[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 66 (Wednesday, April 6, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18906-18915]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-7461]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0307; FRL-8864-1]
Mancozeb; Pesticide Tolerances
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of
mancozeb in or on almonds, cabbage, lettuce, peppers, and broccoli. Dow
AgroSciences LLC requested these tolerances under the Federal Food,
Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
DATES: This regulation is effective April 6, 2011. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received on or before June 6, 2011, 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-2005-0307. All documents in the
docket are listed in the docket index available at http://www.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: Andrew Ertman, Registration Division
(7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency,
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone
number: (703) 308-9367; e-mail 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.
Potentially affected entities may include, but are not limited to those
engaged in the following activities:
Crop production (NAICS code 111).
Animal production (NAICS code 112).
Food manufacturing (NAICS code 311).
Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS code 32532).
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 get electronic access to other related information?
You may access a frequently updated electronic version of EPA's
tolerance regulations at 40 CFR part 180 through the Government
Printing Office's e-CFR site at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/ecfr.
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-2005-0307 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
June 6, 2011. 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 that does not contain any 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 a copy of
your non-CBI objection or hearing request, identified by docket ID
number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0307, 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 Facility'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. Summary of Petitioned-For Tolerance
In the Federal Register of November 30, 2005 (70 FR 71836) (FRL-
7747-5), EPA issued a notice pursuant to section 408(d)(3) of FFDCA, 21
U.S.C. 346a(d)(3), announcing the filing of pesticide petitions (PP
3E6536 for mandarin oranges/mandarins; PP 4F4324 for almond nuts and
almond hulls; PP 4F4333 for broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, and peppers) by
Dow AgroSceinces LLC, 9330 Zionsville Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268. The
petitions requested that 40 CFR 180.176 be amended by establishing
tolerances for residues of the fungicide mancozeb, zinc manganese
ethylenebis dithiocarbamate, in or on mandarin
[[Page 18907]]
oranges/mandarins at 5.0 parts per million (ppm) (PP 3E6536), almond
nuts at 0.1 ppm and almond hulls at 10.0 ppm (PP 4F4324); and broccoli
at 13.0 ppm, cabbage at 10.0 ppm, lettuce at 10.0 ppm, and peppers at
7.0 ppm (PP 4F4333). That notice referenced a summary of the petition
prepared by Dow AgroSciences LLC, the registrant, which is available in
the docket, http://www.regulations.gov. One comment was received on the
notice of filing. EPA's response to this comment is discussed in Unit
IV.C.
Based upon review of the data supporting the petition, EPA is
setting the tolerances at levels different than originally requested in
the petitions, with the exception of almond. The reason for these
changes is explained in Unit IV.D. The request for mandarin oranges has
been withdrawn.
III. Aggregate Risk Assessment and Determination of Safety
Section 408(b)(2)(A)(i) of FFDCA allows EPA to establish a
tolerance (the legal limit for a pesticide chemical residue in or on a
food) only if EPA determines that the tolerance is ``safe.'' Section
408(b)(2)(A)(ii) of FFDCA defines ``safe'' to mean that ``there is a
reasonable certainty that no harm will result from aggregate exposure
to the pesticide chemical residue, including all anticipated dietary
exposures and all other exposures for which there is reliable
information.'' This includes exposure through drinking water and in
residential settings, but does not include occupational exposure.
Section 408(b)(2)(C) of FFDCA requires EPA to give special
consideration to exposure of infants and children to the pesticide
chemical residue in establishing a tolerance and to ``ensure that there
is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result to infants and
children from aggregate exposure to the pesticide chemical residue. * *
*''
Consistent with 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 mancozeb including
exposure resulting from the tolerances established by this action.
Mancozeb is a member of the ethylene bisdithiocarbamate (EBDC)
group of fungicides that also includes the related active ingredients
maneb and metiram. Mancozeb, maneb and metiram, are all metabolized to
ethylenethiourea (ETU) in the body and all degrade to ETU in the
environment. Therefore, EPA has considered the aggregate or combined
risks from food, water and non-occupational exposure resulting from
mancozeb alone and ETU from all sources (i.e., the other EBDC
fungicides) for this action.
In response to the petitions submitted to establish tolerances for
residues of mancozeb on almond, cabbage, leaf lettuce, peppers, and
broccoli, EPA completed two risk assessments in 2007:
A mancozeb risk assessment which considered all existing
and proposed uses for mancozeb, and
An ETU risk assessment that considered exposure to ETU
from all sources (mancozeb, metiram, and maneb) for all existing and
proposed uses.
Although the 2007 mancozeb review showed risks that were
acceptable, the 2007 ETU review demonstrated unacceptable cancer risks,
therefore preventing the Agency from acting on the petitions for
almond, cabbage, leaf lettuce, peppers, and broccoli. The Agency worked
to refine the cancer risk assessment for ETU. A refined cancer risk
assessment for ETU from all sources has been completed and the Agency
is now prepared to act on the proposed tolerances for almond, cabbage,
leaf lettuce, peppers, and broccoli. Because the 2010 ETU review dealt
strictly with refining the cancer risk, the Agency will be relying on
three risk assessments to support this tolerance document. These
assessments are as follows:
A 2007 risk assessment for mancozeb for acute, short-term,
intermediate-term, chronic, and cancer risk (refer to risk assessment
in the Docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0307 titled ``Mancozeb: Human Health Risk
Assessment to Support Proposed New Uses on Broccoli, Cabbage, Lettuce,
Peppers and Almonds''),
A 2007 risk assessment for ETU for acute, short-term,
intermediate-term and chronic risk (refer to risk assessment in the
Docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0307 titled ``Ethylenethiourea (ETU) from EBDCs:
Health Effects Division (HED) Human Health Risk Assessment of the
Common Metabolite/Degradate ETU''),
A 2010 addendum to the 2007 ETU assessment for cancer risk
(refer to risk assessment in the Docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0307 titled
``Addendum to the Aggregate Human Health Risk Assessment of the Common
Metabolite/Degradate Ethylene Thiourea (ETU) to Support New Tolerances
on Imported Grapes and Bananas for Metiram and for New Tolerances for
Mancozeb on Almonds, Broccoli, Cabbage, Lettuce, and Peppers.'').
