[Federal Register: December 5, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 233)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 68529-68534]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05de07-19]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0195; FRL-8342-2]
Ethalfluralin; Pesticide Tolerance
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of
ethalfluralin in or on dill, dried leaves; dill, fresh leaves; mustard,
seed; potato; and rapeseed, seed. It also removes the current tolerance
for residues of ethalfluralin on canola seed since residues on canola
are covered by the rapeseed tolerance, thus making the canola tolerance
unnecessary. Interregional Research Project Number 4 (IR-4) requested
the new tolerances and removal of the canola tolerance under the
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
DATES: This regulation is effective December 5, 2007. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received on or before February 4, 2008,
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: EPA has established a docket for this action under docket
identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0195. To access the
electronic docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, select ``Advanced
Search,'' then ``Docket Search.'' Insert the docket ID number where
indicated and select the ``Submit'' button. Follow the instructions on
the regulations.gov website to view the docket index or access
available documents. All documents in the docket are listed in the
docket index available in regulations.gov. Although listed in the
index, some information is not publicly available, e.g., Confidential
Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted
material, is not placed on the Internet and will be publicly available
only in hard copy form. Publicly available docket materials are
available in the electronic docket at http://www.regulations.gov, or,
if only available in hard copy, at the OPP Regulatory Public Docket in
Rm. S-4400, One Potomac Yard (South Bldg.), 2777 S. Crystal Dr.,
Arlington, VA. The Docket Facility is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The Docket Facility
telephone number is (703) 305-5805.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Stanton, Registration Division
(7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency,
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone
number: (703) 305-5218; e-mail address: stanton.susan@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.
Potentially affected entities may include, but are not limited to those
engaged in the following activities:
Crop production (NAICS code 111), e.g., agricultural
workers; greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture workers; farmers.
Animal production (NAICS code 112), e.g., cattle ranchers
and farmers, dairy cattle farmers, livestock farmers.
Food manufacturing (NAICS code 311), e.g., agricultural
workers; farmers; greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture workers;
ranchers; pesticide applicators.
Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS code 32532), e.g.,
agricultural workers; commercial applicators; farmers;
[[Page 68530]]
greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture workers; residential users.
This listing is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather to
provide a guide for readers regarding entities likely to be affected by
this action. Other types of entities not listed in this unit could also
be affected. The North American Industrial Classification System
(NAICS) codes have been provided to assist you and others in
determining whether this action might apply to certain entities. If you
have any questions regarding the applicability of this action to a
particular entity, consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT.
B. How Can I Access Electronic Copies of this Document?
In addition to accessing an electronic copy of this Federal
Register document through the electronic docket at http://www.regulations.gov
, you may access this Federal Register document
electronically through the EPA Internet under the ``Federal Register''
listings at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr. You may also access a
frequently updated electronic version of EPA's tolerance regulations at
40 CFR part 180 through the Government Printing Office's pilot e-CFR
site at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/ecfr.
C. Can I File an Objection or Hearing Request?
Under section 408(g) of FFDCA, 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-2005-0195 in the subject line on the first page of
your submission. All requests must be in writing, and must be mailed or
delivered to the Hearing Clerk as required by 40 CFR part 178 on or
before February 4, 2008.
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 that does not contain any CBI for inclusion in the public
docket that is described in ADDRESSES. Information not marked
confidential pursuant to 40 CFR part 2 may be disclosed publicly by EPA
without prior notice. Submit this copy, identified by docket ID number
EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0195, by one of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments.
Mail: Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) Regulatory Public
Docket (7502P), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001.
Delivery: OPP Regulatory Public Docket (7502P),
Environmental Protection Agency, Rm. S-4400, One Potomac Yard (South
Bldg.), 2777 S. Crystal Dr., Arlington, VA. Deliveries are only
accepted during the Docket's normal hours of operation (8:30 a.m. to 4
p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays). Special
arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information. The
Docket Facility telephone number is (703) 305-5805.
