80_FR_32142 80 FR 32034 - Aluminum Sulfate; Exemption From the Requirement of a Tolerance

80 FR 32034 - Aluminum Sulfate; Exemption From the Requirement of a Tolerance

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 108 (June 5, 2015)

Page Range32034-32038
FR Document2015-13821

This regulation establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of aluminum sulfate (CAS Reg. No. 10043-01- 3) under 40 CFR 180.940(a). This regulation eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of aluminum sulfate.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 108 (Friday, June 5, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 108 (Friday, June 5, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32034-32038]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-13821]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 180

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2012-0207; FRL-9927-66]


Aluminum Sulfate; Exemption From the Requirement of a Tolerance

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This regulation establishes an exemption from the requirement 
of a tolerance for residues of aluminum sulfate (CAS Reg. No. 10043-01-
3) under 40 CFR 180.940(a). This regulation eliminates the need to 
establish a maximum permissible level for residues of aluminum sulfate.

DATES: This regulation is effective June 5, 2015. Objections and 
requests for hearings must be received on or before August 4, 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-2012-0207, 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 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. To access the OCSPP test guidelines referenced in this 
document electronically, please go to http://www.epa.gov/ocspp and 
select ``Test Methods and Guidelines.''

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

    Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (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-
2012-0207 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 August 4, 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-2012-0207, 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. Background and Statutory Findings

    In the Federal Register of May 2, 2012, (77 FR 25954) (FRL-9346-1), 
EPA issued a document pursuant to FFDCA section 408(d)(3), 21 U.S.C. 
346a(d)(3), announcing the filing of a pesticide tolerance petition (PP 
1E7933) by Exponent Inc., 1150 Connecticut Ave. NW., Suite 1100, 
Washington, DC 20036, on behalf of Ecolab, Inc., 370 N. Wabasha Street, 
St. Paul, MN 55102. The petition requested that 40 CFR part 180.940(a) 
be amended by establishing an exemption from the requirement of a 
tolerance for residues of aluminum sulfate for use as an inert 
ingredient in antimicrobial pesticide formulations applied to food-
contact surfaces in public eating places, dairy-processing equipment, 
and food-processing equipment and utensils at a maximum end use 
concentration not to exceed 50 parts per million (ppm). That document 
referenced a summary of the petition prepared by the petitioner 
Exponent,

[[Page 32035]]

Inc., which is available in the docket, http://www.regulations.gov. 
There were no comments received in response to the notice of filing.
    Section 408(c)(2)(A)(i) of FFDCA allows EPA to establish an 
exemption from the requirement for a tolerance (the legal limit for a 
pesticide chemical residue in or on a food) only if EPA determines that 
the exemption is ``safe.'' Section 408(c)(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. Pursuant to FFDCA section 408(c)(2)(B), in 
establishing or maintaining in effect an exemption from the requirement 
of a tolerance, EPA must take into account the factors set forth in 
FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(C), which 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. . . 
.''
    EPA performs a number of analyses to determine the risks from 
aggregate exposure to pesticide residues. First, EPA determines the 
toxicity of pesticides. Second, EPA examines exposure to the pesticide 
through food, drinking water, and through other exposures that occur as 
a result of pesticide use in residential settings.

