80_FR_30722 80 FR 30619 - Metconazole; Pesticide Tolerances

80 FR 30619 - Metconazole; Pesticide Tolerances

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 103 (May 29, 2015)

Page Range30619-30625
FR Document2015-12936

This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of metconazole in or on multiple commodities which are identified and discussed later in this document. Interregional Research Project Number 4 (IR-4) requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). In addition, this regulation removes established tolerances for certain commodities/groups superseded by this action, and deletes expired tolerances.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 103 (Friday, May 29, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 103 (Friday, May 29, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30619-30625]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-12936]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 180

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2014-0230; FRL-9927-11]


Metconazole; Pesticide Tolerances

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of 
metconazole in or on multiple commodities which are identified and 
discussed later in this document. Interregional Research Project Number 
4 (IR-4) requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and 
Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). In addition, this regulation removes established 
tolerances for certain commodities/groups superseded by this action, 
and deletes expired tolerances.

DATES: This regulation is effective May 29, 2015. Objections and 
requests for hearings must be received on or before July 28, 2015, and 
must be filed in accordance with the instructions provided in 40 CFR 
part 178 (see also Unit I.C. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION).

ADDRESSES: The docket for this action, identified by docket 
identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2014-0230, is available at http://www.regulations.gov or at the Office of Pesticide Programs Regulatory 
Public Docket (OPP Docket) in the Environmental Protection Agency 
Docket Center (EPA/DC), West William Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 3334, 
1301 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001. The Public 
Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public 
Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the OPP 
Docket is (703) 305-5805. Please review the visitor instructions and 
additional information about the docket available at http://www.epa.gov/dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Lewis, Registration Division 
(7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 
1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; main telephone 
number: (703) 305-7090; email address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does this action apply to me?

    You may be potentially affected by this action if you are an 
agricultural producer, food manufacturer, or pesticide manufacturer. 
The following list of North American Industrial Classification System 
(NAICS) codes is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a 
guide to help readers determine whether this document applies to them. 
Potentially affected entities may include:
     Crop production (NAICS code 111).
     Animal production (NAICS code 112).
     Food manufacturing (NAICS code 311).
     Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS code 32532).

B. How can I get electronic access to other related information?

    You may access a frequently updated electronic version of EPA's 
tolerance regulations at 40 CFR part 180 through the Government 
Publishing Office's e-CFR site at http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title40/40tab_02.tpl.

C. How can I file an objection or hearing request?

    Under FFDCA section 408(g), 21 U.S.C. 346a, any person may file an 
objection to any aspect of this regulation and may also request a 
hearing on those objections. You must file your objection or request a 
hearing on this regulation in accordance with the instructions provided 
in 40 CFR part 178. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, you must identify 
docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2014-0230 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 
July 28, 2015. Addresses for mail and hand delivery of objections and 
hearing requests are provided in 40 CFR 178.25(b).
    In addition to filing an objection or hearing request with the 
Hearing Clerk as described in 40 CFR part 178, please submit a copy of 
the filing (excluding any Confidential Business Information (CBI)) for 
inclusion in the public docket. Information not marked confidential 
pursuant to 40 CFR part 2 may be disclosed publicly by EPA without 
prior notice. Submit the non-CBI copy of your objection or hearing 
request, identified by docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2014-0230, by one of 
the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Do not submit 
electronically any information you consider to be CBI or other 
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
     Mail: OPP Docket, Environmental Protection Agency Docket 
Center (EPA/DC), (28221T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 
20460-0001.
     Hand Delivery: To make special arrangements for hand 
delivery or delivery of boxed information, please follow the 
instructions at http://www.epa.gov/dockets/contacts.html.

Additional instructions on commenting or visiting the docket, along 
with more information about dockets generally, is available at  http://www.epa.gov/dockets.

II. Summary of Petitioned-For Tolerance

    In the Federal Register of May 23, 2014 (79 FR 29729) (FRL-9910-
29), EPA issued a document pursuant to FFDCA section 408(d)(3), 21 
U.S.C. 346a(d)(3), announcing the filing of a pesticide petition (PP 
4E8244) by Interregional Research Project Number 4 (IR-4), 500 College 
Road East, Suite 201 W, Princeton, NJ 08540. The petition requested 
that 40 CFR 180.617 be amended by establishing tolerances for residues 
of the fungicide metconazole, 5-[(4-chlorophenyl)methyl]-2,-2-dimethyl-
1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)-cyclopentanol, in or on fruit, stone, 
group 12-12 at 0.2 parts per million (ppm); nut, tree, group 14-12 at 
0.04 ppm; pea and bean, dried shelled, except soybean, subgroup 6C at 
0.15 ppm; rapeseed subgroup 20A at 0.08 ppm; and sunflower subgroup 20B 
at 0.9 ppm. The petition also requested that current established 
tolerances for residues of the fungicide metconazole in or on canola 
seed at 0.04 ppm; fruit, stone, group 12 at 0.20 ppm; pistachio at 0.04 
ppm; and nut, tree, group 14 at 0.04 ppm be removed once the proposed 
tolerances were approved. That document referenced a summary of the 
petition prepared by Valent U.S.A Corporation, the registrant, which is 
available in the docket, http://www.regulations.gov. Comments were 
received on the notice of filing. EPA's

[[Page 30620]]

response to these comments is discussed in Unit IV.C.
    Based upon review of the data supporting the petition, EPA has 
determined the tolerance for the sunflower subgroup 20B should be 0.7 
ppm. The reason for this change is explained in Unit IV.D.

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 FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(D), and the factors 
specified in FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(D), EPA has reviewed the available 
scientific data and other relevant information in support of this 
action. EPA has sufficient data to assess the hazards of and to make a 
determination on aggregate exposure for metconazole including exposure 
resulting from the tolerances established by this action. EPA's 
assessment of exposures and risks associated with metconazole 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. Metconazole affects the liver, kidney, spleen, and various 
blood parameters at various dose levels across species. Specifically, 
in the mouse, rat, and dog, liver toxicity was seen after oral exposure 
in both subchronic and chronic exposures. Metconazole produces liver 
tumors in mice through a mitogenic mode of action (i.e., non-
genotoxic), and in the absence of a genotoxic mode of action, 
metconazole is classified as ``not likely to be carcinogenic to 
humans'' at levels that do not cause mitogenesis.
    Oral studies revealed critical effects of metconazole on body 
weight and blood erythrocyte and/or platelet parameters in the mouse, 
rat, dog and/or rabbit. Hyperplasia and increased weight were observed 
in the spleen in the mouse, rat, and dog at dose levels where liver 
affects were also observed. Lenticular degeneration (cataracts) were 
observed at the highest dose tested 114 milligrams/kilogram/day (mg/kg/
day) in dogs. In addition, there was evidence that at high dietary 
levels metconazole is a gastrointestinal irritant in the dog.
    In rats and rabbits developmental studies displayed some evidence 
of developmental effects but largely at dose levels that are maternally 
toxic. There was no quantitative or qualitative susceptibility in 
rabbit fetuses after in utero exposure to metconazole. In prenatal 
developmental toxicity studies in rabbits there was an increase in 
post-implantation loss and reduced fetal body weights at the same dose 
level that caused maternal toxicity. In rats, the developmental study 
showed skeletal variations at the lowest-observed-adverse-effect-level 
(LOAEL) in the absence of maternal toxicity. The 2-generation 
reproduction studies revealed offspring and parental toxicity only at 
the highest tested dose. There is low concern for quantitative 
susceptibility (skeletal variations in the absence of maternal toxicity 
in the developmental study) because the endpoint and point of departure 
are based on the effects in the fetus, for which there is a clear 
NOAEL. Therefore, it is concluded that there are no residual 
uncertainties for pre- and/or post-natal toxicity.
    Metconazole did not demonstrate neurotoxicity in the subchronic 
neurotoxicity study, or any of the other studies in the toxicity data 
base. The requirement for an acute neurotoxicity study has been waived 
because of the absence of neurotoxic signs throughout the database, 
even at the highest dose levels tested.
    There was no evidence of immunotoxicity at dose levels that 
produced systemic toxicity. No immunotoxic effects are evident for 
metconazole at dose levels as high as 52 (mg/kg/day) in rats, which is 
12 times higher than the chronic dietary point of departure (4.3 mg/kg/
day).
    EPA has classified metconazole as: ``Not Likely to be Carcinogenic 
to Humans'' based on convincing evidence demonstrating the following: 
(1) That a non-genotoxic mode of action for liver tumors was 
established in the mouse; (2) that the carcinogenic effects were not 
likely to occur below a defined dose that does not cause mitogenesis 
based on bioassays in the rat and the mouse; and (3) a lack of in vitro 
or in vivo mutagenicity. The established chronic RfD, which is below 
the level at which mitogenesis occurred in the rat and mouse, is deemed 
to be protective of mitogenesis/carcinogenesis, and no quantification 
is required.
    Specific information on the studies received and the nature of the 
adverse effects caused by metconazole as well as the no-observed-
adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) and the LOAEL from the toxicity studies 
can be found at http://www.regulations.gov in document at 
``Metconazole. Human Health Risk Assessment for a Section 3 
Registration of New Uses on Dry Shelled Pea and Beans (Except Soybean) 
Crop Subgroup 6C and Sunflower Crop Subgroup 20B; Crop Group Expansion 
to Rapeseed Subgroup 20A; and Crop Group Conversion to Fruit, Stone, 
Group 12-12; and Nut, Tree, Group 14-12'' in docket ID number EPA-HQ-
OPP-2014-0230.

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.