II. Petition for Tolerance
In the Federal Register of August 31, 2005 (70 FR 51797) (FRL-7730-
4), EPA issued a notice pursuant to section 408(d)(3) of FFDCA, 21
U.S.C. 346a(d)(3), announcing the filing of a pesticide petitions (PP
1E6326, PP 2E6360 and PP2E6466) by Interregional Research Project
Number 4 (IR-4), 500 College Road East, Suite 201 W, Princeton, NJ
08540-6635. The petitions requested that 40 CFR 180.416 be amended by
establishing tolerances for residues of the herbicide ethalfluralin,
[N-ethyl-N-(2-methyl-2-propenyl)-2,6-dinitro-4-
(trifluoromethyl)benzenamine], in or on dill (PP 1E6326); rapeseed,
canola, crambe and mustard seed (PP2E6466); and potato (PP 2E6360) at
0.05 parts per million (ppm). That notice included a summary of the
petitions prepared by Dow AgroSciences LLC, the registrant, which is
available to the public in the docket, http://www.regulations.gov.
There were no comments received in response to the notice of filing.
EPA has modified the tolerances proposed in PP 1E6326 (rapeseed,
canola, crambe and mustard). The reason for these changes is explained
in Unit V.
III. Aggregate Risk Assessment and Determination of Safety
Section 408(b)(2)(A)(i) of FFDCA allows EPA to establish a
tolerance (the legal limit for a pesticide chemical residue in or on a
food) only if EPA determines that the tolerance is ``safe.'' Section
408(b)(2)(A)(ii) of FFDCA defines ``safe'' to mean that ``there is a
reasonable certainty that no harm will result from aggregate exposure
to the pesticide chemical residue, including all anticipated dietary
exposures and all other exposures for which there is reliable
information.'' This includes exposure through drinking water and in
residential settings, but does not include occupational exposure.
Section 408(b)(2)(C) of FFDCA requires EPA to give special
consideration to exposure of infants and children to the pesticide
chemical residue in establishing a tolerance and to ``ensure that there
is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result to infants and
children from aggregate exposure to the pesticide chemical
residue....'' These provisions were added to FFDCA by the Food Quality
Protection Act (FQPA) of 1996.
Consistent with section 408(b)(2)(D) of FFDCA, and the factors
specified in section 408(b)(2)(D) of FFDCA, 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 the petitioned-for
tolerance for residues of ethalfluralin on dill, dried leaves; dill,
fresh leaves; mustard, seed; potato; and rapeseed, seed at 0.05 ppm.
EPA's assessment of exposures and risks associated with establishing
the tolerance 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. Specific information on the studies received and the nature
of the adverse effects caused by ethalfluralin 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 http://www.regulations.gov
in the document Ethalfluralin: Human Health Risk
Assessment for (IR-4) Proposed Uses on Dill and Potato. The referenced
document is available in the docket established by this action, which
is described under ADDRESSES, and is identified as document number EPA-
HQ-OPP-2005-0195-0001 in that docket.
The toxicity database for ethalfluralin is complete and indicates
it has low acute toxicity by oral, dermal, and inhalation routes of
exposure. It is moderately irritating to the eye and produces moderate
to severe skin irritation. In one study ethalfluralin was negative for
dermal sensitization, but in another, it was considered positive.
In general, subchronic and chronic feeding studies in rats, mice,
and dogs
[[Page 68531]]
indicate the liver as the target organ, with consistent effects of
enzymatic changes, liver weight increases, and histopathology (chronic
mouse). A combined chronic/carcinogenicity study in rats showed no non-
neoplastic effects at the highest dose tested (32 milligrams/kilogram/
day ((mg/kg/day). However, mammary gland fibroadenomas were increased
in a dose-related manner. The mouse carcinogenicity study showed no
increase in tumor incidence. Ethalfluralin was classified as a possible
human carcinogen in 1994 and, pursuant to that classification, cancer
risk is assessed using quantitative linear low-dose extrapolation.
Ethalfluralin does not produce developmental toxicity in rats at
doses up to 1,000 mg/kg/day. There are several rabbit developmental
toxicity studies available; together, these studies indicate the
potential for ethalfluralin to induce skeletal malformations at doses
of >150 mg/kg/day. Maternal toxicity was observed at similar doses.
Ethalfluralin did not produce reproductive or offspring effects in the
3-generation reproduction studies; the parental effects consisted of
decreased body weight gains.
There is no evidence of neurotoxicity in the submitted toxicity
studies for ethalfluralin.