In the Federal Register of April 16, 2010, (75 FR 19967) (FRL-8822-
2) the voluntary cancellation of the last product containing maneb
registered for use in the United States was announced by the Agency.
Therefore, it is important to note that since all products for maneb
have been cancelled and there are limited existing stocks for maneb
still in the channels of trade, the risk assessments for ETU likely
overestimates the exposures to this common metabolite. EPA's assessment
of exposures and risks associated with mancozeb and ETU 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. In addition to evaluating mancozeb, EPA also evaluated the
risks of ETU, a contaminant, metabolite and degradation product of
mancozeb and the other EBDC group of fungicides, which includes the
related active ingredients metiram and maneb.
1. Mancozeb. Mancozeb is not acutely toxic via the oral, dermal or
inhalation routes of exposure. Further, mancozeb is not a skin irritant
nor is it a skin sensitizer, although it does cause mild eye
irritation. The findings in multiple studies demonstrate that the
thyroid is a target organ for mancozeb. Thyroid toxicity was manifested
as alternations in thyroid hormones, increased thyroid weight, and
microscopic thyroid lesions (mainly thyroid follicular cell
hyperplasia). These effects are due to the ETU metabolite. In a
subchronic study in the rat, neuropathology was seen (injury to
peripheral nerves) microscopically with associated clinical signs
(abnormal gait and limited use of rear legs) and loss of muscle mass.
An acute neurotoxicity study with mancozeb has been completed and
reviewed since the 2007 risk assessment; neuropathology was not
observed, and minimal effects upon motor activity were observed at high
doses. The Agency conducted a preliminary dietary assessment using a
point-of-departure from this study and found no risk concerns. Other
toxicity included increases in bilateral retinopathy in the chronic rat
study. Elevated cholesterol and a mild, regenerative, anemia occurred
in subchronic and chronic dog studies.
Mancozeb is rapidly absorbed and eliminated in the urine. In oral
rat metabolism studies with radiolabelled
[[Page 18908]]
mancozeb and other EBDCs, an average 7.5% in vivo metabolic conversion
of EBDC to ETU occurred, on a weight-to-weight basis. Metabolism data
indicate mancozeb does not bio-accumulate. Mancozeb has been tested in
a series of in vitro and in vivo genotoxicity assays, which have shown
that it exhibits weak genotoxic potential.
Thyroid follicular cell adenomas and carcinomas were increased in
high-dose males and females in the combined rat toxicity/
carcinogenicity study with mancozeb. Doses in a mouse study were too
low to assess carcinogenicity, and there were no treatment-related
changes in tumor rates. Historically, mancozeb's potential for
carcinogenicity has been based on its metabolite ETU, which is
classified as a probable human carcinogen. However, since ETU is known
to be the chemical causing the thyroid tumors observed, the cancer
assessment has been done only for ETU rather than the parent compound.
Developmental defects in the rat developmental toxicity study
included hydrocephaly, skeletal system defects, and other gross defects
which occurred at a dose causing maternal mortality and did not
indicate increased susceptibility of offspring. Abortions occurred in
the rabbit developmental toxicity study at the high dose which also
caused maternal mortality, and there was no indication of enhanced
susceptibility of offspring in the rabbit. There was no evidence of
reproductive toxicity in the 2-generation reproduction study in rats.
2. ETU. The thyroid is a target organ for ETU; thyroid toxicity in
subchronic and chronic rat, mouse, and dog studies included decreased
levels of T4, increases or decreases in T3,
compensatory increases in levels of TSH, increased thyroid weight, and
microscopic thyroid changes, chiefly hyperplasia. Overt liver toxicity
was observed in one chronic dog study. ETU is classified as a probable
human carcinogen based on liver tumors in female mice.
Developmental defects in the rat developmental study were similar
to those seen with mancozeb, and included hydrocephaly and related
lesions, skeletal system defects, and other gross defects. These
defects showed increased susceptibility to fetuses because they
occurred at a dose which only caused decreased maternal food
consumption and body weight gain.
Specific information on the studies received and the nature of the
adverse effects caused by mancozeb 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 titled ``Mancozeb: Human Health
Risk Assessment to Support Proposed New Uses on Broccoli, Cabbage,
Lettuce, Peppers and Almonds'' on pages 13-15 in docket ID number EPA-
HQ-OPP-2005-0307.
Additionally, specific information on the studies received and the
nature of the toxic effects caused by ETU as well as the NOAEL and the
LOAEL from the toxicity studies can be found at http://www.regulations.gov in document titled ``Ethylenethiourea (ETU) from
EBDCs: Health Effects Division (HED) Human Health Risk Assessment of
the Common Metabolite/Degradate ETU'' on pages 16-17 in docket ID
number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0307.
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 http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/riskassess.htm.
A summary of the toxicological endpoints for mancozeb and ETU used
for human risk assessment is discussed in Unit IV.B. of the final rule
published in the Federal Register of August 18, 2010 (75 FR 50902)
(FRL-8841-1).
C. Exposure Assessment
1. Dietary exposure from food and feed uses. In evaluating dietary
exposure to mancozeb, EPA considered exposure under the petitioned-for
tolerances as well as all existing mancozeb tolerances in 40 CFR
180.176. In evaluating dietary exposure to ETU, EPA considered exposure
under the petitioned-for tolerances discussed in this document as well
as all existing uses of the EBDC group of fungicides (maneb, metiram,
mancozeb) including the uses for which there are maneb tolerances even
though all maneb registrations have been canceled. EPA assessed dietary
exposures from mancozeb and ETU 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 mancozeb and ETU. In estimating acute dietary exposure, EPA used
food consumption information from the United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA) 1994-1996 and 1998 Nationwide Continuing Surveys of
Food Intake by Individuals (CSFII).
a. Mancozeb. The following assumptions were made for the acute
exposure assessments: The Agency conducted a highly refined,
probabilistic acute dietary assessment incorporating maximum percent
crop treated information for new and existing uses, field trial or
monitoring data, and processing and cooking factors.
b. ETU. The following assumptions were made for the acute exposure
assessments: The Agency conducted a highly refined, probabilistic acute
dietary assessment incorporating maximum percent crop treated
information for new and existing EBDC uses, field trial or monitoring
data for existing EBDC uses, and processing and cooking factors. It was
assumed that commodities would not be treated with more than one EBDC
in a season, as there are label restrictions regarding treatment with
multiple EBDCs. Percent crop treated was estimated by summing the
percent crop treated for the individual EBDCs. For residue values, EPA
used either market basket survey data or field trial data. For a few
commodities, mancozeb-derived ETU from mancozeb field trial data were
used for both mancozeb and maneb because maneb field trial data were
not available and application rates were sufficiently similar to
estimate maneb-derived ETU values.
ii. Chronic exposure. In conducting the chronic dietary exposure
assessment EPA used the food consumption data from the USDA 1994-1996
and 1998 CSFII.