[[Page 30621]]



  Table 1--Summary of Toxicological Doses and Endpoints for Metconazole for Use in Human Health Risk Assessment
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Point of departure
        Exposure/scenario            and uncertainty/     RfD, PAD, LOC for     Study and toxicological effects
                                      safety factors       risk assessment
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acute dietary (Females 13-50       NOAEL = 12 mg/kg/day  Acute RfD = 0.12 mg/ Developmental toxicity in rats:
 years of age).                    UFA = 10x...........   kg/day.             LOAEL = 30 mg/kg/day based on
                                   UFH = 10x...........  aPAD = 0.12 mg/kg/    increases in skeletal variations.
                                   FQPA SF = 1x........   day..                At 75 mg/kg/day (the next higher
                                                                               dose level) increased incidence
                                                                               of post-implantation loss,
                                                                               hydrocephaly and visceral
                                                                               anomaliea (cranial hemorrhage,
                                                                               dilated renal pelvis, dilated
                                                                               ureters, and displaced testis)
                                                                               were reported.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acute dietary (General population  An appropriate dose/endpoint attributable to a single dose was not observed
 including infants and children).   in the available oral toxicity studies reviewed.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chronic dietary (All populations)  NOAEL= 4.3 mg/kg/day  Chronic RfD = 0.04   Chronic oral toxicity study in
                                   UFA = 10x...........   mg/kg/day.           rats:
                                   UFH = 10x...........  cPAD = 0.04 mg/kg/   LOAEL = 13.1 mg/kg/day based on
                                   FQPA SF = 1x........   day..                increased liver (M) weights and
                                                                               associated hepatocellular lipid
                                                                               vacuolation (M) and centrilobular
                                                                               hypertrophy (M). Similar effects
                                                                               were observed in females at 54 mg/
                                                                               kg/day, plus increased spleen
                                                                               weight.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Incidental oral short-term (1 to   NOAEL= 9.1 mg/kg/day  Residential LOC for  28-Day oral toxicity study in
 30 days).                         UFA = 10x...........   MOE = 100.           rats:
                                   UFH = 10x...........                       LOAEL = 90.5 mg/kg/day based on
                                   FQPA SF = 1x........                        decreased body weight (M),
                                                                               increased liver and kidney weight
                                                                               and hepatocellular hypertrophy
                                                                               and vacuolation (M/F).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dermal short-term (1 to 30 days).  Quantification of dermal risk is not required due to lack of systemic or
                                    dermal toxicity at the Limit Dose in a 21-day dermal toxicity study in the
                                    rat, the lack of neurotoxicity, and the lack of developmental and/or
                                    reproductive toxicity in the absence of parental effects, which were not
                                    looked for in the dermal toxicity.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inhalation short-term (1 to 30     Inhalation (or oral)  Residential LOC for  28-Day oral toxicity study in
 days).                             study NOAEL= 9.1 mg/  MOE = 1000.          rats:
                                    kg/day (inhalation                        LOAEL = 90.5 mg/kg/day based on
                                    absorption rate =                          decreased body weight (M),
                                    100%).                                     increased liver and kidney weight
                                   UFA = 10x...........                        and hepatocellular hypertrophy
                                   UFH = 10x...........                        and vacuolation (M/F).
                                   FQPA SF = 10x (UFDB)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cancer (Oral, dermal, inhalation)           Classification: ``Not likely to be Carcinogenic to Humans''.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FQPA SF = Food Quality Protection Act Safety Factor. LOAEL = lowest-observed-adverse-effect-level. LOC = level
  of concern. mg/kg/day= milligram/kilogram/day. MOE = margin of exposure. NOAEL = no-observed-adverse-effect-
  level. PAD = population adjusted dose (a = acute, c = chronic). RfD = reference dose. UF = uncertainty factor.
  UFA = extrapolation from animal to human (interspecies). UFDB = to account for the absence of data or other
  data deficiency. UFH = potential variation in sensitivity among members of the human population
  (intraspecies).

C. Exposure Assessment

    1. Dietary exposure from food and feed uses. In evaluating dietary 
exposure to metconazole, EPA considered exposure under the petitioned-
for tolerances as well as all existing metconazole tolerances in 40 CFR 
180.617. EPA assessed dietary exposures from metconazole 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 effects were identified in the toxicological studies for 
metconazole for the general population including infants and children; 
therefore, a quantitative acute dietary exposure assessment is 
unnecessary for the general population.
    Such effects were identified for metconazole for females 13-49 
years old. In estimating acute dietary exposure, EPA used food 
consumption information from the Dietary Exposure Evaluation Model with 
the Food Commodity Intake Database (DEEM-FCID). This software 
incorporates 2003-2008 food consumption data from the U.S. Department 
of Agriculture's National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, What 
We Eat in America, (NHANES/WWEIA). As to residue levels in food, EPA 
assumed 100 percent crop treated (PCT) and tolerance-level residues for 
most crops. For cereal grains and livestock commodities, maximum 
residue levels of metabolites from field trials were added to the 
metconazole tolerance levels.
    ii. Chronic exposure. In conducting the chronic dietary exposure 
assessment, EPA used food consumption information from the DEEM-FCID. 
This software incorporates 2003-2008 food consumption data from the 
NHANES/WWEIA. As to residue levels in food, EPA assumed 100 PCT and 
tolerance-level residues for most crops. For cereal grains and 
livestock commodities, maximum residue levels of metabolites from field 
trials were added to the metconazole tolerance levels.
    iii. Cancer. Based on the data summarized in Unit III.A., EPA has 
concluded that metconazole does not pose a cancer risk to humans. 
Therefore, a dietary exposure assessment for the

[[Page 30622]]

purpose of assessing cancer risk is unnecessary.
    iv. Anticipated residue and percent crop treated (PCT) information. 
EPA did not use anticipated residue and/or PCT information in the 
dietary assessment for metconazole. Tolerance-level and metabolite 
residues and/or 100 PCT were assumed for all food commodities.
    2. Dietary exposure from drinking water. The Agency used screening-
level water exposure models in the dietary exposure analysis and risk 
assessment for metconazole in drinking water. These simulation models 
take into account data on the physical, chemical, and fate/transport 
characteristics of metconazole. 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 Tier I Pesticide Root Zone Model-Ground Water (PRZM-
GW), the estimated drinking water concentrations (EDWC) of metconazole 
are estimated to be 51.8 parts per billion (ppb) for acute exposures 
and not applicable for chronic (non-cancer) exposures. Based on the 
Tier II Surface Water Concentration Calculator (SWCC) model, the EDWCs 
are estimated to be 49.6 ppb for acute exposures and 43.9 ppb for 
chronic (non-cancer) exposures.
    Modeled estimates of drinking water concentrations were directly 
entered into the dietary exposure model. For acute dietary risk 
assessment for females, the water concentration value of 51.8 ppb-was 
used to assess the contribution to drinking water. For chronic dietary 
risk assessment, the water concentration of value 43.9 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-occupational, non-dietary 
exposure (e.g., for lawn and garden pest control, indoor pest control, 
termiticides, and flea and tick control on pets).
    Metconazole is currently registered for the following uses that 
could result in residential exposures: Turf and ornamentals. EPA 
assessed residential exposure using the following assumptions: For 
residential handler exposure, the Agency assumed that residential use 
will result in short-term (1-30 days) dermal and inhalation exposures. 
Because there was no dermal endpoint chosen for metconazole, 
residential handler risk from exposure to metconazole was assessed for 
the inhalation route only.
    The Agency assumed that post-application exposure in residential 
settings is short-term in duration only. No dermal endpoint was chosen 
for metconazole; therefore a dermal post-application risk assessment 
was not conducted for adults or children. Residential post-application 
inhalation exposure in outdoor settings is considered negligible. The 
scenarios evaluated were short-term post-application incidental oral 
exposure to children 1 to <2 years old from granular and water 
dispersible granular metconazole formulations.
    In the previous tolerance action for metconazole which published in 
the Federal Register of August 17, 2011 (76 FR 50898) (FRL-8882-7), the 
Agency also assessed intermediate-term exposures. However, in 2012 the 
EPA revised the residential standard operating procedures (SOPs) and 
based on these revisions has determined that intermediate-exposures are 
not expected. Further information regarding EPA standard assumptions 
and generic inputs for residential exposures may be found at http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/science/residential-exposure-sop.html.
    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.''
    Metconazole is a member of the triazole-containing class of 
pesticides, the conazoles. Although conazoles act similarly in plants 
by inhibiting ergosterol biosynthesis, there is not necessarily a 
relationship between their pesticidal activity and their mechanism of 
toxicity in mammals. Structural similarities do not constitute a common 
mechanism of toxicity. Evidence is needed to establish that the 
chemicals operate by the same, or essentially the same, sequence of 
major biochemical events (EPA, 2002). In conazoles, however, a variable 
pattern of toxicological responses is found; some are hepatotoxic and 
hepatocarcinogenic in mice. Some induce thyroid tumors in rats. Some 
induce developmental, reproductive, and neurological effects in 
rodents. Furthermore, the conazoles produce a diverse range of 
biochemical events, including altered cholesterol levels, stress 
responses, and altered DNA methylation. It is not clearly understood 
whether these biochemical events are directly connected to their 
toxicological outcomes. Thus, there is currently no conclusive data to 
indicate that conazoles share common mechanisms of toxicity and EPA is 
not following a cumulative risk approach based on a common mechanism of 
toxicity for the conazoles. For information regarding EPA's procedures 
for cumulating effects from substances found to have a common mechanism 
of toxicity, see EPA's Web site at http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/cumulative.
    Metconazole is a triazole-derived pesticide. This class of 
compounds can form the common metabolite 1,2,4-triazole and two 
triazole conjugates (triazolylalanine and triazolylacetic acid). To 
support existing tolerances and to establish new tolerances for 
triazole-derivative pesticides, including metconazole, EPA conducted a 
human health risk assessment for exposure to 1,2,4-triazole, 
triazolylalanine, and triazolylacetic acid resulting from the use of 
all current and pending uses of any triazole-derived fungicide. The 
risk assessment is a highly conservative, screening-level evaluation in 
terms of hazards associated with common metabolites (e.g., use of a 
maximum combination of uncertainty factors) and potential dietary and 
non-dietary exposures (i.e., high end estimates of both dietary and 
non-dietary exposures). In addition, the Agency retained the additional 
10X FQPA safety factor for the protection of infants and children. The 
assessment includes evaluations of risks for various subgroups, 
including those comprised of infants and children. The Agency's 
complete risk assessment is found in the propiconazole reregistration 
docket at http://www.regulations.gov, Docket Identification (ID) Number 
EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0497.
    An updated dietary exposure and risk analysis for the common 
triazole metabolites 1,2,4-triazole (T), triazolylalanine (TA), 
triazolylacetic acid (TAA), and triazolylpyruvic acid (TP) was 
conducted in October 2013, in association with a registration request 
for several other triazole fungicides. That analysis concluded that 
risk estimates were below the Agency's level of concern for all 
population groups. The proposed new uses of metconazole did not result 
in an increase in the dietary exposure estimates for free triazole or 
conjugated triazoles. Therefore, this last dietary exposure analysis 
for free triazole or conjugated triazoles did not need to be updated. A 
copy of this assessment may be found in the docket for this action at 
http://www.regulations.gov.