B. Toxicological Endpoints
For hazards that have a threshold below which there is no
appreciable risk, the toxicological level of concern (LOC) is derived
from the highest dose at which no adverse effects are observed (the
NOAEL) in the toxicology study identified as appropriate for use in
risk assessment. However, if a NOAEL cannot be determined, the lowest
dose at which adverse effects of concern are identified (the LOAEL) is
sometimes used for risk assessment. Uncertainty/safety factors (UFs)
are used in conjunction with the LOC to take into account uncertainties
inherent in the extrapolation from laboratory animal data to humans and
in the variations in sensitivity among members of the human population
as well as other unknowns. Safety is assessed for acute and chronic
risks by comparing aggregate exposure to the pesticide to the acute
population adjusted dose (aPAD) and chronic population adjusted dose
(cPAD). The aPAD and cPAD are calculated by dividing the LOC by all
applicable UFs. Short-term, intermediate-term, and long-term risks are
evaluated by comparing aggregate exposure to the LOC to ensure that the
margin of exposure (MOE) called for by the product of all applicable
UFs is not exceeded.
For non-threshold risks, the Agency assumes that any amount of
exposure will lead to some degree of risk and estimates risk in terms
of the probability of occurrence of additional adverse cases.
Generally, cancer risks are considered non-threshold. For more
information on the general principles EPA uses in risk characterization
and a complete description of the risk assessment process, see http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/riskassess.htm
.
A summary of the toxicological endpoints for ethalfluralin used for
human risk assessment can be found at http://www.regulations.gov in
document Ethalfluralin: Human Health Risk Assessment for (IR-4)
Proposed Uses on Dill and Potato at pages 13-17 in docket ID number
EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0195.
C. Exposure Assessment
1. Dietary exposure from food and feed uses. In evaluating dietary
exposure to ethalfluralin, EPA considered exposure under the
petitioned-for tolerances as well as all existing ethalfluralin
tolerances in (40 CFR 180.416). EPA assessed dietary exposures from
ethalfluralin in food as follows:
i. Acute exposure. Quantitative acute dietary exposure and risk
assessments are performed for a food-use pesticide, if a toxicological
study has indicated the possibility of an effect of concern occurring
as a result of a 1-day or single exposure. No such effect was
identified for the general population, including infants and children,
in the toxicological studies for ethalfluralin. However, EPA identified
potential acute effects (increased number of resorptions and increased
sternal and cranial variations seen in the rabbit developmental
toxicity study) for the population subgroup females, 13 to 49 years
old. In estimating acute dietary exposure of females, 13 to 49 years
old, EPA used food consumption information from the U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) 1994-1996 Nationwide Continuing Surveys of Food
Intake by Individuals (CSFII). As to residue levels in food, EPA relied
on anticipated residues derived from field trial data for certain
commodities (dry bean, peanuts, dry peas, soybeans and sunflower seed)
and assumed tolerance level residues for the remaining commodities,
including dill and potato. EPA 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 1994-1996 and
1998 CSFII. As to residues in food, EPA relied on the same anticipated
residues and tolerances as in the acute exposure assessment and assumed
100 PCT for all commodities.
iii. Cancer. EPA has classified ethalfluralin as a possible human
carcinogen, based on a dose-related increase in mammary gland
fibroadenomas observed in the rat carcinogenicity study. EPA evaluated
cancer risk using a quantitative approach based on a cancer potency
factor, or Q1*, of 8.9 x 10-2 (mg/kg/day)-1. As
to residues in food, EPA relied on the same estimates used in the acute
and chronic exposure assessments for all commodities except soybean,
watermelon and potato. For soybean and watermelon, EPA relied on
anticipated residues derived from the USDA Pesticide Data Program
monitoring data. The anticipated residue for potatoes was derived from
field trial data. EPA assumed 100 PCT for all commodities.
iv. Anticipated residue and PCT information. Section 408(b)(2)(E)
of FFDCA authorizes EPA to use available data and information on the
anticipated residue levels of pesticide residues in food and the actual
levels of pesticide residues that have been measured in food. If EPA
relies on such information, EPA must pursuant tosection 408(f)(1) of
FFDCA require that data be provided 5 years after the tolerance is
established, modified, or left in effect, demonstrating that the levels
in food are not above the levels anticipated. For the present action,
EPA will issue such data call-ins as are required by section
408(b)(2)(E) of FFDCA and authorized under section 408(f)(1) of FFDCA.
Data will be required to be submitted no later than 5 years from the
date of issuance of this tolerance.