III. Toxicological Profile

    Consistent with FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(D), EPA has reviewed the 
available scientific data and other relevant information in support of 
this action and considered its validity, completeness and reliability 
and the relationship of this information 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. The nature of the toxic effects caused by 
aluminum sulfate is discussed in this unit.
    The acute oral toxicity of aluminum sulfate is low. The acute oral 
lethal dose (LD)50 in male rats is >5,000 milligram/kilogram 
(mg/kg). No acute dermal or inhalation toxicity studies are available 
on aluminum sulfate. It is not a dermal irritant and is minimally 
irritating to the eyes. No skin sensitization studies are available.
    The points of departure (PODs) used for the chronic and short-term 
risk assessments for aluminum sulfate were based on an Organization for 
Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Guideline 416, 2-generation 
rat oral reproduction study with aluminum sulfate (equivalent to OCSPP 
Harmonized Test Guideline 870.3800) in which the lowest-observed-
adverse-effect level (LOAEL) was 188 milligram/kilogram/day (mg/kg/day) 
(equivalent to 37 mg aluminum (Al)/kg/day) based on decreased body 
weight from pups and parents and delay in vaginal opening. The no-
observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) was 41 mg/kg/day aluminum sulfate 
(equivalent to 8.06 mg Al/kg/day.
    Apart from the 2-generation rat oral reproduction study described 
above, limited data are available on aluminum sulfate. However, since 
ingested aluminum sulfate will readily dissociate in the stomach to 
aluminum (as will many other aluminum compounds), toxicology data on 
aluminum compounds as well as aluminum sulfate are considered in 
determining the acceptability and completeness of the toxicological 
data relevant to aluminum sulfate.
    Aluminum compounds have been evaluated by the Agency for Toxic 
Substances and Disease Registry (ASTDR, 2008) and as part of the 
toxicological profile of aluminum, ASTDR notes that ``There is a rather 
extensive database on the oral toxicity of aluminum in animals. These 
studies clearly identify the nervous system as the most sensitive 
target of aluminum toxicity and most of the animal studies have focused 
on neurotoxicity and neurodevelopmental toxicity. Other adverse effects 
that have been observed in animals orally exposed to aluminum include 
impaired erythropoiesis in rats exposed to 230 mg Al/kg/day and higher; 
erythrocyte damage (as evidenced by decreases in hemoglobin, 
hematocrit, and erythrocyte osmotic fragility, and altered erythrocyte 
morphology) in rats exposed to 230 mg Al/kg/day and higher; increased 
susceptibility to infection in mouse dams exposed to 155 mg Al/kg/day; 
delays in pup maturation following exposure of rats to 53 mg Al/kg/day; 
and decreases in pup body weight gain in rats and mice exposed to 103 
mg Al/kg/day and higher. Oral studies in rats and mice have not found 
significant histopathological changes in the brain under typical 
exposure conditions; however, altered myelination was found in the 
spinal cord of mouse pups exposed to 330 mg Al/kg/day on gestation day 
1 through postnatal day 35. Overt signs of neurotoxicity are rarely 
reported at the doses tested in the available animal studies (<=330mg 
Al/kg/day for bioavailable aluminum compounds); rather, exposure to 
these doses is associated with subtle neurological effects detected 
with neurobehavioral performance tests. Significant alterations in 
motor function, sensory function, and cognitive function have been 
detected following exposure to adult or weanling rats and mice or 
following gestation and/or lactation exposure of rats and mice to 
aluminum lactate, aluminum nitrate, and aluminum chloride. The most 
consistently affected performance tests were forelimb and/or hindlimb 
grip strength, spontaneous motor activity, thermal sensitivity, and 
startle responsiveness. Significant impairments in cognitive function 
have been observed in some studies, although this has not been found in 
other studies even at higher doses. Adverse neurological effects have 
been observed in rats and mice at doses of 100-200 mg Al/kg/day and 
neurodevelopmental effects have been observed in rats and mice at doses 
of 103-330 mg Al/kg/day.''
    There are no available carcinogenicity studies with aluminum 
sulfate; however, in a cancer study with aluminum potassium sulfate, 
there were no exposure-related increased incidences of tumors, other 
proliferative lesions, or non-neoplastic lesions in B6C3F1 mice that 
ingested <=979 mg Al/kg/day as aluminum potassium sulfate in the diet 
for 20 months. Based on this information, aluminum sulfate is not 
expected to be a carcinogen.
    Specific information on the studies received and the nature of the 
adverse effects caused by aluminum sulfate as well as the NOAEL and the 
LOAEL from the toxicity studies are discussed in ``Aluminum Sulfate: 
Human Health Risk Assessment and Ecological Effects Assessment for 
Proposed Exemption from the Requirement for a Tolerance When Used as an 
Inert Ingredient in Antimicrobial Pesticide Formulations Applied to 
Food-Contact Surfaces'' in docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2012-0267.

A. Toxicological Points of Departure/Levels of Concern

    Once a pesticide's toxicological profile is determined, EPA 
identifies toxicological 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

[[Page 32036]]

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 the NOAEL and the 
LOAEL are identified. 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 RfD--and a safe 
margin of exposure (MOE). For non-threshold risks, the Agency assumes 
that any amount of exposure will lead to some degree of risk. Thus, the 
Agency estimates risk in terms of the probability of an occurrence of 
the adverse effect expected in a lifetime. For more information on the 
general principles EPA uses in risk characterization and a complete 
description of the risk assessment process, see http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/riskassess.htm.
    A summary of the toxicological endpoints for aluminum sulfate used 
for human risk assessment is discussed below:
    Acute Dietary Endpoint. No appropriate endpoint was identified from 
any of the aluminum sulfate studies in the database, including 
developmental toxicity studies in the rat. Consequently, EPA determined 
that there was no basis for selecting a dose and endpoint for an acute 
POD for the general population or females 13-49 years old.
    Chronic Dietary Endpoint. A 2-generation reproduction study of 
aluminum sulfate in rats was considered critical in establishing the 
POD for chronic dietary risk assessment. The study supports a NOAEL of 
41 mg/kg/day and a LOAEL of 188 mg/kg/day for decreased body weight in 
parents and pups and a delay in vaginal opening and should be used as 
the POD for all durations and exposure scenarios. An uncertainty factor 
(UF) of 100X (10X for interspecies extrapolation and 10X for 
intraspecies variation) is applied to obtain a chronic reference dose 
(cRfD) of 0.41 mg/kg/day. The Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) factor 
is reduced to 1X. The chronic population adjusted dose (cPAD) is 0.41 
mg/kg/day. This cPAD is protective of potential neurotoxicological 
effects of aluminum compounds.