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

[[Page 30623]]

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. For analyzing the 
developmental and reproductive impact and toxicity of metconazole, two 
developmental studies in the rat, two developmental studies in the 
rabbit, and one multi-generation reproduction study were used. There 
was evidence of quantitative susceptibility in one developmental rat 
study, but not in the four other studies. Concern is for susceptibility 
low since susceptibility was not corroborated by the other studies; 
concern is low also because the NOAELs are well defined, and the dose/
endpoint is used for acute dietary risk assessment for the sensitive 
population.
    3. Conclusion. EPA has determined that reliable data show the 
safety of infants and children would be adequately protected if the 
FQPA SF were reduced to 1x, except for inhalation exposure scenarios 
for which the Agency is retaining the 10X. That decision is based on 
the following findings:
    i. The toxicity database for metconazole is complete, except for 
the subchronic inhalation study. A 10x uncertainty factor has been 
retained for purposes of determining the inhalation endpoint to account 
for the absence of this data. However, only adult handlers are expected 
to be exposed via the inhalation route.
    ii. There is no indication that metconazole is a neurotoxic 
chemical and there is no need for a developmental neurotoxicity study 
or additional UFs to account for neurotoxicity.
    iii. Although one developmental rat study showed indications of 
quantitative susceptibility, EPA has determined that additional safety 
factors are not necessary to account for any potential risk because 
that susceptibility was not corroborated by the other developmental and 
reproduction studies and the developmental NOAEL for the study that 
showed quantitative susceptibility is well defined. Moreover, the dose/
endpoint identified in the rat developmental study is being used for 
acute dietary risk assessment for the sensitive population.
    iv. There are no residual uncertainties identified in the exposure 
databases. The dietary food exposure assessments were performed based 
on 100 PCT and tolerance-level residues for most crops. For cereal 
grains and livestock commodities, maximum residue levels of metabolites 
from field trials were added to the metconazole tolerance levels. EPA 
made conservative (protective) assumptions in the ground and surface 
water modeling used to assess exposure to metconazole in drinking 
water. EPA used similarly conservative assumptions to assess post 
application exposure of children as well as incidental oral exposure of 
children 1 to <2 years old. These assessments will not underestimate 
the exposure and risks posed by metconazole.

E. Aggregate Risks and Determination of Safety

    EPA determines whether acute and chronic dietary pesticide 
exposures are safe by comparing aggregate exposure estimates to the 
acute PAD (aPAD) and chronic PAD (cPAD). For linear cancer risks, EPA 
calculates the lifetime probability of acquiring cancer given the 
estimated aggregate exposure. Short-, intermediate-, and chronic-term 
risks are evaluated by comparing the estimated aggregate food, water, 
and residential exposure to the appropriate PODs to ensure that an 
adequate MOE exists.
    1. Acute risk. Using the exposure assumptions discussed in this 
unit for acute exposure, the acute dietary exposure from food and water 
to metconazole will occupy 4.6% of the aPAD for females 13 to 49 years 
old, the only population subgroup of potential concern.
    2. Chronic risk. Using the exposure assumptions described in this 
unit for chronic exposure, EPA has concluded that chronic exposure to 
metconazole from food and water will utilize 14% of the cPAD for 
children 1-2 years old the population group receiving the greatest 
exposure. Based on the explanation in Unit III.C.3., regarding 
residential use patterns, chronic residential exposure to residues of 
metconazole is not expected.
    3. Short-term risk. Short-term aggregate exposure takes into 
account short-term residential exposure plus chronic exposure to food 
and water (considered to be a background exposure level). Metconazole 
is currently registered for uses that could result in short-term 
residential exposure, and the Agency has determined that it is 
appropriate to aggregate chronic exposure through food and water with 
short-term residential exposures to metconazole.
    Using the exposure assumptions described in this unit for short-
term exposures, EPA has concluded the combined short-term food, water, 
and residential exposures result in an aggregate MOEs of 630 for 
children 1 to <2 years old, which is not of concern. For adults, oral 
dietary and inhalation risk estimates were combined using the total 
aggregated risk index (ARI) methodology since the levels of concern 
(LOC) for oral dietary exposure (LOC = 100) and inhalation exposure 
(LOC = 1,000) are different. The short-term aggregate ARI for adults is 
5.3, which is greater than 1 and is therefore not of concern.
    4. Intermediate-term risk. Intermediate-term aggregate exposure 
takes into account intermediate-term residential exposure plus chronic 
exposure to food and water (considered to be a background exposure 
level). An intermediate-term adverse effect was identified; however, 
metconazole is not registered for any use patterns that would result in 
intermediate-term residential exposure. Intermediate-term risk is 
assessed based on intermediate-term residential exposure plus chronic 
dietary exposure. Because there is no intermediate-term residential 
exposure and chronic dietary exposure has already been assessed under 
the appropriately protective cPAD (which is at least as protective as 
the POD used to assess intermediate-term risk), no further assessment 
of intermediate-term risk is necessary, and EPA relies on the chronic 
dietary risk assessment for evaluating intermediate-term risk for 
metconazole.
    5. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S. population. As discussed in Unit 
III.A., metconazole is not expected to pose a cancer risk to humans.
    6. Determination of safety. Based on these risk assessments, EPA 
concludes that there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result 
to the general population, or to infants and children from aggregate 
exposure to metconazole residues.

IV. Other Considerations

A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology

    Adequate enforcement methodology (Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Detection 
(GC/NPD) method, Valent Method RM-41C-1-1) is available to enforce the 
tolerance expression.
    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;

[[Page 30624]]

email 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 United Nations 
Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization food 
standards program, and it is recognized as an international food safety 
standards-setting organization in trade agreements to which the United 
States is a party. EPA may establish a tolerance that is different from 
a Codex MRL; however, FFDCA section 408(b)(4) requires that EPA explain 
the reasons for departing from the Codex level.
    The Codex has not established a MRL for metconazole.

C. Response to Comments

    EPA received two comments to the Notice of Filling. One comment 
concerned a chemical other than metconazole and therefore is not 
relevant to this action. The other was a request to reconsider 
``loosening tolerances'' for several pesticide petitions, including for 
metconazole. The commenter points to an American Academy of Pediatrics 
Policy statement regarding pesticide exposure in children, a Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention report on human exposure to 
environmental chemicals, and a President's Cancer Panel regarding 
reducing environmental cancer risks in supporting the request to 
reconsider the tolerance amendments proposed for metconazole.
    The Agency understands the commenter's concerns and recognizes that 
some individuals believe that certain pesticide chemicals should not be 
permitted in our food, or that pesticide tolerances should be 
``significantly tightened'' as the commenter notes. However, the 
existing legal framework provided by section 408 of the Federal Food, 
Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) states that tolerances may be set when 
EPA determines that aggregate exposure to that pesticide is safe, i.e., 
that there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result from 
aggregate exposure to the pesticide chemical residue. When making this 
determination, EPA considers the toxicity, including any potential 
carcinogenicity, of the pesticide and all anticipated dietary exposures 
and all other exposures for which there is reliable information. EPA 
also gives special consideration to the potential susceptibility and 
exposures of infants and children to the pesticide chemical residue 
when making this determination. For metconazole, the Agency has 
considered all the available data, including all available data 
concerning the potential for carcinogenicity of metconazole and its 
metabolites, and concluded after conducting a risk assessment, that 
there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result from aggregate 
human exposure to metconazole and that, accordingly, the metconazole 
tolerances are safe.

D. Revisions to Petitioned-For Tolerances

    The petitioner requested a tolerance on the sunflower subgroup 20B 
at 0.9 ppm. EPA is establishing a tolerance for that subgroup at 0.7 
ppm based on the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 
(OECD) tolerance calculation procedures.

V. Conclusion

    Therefore, tolerances are established for residues of metconazole, 
5-[(4-chlorophenyl)-methyl]-2,-2-dimethyl-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-
ylmethyl)-cyclopentanol, in or on fruit, stone, group 12-12 at 0.2 ppm; 
nut, tree, group 14-12 at 0.04 ppm; pea and bean, dried shelled, except 
soybean, subgroup 6C at 0.15 ppm; rapeseed subgroup 20A at 0.08 ppm; 
and sunflower subgroup 20B at 0.7 ppm. Additionally, the existing 
tolerances for canola seed; fruit, stone, group 12; nut, tree, group 
14; and pistachio are being removed since they are superseded by this 
action.

VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    This action establishes tolerances under FFDCA section 408(d) in 
response to a petition submitted to the Agency. The Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) has exempted these types of actions from 
review under Executive Order 12866, entitled ``Regulatory Planning and 
Review'' (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993). Because this action has been 
exempted from review under Executive Order 12866, this action is not 
subject to Executive Order 13211, entitled ``Actions Concerning 
Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or 
Use'' (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001) or Executive Order 13045, entitled 
``Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety 
Risks'' (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997). This action does not contain any 
information collections subject to OMB approval under the Paperwork 
Reduction Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), nor does it require any 
special considerations under Executive Order 12898, entitled ``Federal 
Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and 
Low-Income Populations'' (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
    Since tolerances and exemptions that are established on the basis 
of a petition under FFDCA section 408(d), such as the tolerances in 
this final rule, do not require the issuance of a proposed rule, the 
requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601 et 
seq.), do not apply.
    This action directly regulates growers, food processors, food 
handlers, and food retailers, not States or tribes, nor does this 
action alter the relationships or distribution of power and 
responsibilities established by Congress in the preemption provisions 
of FFDCA section 408(n)(4). As such, the Agency has determined that 
this action will not have a substantial direct effect on States or 
tribal governments, on the relationship between the national government 
and the States or tribal governments, or on the distribution of power 
and responsibilities among the various levels of government or between 
the Federal Government and Indian tribes. Thus, the Agency has 
determined that Executive Order 13132, entitled ``Federalism'' (64 FR 
43255, August 10, 1999) and Executive Order 13175, entitled 
``Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments'' (65 FR 
67249, November 9, 2000) do not apply to this action. In addition, this 
action does not impose any enforceable duty or contain any unfunded 
mandate as described under Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act 
(UMRA) (2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.).
    This action does not involve any technical standards that would 
require Agency consideration of voluntary consensus standards pursuant 
to section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement 
Act (NTTAA) (15 U.S.C. 272 note).

VII. Congressional Review Act

    Pursuant to the Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), 
EPA will submit a report containing this rule and other required 
information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, and 
the Comptroller General of the United States prior to publication of 
the rule in the Federal Register. This action is not a ``major rule'' 
as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).

