘‘on the factors necessary for the protection and propagation of shellfish, fish, and wildlife.’’ The EPA developed the 6PPD and 6PPD-q acute screening values (Table 1 of this document) to support protection of most freshwater aquatic communities. The EPA’s acute screening values are the maximum concentrations of 6PPD and 6PPD-q (individually, not in mixtures), with associated frequency and duration specifications, that are expected to support protection of aquatic life from acute effects in freshwaters based on currently available science (see Table 1 of this document). There were insufficient data for 6PPD and 6PPD-q to derive chronic screening values in freshwaters, and acute and chronic values in estuarine/marine waters. In accordance with CWA section 304(a)(2)(B), the acute freshwater screening values for 6PPD and 6PPD-q are provided only as information for States and authorized Tribes that they may consider for the protection of aquatic life as part of their water quality protection programs. The development of aquatic life screening values as information under CWA section 304(a)(2) does not impose legally binding requirements on the EPA or the regulated community. Further, the aquatic life screening values are not regulations and do not substitute for the CWA or the EPA’s regulations. TABLE 1—RECOMMENDED AQUATIC LIFE ACUTE SCREENING VALUES FOR FRESHWATER (ng/L) 6PPD lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 8,900 Duration ................................................................................................................................................................... Frequency ................................................................................................................................................................ VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:28 Jun 12, 2024 Jkt 262001 PO 00000 Frm 00073 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\13JNN1.SGM 13JNN1 6PPD-q 11 1 hour Not to be exceeded more than once in three years on average 50326 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 115 / Thursday, June 13, 2024 / Notices Bruno Pigott, Assistant Administrator. [FR Doc. 2024–13009 Filed 6–12–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA–HQ–OPPT–2024–0114; FRL–11809– 02–OCSPP] 1,1-Dichloroethane and 1,2Dichloroethane; Peer Review of Draft Documents by the Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC); Request for Comments on Experts Being Considered as ad hoc Peer Reviewers Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or the ‘‘Agency’’) is announcing the change in the peer review mechanism from the letter peer review to a Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC) peer review; the addition of the draft human health hazard assessment for 1,2dichloroethane for peer review; the availability of and solicitation of comment on the list of candidates under consideration for selection as ad hoc peer reviewers that will assist the SACC with their peer review of the Agency’s draft risk evaluation of 1,1dichloroethane and human health hazard assessment of 1,2dichloroethane. The list of candidates provides the names and biographical sketches of all interested and available candidates identified from the responses to the call for nominations and other sources. Public comments on these candidates will assist the Agency in selecting ad hoc peer reviewers to assist the SACC with the identified peer review. SUMMARY: Submit your comments on or before June 28, 2024. ADDRESSES: Submit comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA–HQ–OPPT–2024–0114, through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Do not submit electronically any information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Additional instructions on commenting and visiting the docket, along with more information about dockets generally, is available at https://www.epa.gov/dockets. lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 DATES: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:28 Jun 12, 2024 The Designated Federal Official (DFO) is Alie Muneer, Mission Support Division (7602M), Office of Program Support, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, Environmental Protection Agency; telephone number: (202) 564– 6369; email address: muneer.alie@ epa.gov; or call the SACC main office at (202) 564–8450 or send an email at email address: sacc@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jkt 262001 I. General Information A. What action is the Agency taking? The Agency is seeking public comments on scientific and technical experts that EPA is considering for service as ad hoc peer reviewers that will assist the SACC with the peer review of the Agency’s evaluation of the draft risk evaluation of 1,1dichloroethane and the human health hazard assessment of 1,2dichloroethane. The Agency requested nominations of ad hoc expert reviewers in the Federal Register of March 21, 2024 (88 FR 20201 (FRL–11809–01– OCSPP)). B. What is the Agency’s authority for taking this action? EPA established the SACC in 2016 in accordance with TSCA, 15 U.S.C. 2625(o), to provide independent advice and expert consultation with respect to the scientific and technical aspects of issues relating to the implementation of TSCA. The SACC operates in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C. 10, and supports activities under TSCA, 15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq., the Pollution Prevention Act (PPA), 42 U.S.C. 13101 et seq., and other applicable statutes. C. Does this action apply to me? This action is directed to the public in general and may be of particular interest to those involved in the manufacture, processing, distribution, and disposal of the subject chemical substance, and/or those interested in the assessment of risks involving chemical substances and mixtures regulated under TSCA. D. What should I consider as I prepare my comments for EPA? Do not electronically submit any information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Copyrighted material will not be posted without explicit permission of the copyright holder. Members of the public should also be aware that personal contact PO 00000 Frm 00074 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 information, if included in any written comments, may be posted on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov. If your comment contains any information that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected, please contact the DFO listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT to obtain special instructions before submitting that information. E. How can I stay informed about SACC activities? You may subscribe to the following listserv for alerts regarding this and other SACC-related activities: https:// public.govdelivery.com/accounts/ USAEPAOPPT/subscriber/new?topic_ id=USAEPAOPPT_101. II. Background EPA is planning this SACC peer review of the Agency’s draft risk evaluation of 1,1-dichloroethane and human health hazard assessment of 1,2dichloroethane. As part of the TSCA risk evaluation for 1,1-dichloroethane, EPA is assessing 1,1-dichloroethane conditions of use (COUs) (e.g., processing as a reactant, processing for repackaging, processing for recycling, commercial use for laboratory chemicals, etc.). EPA is providing for public comment and peer review of the TSCA human health hazard assessment for 1,2-dichloroethane because EPA has identified 1,2-dichloroethane as an analog for 1,1-dichloroethane to support a limited non-cancer and cancer human health hazard 1,1-dichloroethane data set. Both 1,1-dichloroethane and 1,2dichloroethane data sets were used wherever appropriate to conduct the dose-response assessment and identify points-of-departure (PODs) for the risk evaluation of 1,1-dichloroethane. Therefore, simultaneous issuance for public comment and peer review of both the full 1,1-dichloroethane draft risk evaluation (hazard and exposure assessments) and the 1,2-dichloroethane draft human health hazard assessment will provide the public and peer reviewers with the full context of the human health hazard evaluations for both chemicals. Recommendations from the SACC peer review of the draft documents will be considered in the development of the TSCA risk evaluations for both chemical substances and may inform other EPA efforts related to the assessment and regulation of 1,1-dichloroethane and 1,2-dichloroethane. The Agency will be seeking SACC review of its data analyses and methodologies relevant to human health hazard and exposure analyses that have not been previously peer reviewed. E:\FR\FM\13JNN1.SGM 13JNN1