EPA did not use any information on the actual percent of crops
treated with ethalfluralin, but rather assumed 100% of each crop would
be treated and contain residues of ethalfluralin.
2. Dietary exposure from drinking water. Drinking water monitoring
data collected by USDA's Pesticide Data Program (PDP) are available for
ethalfluralin for the years 2003, 2004 and 2005. During this time
period, a total of 1,253 water samples were collected and found to
contain no detectable residues of ethalfluralin. The limit of detection
(LOD) of the method used to collect the data was 45.4 parts per
trillion (ppt). EPA used a value equal to [frac12] the LOD or 22.7 ppt
(0.023 parts per billion (ppb)) to assess cancer risk from residues of
ethalfluralin in drinking water.
[[Page 68532]]
The PDP drinking water monitoring data were considered to be
appropriate to assess cancer risk from the established and new uses of
ethalfluralin for the following reasons:
i. Application rates for both existing and new uses are similar;
while peak drinking water estimates differ slightly from one crop to
another, the Agency's modeled drinking water numbers for the average of
yearly means did not differ significantly by crop, supporting the
notion that the existing monitoring data can support new uses;
ii. The drinking water monitoring data were collected over multiple
years from a variety of states which include potential ethalfluralin
use areas;
iii. The lack of findings of detectable residues is supported by
modeled drinking water estimates and by the environmental fate
properties of ethalfluralin (e.g., 6-hour half-life for aqueous
photolysis).
EPA did not use the PDP data to evaluate acute or chronic risk from
residues of ethalfluralin in drinking water. PDP drinking water
monitoring data are not appropriate for use in acute dietary exposure
assessments, because the frequency of sample collection may not
accurately capture peak drinking water values. However, for the purpose
of chronic and cancer assessments, multiple years of data over multiple
seasons and reflecting a variety of sampling regions are considered to
provide an additional level of refinement over the use of modeled
drinking water estimates. In the case of ethalfluralin, since estimated
chronic risks based on more conservative modeled estimates are below
the Agency's LOC, the additional refinement provided by the PDP data is
not necessary. Therefore, for both the acute and chronic dietary
exposure assessments EPA relied on estimates of ethalfluralin residues
in drinking water developed through simulation or modeling taking into
account data on the environmental fate characteristics of
ethalfluralin. Further information regarding EPA drinking water models
used in pesticide exposure assessment can be found at http://www.epa.gov/oppefed1/models/water/index.htm
.
Based on the Pesticide Root Zone Model/Exposure Analysis Modeling
System (PRZM/EXAMS) and Screening Concentration in Ground Water (SCI-
GROW) models, the estimated environmental concentrations (EECs) of
ethalfluralin for acute exposures are estimated to be 11 ppb for
surface water and 0.02 ppb for ground water. The EECs for chronic
exposures are estimated to be 0.4 ppb for surface water and 0.02 ppb
for ground water.
Modeled estimates of drinking water concentrations were directly
entered into the dietary exposure model. For acute dietary risk
assessment, the water concentration value of 11 ppb was used to access
the contribution to drinking water. For chronic dietary risk
assessment, the water concentration of value 0.4 ppb was used to access
the contribution to drinking water.
3. From non-dietary exposure. The term ``residential exposure'' is
used in this document to refer to non-occupational, non-dietary
exposure (e.g., for lawn and garden pest control, indoor pest control,
termiticides, and flea and tick control on pets). Ethalfluralin is not
registered for use on any sites that would result in residential
exposure.
4. Cumulative effects from substances with a common mechanism of
toxicity. Section 408(b)(2)(D)(v) of FFDCA requires that, when
considering whether to establish, modify, or revoke a tolerance, the
Agency consider ``available information'' concerning the cumulative
effects of a particular pesticide's residues and ``other substances
that have a common mechanism of toxicity.''
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 ethalfluralin and any
other substances and ethalfluralin does not appear to produce a toxic
metabolite produced by other substances. For the purposes of this
tolerance action, therefore, EPA has not assumed that ethalfluralin has
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 http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/cumulative
.
D. Safety Factor for Infants and Children
1. In general. Section 408 of FFDCA provides that EPA shall apply
an additional (``10X'') tenfold 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. In
applying this provision, EPA either retains the default value of 10X
when reliable data do not support the choice of a different factor, or,
if reliable data are available, EPA uses a different additional FQPA
safety factor value based on the use of traditional UFs and/or special
FQPA safety factors, as appropriate.