[[Page 18909]]
a. Mancozeb. The chronic dietary exposure and risk assessment for
mancozeb (non-cancer and cancer) incorporated average values based
either on field trial data or monitoring data and average percent crop
treated data for new and existing uses, as well as processing and
cooking factors.
b. ETU. Chronic anticipated residues were calculated from field
trial data on EBDCs or monitoring data for ETU. Averages of the field
trial and market basket survey residues were used. EPA also used PCT
data.
iii. Cancer. EPA determines whether quantitative cancer exposure
and risk assessments are appropriate for a food-use pesticide based on
the weight-of-the-evidence from cancer studies and other relevant data.
If quantitative cancer risk assessment is appropriate, cancer risk may
be quantified using a linear or nonlinear approach. If sufficient
information on the carcinogenic mode of action is available, a
threshold or non-linear approach is used and a cancer RfD is calculated
based on an earlier noncancer key event. If carcinogenic mode of action
data are not available, or if the mode of action data determines a
mutagenic mode of action, a default linear cancer slope factor approach
is utilized. Mancozeb degrades and/or metabolizes to ETU which causes
thyroid tumors; therefore, EPA has historically attributed mancozeb's
carcinogenicity to the formation of ETU, which is classified as a
probable human carcinogen. The Agency has used the cancer potency
factor (Q1*) of 0.0601 (mg/kg/day) -1
for ETU (based on liver tumors in female mice) for risk assessment.
Therefore, cancer risk from exposure to mancozeb has been calculated by
estimating exposure to mancozeb-derived ETU and using Q1*
for ETU. The same approach has been taken for the other EBDCs. EPA's
estimated exposure to mancozeb-derived ETU and ETU from other EBDCs
included ETU residues found in food as well as ETU formed by metabolic
conversion on parent mancozeb in the body (conversion rate of 0.075).
EPA relied on the same estimates used for the chronic exposure
assessment in assessing cancer risk.
iv. Anticipated residue and percent crop treated (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 require
pursuant to FFDCA section 408(f)(1) 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 FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(E) and authorized under
FFDCA section 408(f)(1). Data will be required to be submitted no later
than 5 years from the date of issuance of these tolerances.
Section 408(b)(2)(F) of FFDCA states that the Agency may use data
on the actual percent of food treated for assessing chronic dietary
risk only if:
Condition a: The data used are reliable and provide a
valid basis to show what percentage of the food derived from such crop
is likely to contain the pesticide residue.
Condition b: The exposure estimate does not underestimate
exposure for any significant subpopulation group.
Condition c: Data are available on pesticide use and food
consumption in a particular area, the exposure estimate does not
understate exposure for the population in such area.
In addition, the Agency must provide for periodic evaluation of any
estimates used. To provide for the periodic evaluation of the estimate
of PCT as required by FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(F), EPA may require
registrants to submit data on PCT.
In the 2007 acute risk assessment for mancozeb, the Agency
estimated the PCT for existing uses as follows:
Apple, 41%; asparagus, 34%; barley, 0.9%, beet, sugar, 2.9%;
cantaloupe, 10%; carrot, 13%; casaba, 10%; corn, field, 1%; corn,
sweet, 22%; cottonseed, oil, 0.8%; cucumber, 32%; grape, 14%; honeydew
melon, 13%; oat, 1%; onion, dry bulb, 77%; peanut, 2.3%; pear, 51%;
potato, 50%; pumpkin, 10%; rice, 1%; rye grain, 1%; squash, summer,
86%; squash, winter, 10%; tomato, 80%; watermelon, 30%; wheat, grain,
2.3%.
In the 2007 chronic risk assessment for mancozeb, the Agency
estimated the PCT for existing uses as follows:
Apple, 26%; asparagus, 16%; barley, 0.2%, beet, sugar, 1.3%;
carrot, 9%; casaba, 8%; corn, field, 1%; corn, sweet, 12%; cottonseed,
oil, 0.2%; cucumber, 18%; grape, 9%; honeydew melon, 8%; oat, 1%;
onion, dry bulb, 38%; peanut, 0.9%; pear, 32%; potato, 36%; pumpkin,
8%; rice, 1%; rye grain, 1%; squash, summer, 41%; squash, winter, 8%;
tomato, 49%; watermelon, 28%; wheat, grain, 0.9%.
In the 2007 acute risk assessment for ETU the Agency estimated the
PCT for existing uses as follows:
Apple, 65%; asparagus, 30%; barley, 2%; bean, dried, 2.5%; beets,
sugar, 15%; Brussels sprouts, 32%; cantaloupe, 12.5%; carrot, 2.5%;
casaba, 12.5%; cauliflower, 15%; celery, 12%; chickpea, 2.5%; Chinese
waxgourd, 15%; chive, 20%; collards, 10%; corn, field, 2.5%; corn,
sweet, 17.5%; cottonseed, oil, 3.5%; cranberry, 31%; cucumber, 40%;
eggplant, 65%; fennel, Florence, 12%; fig, 1%; garlic, 25%; grape,
81.5%; grape, wine, 81.5%; guar, seed, 1%; honeydew melon, 12.5%; kale,
5%; leek, 25%; mustard greens, 5%; oat, 2%; onion, dry bulb, 85%;
peanut, 3.5%; pear, 55%; potato, 85%; pumpkin, 15%; rice, 2.5%; rye
grain, 2%; squash, summer, 35%; squash, winter, 0%; tomato, fresh, 80%;
tomato, processed, 25%; turnip tops, 86%; walnut, 37.5%; watermelon,
55%; wheat, grain, 3.5%.