[[Page 30625]]

List of Subjects in 40 CFR part 180

    Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure, 
Agricultural commodities, Pesticides and pests, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: May 19, 2015.
Daniel J. Rosenblatt,
Acting Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.

    Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is amended as follows:

PART 180--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for part 180 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.


0
2. In Sec.  180.617:
0
a. Remove the entries in the table in paragraph (a) for ``Canola 
seed,'' ``Fruit, stone, group 12,'' ``Nut, tree, group 14,'' and 
``Pistachio;''
0
b. Add alphabetically the entries for ``Fruit, stone, group 12-12'', 
``Nut, tree, group 14-12'', ``Pea and bean, dried shelled, except 
soybean, subgroup 6C'', ``Rapeseed subgroup 20A'', and ``Sunflower 
subgroup 20B'' to the table in paragraph (a).
0
c. Revise paragraph (b).
    The additions and revision read as follows:


Sec.  180.617  Metconazole; tolerance for residues.

    (a) * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Parts per
                         Commodity                             million
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                * * * * *
Fruit, stone, group 12-12.................................          0.2
 
                                * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nut, tree, group 14-12....................................          0.04
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pea and bean, dried shelled, except soybean, subgroup 6C..          0.15
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rapeseed subgroup 20A.....................................          0.08
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunflower subgroup 20B....................................          0.7
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) Section 18 emergency exemptions. [Reserved]
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2015-12936 Filed 5-28-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P



                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 103 / Friday, May 29, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                         30619

                                           the original claim does not exceed                      information about the docket available                any Confidential Business Information
                                           $10,000,000; and                                        at http://www.epa.gov/dockets.                        (CBI)) for inclusion in the public docket.
                                           *     *    *     *    *                                 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                      Information not marked confidential
                                                                                                   Susan Lewis, Registration Division                    pursuant to 40 CFR part 2 may be
                                           § 0.169   [Amended]                                     (7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs,                disclosed publicly by EPA without prior
                                           ■ 5. Amend paragraph (b) of § 0.169 by                  Environmental Protection Agency, 1200                 notice. Submit the non-CBI copy of your
                                           removing the words ‘‘Customs                            Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington,                    objection or hearing request, identified
                                           Service’s’’ and adding in their place the               DC 20460–0001; main telephone                         by docket ID number EPA–HQ–OPP–
                                           words ‘‘United States Customs and                       number: (703) 305–7090; email address:                2014–0230, by one of the following
                                           Border Protection’s’’.                                  RDFRNotices@epa.gov.                                  methods:
                                                                                                                                                           • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://
                                             Dated: May 21, 2015.                                  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                                                                                                                         www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
                                           Loretta E. Lynch,
                                                                                                   I. General Information                                instructions for submitting comments.
                                           Attorney General.                                                                                             Do not submit electronically any
                                           [FR Doc. 2015–12991 Filed 5–28–15; 8:45 am]             A. Does this action apply to me?
                                                                                                                                                         information you consider to be CBI or
                                           BILLING CODE 4410–12–P                                     You may be potentially affected by                 other information whose disclosure is
                                                                                                   this action if you are an agricultural                restricted by statute.
                                                                                                   producer, food manufacturer, or                         • Mail: OPP Docket, Environmental
                                           ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION                                pesticide manufacturer. The following                 Protection Agency Docket Center
                                           AGENCY                                                  list of North American Industrial                     (EPA/DC), (28221T), 1200 Pennsylvania
                                                                                                   Classification System (NAICS) codes is                Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460–0001.
                                           40 CFR Part 180                                         not intended to be exhaustive, but rather               • Hand Delivery: To make special
                                                                                                   provides a guide to help readers                      arrangements for hand delivery or
                                           [EPA–HQ–OPP–2014–0230; FRL–9927–11]                                                                           delivery of boxed information, please
                                                                                                   determine whether this document
                                                                                                   applies to them. Potentially affected                 follow the instructions at http://
                                           Metconazole; Pesticide Tolerances
                                                                                                   entities may include:                                 www.epa.gov/dockets/contacts.html.
                                           AGENCY:  Environmental Protection                          • Crop production (NAICS code 111).                Additional instructions on commenting
                                           Agency (EPA).                                              • Animal production (NAICS code                    or visiting the docket, along with more
                                           ACTION: Final rule.                                     112).                                                 information about dockets generally, is
                                                                                                      • Food manufacturing (NAICS code                   available at
                                           SUMMARY:   This regulation establishes                  311).                                                 http://www.epa.gov/dockets.
                                           tolerances for residues of metconazole                     • Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS
                                                                                                   code 32532).                                          II. Summary of Petitioned-For
                                           in or on multiple commodities which
                                                                                                                                                         Tolerance
                                           are identified and discussed later in this              B. How can I get electronic access to
                                           document. Interregional Research                                                                                 In the Federal Register of May 23,
                                                                                                   other related information?                            2014 (79 FR 29729) (FRL–9910–29),
                                           Project Number 4 (IR–4) requested these
                                           tolerances under the Federal Food,                        You may access a frequently updated                 EPA issued a document pursuant to
                                           Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). In                      electronic version of EPA’s tolerance                 FFDCA section 408(d)(3), 21 U.S.C.
                                           addition, this regulation removes                       regulations at 40 CFR part 180 through                346a(d)(3), announcing the filing of a
                                           established tolerances for certain                      the Government Publishing Office’s e-                 pesticide petition (PP 4E8244) by
                                           commodities/groups superseded by this                   CFR site at http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/              Interregional Research Project Number 4
                                           action, and deletes expired tolerances.                 text-idx?&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/                     (IR–4), 500 College Road East, Suite 201
                                                                                                   Title40/40tab_02.tpl.                                 W, Princeton, NJ 08540. The petition
                                           DATES: This regulation is effective May
                                                                                                                                                         requested that 40 CFR 180.617 be
                                           29, 2015. Objections and requests for                   C. How can I file an objection or hearing             amended by establishing tolerances for
                                           hearings must be received on or before                  request?                                              residues of the fungicide metconazole,
                                           July 28, 2015, and must be filed in                       Under FFDCA section 408(g), 21                      5-[(4-chlorophenyl)methyl]-2,-2-
                                           accordance with the instructions                        U.S.C. 346a, any person may file an                   dimethyl-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-
                                           provided in 40 CFR part 178 (see also                   objection to any aspect of this regulation            ylmethyl)-cyclopentanol, in or on fruit,
                                           Unit I.C. of the SUPPLEMENTARY                          and may also request a hearing on those               stone, group 12–12 at 0.2 parts per
                                           INFORMATION).
                                                                                                   objections. You must file your objection              million (ppm); nut, tree, group 14–12 at
                                           ADDRESSES:    The docket for this action,               or request a hearing on this regulation               0.04 ppm; pea and bean, dried shelled,
                                           identified by docket identification (ID)                in accordance with the instructions                   except soybean, subgroup 6C at 0.15
                                           number EPA–HQ–OPP–2014–0230, is                         provided in 40 CFR part 178. To ensure                ppm; rapeseed subgroup 20A at 0.08
                                           available at http://www.regulations.gov                 proper receipt by EPA, you must                       ppm; and sunflower subgroup 20B at 0.9
                                           or at the Office of Pesticide Programs                  identify docket ID number EPA–HQ–                     ppm. The petition also requested that
                                           Regulatory Public Docket (OPP Docket)                   OPP–2014–0230 in the subject line on                  current established tolerances for
                                           in the Environmental Protection Agency                  the first page of your submission. All                residues of the fungicide metconazole in
                                           Docket Center (EPA/DC), West William                    objections and requests for a hearing                 or on canola seed at 0.04 ppm; fruit,
                                           Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 3334, 1301                 must be in writing, and must be                       stone, group 12 at 0.20 ppm; pistachio
                                           Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC                   received by the Hearing Clerk on or                   at 0.04 ppm; and nut, tree, group 14 at
                                           20460–0001. The Public Reading Room                     before July 28, 2015. Addresses for mail              0.04 ppm be removed once the proposed
                                           is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,                    and hand delivery of objections and                   tolerances were approved. That
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                                           Monday through Friday, excluding legal                  hearing requests are provided in 40 CFR               document referenced a summary of the
                                           holidays. The telephone number for the                  178.25(b).                                            petition prepared by Valent U.S.A
                                           Public Reading Room is (202) 566–1744,                    In addition to filing an objection or               Corporation, the registrant, which is
                                           and the telephone number for the OPP                    hearing request with the Hearing Clerk                available in the docket, http://
                                           Docket is (703) 305–5805. Please review                 as described in 40 CFR part 178, please               www.regulations.gov. Comments were
                                           the visitor instructions and additional                 submit a copy of the filing (excluding                received on the notice of filing. EPA’s


                                      VerDate Sep<11>2014   19:01 May 28, 2015   Jkt 235001   PO 00000   Frm 00015   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\29MYR1.SGM   29MYR1