B. Exposure Assessment

    1. Dietary exposure from food and feed uses. Exposures to aluminum 
sulfate can occur following ingestion of foods with residues from food-
contact surface sanitizing solutions for public eating places, treated 
dairy- and food-processing equipment and utensils as well as pre-
harvest crop uses. In evaluating dietary exposure to aluminum sulfate, 
EPA considered exposure under the requested exemption from the 
requirement of a tolerance as well as exposures from existing uses of 
aluminum sulfate under the extant exemption from the requirement of a 
tolerance under 40 CFR 180.920. EPA assessed dietary exposures from 
aluminum sulfate in food as follows:
    i. Acute exposure. Quantitative acute dietary exposure and risk 
assessments are performed for a food-use pesticide chemical, 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 aluminum 
sulfate; therefore, a quantitative acute dietary exposure assessment is 
unnecessary.
    ii. Chronic exposure. The chronic dietary exposure assessment for 
this inert ingredient utilizes the Dietary Exposure Evaluation Model 
Food Commodity Intake Database (DEEM-FCID), Version 3.16, EPA, which 
includes food consumption information from the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture's National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, ``What 
We Eat In America'', (NHANES/WWEIA). This dietary survey was conducted 
from 2003 to 2008. In the absence of actual residue data, the inert 
ingredient evaluation is based on a highly conservative model that 
assumes that the residue level of the inert ingredient would be no 
higher than the highest established tolerance for an active ingredient 
on a given commodity. Implicit in this assumption is that there would 
be similar rates of degradation between the active and inert ingredient 
(if any) and that the concentration of inert ingredient in the 
scenarios leading to these highest of tolerances would be no higher 
than the concentration of the active ingredient. The model assumes 100 
percent crop treated (PCT) for all crops and that every food eaten by a 
person each day has tolerance-level residues. A complete description of 
the general approach taken to assess inert ingredient risks in the 
absence of residue data is contained in the memorandum entitled ``Alkyl 
Amines Polyalkoxylates (Cluster 4): Acute and Chronic Aggregate (Food 
and Drinking Water) Dietary Exposure and Risk Assessments for the 
Inerts'' (D361707, S. Piper, 2/25/09) and can be found at http://www.regulations.gov in docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0738.
    Additionally, a dietary exposure assessment of aluminum sulfate 
resulting from the requested use in antimicrobial food-contact surface 
sanitizing solutions was conservatively assumed that 100% of the diet 
results from food treated with food-contact surface sanitizers and that 
100% of the sanitizing solution is transferred into food. A highly 
conservative model based on FDA assumptions regarding transfer of food 
contact sanitizing solution residues to food is utilized.
    The dietary exposure values derived from both the conservative 
model used to estimate residues from application to growing crops are 
combined with the exposures estimated from the antimicrobial food-
contact sanitizer uses.
    iii Cancer. Based on the data summarized in Unit III.A., EPA has 
concluded that aluminum sulfate is not expected to pose a cancer risk 
to humans. Therefore, a dietary exposure assessment for the purpose of 
assessing cancer risk is unnecessary.
    2. Dietary exposure from drinking water. For the purpose of the 
screening level dietary risk assessment to support this request for an 
exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for aluminum sulfate, a 
conservative drinking water concentration value of 100 parts per 
billion (ppb) based on screening level modeling was used to assess the 
contribution to drinking water for the chronic dietary risk assessment 
of aluminum sulfate. This value was directly entered into the dietary 
exposure model.
    3. From non-dietary exposure. The term ``residential exposure'' is 
used in this document to refer to non-occupational, non-dietary 
exposure (e.g., textiles (clothing and diapers), carpets, swimming 
pools, and hard surface disinfection on walls, floors, tables).
    There are no registered pesticide products containing aluminum 
sulfate as an inert ingredient for any specific use patterns that would 
result in residential exposure.
    4. Cumulative effects from substances with a common mechanism of 
toxicity. Section 408(b)(2)(D)(v) of FFDCA requires that, when 
considering whether to establish, modify, or revoke a tolerance, the 
Agency consider ``available information'' concerning the cumulative 
effects of a particular pesticide's residues and ``other substances 
that have a common mechanism of toxicity.''
    EPA has not found aluminum sulfate to share a common mechanism of 
toxicity with any other substances, and aluminum sulfate does not 
appear to produce a toxic metabolite produced by other substances. For 
the purposes of this tolerance action, therefore, EPA has assumed that 
aluminum sulfate does not