In the 2007 chronic risk assessment for ETU the Agency estimated
the PCT for existing uses as follows:
Apple, 42%; asparagus, 21%; barley, 2%; bean, dried, 1%; beets,
sugar, 6%; Brussels sprouts, 21%; cantaloupe, 6%; carrot, 8%; casaba,
6%; cauliflower, 5%; celery, 12%; chickpea, 1%; Chinese waxgourd, 5%;
chive, 10%; collards, 10%; corn, field, 1%; corn, sweet, 11%;
cottonseed, oil, 2%; cranberry, 31%; cucumber, 20%; eggplant, 45%;
fennel, Florence, 12%; fig, 1%; garlic, 25%; grape, 60%; grape, wine,
60%; guar, seed, 1%; honeydew melon, 6%; kale, 6%; kohlrabi, 1%; leek,
10%; mustard greens, 5%; oat, 2%; onion, dry bulb, 60%; peanut, 2%;
pear, 40%; potato, 63%; pumpkin, 6%; rice, 1%; rye grain, 2%; squash,
summer, 25%; squash, winter, 25%; tomato, fresh, 54%; tomato,
processed, 54%; walnut, 31%; watermelon, 10%; wheat, grain, 2%.
For the 2010 ETU cancer risk assessment the Agency estimated the
PCT for existing uses as follows:
Apple, 51%; asparagus, 15%; barley, 1%; bean, dried, 1%; beets,
sugar, 3.5%; Brussels sprouts, 15%; cantaloupe, 7.5%, carrot, 5%;
cauliflower, 10%; chickpea, 1%; collards, 31%; corn, field, 1%; corn,
sweet, 6%; cottonseed, oil, 11%; cranberry, 45%; cucumber, 30%;
eggplant, 30%; fig, 5%; flaxseed, 11%; garlic, 25%; grape, 6%; grape,
wine, 26%; guar, seed, 1%; kale, 73%; leek, 15%; mustard greens, 22%;
oat, 11%; onion, dry bulb, 75%; peanut, 2%; pear, 35%; potato, 67.5%;
pumpkin, 20.5%; rice, 1%; rye grain, 11%; safflower, oil, 11%; squash,
summer, 57%; squash, winter, 26%; tomato, fresh, 30%; tomato,
processed, 30%; turnip tops, 36%; walnut, 36%; watermelon, 45%; wheat,
grain, 11%.
In most cases, EPA uses available data from USDA/National
Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA/NASS), proprietary market
surveys, and the National Pesticide Use Database for the chemical/crop
combination for the most
[[Page 18910]]
recent 6 to 7 years. EPA uses an average PCT for chronic dietary risk
analysis. The average PCT figure for each existing use is derived by
combining available public and private market survey data for that use,
averaging across all observations, and rounding to the nearest 5%,
except for those situations in which the average PCT is less than 1. In
those cases, 1% is used as the average PCT and 2.5% is used as the
maximum PCT. EPA uses a maximum PCT for acute dietary risk analysis.
The maximum PCT figure is the highest observed maximum value reported
within the recent 6 years of available public and private market survey
data for the existing use and rounded up to the nearest multiple of 5%.
In the 2007 acute risk assessment for mancozeb, the Agency
estimated the PCT for new uses as follows:
Almond, 35%; broccoli, 9%; cabbage, 47%; cabbage, Chinese, 47%;
head lettuce 66%; leaf lettuce 61%; pepper, bell, 48%; pepper, non-
bell, 48%.
In the 2007 chronic risk assessment for mancozeb, the Agency
estimated the PCT for new uses as follows:
Almond, 35%; broccoli, 7%; cabbage, 42%; cabbage, Chinese, 42%;
head lettuce 58%; leaf lettuce 59%; pepper, bell, 43%; pepper, non-
bell, 43%.
For the 2007 ETU acute assessment, the Agency estimated the PCT for
new uses as follows:
Almond, 50%; broccoli, 22%; cabbage, 82%; cabbage, Chinese, 82%;
pepper, bell, 88%; pepper, non-bell, 88%.
For the 2007 ETU chronic assessment, the Agency estimated the PCT
for new uses as follows:
Almond, 45%; broccoli, 17%; cabbage, 57%; cabbage, Chinese, 57%;
pepper, bell, 73%; pepper, non-bell, 73%.
For the 2010 ETU cancer assessment, the Agency estimated the PCT
for new uses as follows:
Almond, 28%; broccoli, 15%; cabbage, 62%; cabbage, Chinese, 62%;
pepper, bell, 74%; pepper, non-bell, 74%.
EPA estimates the percent crop treated for new uses (PCTn) of a
pesticide represent the upper bound of use expected during the
pesticide's initial 5 years of registration. The PCTn recommended for
use in the chronic dietary assessment is calculated as the average PCT
of the pesticide or pesticides that are the market leader or leaders,
(i.e., the pesticides with the greatest PCT) on that site over the
three most recent years of available survey data. The PCTn recommended
for use in the acute dietary assessment is the maximum observed PCT
over the same period. Comparisons are only made among pesticides of the
same pesticide types (e.g., the market leader for fungicides on the use
site is selected for comparison with a new fungicide). The market
leader included in the estimation may not be the same for each year
since different pesticides may dominate at different times.
Typically, EPA uses USDA/NASS as the source data because it is
publicly available and directly reports values for PCT. When a specific
use site is not reported by USDA/NASS, EPA uses proprietary data and
calculates the PCT given reported data on acres treated and acres
grown. If no data are available, EPA may extrapolate PCTn from other
crops, if the production area and pest spectrum are substantially
similar.