                                           30620                Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 103 / Friday, May 29, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                           response to these comments is                           action (i.e., non-genotoxic), and in the              non-genotoxic mode of action for liver
                                           discussed in Unit IV.C.                                 absence of a genotoxic mode of action,                tumors was established in the mouse;
                                             Based upon review of the data                         metconazole is classified as ‘‘not likely             (2) that the carcinogenic effects were not
                                           supporting the petition, EPA has                        to be carcinogenic to humans’’ at levels              likely to occur below a defined dose that
                                           determined the tolerance for the                        that do not cause mitogenesis.                        does not cause mitogenesis based on
                                           sunflower subgroup 20B should be 0.7                       Oral studies revealed critical effects of          bioassays in the rat and the mouse; and
                                           ppm. The reason for this change is                      metconazole on body weight and blood                  (3) a lack of in vitro or in vivo
                                           explained in Unit IV.D.                                 erythrocyte and/or platelet parameters                mutagenicity. The established chronic
                                                                                                   in the mouse, rat, dog and/or rabbit.                 RfD, which is below the level at which
                                           III. Aggregate Risk Assessment and
                                                                                                   Hyperplasia and increased weight were                 mitogenesis occurred in the rat and
                                           Determination of Safety
                                                                                                   observed in the spleen in the mouse, rat,             mouse, is deemed to be protective of
                                              Section 408(b)(2)(A)(i) of FFDCA                     and dog at dose levels where liver                    mitogenesis/carcinogenesis, and no
                                           allows EPA to establish a tolerance (the                affects were also observed. Lenticular                quantification is required.
                                           legal limit for a pesticide chemical                    degeneration (cataracts) were observed                   Specific information on the studies
                                           residue in or on a food) only if EPA                    at the highest dose tested 114                        received and the nature of the adverse
                                           determines that the tolerance is ‘‘safe.’’              milligrams/kilogram/day (mg/kg/day) in                effects caused by metconazole as well as
                                           Section 408(b)(2)(A)(ii) of FFDCA                       dogs. In addition, there was evidence                 the no-observed-adverse-effect-level
                                           defines ‘‘safe’’ to mean that ‘‘there is a              that at high dietary levels metconazole               (NOAEL) and the LOAEL from the
                                           reasonable certainty that no harm will                  is a gastrointestinal irritant in the dog.            toxicity studies can be found at http://
                                           result from aggregate exposure to the                      In rats and rabbits developmental                  www.regulations.gov in document at
                                           pesticide chemical residue, including                   studies displayed some evidence of                    ‘‘Metconazole. Human Health Risk
                                           all anticipated dietary exposures and all               developmental effects but largely at                  Assessment for a Section 3 Registration
                                           other exposures for which there is                      dose levels that are maternally toxic.                of New Uses on Dry Shelled Pea and
                                           reliable information.’’ This includes                   There was no quantitative or qualitative              Beans (Except Soybean) Crop Subgroup
                                           exposure through drinking water and in                  susceptibility in rabbit fetuses after in             6C and Sunflower Crop Subgroup 20B;
                                           residential settings, but does not include              utero exposure to metconazole. In                     Crop Group Expansion to Rapeseed
                                           occupational exposure. Section                          prenatal developmental toxicity studies               Subgroup 20A; and Crop Group
                                           408(b)(2)(C) of FFDCA requires EPA to                   in rabbits there was an increase in post-             Conversion to Fruit, Stone, Group 12–
                                           give special consideration to exposure                  implantation loss and reduced fetal                   12; and Nut, Tree, Group 14–12’’ in
                                           of infants and children to the pesticide                body weights at the same dose level that              docket ID number EPA–HQ–OPP–2014–
                                           chemical residue in establishing a                      caused maternal toxicity. In rats, the                0230.
                                           tolerance and to ‘‘ensure that there is a               developmental study showed skeletal
                                           reasonable certainty that no harm will                  variations at the lowest-observed-                    B. Toxicological Points of Departure/
                                           result to infants and children from                     adverse-effect-level (LOAEL) in the                   Levels of Concern
                                           aggregate exposure to the pesticide                     absence of maternal toxicity. The 2-                     Once a pesticide’s toxicological
                                           chemical residue. . . .’’                               generation reproduction studies                       profile is determined, EPA identifies
                                              Consistent with FFDCA section                        revealed offspring and parental toxicity              toxicological points of departure (POD)
                                           408(b)(2)(D), and the factors specified in              only at the highest tested dose. There is             and levels of concern to use in
                                           FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(D), EPA has                     low concern for quantitative                          evaluating the risk posed by human
                                           reviewed the available scientific data                  susceptibility (skeletal variations in the            exposure to the pesticide. For hazards
                                           and other relevant information in                       absence of maternal toxicity in the                   that have a threshold below which there
                                           support of this action. EPA has                         developmental study) because the                      is no appreciable risk, the toxicological
                                           sufficient data to assess the hazards of                endpoint and point of departure are                   POD is used as the basis for derivation
                                           and to make a determination on                          based on the effects in the fetus, for                of reference values for risk assessment.
                                           aggregate exposure for metconazole                      which there is a clear NOAEL.                         PODs are developed based on a careful
                                           including exposure resulting from the                   Therefore, it is concluded that there are             analysis of the doses in each
                                           tolerances established by this action.                  no residual uncertainties for pre- and/or             toxicological study to determine the
                                           EPA’s assessment of exposures and risks                 post-natal toxicity.                                  dose at which no adverse effects are
                                           associated with metconazole follows.                       Metconazole did not demonstrate                    observed (the NOAEL) and the lowest
                                                                                                   neurotoxicity in the subchronic                       dose at which adverse effects of concern
                                           A. Toxicological Profile                                                                                      are identified (the LOAEL). Uncertainty/
                                                                                                   neurotoxicity study, or any of the other
                                              EPA has evaluated the available                      studies in the toxicity data base. The                safety factors are used in conjunction
                                           toxicity data and considered its validity,              requirement for an acute neurotoxicity                with the POD to calculate a safe
                                           completeness, and reliability as well as                study has been waived because of the                  exposure level—generally referred to as
                                           the relationship of the results of the                  absence of neurotoxic signs throughout                a population-adjusted dose (PAD) or a
                                           studies to human risk. EPA has also                     the database, even at the highest dose                reference dose (RfD)—and a safe margin
                                           considered available information                        levels tested.                                        of exposure (MOE). For non-threshold
                                           concerning the variability of the                          There was no evidence of                           risks, the Agency assumes that any
                                           sensitivities of major identifiable                     immunotoxicity at dose levels that                    amount of exposure will lead to some
                                           subgroups of consumers, including                       produced systemic toxicity. No                        degree of risk. Thus, the Agency
                                           infants and children. Metconazole                       immunotoxic effects are evident for                   estimates risk in terms of the probability
                                           affects the liver, kidney, spleen, and                  metconazole at dose levels as high as 52              of an occurrence of the adverse effect
                                           various blood parameters at various                     (mg/kg/day) in rats, which is 12 times                expected in a lifetime. For more
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                                           dose levels across species. Specifically,               higher than the chronic dietary point of              information on the general principles
                                           in the mouse, rat, and dog, liver toxicity              departure (4.3 mg/kg/day).                            EPA uses in risk characterization and a
                                           was seen after oral exposure in both                       EPA has classified metconazole as:                 complete description of the risk
                                           subchronic and chronic exposures.                       ‘‘Not Likely to be Carcinogenic to                    assessment process, see http://
                                           Metconazole produces liver tumors in                    Humans’’ based on convincing evidence                 www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/
                                           mice through a mitogenic mode of                        demonstrating the following: (1) That a               riskassess.htm.


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                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 103 / Friday, May 29, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                           30621

                                             TABLE 1—SUMMARY OF TOXICOLOGICAL DOSES AND ENDPOINTS FOR METCONAZOLE FOR USE IN HUMAN HEALTH RISK
                                                                                       ASSESSMENT
                                                                                    Point of departure        RfD, PAD, LOC for
                                                  Exposure/scenario                  and uncertainty/                                                    Study and toxicological effects
                                                                                                               risk assessment
                                                                                      safety factors

                                           Acute dietary (Females 13–50           NOAEL = 12 mg/kg/         Acute RfD = 0.12           Developmental toxicity in rats:
                                             years of age).                        day.                       mg/kg/day.               LOAEL = 30 mg/kg/day based on increases in skeletal vari-
                                                                                  UFA = 10x                 aPAD = 0.12 mg/kg/           ations. At 75 mg/kg/day (the next higher dose level) in-
                                                                                  UFH = 10x                   day.                       creased incidence of post-implantation loss, hydrocephaly
                                                                                  FQPA SF = 1x                                           and visceral anomaliea (cranial hemorrhage, dilated renal
                                                                                                                                         pelvis, dilated ureters, and displaced testis) were reported.

                                           Acute dietary (General popu-           An appropriate dose/endpoint attributable to a single dose was not observed in the available oral toxicity stud-
                                             lation including infants and         ies reviewed.
                                             children).

                                           Chronic dietary (All populations)      NOAEL= 4.3 mg/kg/         Chronic RfD = 0.04         Chronic oral toxicity study in rats:
                                                                                   day.                       mg/kg/day.               LOAEL = 13.1 mg/kg/day based on increased liver (M) weights
                                                                                  UFA = 10x                 cPAD = 0.04 mg/kg/           and associated hepatocellular lipid vacuolation (M) and
                                                                                  UFH = 10x                   day.                       centrilobular hypertrophy (M). Similar effects were observed
                                                                                  FQPA SF = 1x                                           in females at 54 mg/kg/day, plus increased spleen weight.

                                           Incidental oral short-term (1 to       NOAEL= 9.1 mg/kg/         Residential LOC for        28-Day oral toxicity study in rats:
                                             30 days).                             day.                       MOE = 100.               LOAEL = 90.5 mg/kg/day based on decreased body weight
                                                                                  UFA = 10x                                              (M), increased liver and kidney weight and hepatocellular hy-
                                                                                  UFH = 10x                                              pertrophy and vacuolation (M/F).
                                                                                  FQPA SF = 1x

                                           Dermal short-term (1 to 30             Quantification of dermal risk is not required due to lack of systemic or dermal toxicity at the Limit Dose in a 21-
                                             days).                               day dermal toxicity study in the rat, the lack of neurotoxicity, and the lack of developmental and/or reproduc-
                                                                                  tive toxicity in the absence of parental effects, which were not looked for in the dermal toxicity.

                                           Inhalation short-term (1 to 30         Inhalation (or oral)      Residential LOC for        28-Day oral toxicity study in rats:
                                             days).                                 study NOAEL= 9.1          MOE = 1000.              LOAEL = 90.5 mg/kg/day based on decreased body weight
                                                                                    mg/kg/day (inhala-                                   (M), increased liver and kidney weight and hepatocellular hy-
                                                                                    tion absorption                                      pertrophy and vacuolation (M/F).
                                                                                    rate = 100%).
                                                                                  UFA = 10x
                                                                                  UFH = 10x
                                                                                  FQPA SF = 10x
                                                                                    (UFDB)

                                           Cancer (Oral, dermal, inhala-                                        Classification: ‘‘Not likely to be Carcinogenic to Humans’’.
                                             tion).
                                             FQPA SF = Food Quality Protection Act Safety Factor. LOAEL = lowest-observed-adverse-effect-level. LOC = level of concern. mg/kg/day=
                                           milligram/kilogram/day. MOE = margin of exposure. NOAEL = no-observed-adverse-effect-level. PAD = population adjusted dose (a = acute, c =
                                           chronic). RfD = reference dose. UF = uncertainty factor. UFA = extrapolation from animal to human (interspecies). UFDB = to account for the ab-
                                           sence of data or other data deficiency. UFH = potential variation in sensitivity among members of the human population (intraspecies).