Agencies

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 115 (Thursday, June 13, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50325-50326]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-13009]



[[Page 50325]]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-11976-01-OW]


Acute Aquatic Life Screening Values for 6PPD and 6PPD-Quinone in 
Freshwater

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing 
the availability of Acute Freshwater Aquatic Life Screening Values for 
6PPD (N-(1,3-Dimethylbutyl)-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine) and its 
transformation product 6PPD-quinone (6PPD-q; N-(1,3-Dimethylbutyl)-N'-
phenyl-p-phenylenediamine quinone). The EPA developed these screening 
values as information under Clean Water Act (CWA) section 304(a)(2)(B) 
on factors for the protection of aquatic life. States and authorized 
Tribes may consider these screening values in their water quality 
protection programs. The screening values for acute exposures to 6PPD 
and 6PPD-q in freshwater are 8,900 nanograms per liter (ng/L) and 11 
ng/L, respectively. Consistent with CWA section 304(a)(2), the EPA 
expects to update these screening values from time to time as new 
information becomes available. This announcement is in accordance with 
CWA section 304(a)(3), which directs the EPA to publish information 
developed under 304(a)(2) in the Federal Register and make it available 
to States, authorized Tribes, and the public.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amanda Jarvis, Health and Ecological 
Criteria Division, Office of Water (Mail Code 4304T), Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460; 
telephone number: (202) 566-1163; email address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. What are 6PPD and 6PPD-quinone and how do they affect aquatic life?