EPA refines PCTn estimates based on approaches other than the
market leader approach if the previous PCTn estimates based on the
market leader indicate that the chemical exposure potentially poses a
risk of concern. EPA considers the pest or pest spectrum targeted by
the chemical for the new uses and identifies other pesticides already
registered on that crop that target the same pest or pest spectrum. The
PCTn is calculated based on the data from the three most recently
available pesticide usage surveys. If multiple chemicals are identified
that target the same pest spectrum, then the one with the highest PCT
is selected from each year/crop combination. Consideration is also
given to the potential for the development of resistance for each
chemical using data available from the Resistance Action Committees.
EPA has considered all available relevant information and concludes
that it is unlikely that the PCTn values will be exceeded during the
next 5 years.
The Agency believes that the three conditions discussed in Unit
III.C.1.iv. have been met. With respect to Condition a, PCT estimates
are derived from Federal and private market survey data, which are
reliable and have a valid basis. The Agency is reasonably certain that
the percentage of the food treated is not likely to be an
underestimation. As to Conditions b and c, regional consumption
information and consumption information for significant subpopulations
is taken into account through EPA's computer-based model for evaluating
the exposure of significant subpopulations including several regional
groups. Use of this consumption information in EPA's risk assessment
process ensures that EPA's exposure estimate does not understate
exposure for any significant subpopulation group and allows the Agency
to be reasonably certain that no regional population is exposed to
residue levels higher than those estimated by the Agency. Other than
the data available through national food consumption surveys, EPA does
not have available reliable information on the regional consumption of
food to which mancozeb may be applied in a particular area.
2. Dietary exposure from drinking water--i. Mancozeb. The Agency
has determined that mancozeb is very short-lived in soil and water, and
would not reach water used for human consumption whether from surface
water or ground water.
ii. ETU. ETU is highly water soluble, and may reach both surface
and ground water under some conditions. The ETU surface water Estimated
Drinking Water Concentrations (EDWCs) were generated using a combined
monitoring/modeling approach. Results of a surface water monitoring
study conducted by the ETU Task Force were used to refine the outputs
of the Pesticide Root Zone Model/Exposure Analysis Modeling System
(PRZM-EXAMS) models; the site/scenario modeled was application of an
EBDC fungicide on peppers in Florida, and was chosen to produce the
highest EDWC acute values. The ground water EDWC was detected in a
Florida community water system intake in a targeted ground water
monitoring study conducted by the EBDC task force from 1999 to 2003.
Both these surface and ground water values represent upper-bound
conservative estimates of the total ETU residual concentrations that
might be found in surface water and ground water due to the use of the
EBDC fungicides.
Based on the PRZM/EXAMS and monitoring studies, the EDWCs of ETU
acute and chronic exposures are estimated to be 25.2 parts per billion
(ppb), and 0.1 ppb, respectively for surface water. The EDWC for
chronic exposure is estimated to be ppb for ground water 0.21.
Estimates of drinking water concentrations were directly entered
into the dietary exposure model. For acute dietary risk assessment, the
water concentration value of 25.2 ppb was used to assess the
contribution to drinking water. For chronic dietary risk assessment of
ETU, the water concentration of value 0.21 ppb was used to assess the
contribution to drinking water. For cancer dietary risk assessment of
ETU, the water concentration of value 0.21 ppb was used to assess the
contribution to drinking water.
3. From non-dietary exposure. The term ``residential exposure'' is
used in this document to refer to non-
[[Page 18911]]
occupational, non-dietary exposure (e.g., for lawn and garden pest
control, indoor pest control, termiticides, and flea and tick control
on pets).
i. Mancozeb. Mancozeb is currently registered for use on the
following residential sites: Home gardens, golf courses, and sod farms
(potential exposure to mancozeb is from residues remaining on
transplanted turf). The Agency has determined that it is appropriate to
aggregate chronic exposure through food with short- and intermediate-
term residential exposures to mancozeb. Since residues of mancozeb are
not expected in drinking water, only mancozeb food residues are
considered.
The two scenarios that were evaluated for mancozeb are the ``short/
intermediate-term home garden aggregate (adult)'' which considers
residential handler exposures (inhalation) to adult applicators
combined with average food exposures and the ``short/intermediate-term
treated turf aggregate (toddler)'' which considers residential
incidental oral exposures to toddlers combined with average food
exposures. The only postapplication scenario for adults in contact with
treated turf (golf courses) is via the dermal route of exposure. Since
no dermal endpoints were selected for mancozeb, a quantitative risk
assessment for this scenario is not required.
ii. ETU. ETU non-dietary exposure is expected as a result of the
registered uses of mancozeb and the other EBDCs on home gardens, golf
courses and sod farms. For ETU, aggregate exposure sources include
food, drinking water, home gardening activities and golfing. The Agency
has determined that it is appropriate to aggregate chronic exposure
through food with short- and intermediate-term residential exposures to
mancozeb.
The three scenarios that were evaluated for ETU are as follows: The
first is the ``short/intermediate-term home garden aggregate'' which
combines handler exposures (inhalation and dermal) and postapplication
garden exposures (dermal) plus average daily food and drinking water
exposure for adults and postapplication garden exposures (dermal) plus
average daily food and drinking water exposure for youth. The second is
the ``short-term treated turf aggregate (toddlers)'' which combines
treated turf post application exposures (incidental oral and dermal)
plus average daily food and drinking water exposure for toddlers. And
the last is the ``short/intermediate-term treated turf aggregate''
which considers short-term residential exposures (dermal) plus average
daily food and drinking water exposure for adults such as golfing on
treated turf. This assessment is protective of adult and youth golfers.
Although exposure to children golfing could be almost twice that of the
adult golfer because of increased surface area/body weight (SA/BW)
ratios, younger golfers are not expected to use the golf course for the
same length of time as adolescents and adults. The shorter duration on
the golf course for younger golfers offsets the higher SA/BW;
therefore, risks from short-term post-application exposures to young
golfers are likely to be similar to risks for adult golfers.
Further information regarding EPA standard assumptions and generic
inputs for residential exposures may be found at http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/trac/science/trac6a05.pdf.
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.''
As previously mentioned, the risk estimates summarized in this
document are those that result only from the use of mancozeb, and ETU
derived from mancozeb and the other EBDC chemicals, which are all
dithiocarbamates. For the purposes of this action, EPA has concluded
that mancozeb does not share a common mechanism of toxicity with other
substances. The Agency reached this conclusion after a thorough
internal review and external peer review of the data on a potential
common mechanism of toxicity.