                                           C. Exposure Assessment                                  acute dietary exposure assessment is                  added to the metconazole tolerance
                                              1. Dietary exposure from food and                    unnecessary for the general population.               levels.
                                           feed uses. In evaluating dietary                          Such effects were identified for                      ii. Chronic exposure. In conducting
                                           exposure to metconazole, EPA                            metconazole for females 13–49 years                   the chronic dietary exposure
                                           considered exposure under the                           old. In estimating acute dietary                      assessment, EPA used food
                                           petitioned-for tolerances as well as all                exposure, EPA used food consumption                   consumption information from the
                                           existing metconazole tolerances in 40                   information from the Dietary Exposure                 DEEM–FCID. This software incorporates
                                           CFR 180.617. EPA assessed dietary                       Evaluation Model with the Food                        2003–2008 food consumption data from
                                           exposures from metconazole in food as                   Commodity Intake Database (DEEM–                      the NHANES/WWEIA. As to residue
                                           follows:                                                FCID). This software incorporates 2003–               levels in food, EPA assumed 100 PCT
                                              i. Acute exposure. Quantitative acute                2008 food consumption data from the                   and tolerance-level residues for most
                                           dietary exposure and risk assessments                   U.S. Department of Agriculture’s                      crops. For cereal grains and livestock
                                           are performed for a food-use pesticide,                 National Health and Nutrition                         commodities, maximum residue levels
                                           if a toxicological study has indicated the              Examination Survey, What We Eat in                    of metabolites from field trials were
                                           possibility of an effect of concern                     America, (NHANES/WWEIA). As to                        added to the metconazole tolerance
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                                           occurring as a result of a 1-day or single              residue levels in food, EPA assumed 100               levels.
                                           exposure.                                               percent crop treated (PCT) and                          iii. Cancer. Based on the data
                                              No such effects were identified in the               tolerance-level residues for most crops.              summarized in Unit III.A., EPA has
                                           toxicological studies for metconazole for               For cereal grains and livestock                       concluded that metconazole does not
                                           the general population including infants                commodities, maximum residue levels                   pose a cancer risk to humans. Therefore,
                                           and children; therefore, a quantitative                 of metabolites from field trials were                 a dietary exposure assessment for the


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                                           30622                Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 103 / Friday, May 29, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                           purpose of assessing cancer risk is                     No dermal endpoint was chosen for                     following a cumulative risk approach
                                           unnecessary.                                            metconazole; therefore a dermal post-                 based on a common mechanism of
                                              iv. Anticipated residue and percent                  application risk assessment was not                   toxicity for the conazoles. For
                                           crop treated (PCT) information. EPA did                 conducted for adults or children.                     information regarding EPA’s procedures
                                           not use anticipated residue and/or PCT                  Residential post-application inhalation               for cumulating effects from substances
                                           information in the dietary assessment                   exposure in outdoor settings is                       found to have a common mechanism of
                                           for metconazole. Tolerance-level and                    considered negligible. The scenarios                  toxicity, see EPA’s Web site at http://
                                           metabolite residues and/or 100 PCT                      evaluated were short-term post-                       www.epa.gov/pesticides/cumulative.
                                           were assumed for all food commodities.                  application incidental oral exposure to                  Metconazole is a triazole-derived
                                              2. Dietary exposure from drinking                    children 1 to <2 years old from granular              pesticide. This class of compounds can
                                           water. The Agency used screening-level                  and water dispersible granular                        form the common metabolite 1,2,4-
                                           water exposure models in the dietary                    metconazole formulations.                             triazole and two triazole conjugates
                                           exposure analysis and risk assessment                      In the previous tolerance action for               (triazolylalanine and triazolylacetic
                                           for metconazole in drinking water.                      metconazole which published in the                    acid). To support existing tolerances
                                           These simulation models take into                       Federal Register of August 17, 2011 (76               and to establish new tolerances for
                                           account data on the physical, chemical,                 FR 50898) (FRL–8882–7), the Agency                    triazole-derivative pesticides, including
                                           and fate/transport characteristics of                   also assessed intermediate-term                       metconazole, EPA conducted a human
                                           metconazole. Further information                        exposures. However, in 2012 the EPA                   health risk assessment for exposure to
                                           regarding EPA drinking water models                     revised the residential standard                      1,2,4-triazole, triazolylalanine, and
                                           used in pesticide exposure assessment                   operating procedures (SOPs) and based                 triazolylacetic acid resulting from the
                                           can be found at http://www.epa.gov/                     on these revisions has determined that                use of all current and pending uses of
                                           oppefed1/models/water/index.htm.                        intermediate-exposures are not                        any triazole-derived fungicide. The risk
                                              Based on the Tier I Pesticide Root                   expected. Further information regarding               assessment is a highly conservative,
                                           Zone Model-Ground Water (PRZM–                          EPA standard assumptions and generic                  screening-level evaluation in terms of
                                           GW), the estimated drinking water                       inputs for residential exposures may be               hazards associated with common
                                           concentrations (EDWC) of metconazole                    found at http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/               metabolites (e.g., use of a maximum
                                           are estimated to be 51.8 parts per billion              science/residential-exposure-sop.html.                combination of uncertainty factors) and
                                           (ppb) for acute exposures and not                          4. Cumulative effects from substances              potential dietary and non-dietary
                                           applicable for chronic (non-cancer)                     with a common mechanism of toxicity.                  exposures (i.e., high end estimates of
                                           exposures. Based on the Tier II Surface                 Section 408(b)(2)(D)(v) of FFDCA                      both dietary and non-dietary exposures).
                                           Water Concentration Calculator (SWCC)                   requires that, when considering whether               In addition, the Agency retained the
                                           model, the EDWCs are estimated to be                    to establish, modify, or revoke a                     additional 10X FQPA safety factor for
                                           49.6 ppb for acute exposures and 43.9                   tolerance, the Agency consider                        the protection of infants and children.
                                           ppb for chronic (non-cancer) exposures.                 ‘‘available information’’ concerning the              The assessment includes evaluations of
                                              Modeled estimates of drinking water                  cumulative effects of a particular                    risks for various subgroups, including
                                           concentrations were directly entered                    pesticide’s residues and ‘‘other                      those comprised of infants and children.
                                           into the dietary exposure model. For                    substances that have a common                         The Agency’s complete risk assessment
                                           acute dietary risk assessment for                       mechanism of toxicity.’’                              is found in the propiconazole
                                           females, the water concentration value                     Metconazole is a member of the                     reregistration docket at http://
                                           of 51.8 ppb-was used to assess the                      triazole-containing class of pesticides,              www.regulations.gov, Docket
                                           contribution to drinking water. For                     the conazoles. Although conazoles act                 Identification (ID) Number EPA–HQ–
                                           chronic dietary risk assessment, the                    similarly in plants by inhibiting                     OPP–2005–0497.
                                           water concentration of value 43.9 ppb                   ergosterol biosynthesis, there is not                    An updated dietary exposure and risk
                                           was used to assess the contribution to                  necessarily a relationship between their              analysis for the common triazole
                                           drinking water.                                         pesticidal activity and their mechanism               metabolites 1,2,4-triazole (T),
                                              3. From non-dietary exposure. The                    of toxicity in mammals. Structural                    triazolylalanine (TA), triazolylacetic
                                           term ‘‘residential exposure’’ is used in                similarities do not constitute a common               acid (TAA), and triazolylpyruvic acid
                                           this document to refer to non-                          mechanism of toxicity. Evidence is                    (TP) was conducted in October 2013, in
                                           occupational, non-dietary exposure                      needed to establish that the chemicals                association with a registration request
                                           (e.g., for lawn and garden pest control,                operate by the same, or essentially the               for several other triazole fungicides.
                                           indoor pest control, termiticides, and                  same, sequence of major biochemical                   That analysis concluded that risk
                                           flea and tick control on pets).                         events (EPA, 2002). In conazoles,                     estimates were below the Agency’s level
                                              Metconazole is currently registered                  however, a variable pattern of                        of concern for all population groups.
                                           for the following uses that could result                toxicological responses is found; some                The proposed new uses of metconazole
                                           in residential exposures: Turf and                      are hepatotoxic and hepatocarcinogenic                did not result in an increase in the
                                           ornamentals. EPA assessed residential                   in mice. Some induce thyroid tumors in                dietary exposure estimates for free
                                           exposure using the following                            rats. Some induce developmental,                      triazole or conjugated triazoles.
                                           assumptions: For residential handler                    reproductive, and neurological effects in             Therefore, this last dietary exposure
                                           exposure, the Agency assumed that                       rodents. Furthermore, the conazoles                   analysis for free triazole or conjugated
                                           residential use will result in short-term               produce a diverse range of biochemical                triazoles did not need to be updated. A
                                           (1–30 days) dermal and inhalation                       events, including altered cholesterol                 copy of this assessment may be found in
                                           exposures. Because there was no dermal                  levels, stress responses, and altered                 the docket for this action at http://
                                           endpoint chosen for metconazole,                        DNA methylation. It is not clearly                    www.regulations.gov.
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                                           residential handler risk from exposure                  understood whether these biochemical
                                           to metconazole was assessed for the                     events are directly connected to their                D. Safety Factor for Infants and
                                           inhalation route only.                                  toxicological outcomes. Thus, there is                Children
                                              The Agency assumed that post-                        currently no conclusive data to indicate                1. In general. Section 408(b)(2)(C) of
                                           application exposure in residential                     that conazoles share common                           FFDCA provides that EPA shall apply
                                           settings is short-term in duration only.                mechanisms of toxicity and EPA is not                 an additional tenfold (10X) margin of


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                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 103 / Friday, May 29, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                         30623