    6PPD-quinone (6PPD-q) is a breakdown product of the rubber-tire 
antioxidant compound 6PPD (N-(1,3-Dimethylbutyl)-N'-phenyl-p-
phenylenediamine). Detections of 6PPD and 6PPD-q in waterways across 
the United States and elsewhere indicate that they are present in 
aquatic systems and may present a potential risk to aquatic organisms. 
Although ``urban stream syndrome'' or ``urban runoff mortality 
syndrome'' (URMS) was first reported in Puget Sound during monitoring 
of urban streams between 1999 and 2001, URMS was not linked to 6PPD-q 
until 2021 by Tian et al. (2021). URMS describes the death of adult 
salmon fish (particularly coho salmon) returning from the ocean to 
urban waterways and was first reported in Puget Sound (Washington, USA) 
during monitoring of urban streams between 1999 and 2001.

II. What are aquatic life screening values?

    The EPA derived these screening values in accordance with section 
304(a)(2) of the Clean Water Act (CWA) to provide States, authorized 
Tribes, and stakeholders with the best available information on the 
toxicity of 6PPD and 6PPD-q to aquatic organisms. They are distinct 
from national recommended ambient water quality criteria (AWQC) issued 
in accordance with the provisions of section 304(a)(1) of the CWA for 
protection of aquatic life from toxic chemicals. Empirical data are 
very limited for 6PPD and 6PPD-q and do not fulfill the EPA's data 
requirements for deriving national recommended AWQC. Further, much of 
the available data were developed using aquatic toxicity testing 
approaches that do not fully conform with EPA's 850 Ecological Effects 
Test Guidelines or other standard test guidelines, such as those of the 
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) or the Organisation 
for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). These deviations from 
standard testing methods made the derived toxicity values and the 
derived screening values more uncertain than national recommended AWQC. 
These screening values are based solely on data and scientific 
judgments about the relationship between 6PPD and 6PPD-q concentrations 
and potential effects to aquatic organisms.

What are EPA's 6PPD and 6PPD-q aquatic life screening values in 
freshwater?

    The EPA's 6PPD and 6PPD-q aquatic life screening value documents 
provide a critical review of 6PPD and 6PPD-q toxicity data, quantify 
the toxicity of these chemicals to aquatic life based on available 
data, and provide separate acute screening values for 6PPD and 6PPD-q.
    Under CWA section 304(a)(2)(B), the EPA develops, from time to 
time, information ``on the factors necessary for the protection and 
propagation of shellfish, fish, and wildlife.'' The EPA developed the 
6PPD and 6PPD-q acute screening values (Table 1 of this document) to 
support protection of most freshwater aquatic communities. The EPA's 
acute screening values are the maximum concentrations of 6PPD and 6PPD-
q (individually, not in mixtures), with associated frequency and 
duration specifications, that are expected to support protection of 
aquatic life from acute effects in freshwaters based on currently 
available science (see Table 1 of this document). There were 
insufficient data for 6PPD and 6PPD-q to derive chronic screening 
values in freshwaters, and acute and chronic values in estuarine/marine 
waters.
    In accordance with CWA section 304(a)(2)(B), the acute freshwater 
screening values for 6PPD and 6PPD-q are provided only as information 
for States and authorized Tribes that they may consider for the 
protection of aquatic life as part of their water quality protection 
programs. The development of aquatic life screening values as 
information under CWA section 304(a)(2) does not impose legally binding 
requirements on the EPA or the regulated community. Further, the 
aquatic life screening values are not regulations and do not substitute 
for the CWA or the EPA's regulations.

 Table 1--Recommended Aquatic Life Acute Screening Values for Freshwater
                                 (ng/L)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               6PPD           6PPD-q
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   8,900              11
                                         -------------------------------
Duration................................              1 hour
Frequency...............................   Not to be exceeded more than
                                          once in three years on average
------------------------------------------------------------------------



[[Page 50326]]

Bruno Pigott,
Assistant Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2024-13009 Filed 6-12-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P

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