EPA concluded that the available evidence does not support grouping
the dithiocarbamates based on a common toxic effect (neuropathology)
occurring by a common mechanism of toxicity (related to metabolism to
carbon disulfide). After a thorough internal and external peer review
of the existing data bearing on a common mechanism of toxicity, EPA
concluded that the available evidence shows that neuropathology can not
be linked with carbon disulfide formation. For more information, please
see the December 19, 2001 memo, ``The Determination of Whether
Dithiocarbamate Pesticides Share a Common Mechanism of Toxicity'' on
the internet at http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/cumulative/dithiocarb.pdf.
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--i. Mancozeb. In the rat
developmental study, developmental effects were observed in the
presence of severe maternal effects, including maternal mortality and
clinical signs. In the rabbit developmental study, developmental
effects (spontaneous abortions) were observed at the same dose (80 mg/
kg/day) at which maternal effects included mortality and clinical
signs. In the rat reproduction study, no effects were observed in
offspring, while thyroid effects and body weight gain decrements
occurred in adults.
ii. ETU. There was evidence of increased susceptibility of fetuses
to ETU in the rat developmental studies because hydrocephaly occurred
at doses below that causing maternal toxicity. Acceptable reproductive
and rabbit developmental toxicity studies were not available for ETU.
As a result, the Agency evaluated the level of concern for the effects
observed when considered in the context of all available toxicity data.
In addition, the Agency evaluated the database to determine if there
were residual uncertainties after establishing toxicity endpoints and
traditional uncertainty factors to be used in the ETU risk assessment.
3. Conclusion--i. Mancozeb. In the 2007 assessment, EPA retained
the presumptive 10X FQPA safety factor for the protection of children
due to the absence of a required developmental neurotoxicity study.
That study has recently been received. Neurotoxicity was not observed
in the study, and the young animals did not show susceptibility, as
compared to the adults, for the slight toxicity that was observed
(reduced body weight gain). Additionally, since the completion of the
2007 assessment, EPA has imposed a new data requirement for
immunotoxicity data and such data has
[[Page 18912]]
not been submitted for mancozeb. The absence of an immunotoxicity study
does not raise significant uncertainty. In the absence of that study,
the available toxicity data for mancozeb have been thoroughly examined
for any information which suggests a potential for immunotoxicity. The
analysis did not reveal such information and the Agency does not
believe that conducting the immunotoxicity study will result in a point
of departure (POD) less than the currently selected PODs for risk
assessment.
Because EPA is relying on the 2007 assessment in evaluating acute
and chronic risks, EPA is retaining the children's safety factor
determination in that assessment (retain the additional 10X factor).
EPA expects that once that determination is revisited, the children's
safety factor will be lowered or removed entirely due to the submission
of the DNT study and the fact that immunotoxicity is not a concern with
mancozeb. These changed circumstances certainly do not support an
additional safety factor higher than 10X. Further, as discussed below,
EPA believes that the 2007 risk assessment does not underestimate
exposure to mancozeb. Accordingly, EPA concludes that the 2007
determination on the children's safety factor protects the safety of
infants and children.
ii. ETU. The toxicity database for ETU is not complete. EPA lacks
the following studies: A DNT study; a developmental study in rabbits; a
2-generation reproduction study; and a comparative thyroid study in
adults and offspring. Given these multiple data gaps for studies that
directly assess the risk to the young, EPA does not have reliable data
to remove or modify the presumptive 10X FQPA safety factor.
No further safety factor to protect is needed for the following
reasons. First, the Agency determined that the degree of concern for
the susceptibility seen in ETU developmental studies was low. The
reasons for this conclusion are:
The teratogenic effects of ETU have been well-
characterized in numerous studies in the published literature, as well
as in a guideline study submitted by the registrant. In addition, since
metabolism studies have shown that approximately 7.5% of mancozeb
converts to ETU in mammalian systems, the extensive toxicity database
with mancozeb on developmental effects provide extensive information
about pre- and post-natal toxicity of ETU;
There is a clear NOAEL for these effects and the dose-
response relationship, although steep, is well characterized in the
numerous developmental studies in rats.
The developmental endpoint with the lowest NOAEL was
selected for deriving the acute RfD.
The target organ (thyroid) was selected for deriving the
chronic RfD as well as endpoints for non-dietary exposures (incidental
oral, dermal, and inhalation). Since the ETU doses selected for overall
risk assessments will address the concern for developmental and thyroid
toxicity, there are no residual uncertainties with regard to prenatal
and/or postnatal toxicity.
Second, the information on ETU gleaned from the extensive mancozeb
database on effects other than development effects also reduces, to a
degree, the uncertainty arising from the significant datagaps for ETU.
Third, EPA has concluded that the exposure assessment, although
refined, is unlikely to under-estimate potential exposures especially
considering exposure to maneb was included even though all maneb
products have been canceled. In making this judgment, EPA has taken
into account that it is relying on three separate reviews in this
Notice:
A 2007 risk assessment for mancozeb for acute, short-term,
intermediate-term, chronic, and cancer risk,
A 2007 risk assessment for ETU for acute, short-term,
intermediate-term and chronic risk, and
A 2010 addendum to the 2007 ETU assessment for cancer
risk--and that the percent crop treated estimates differ slightly
between reviews.
In comparing the percent crop treated information from 2007 and
2010, there are some increases in usage for some crops, and there are
decreases in usage for other crops. These differences appear to largely
offset each other. Further, most of the increases are attributable to
estimated increases in maneb usage but, as noted, maneb was canceled in
2010 and it is unlikely that existing stocks are sufficient to sustain
prior usage levels much less any increased usage. An EPA sensitivity
analysis of the main contributors to ETU exposure showed no significant
increase in exposure from the changed percent crop treated estimated.
The percent crop treated values used in these risk assessments are
detailed in the memo titled ``Mancozeb. Discussion on Percent Crop
Treated Values Used in Aggregate and Chronic Assessments'' in docket
number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0307.