                                           safety for infants and children in the                  acute dietary risk assessment for the                 and water with short-term residential
                                           case of threshold effects to account for                sensitive population.                                 exposures to metconazole.
                                           prenatal and postnatal toxicity and the                    iv. There are no residual uncertainties               Using the exposure assumptions
                                           completeness of the database on toxicity                identified in the exposure databases.                 described in this unit for short-term
                                           and exposure unless EPA determines                      The dietary food exposure assessments                 exposures, EPA has concluded the
                                           based on reliable data that a different                 were performed based on 100 PCT and                   combined short-term food, water, and
                                           margin of safety will be safe for infants               tolerance-level residues for most crops.              residential exposures result in an
                                           and children. This additional margin of                 For cereal grains and livestock                       aggregate MOEs of 630 for children 1 to
                                           safety is commonly referred to as the                   commodities, maximum residue levels                   <2 years old, which is not of concern.
                                           FQPA Safety Factor (SF). In applying                    of metabolites from field trials were                 For adults, oral dietary and inhalation
                                           this provision, EPA either retains the                  added to the metconazole tolerance                    risk estimates were combined using the
                                           default value of 10X, or uses a different               levels. EPA made conservative                         total aggregated risk index (ARI)
                                           additional safety factor when reliable                  (protective) assumptions in the ground                methodology since the levels of concern
                                           data available to EPA support the choice                and surface water modeling used to                    (LOC) for oral dietary exposure (LOC =
                                           of a different factor.                                  assess exposure to metconazole in                     100) and inhalation exposure (LOC =
                                              2. Prenatal and postnatal sensitivity.               drinking water. EPA used similarly                    1,000) are different. The short-term
                                           For analyzing the developmental and                     conservative assumptions to assess post               aggregate ARI for adults is 5.3, which is
                                           reproductive impact and toxicity of                     application exposure of children as well              greater than 1 and is therefore not of
                                           metconazole, two developmental                          as incidental oral exposure of children               concern.
                                           studies in the rat, two developmental                   1 to <2 years old. These assessments                     4. Intermediate-term risk.
                                           studies in the rabbit, and one multi-                   will not underestimate the exposure and               Intermediate-term aggregate exposure
                                           generation reproduction study were                      risks posed by metconazole.                           takes into account intermediate-term
                                           used. There was evidence of                                                                                   residential exposure plus chronic
                                                                                                   E. Aggregate Risks and Determination of
                                           quantitative susceptibility in one                                                                            exposure to food and water (considered
                                                                                                   Safety
                                           developmental rat study, but not in the                                                                       to be a background exposure level). An
                                           four other studies. Concern is for                         EPA determines whether acute and                   intermediate-term adverse effect was
                                           susceptibility low since susceptibility                 chronic dietary pesticide exposures are               identified; however, metconazole is not
                                           was not corroborated by the other                       safe by comparing aggregate exposure                  registered for any use patterns that
                                           studies; concern is low also because the                estimates to the acute PAD (aPAD) and                 would result in intermediate-term
                                           NOAELs are well defined, and the dose/                  chronic PAD (cPAD). For linear cancer                 residential exposure. Intermediate-term
                                           endpoint is used for acute dietary risk                 risks, EPA calculates the lifetime
                                                                                                                                                         risk is assessed based on intermediate-
                                           assessment for the sensitive population.                probability of acquiring cancer given the
                                                                                                                                                         term residential exposure plus chronic
                                              3. Conclusion. EPA has determined                    estimated aggregate exposure. Short-,
                                                                                                                                                         dietary exposure. Because there is no
                                           that reliable data show the safety of                   intermediate-, and chronic-term risks
                                                                                                                                                         intermediate-term residential exposure
                                           infants and children would be                           are evaluated by comparing the
                                                                                                                                                         and chronic dietary exposure has
                                           adequately protected if the FQPA SF                     estimated aggregate food, water, and
                                                                                                                                                         already been assessed under the
                                           were reduced to 1x, except for                          residential exposure to the appropriate
                                                                                                                                                         appropriately protective cPAD (which is
                                           inhalation exposure scenarios for which                 PODs to ensure that an adequate MOE
                                                                                                                                                         at least as protective as the POD used to
                                           the Agency is retaining the 10X. That                   exists.
                                                                                                      1. Acute risk. Using the exposure                  assess intermediate-term risk), no
                                           decision is based on the following                                                                            further assessment of intermediate-term
                                           findings:                                               assumptions discussed in this unit for
                                                                                                   acute exposure, the acute dietary                     risk is necessary, and EPA relies on the
                                              i. The toxicity database for
                                                                                                   exposure from food and water to                       chronic dietary risk assessment for
                                           metconazole is complete, except for the
                                                                                                   metconazole will occupy 4.6% of the                   evaluating intermediate-term risk for
                                           subchronic inhalation study. A 10x
                                                                                                   aPAD for females 13 to 49 years old, the              metconazole.
                                           uncertainty factor has been retained for
                                                                                                                                                            5. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S.
                                           purposes of determining the inhalation                  only population subgroup of potential
                                                                                                                                                         population. As discussed in Unit III.A.,
                                           endpoint to account for the absence of                  concern.
                                                                                                      2. Chronic risk. Using the exposure                metconazole is not expected to pose a
                                           this data. However, only adult handlers
                                                                                                   assumptions described in this unit for                cancer risk to humans.
                                           are expected to be exposed via the
                                                                                                   chronic exposure, EPA has concluded                      6. Determination of safety. Based on
                                           inhalation route.
                                              ii. There is no indication that                      that chronic exposure to metconazole                  these risk assessments, EPA concludes
                                           metconazole is a neurotoxic chemical                    from food and water will utilize 14% of               that there is a reasonable certainty that
                                           and there is no need for a                              the cPAD for children 1–2 years old the               no harm will result to the general
                                           developmental neurotoxicity study or                    population group receiving the greatest               population, or to infants and children
                                           additional UFs to account for                           exposure. Based on the explanation in                 from aggregate exposure to metconazole
                                           neurotoxicity.                                          Unit III.C.3., regarding residential use              residues.
                                              iii. Although one developmental rat                  patterns, chronic residential exposure to             IV. Other Considerations
                                           study showed indications of                             residues of metconazole is not expected.
                                           quantitative susceptibility, EPA has                       3. Short-term risk. Short-term                     A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
                                           determined that additional safety factors               aggregate exposure takes into account                    Adequate enforcement methodology
                                           are not necessary to account for any                    short-term residential exposure plus                  (Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Detection (GC/
                                           potential risk because that susceptibility              chronic exposure to food and water                    NPD) method, Valent Method RM–41C–
                                           was not corroborated by the other                       (considered to be a background                        1–1) is available to enforce the tolerance
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                                           developmental and reproduction studies                  exposure level). Metconazole is                       expression.
                                           and the developmental NOAEL for the                     currently registered for uses that could                 The method may be requested from:
                                           study that showed quantitative                          result in short-term residential                      Chief, Analytical Chemistry Branch,
                                           susceptibility is well defined. Moreover,               exposure, and the Agency has                          Environmental Science Center, 701
                                           the dose/endpoint identified in the rat                 determined that it is appropriate to                  Mapes Rd., Ft. Meade, MD 20755–5350;
                                           developmental study is being used for                   aggregate chronic exposure through food               telephone number: (410) 305–2905;


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                                           30624                Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 103 / Friday, May 29, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                           email address: residuemethods@                          potential carcinogenicity, of the                     April 23, 1997). This action does not
                                           epa.gov.                                                pesticide and all anticipated dietary                 contain any information collections
                                                                                                   exposures and all other exposures for                 subject to OMB approval under the
                                           B. International Residue Limits
                                                                                                   which there is reliable information. EPA              Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44
                                              In making its tolerance decisions, EPA               also gives special consideration to the               U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), nor does it require
                                           seeks to harmonize U.S. tolerances with                 potential susceptibility and exposures of             any special considerations under
                                           international standards whenever                        infants and children to the pesticide                 Executive Order 12898, entitled
                                           possible, consistent with U.S. food                     chemical residue when making this                     ‘‘Federal Actions to Address
                                           safety standards and agricultural                       determination. For metconazole, the                   Environmental Justice in Minority
                                           practices. EPA considers the                            Agency has considered all the available               Populations and Low-Income
                                           international maximum residue limits                    data, including all available data                    Populations’’ (59 FR 7629, February 16,
                                           (MRLs) established by the Codex                         concerning the potential for                          1994).
                                           Alimentarius Commission (Codex), as                     carcinogenicity of metconazole and its                   Since tolerances and exemptions that
                                           required by FFDCA section 408(b)(4).                    metabolites, and concluded after                      are established on the basis of a petition
                                           The Codex Alimentarius is a joint                       conducting a risk assessment, that there              under FFDCA section 408(d), such as
                                           United Nations Food and Agriculture                     is a reasonable certainty that no harm                the tolerances in this final rule, do not
                                           Organization/World Health                               will result from aggregate human                      require the issuance of a proposed rule,
                                           Organization food standards program,                    exposure to metconazole and that,                     the requirements of the Regulatory
                                           and it is recognized as an international                accordingly, the metconazole tolerances               Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601 et
                                           food safety standards-setting                           are safe.                                             seq.), do not apply.
                                           organization in trade agreements to                                                                              This action directly regulates growers,
                                           which the United States is a party. EPA                 D. Revisions to Petitioned-For                        food processors, food handlers, and food
                                           may establish a tolerance that is                       Tolerances                                            retailers, not States or tribes, nor does
                                           different from a Codex MRL; however,                      The petitioner requested a tolerance                this action alter the relationships or
                                           FFDCA section 408(b)(4) requires that                   on the sunflower subgroup 20B at 0.9                  distribution of power and
                                           EPA explain the reasons for departing                   ppm. EPA is establishing a tolerance for              responsibilities established by Congress
                                           from the Codex level.                                   that subgroup at 0.7 ppm based on the                 in the preemption provisions of FFDCA
                                              The Codex has not established a MRL                  Organisation for Economic Co-operation                section 408(n)(4). As such, the Agency
                                           for metconazole.                                        and Development (OECD) tolerance                      has determined that this action will not
                                           C. Response to Comments                                 calculation procedures.                               have a substantial direct effect on States
                                                                                                                                                         or tribal governments, on the
                                              EPA received two comments to the                     V. Conclusion
                                                                                                                                                         relationship between the national
                                           Notice of Filling. One comment                             Therefore, tolerances are established              government and the States or tribal
                                           concerned a chemical other than                         for residues of metconazole, 5-[(4-                   governments, or on the distribution of
                                           metconazole and therefore is not                        chlorophenyl)-methyl]-2,-2-dimethyl-1-                power and responsibilities among the
                                           relevant to this action. The other was a                (1H–1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)-                        various levels of government or between
                                           request to reconsider ‘‘loosening                       cyclopentanol, in or on fruit, stone,                 the Federal Government and Indian
                                           tolerances’’ for several pesticide                      group 12–12 at 0.2 ppm; nut, tree, group              tribes. Thus, the Agency has determined
                                           petitions, including for metconazole.                   14–12 at 0.04 ppm; pea and bean, dried                that Executive Order 13132, entitled
                                           The commenter points to an American                     shelled, except soybean, subgroup 6C at               ‘‘Federalism’’ (64 FR 43255, August 10,
                                           Academy of Pediatrics Policy statement                  0.15 ppm; rapeseed subgroup 20A at                    1999) and Executive Order 13175,
                                           regarding pesticide exposure in                         0.08 ppm; and sunflower subgroup 20B                  entitled ‘‘Consultation and Coordination
                                           children, a Centers for Disease Control                 at 0.7 ppm. Additionally, the existing                with Indian Tribal Governments’’ (65 FR
                                           and Prevention report on human                          tolerances for canola seed; fruit, stone,             67249, November 9, 2000) do not apply
                                           exposure to environmental chemicals,                    group 12; nut, tree, group 14; and                    to this action. In addition, this action
                                           and a President’s Cancer Panel                          pistachio are being removed since they                does not impose any enforceable duty or
                                           regarding reducing environmental                        are superseded by this action.                        contain any unfunded mandate as
                                           cancer risks in supporting the request to                                                                     described under Title II of the Unfunded
                                           reconsider the tolerance amendments                     VI. Statutory and Executive Order
                                                                                                   Reviews                                               Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) (2 U.S.C.
                                           proposed for metconazole.                                                                                     1501 et seq.).
                                              The Agency understands the                             This action establishes tolerances                     This action does not involve any
                                           commenter’s concerns and recognizes                     under FFDCA section 408(d) in                         technical standards that would require
                                           that some individuals believe that                      response to a petition submitted to the               Agency consideration of voluntary
                                           certain pesticide chemicals should not                  Agency. The Office of Management and                  consensus standards pursuant to section
                                           be permitted in our food, or that                       Budget (OMB) has exempted these types                 12(d) of the National Technology
                                           pesticide tolerances should be                          of actions from review under Executive                Transfer and Advancement Act
                                           ‘‘significantly tightened’’ as the                      Order 12866, entitled ‘‘Regulatory                    (NTTAA) (15 U.S.C. 272 note).
                                           commenter notes. However, the existing                  Planning and Review’’ (58 FR 51735,
                                           legal framework provided by section                     October 4, 1993). Because this action                 VII. Congressional Review Act
                                           408 of the Federal Food, Drug and                       has been exempted from review under                     Pursuant to the Congressional Review
                                           Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) states that                        Executive Order 12866, this action is                 Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), EPA will
                                           tolerances may be set when EPA                          not subject to Executive Order 13211,                 submit a report containing this rule and
                                           determines that aggregate exposure to                   entitled ‘‘Actions Concerning                         other required information to the U.S.
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                                           that pesticide is safe, i.e., that there is             Regulations That Significantly Affect                 Senate, the U.S. House of
                                           a reasonable certainty that no harm will                Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use’’ (66             Representatives, and the Comptroller
                                           result from aggregate exposure to the                   FR 28355, May 22, 2001) or Executive                  General of the United States prior to
                                           pesticide chemical residue. When                        Order 13045, entitled ‘‘Protection of                 publication of the rule in the Federal
                                           making this determination, EPA                          Children from Environmental Health                    Register. This action is not a ‘‘major
                                           considers the toxicity, including any                   Risks and Safety Risks’’ (62 FR 19885,                rule’’ as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).