[[Page 32037]]

have a common mechanism of toxicity with other substances. For 
information regarding EPA's efforts to determine which chemicals have a 
common mechanism of toxicity and to evaluate the cumulative effects of 
such chemicals, see EPA's Web site at http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/cumulative.

C. Safety Factor for Infants and Children

    1. In general. Section 408(b)(2)(C) of FFDCA provides that EPA 
shall apply an additional tenfold (10X) margin of safety for infants 
and children in the case of threshold effects to account for prenatal 
and postnatal toxicity and the completeness of the database on toxicity 
and exposure unless EPA determines based on reliable data that a 
different margin of safety will be safe for infants and children. This 
additional margin of safety is commonly referred to as the Food Quality 
Protection Act Safety Factor (FQPA 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. In a 2-generation 
reproduction toxicity study, there was no evidence of increased 
susceptibility of infants and children to aluminum sulfate. In this 
study, the offspring and parental toxicity NOAEL was 41 mg/kg/day based 
on decreased weight gain in offspring, decreased body weight in 
parental animals, and a delay in vaginal opening seen at the LOAEL of 
188 mg/kg/day.
    3. Conclusion. EPA has determined that reliable data show the 
safety of infants and children would be adequately protected if the 
FQPA SF were reduced to 1X. That decision is based on the following 
findings:
    i. The toxicity database for aluminum sulfate includes a 2-
generation reproduction study, as well as chronic/carcinogenicity 
studies, mutagenicity studies, neurotoxicity studies and developmental 
neurotoxicity studies on other related aluminum compounds. The Agency 
concludes that for this ingredient, the results of these studies 
provide a reliable basis for assessing the range of potential effects 
to infants and children, such that the Agency has determined that no 
additional data are necessary at this time to evaluate effects to 
infants and children.
    ii. There are available data on neurotoxicity and developmental 
neurotoxicity on aluminum compounds. The point of departure selected 
for risk assessment is based on a 2-generation rat reproductive 
toxicity study with aluminum sulfate, in which adverse effects were 
identified at dose levels below the dose levels at which neurotoxic 
effects or developmental neurotoxicological effects were observed and 
is therefore protective of those effects; no additional UFs are 
required to account for neurotoxicity.
    iii. There is no evidence of increased susceptibility due to pre-or 
post-natal exposure to aluminum in infants and children.
    iv. There are no residual uncertainties identified in the exposure 
databases. The dietary food exposure assessments were performed based 
on 100 PCT and residues equivalent to the highest established 
tolerance-level residues for every food commodity. EPA made 
conservative (protective) assumptions utilizing a 100 ppb default value 
in the ground and surface water modeling used to assess exposure to 
aluminum sulfate in drinking water. In addition, highly conservative 
assumptions were utilized in assessing exposures to aluminum sulfate 
resulting from the proposed use in food-contact surface antimicrobial 
pesticide formulations. These assessments will not underestimate the 
exposure and risks posed by aluminum sulfate.

D. 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 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. An acute aggregate risk assessment takes into 
account acute exposure estimates from dietary consumption of food and 
drinking water. No adverse effect resulting from a single oral exposure 
was identified, therefore, an acute dietary exposure assessment was not 
conducted.
    2. Chronic risk. Using the exposure assumptions described in this 
unit for chronic exposure, EPA has concluded that chronic exposure to 
aluminum sulfate from food and water will utilize 6.7% of the cPAD for 
children 1-2 years old, the population group receiving the greatest 
exposure.
    3. Short-term and intermediate-term risk. Short-term and 
intermediate-term aggregate exposure takes into account short-term 
residential exposure plus chronic exposure to food and water 
(considered to be a background exposure level). A short-term/
intermediate-term adverse effect was identified; however, aluminum 
sulfate is not used as inert ingredient in any pesticide product 
registered for any use patterns that would result in short-term or 
intermediate-term residential exposure. Because there is no short-term 
or 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 short-term 
risk), no further assessment of short-term risk is necessary, and EPA 
relies on the chronic dietary risk assessment for evaluating short-term 
risk for aluminum sulfate.
    4. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S. population. Based on the lack of 
evidence of carcinogenicity in a rodent carcinogenicity study with 
aluminum potassium sulfate, aluminum sulfate is not expected to pose a 
cancer risk to humans.
    5. 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 aluminum sulfate residues.