In any event, there are two other aspects of the exposure
assessment that are likely to significantly overstate exposure to
mancozeb and ETU. First, exposure estimates for some crops, including
bananas, a high-consumption food, include the assumption that
everything consumed in the United States has been treated. Second, the
residue data used in the assessment for the proposed commodities and
many other crops are based on crop field trials. Monitoring studies
conducted for several crops have shown that residues on foods close to
the point of consumption are much lower than the residues found in crop
field trials.
For all of these reasons, EPA concludes that it has not
underestimated exposure to mancozeb and ETU.
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 (Mancozeb). The mancozeb acute aggregate assessment
considers acute exposure to mancozeb only and not ETU. Further, this
assessment is based on residues of mancozeb in food only since residues
of mancozeb are not expected in drinking water. Using the exposure
assumptions discussed in this unit for acute exposure, the acute
dietary exposure from food and water to mancozeb will occupy 6.9% of
the aPAD for females 13-49 years of age, the only population group of
concern.
2. Acute risk (ETU). Using the exposure assumptions discussed in
this unit for acute exposure, the acute dietary exposure from food and
water to ETU will occupy 87% of the aPAD for females 13-49 years of
age, the only population group of concern.
3. Chronic risk (Mancozeb). There are no long-term residential
exposure scenarios for mancozeb and there is not likely to be residues
of mancozeb in drinking water. Therefore, the long-term or chronic
(non-cancer) aggregate risk for mancozeb includes contribution from
food alone. Using the exposure assumptions described in this unit for
chronic exposure, EPA has concluded that chronic exposure to mancozeb
from food will utilize 3.3% of the cPAD for children 1-2 years of age,
the population group receiving the greatest exposure.
4. Chronic Risk (ETU). The aggregate chronic risks were calculated
using food
[[Page 18913]]
and water exposure only because golfing and toddler transplanted turf
exposure scenarios were considered to occur only on a short term basis.
Using the exposure assumptions described in this unit for chronic
exposure, EPA has concluded that chronic exposure to ETU from food and
water will utilize 58% of the cPAD for children (1 to 2 years old), the
population group receiving the greatest exposure.
5. Short-and intermediate-term risk (Mancozeb). 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).
Mancozeb is currently registered for uses that could result in
short- and intermediate-term residential exposure and the Agency has
determined that it is appropriate to aggregate chronic exposure through
food with short- and intermediate-term residential exposures to
mancozeb. The two scenarios that were evaluated for mancozeb are the
following:
i. Short/intermediate-term home garden aggregate (adult). The
aggregate short/intermediate-term home garden MOEs for adults are
110,000. Because for mancozeb EPA is concerned only with MOEs that are
below 1,000, this MOE does not raise a risk concern.
ii. Short-term treated turf aggregate (toddler). The mancozeb
short-term aggregate risk (MOE) for toddlers exposed to treated turf is
1,100. Because for mancozeb EPA is concerned only with MOEs that are
below 1,000, this MOE does not raise a risk concern.
6. Short- and intermediate-term risk (ETU). Short- and
intermediate-term aggregate exposure takes into account short-term
residential exposure plus chronic exposure to food and water
(considered to be a background exposure level).
Mancozeb is currently registered for uses that could result in
short- and intermediate-term residential exposure to ETU. The 2007
assessment also included products containing maneb which were expected
to result in short- and intermediate-term exposure. As previously
discussed, these products have since been cancelled. The Agency
determined that it was appropriate to aggregate chronic exposure
through food with short- and intermediate-term residential exposures to
ETU. The three scenarios that were evaluated for ETU are the following.
i. ETU short/intermediate-term home garden aggregate. The ETU
short/intermediate-term home garden aggregate MOEs for adults is 13,000
and 17,000 for youth, respectively. Because for ETU EPA is concerned
only with MOEs that are below 1,000, this MOE does not raise a risk
concern.
ii. ETU short-term treated turf aggregate (toddlers). The ETU
short-term treated turf aggregate MOE for toddlers is 1,100. Because
for ETU EPA is concerned only with MOEs that are below 1,000, this MOE
does not raise a risk concern.
iii. ETU short/intermediate-term treated turf aggregate. The ETU
short-term treated turf aggregate MOE for golfers is 6,100. Because for
ETU EPA is concerned only with MOEs that are below 1,000, this MOE does
not raise a risk concern.
7. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S. population (mancozeb and ETU). As
noted earlier in this document, mancozeb degrades and/or metabolizes to
ETU which causes the same types of thyroid tumors as those seen when
animals are dosed with mancozeb; therefore, EPA has historically
attributed mancozeb's carcinogenicity to the formation of ETU, which is
classified as a probable human carcinogen (B2).
The cancer risks were aggregated using the food and drinking water
doses for the general population and the food, water and recreational
doses for golfers, home gardeners and athletes. The average daily dose
was used for food and water exposures and the lifetime average daily
dose was used for the recreational exposures. The aggregate doses were
multiplied times the potency factor for ETU, 0.0601 (mg/kg/
day)-1 to determine the cancer risks. The risk is estimated
to be 3 x 10-6.
EPA generally considers cancer risks (expressed as the probability
of an increased cancer case) in the range of 1 in 1 million (or 1 x
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 logarithmic scale; for
example, risks falling between 3 x 10-7 and 3 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 level of concern of the range of
10-6 until the calculated risk exceeds approximately 3 x
10-6. This is particularly the case where some conservatism
is maintained in the exposure assessment. Although the ETU exposure
risk assessment is refined, it retains significant conservatism in
that, for leafy greens, field trial data and not market basket data on
similar crops is used in estimating exposure. The leafy greens have
tended to be among the top contributors to the aggregate risk (along
with water and leaf lettuce). For other commodities, market basket data
has shown reductions in residues one to two orders of magnitude lower
than field trial data. Moreover, the only remaining EBDC registration
for leafy greens (maneb) was canceled in 2010 but the exposure
assessment does not take this into account. Additional conservatism is
included in the exposure assessment by the assumption of 100 percent
crop treated for many commodities. Accordingly, EPA has concluded the
aggregate cancer risk for all existing mancozeb and other EBDC uses and
the uses associated with the tolerances established in this action fall
within the range of 1 x 10-6 and are thus negligible.