2. Prenatal and postnatal sensitivity. The prenatal and postnatal
toxicology database for ethalfluralin includes a rat developmental
toxicity study, several rabbit developmental toxicity studies and a 3-
generation reproduction toxicity study in rats. There was no
quantitative or qualitative evidence of increased prenatal or postnatal
sensitivity in the rat developmental toxicity study or 3-generation
reproduction toxicity study in rats. The rabbit developmental toxicity
studies indicate the potential for ethalfluralin to induce skeletal
malformations at doses of >= 150 mg/kg/day. These effects were seen in
the presence of maternal toxicity.
Although there is evidence of increased qualitative susceptibility
in young in the developmental toxicity studies in rabbits, there are no
residual uncertainties and the degree of concern is low. The
developmental effects seen at the LOAEL of 150 mg/kg/day are slight
(mainly sternal variations in one or two fetuses, incomplete cranial
development in 2 fetuses and a slight increase in resorptions). There
is a clear NOAEL for these effects and the effects occurred in the
presence of maternal toxicity. Additionally, the dose used for risk
assessment purposes is 75 mg/kg/day, the NOAEL from the developmental
studies in rabbits. Use of this NOAEL for risk assessment is protective
of any potential developmental effects.
3. Conclusion. EPA has determined that reliable data show that it
would be safe for infants and children to reduce the FQPA safety factor
to 1X. That decision is based on the following findings:
i. The toxicity database for ethalfluralin is complete.
ii. There is no indication that ethalfluralin is a neurotoxic
chemical and there is no need for a developmental neurotoxicity study
or additional UFs to account for neurotoxicity.
iii. Although there is qualitative evidence of increased
susceptibility in the prenatal developmental studies in rabbits, the
risk assessment team did not identify any residual uncertainties after
establishing toxicity endpoints and traditional UFs to be used in the
risk assessment of ethalfluralin. The degree of concern for prenatal
and/or postnatal toxicity is low.
iv. There are no residual uncertainties identified in the exposure
databases.
[[Page 68533]]
The dietary food exposure assessments were performed based on 100 PCT
and tolerance-level or anticipated residues derived using reliable
field trial data. Conservative ground and surface water modeling
estimates were used to assess threshold acute and chronic risks. These
assessments will not underestimate the exposure and risks posed by
ethalfluralin.
E. Aggregate Risks and Determination of Safety
Safety is assessed for acute and chronic risks by comparing
aggregate exposure to the pesticide to the aPAD and cPAD. The aPAD and
cPAD are calculated by dividing the LOC by all applicable UFs. For
linear cancer risks, EPA calculates the probability of additional
cancer cases given aggregate exposure. Short-term, intermediate-term,
and long-term risks are evaluated by comparing aggregate exposure to
the LOC to ensure that the MOE called for by the product of all
applicable UFs is not exceeded.
1. Acute risk. Using the exposure assumptions discussed in this
unit for acute exposure, the acute dietary exposure from food and water
to ethalfluralin will occupy less than 1% of the aPAD for females 13 to
49 years old, the population group of concern for acute exposure to
ethalfluralin.
2. Chronic risk. Using the exposure assumptions described in this
unit for chronic exposure, EPA has concluded that exposure to
ethalfluralin from food and water will utilize less than 1% of the cPAD
for children, 1 to 2 years old, the population group with the greatest
estimated exposure. There are no residential uses for ethalfluralin
that result in chronic residential exposure to ethalfluralin.
3. Short-term risk. Short-term aggregate exposure takes into
account residential exposure plus chronic exposure to food and water
(considered to be a background exposure level). Ethalfluralin is not
registered for use on any sites that would result in residential
exposure. Therefore, the aggregate risk is the sum of the risk from
food and water.
4. Intermediate-term risk. Intermediate-term aggregate exposure
takes into account residential exposure plus chronic exposure to food
and water (considered to be a background exposure level). Ethalfluralin
is not registered for use on any sites that would result in residential
exposure. Therefore, the aggregate risk is the sum of the risk from
food and water, which do not exceed the Agency's LOC.
5. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S. population. Using the exposure
assumptions described in this unit for the cancer risk assessment, EPA
has concluded that exposure to ethalfluralin from food and water will
result in a lifetime cancer risk of 2 x 10-6 for the U.S.
population. This risk estimate is based, in part, on the conservative
assumption that 100% of all crops for which ethalfluralin is registered
or proposed for registration are treated. Additional refinement using
PCT estimates would result in a lower estimate of dietary cancer risk.
EPA generally considers cancer risks in the range of
10-6 or less to be negligible. The precision which can be
assumed for cancer risk estimates is best described by rounding to the
nearest integral order of magnitude on the log scale; for example,
risks falling between 3.16 x 10-7 and 3.16 x 10-6
are expressed as risks in the range of 10-6. Considering the
precision with which cancer hazard can be estimated, the
conservativeness of low-dose linear extrapolation, and the rounding
procedure described above, cancer risk should generally not be assumed
to exceed the benchmark LOC of the range of 10-6 until the
calculated risk exceeds approximately 3 x 10-6. Since the
calculated cancer risk for ethalfluralin falls below this level,
estimated cancer risk is considered to be negligible.
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 ethalfluralin residues.
IV. Other Considerations
A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
Adequate enforcement methodology is available to enforce the
tolerance expression. Two gas chromatograph (GC) methods, Methods I and
II, both with electron capture detection (ECD) are listed in the
Pesticide Analytical Manual (PAM, Vol. II, section 180.416). Methods I
and II are applicable for the analysis of ethalfluralin residues in/on
plant and animal commodities, respectively. The limits of detection
(LODs) are 0.01 and < 0.01 ppm for methods I and II, respectively.
B. International Residue Limits
There are currently no Codex, Canadian, or Mexican Maximum Residue
Limits (MRLs) established on the commodities associated with these
petitions.
V. Conclusion
EPA has determined that the proposed tolerance on crambe is
unnecessary, since, pursuant to 40 CFR 180.1(g), the tolerance being
established for rapeseed also applies to residues of ethalfluralin on
crambe. The rapeseed tolerance also covers residues of ethalfluralin in
or on canola seed. Since there is no longer a need for the canola
tolerance, EPA is removing this tolerance as requested in IR-4's
petition.
Therefore, tolerances are established for residues of
ethalfluralin, N-ethyl-N-(2-methyl-2-propenyl)-2,6-dinitro-4-
(trifluoromethyl)benzenamine, in or on dill, dried leaves; dill, fresh
leaves; mustard, seed; potato; and rapeseed, seed at 0.05 ppm. The
current tolerance of 0.05 ppm on canola is removed.
VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
This final rule establishes a tolerance under section 408(d) of
FFDCA 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 rule has been
exempted from review under Executive Order 12866, this rule is not
subject to Executive Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use (66 FR 28355,
May 22, 2001) or Executive Order 13045, entitled Protection of Children
from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks (62 FR 19885, April
23, 1997). This final rule 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 section 408(d) of FFDCA, such as the tolerance in
this final rule, do not require the issuance of a proposed rule, the
requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601 et
seq.) do not apply.
This final rule 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 section 408(n)(4) of FFDCA. As such, the Agency has determined that
this action will not have a substantial direct effect on States or
tribal governments,
[[Page 68534]]
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 6,
2000) do not apply to this rule. In addition, This rule does not impose
any enforceable duty or contain any unfunded mandate as described under
Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) (Public Law
104-4).
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 of 1995 (NTTAA), Public Law 104-113, section 12(d) (15 U.S.C. 272
note).
VII. Congressional Review Act
The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., generally
provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating
the rule must submit a rule report to each House of the Congress and to
the Comptroller General of the United States. 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 this final rule in the Federal
Register. This final rule 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 26, 2007.
Donald R. Stubbs,
Acting Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.
0
Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is amended as follows:
PART 180--[AMENDED]
0
1. The authority citation for part 180 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.
0
2. Section 180.416 is amended by removing the current tolerance on
``Canola, seed'' and alphabetically adding the following commodities to
the table in paragraph (a) to read as follows:
Sec. 180.416 Ethalfluralin; tolerances for residues.
(a) * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commodity Parts per million
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
Dill, dried leaves................................... 0.05
Dill, fresh leaves................................... 0.05
Mustard, seed........................................ 0.05
* * * * *
Potato............................................... 0.05
Rapeseed, seed....................................... 0.05
* * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
[FR Doc. E7-23578 Filed 12-4-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-S