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                                                                       Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 103 / Friday, May 29, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                                30625

                                           List of Subjects in 40 CFR part 180                                     (b) Section 18 emergency exemptions.                I. General Information
                                                                                                                 [Reserved]
                                             Environmental protection,                                                                                                 A. Does this action apply to me?
                                           Administrative practice and procedure,                                *     *     *    *    *
                                                                                                                 [FR Doc. 2015–12936 Filed 5–28–15; 8:45 am]              You may be potentially affected by
                                           Agricultural commodities, Pesticides                                                                                        this action if you are an agricultural
                                                                                                                 BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
                                           and pests, Reporting and recordkeeping                                                                                      producer, food manufacturer, or
                                           requirements.                                                                                                               pesticide manufacturer. The following
                                              Dated: May 19, 2015.                                               ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION                              list of North American Industrial
                                           Daniel J. Rosenblatt,                                                 AGENCY                                                Classification System (NAICS) codes is
                                           Acting Director, Registration Division, Office                                                                              not intended to be exhaustive, but rather
                                           of Pesticide Programs.                                                40 CFR Part 180                                       provides a guide to help readers
                                                                                                                                                                       determine whether this document
                                             Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is                                                                                            applies to them. Potentially affected
                                                                                                                 [EPA–HQ–OPP–2014–0303; FRL–9927–75]
                                           amended as follows:                                                                                                         entities may include:
                                                                                                                 Mesotrione; Pesticide Tolerances                         • Crop production (NAICS code 111).
                                           PART 180—[AMENDED]                                                                                                             • Animal production (NAICS code
                                                                                                                 AGENCY: Environmental Protection                      112).
                                           ■ 1. The authority citation for part 180                              Agency (EPA).                                            • Food manufacturing (NAICS code
                                           continues to read as follows:                                                                                               311).
                                                                                                                 ACTION:   Final rule.
                                               Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.                                                                                 • Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS
                                                                                                                                                                       code 32532).
                                           ■  2. In § 180.617:                                                   SUMMARY:  This regulation establishes
                                                                                                                 tolerances for residues of mesotrione in              B. How can I get electronic access to
                                           ■ a. Remove the entries in the table in
                                                                                                                 or on almond, hulls, fruit, citrus, group             other related information?
                                           paragraph (a) for ‘‘Canola seed,’’ ‘‘Fruit,
                                                                                                                 10–10; fruit, pome, group 11–10; fruit,                 You may access a frequently updated
                                           stone, group 12,’’ ‘‘Nut, tree, group 14,’’
                                                                                                                 stone, group 12–12; and nut, tree, group              electronic version of EPA’s tolerance
                                           and ‘‘Pistachio;’’
                                                                                                                 14–12. Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC                  regulations at 40 CFR part 180 through
                                           ■ b. Add alphabetically the entries for                               requested these tolerances under the
                                           ‘‘Fruit, stone, group 12–12’’, ‘‘Nut, tree,                                                                                 the Government Publishing Office’s e-
                                                                                                                 Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act                  CFR site at http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/
                                           group 14–12’’, ‘‘Pea and bean, dried                                  (FFDCA).
                                           shelled, except soybean, subgroup 6C’’,                                                                                     text-idx?&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/
                                           ‘‘Rapeseed subgroup 20A’’, and                                        DATES:  This regulation is effective May              Title40/40tab_02.tpl.
                                           ‘‘Sunflower subgroup 20B’’ to the table                               29, 2015. Objections and requests for                 C. How can I file an objection or hearing
                                           in paragraph (a).                                                     hearings must be received on or before                request?
                                           ■ c. Revise paragraph (b).
                                                                                                                 July 28, 2015, and must be filed in
                                                                                                                 accordance with the instructions                        Under FFDCA section 408(g), 21
                                              The additions and revision read as                                 provided in 40 CFR part 178 (see also                 U.S.C. 346a, any person may file an
                                           follows:                                                              Unit I.C. of the SUPPLEMENTARY                        objection to any aspect of this regulation
                                                                                                                 INFORMATION).
                                                                                                                                                                       and may also request a hearing on those
                                           § 180.617 Metconazole; tolerance for                                                                                        objections. You must file your objection
                                           residues.
                                                                                                                 ADDRESSES:    The docket for this action,             or request a hearing on this regulation
                                               (a) * * *                                                         identified by docket identification (ID)              in accordance with the instructions
                                                                                                                 number EPA–HQ–OPP–2014–0303, is                       provided in 40 CFR part 178. To ensure
                                                                                               Parts per         available at http://www.regulations.gov               proper receipt by EPA, you must
                                                         Commodity                              million                                                                identify docket ID number EPA–HQ–
                                                                                                                 or at the Office of Pesticide Programs
                                                                                                                 Regulatory Public Docket (OPP Docket)                 OPP–2014–0303 in the subject line on
                                              *          *        *          *                          *        in the Environmental Protection Agency                the first page of your submission. All
                                           Fruit, stone, group 12–12 .......                            0.2      Docket Center (EPA/DC), West William                  objections and requests for a hearing
                                                                                                                 Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 3334, 1301               must be in writing, and must be
                                                *             *             *              *            *        Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC                 received by the Hearing Clerk on or
                                                                                                                 20460–0001. The Public Reading Room                   before July 28, 2015. Addresses for mail
                                           Nut, tree, group 14–12 ...........                           0.04     is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,                  and hand delivery of objections and
                                                                                                                 Monday through Friday, excluding legal                hearing requests are provided in 40 CFR
                                                *             *             *              *            *        holidays. The telephone number for the                178.25(b).
                                                                                                                 Public Reading Room is (202) 566–1744,                  In addition to filing an objection or
                                           Pea and bean, dried shelled,                                          and the telephone number for the OPP                  hearing request with the Hearing Clerk
                                             except soybean, subgroup                                            Docket is (703) 305–5805. Please review               as described in 40 CFR part 178, please
                                             6C ........................................                0.15     the visitor instructions and additional               submit a copy of the filing (excluding
                                                                                                                 information about the docket available                any Confidential Business Information
                                                                                                                 at http://www.epa.gov/dockets.                        (CBI)) for inclusion in the public docket.
                                                *             *             *              *            *
                                                                                                                                                                       Information not marked confidential
                                                                                                                 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                           Rapeseed subgroup 20A ........                               0.08                                                           pursuant to 40 CFR part 2 may be
                                                                                                                 Susan Lewis, Registration Division
                                                                                                                                                                       disclosed publicly by EPA without prior
                                                                                                                 (7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs,
                                                                                                                                                                       notice. Submit the non-CBI copy of your
Lhorne on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                                                                                                 Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
                                                *             *             *              *            *                                                              objection or hearing request, identified
                                                                                                                 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington,
                                                                                                                                                                       by docket ID number EPA–HQ–OPP–
                                           Sunflower subgroup 20B ........                              0.7      DC 20460–0001; main telephone
                                                                                                                                                                       2014–0303, by one of the following
                                                                                                                 number: (703) 305–7090; email address:
                                                                                                                                                                       methods:
                                                                                                                 RDFRNotices@epa.gov.                                    • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://
                                                *             *             *              *            *
                                                                                                                 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                            www.regulations.gov. Follow the online


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Document Created: 2015-12-15 15:31:16
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 15:31:16
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionFinal rule.
DatesThis regulation is effective May 29, 2015. Objections and requests for hearings must be received on or before July 28, 2015, and must be filed in accordance with the instructions provided in 40 CFR part 178 (see also Unit I.C. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION).
ContactSusan Lewis, Registration Division (7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; main telephone
FR Citation80 FR 30619 
CFR AssociatedEnvironmental Protection; Administrative Practice and Procedure; Agricultural Commodities; Pesticides and Pests and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements

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