8. 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 mancozeb residues.
IV. Other Considerations
A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
Adequate methods are available for the enforcement of tolerances
for the plant commodities which are the subject of this request. The
Pesticide Analytical Method (PAM) Vol. II lists Methods I, II, III, IV,
and A for the determination of dithiocarbamate residues in/on plant
commodities. The Keppel colorimetric method (Method III) is the
preferred method for tolerance enforcement. The Keppel method
determines EBDCs as a group by degradation to CS2. The
analytical methodology for ETU is based on the original method
published by Olney and Yip (JAOAC 54:165-169).
The method may be requested from: Chief, Analytical Chemistry
Branch, Environmental Science Center, 701 Mapes Rd., Ft. Meade, MD
20755-5350; telephone number: (410) 305-2905; e-mail address:
[email protected].
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 U.N. Food and
Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization food
[[Page 18914]]
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.
There are no established or proposed Codex MRLs for residues of
mancozeb; however, Codex limits for mancozeb and similar fungicides are
grouped under dithiocarbamates measured as carbon disulfide. There are
Codex MRLs for almonds; almond hulls; cabbages, head; lettuce, head;
cos lettuce; peppers, sweet. Tolerances for the EBDC pesticides are
expressed in terms of carbon disulfide (CS2), which is the
same as the Codex tolerance expression. The level of 0.1 ppm for
almonds is also the same as the Codex MRL for almonds. However, for the
reasons indicated below, the tolerance levels being established for the
other subject crops cannot be harmonized with the associated Codex
MRLs.
Based on the calculations in the Agency's tolerance
spreadsheet, in accordance with the Agency's ``Guidance for Setting
Pesticide Tolerances Based on Field Trial Data,'' the appropriate
tolerance level for cabbage is 9.0 ppm. The tolerance level cannot be
harmonized with Codex; the highest residue level in the crop field
trials (6.0 ppm in CS2 equivalents) is greater than the
Codex MRL for cabbage (5 ppm).
The available data indicate that the appropriate tolerance
level for head lettuce is 3.5 ppm. The tolerance level cannot be
harmonized with Codex; the highest residue level in the crop field
trials (2.2 ppm in CS2 equivalents) is considerably less
than the Codex MRL of 10 ppm for head lettuce.
The available data indicate that the appropriate tolerance
level for leaf lettuce is 18 ppm. The tolerance level cannot be
harmonized with Codex; the highest residue level in the crop field
trials (14 ppm in CS2 equivalents) is greater than the Codex
MRL for Cos lettuce (10 ppm).
The appropriate tolerance level for pepper is 12 ppm. The
tolerance level cannot be harmonized with Codex as the Codex MRL has
been established for sweet pepper only.
The appropriate tolerance level for almond hulls is 4 ppm.
This value cannot be harmonized with Codex as it is significantly below
the Codex MRL of 20 ppm.
C. Response to Comments
The company Cerexagri, Inc. submitted a comment on the initial
notice of filing in 2006. Cerexagri proposed that EPA reject the
petitions for reasons primarily dealing with information included in
the risk assessment provided by Dow AgroSciences in the petitions. The
Agency conducts its own risk assessments and does not rely on those
provided by registrants. For example, Cerexagri did not agree with Dow
AgroSciences proposal to assume that ``mancozeb uses will simply
replace a share of the existing maneb market''. Nor did Cerexagri agree
with Dow AgroSciences use of market basket data to extrapolate expected
residues on the proposed commodities. The EPA did not base PCT
estimates for new commodities based on the assumption that one EBDC
will replace another but instead used its standard market leader
approach to determine appropriate PCT numbers. Further, the EPA relied
on the results of the crop field trial data to estimate exposure to the
proposed commodities and many other crops. Results of the Market Basket
Survey were only used for commodities/chemicals associated with the
survey. Therefore, the objections voiced by Cerexagri are not relevant
to the conclusions reached by the Agency regarding these petitions.
Finally, Cerexagri requested that the EPA first engage in a public
process that would seek the participation of the grower community,
research community and other interested parties before determining
which new uses of EBDC fungicides should be approved because approval
of the uses requested in this petition may preclude the approval of
other uses. EPA, however, has followed all procedural requirements in
the FFDCA section. Moreover, in the time since this petition was
submitted, no further uses of EBDCs have been requested.
D. Revisions to Petitioned-For Tolerances
All of the tolerance levels being established in this document,
with the exception of almond, are different than the levels requested
in the original tolerance petitions. EPA revised the tolerance levels
based on analysis of the residue field trial data using the Agency's
Tolerance Spreadsheet in accordance with the Agency's ``Guidance for
Setting Pesticide Tolerances Based on Field Trial Data.''
V. Conclusion
Therefore, tolerances are established for residues of mancozeb,
zinc manganese ethylenebis dithiocarbamate in or on almond at 0.1 ppm;
almond, hulls at 4 ppm; broccoli at 7 ppm; cabbage at 9 ppm; lettuce,
head at 3.5 ppm; lettuce, leaf at 18 ppm; and pepper at 12 ppm.
VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
This final rule establishes tolerances 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 final rule has been
exempted from review under Executive Order 12866, this final rule is
not subject to Executive Order 13211, entitled Actions Concerning
Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or
Use (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001) or Executive Order 13045, entitled
Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks
(62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997). This 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 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 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, 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
[[Page 18915]]
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 final rule. In addition, this final 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) (Pub. L. 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: March 21, 2011.
Lois Rossi,
Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.
Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is amended as follows:
PART 180--[AMENDED]
0
1. The authority citation for part 180 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.
0
2. Section 180.176 is amended by alphabetically adding the following
commodities to the table in paragraph (a) to read as follows:
Sec. 180.176 Mancozeb; tolerances for residues.
(a) * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parts per
Commodity million
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Almond..................................................... 0.1
Almond, hulls.............................................. 4
* * * * *
Broccoli................................................... 7
Cabbage.................................................... 9
* * * * *
Lettuce, head.............................................. 3.5
Lettuce, leaf.............................................. 18
* * * * *
Pepper..................................................... 12
* * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2011-7461 Filed 4-5-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P