VII. Other Considerations

A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology

    An analytical method is not required for enforcement purposes since 
the Agency is establishing an exemption from the requirement of a 
tolerance without any numerical limitation. EPA is establishing a 
limitation on the amount of aluminum sulfate that may be used in food-
contact surface antimicrobial applications. That limitation will be 
enforced through the pesticide registration process under the Federal 
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), 7 U.S.C. 136 et 
seq. EPA will not register any food-contact surface antimicrobial 
applications for sale or distribution that contains greater than 50 ppm 
of aluminum sulfate by weight.

VIII. Conclusion

    Therefore, an exemption is established for residues of aluminum 
sulfate for use as an inert ingredient in antimicrobial pesticide 
formulations applied to food-contact surfaces in public eating places, 
dairy-processing equipment, and food-processing equipment and utensils 
at a maximum end use concentration not to exceed 50 ppm.

[[Page 32038]]

IX. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    This action establishes an exemption from the requirement of a 
tolerance 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 exemption 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).

X. Congressional Review Act

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

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180

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

    Dated: May 29, 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.  180.940, add alphabetically the following inert ingredient 
to the table in paragraph (a) to read as follows:


Sec.  180.940  Tolerance exemptions for active and inert ingredients 
for use in antimicrobial formulations (Food-contact surface sanitizing 
solutions).

* * * * *
    (a) * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Pesticide chemical          CAS Reg. No.           Limits
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              * * * * * * *
Aluminum sulfate...............      10043-01-3   When ready for use,
                                                   the end-use
                                                   concentration is not
                                                   to exceed 50 ppm.
 
                              * * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2015-13821 Filed 6-4-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P



                                                32034                   Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 108 / Friday, June 5, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                                     Pesticide chemical                 CAS Reg. No.                                                               Limits


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                                                n-Butyl benzoate .................        136–60–7          When ready for use, the end-use concentration is not to exceed 15,000 ppm.

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                                                *      *       *       *      *                           number: (703) 305–7090; email address:                        In addition to filing an objection or
                                                [FR Doc. 2015–13818 Filed 6–4–15; 8:45 am]                RDFRNotices@epa.gov.                                        hearing request with the Hearing Clerk
                                                BILLING CODE 6560–50–P                                    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                                  as described in 40 CFR part 178, please
                                                                                                                                                                      submit a copy of the filing (excluding
                                                                                                          I. General Information                                      any Confidential Business Information
                                                ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION                                  A. Does this action apply to me?                            (CBI)) for inclusion in the public docket.
                                                AGENCY                                                       You may be potentially affected by                       Information not marked confidential
                                                                                                          this action if you are an agricultural                      pursuant to 40 CFR part 2 may be
                                                40 CFR Part 180                                                                                                       disclosed publicly by EPA without prior
                                                                                                          producer, food manufacturer, or
                                                [EPA–HQ–OPP–2012–0207; FRL–9927–66]                       pesticide manufacturer. The following                       notice. Submit the non-CBI copy of your
                                                                                                          list of North American Industrial                           objection or hearing request, identified
                                                Aluminum Sulfate; Exemption From                          Classification System (NAICS) codes is                      by docket ID number EPA–HQ–OPP–
                                                the Requirement of a Tolerance                            not intended to be exhaustive, but rather                   2012–0207, by one of the following
                                                                                                          provides a guide to help readers                            methods:
                                                AGENCY:  Environmental Protection
                                                                                                          determine whether this document                               • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://
                                                Agency (EPA).                                                                                                         www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
                                                                                                          applies to them. Potentially affected
                                                ACTION: Final rule.
                                                                                                          entities may include:                                       instructions for submitting comments.
                                                                                                             • Crop production (NAICS code 111).                      Do not submit electronically any
                                                SUMMARY:   This regulation establishes an                    • Animal production (NAICS code                          information you consider to be CBI or
                                                exemption from the requirement of a                       112).                                                       other information whose disclosure is
                                                tolerance for residues of aluminum                           • Food manufacturing (NAICS code                         restricted by statute.
                                                sulfate (CAS Reg. No. 10043–01–3)                         311).                                                         • Mail: OPP Docket, Environmental
                                                under 40 CFR 180.940(a). This                                • Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS                         Protection Agency Docket Center (EPA/
                                                regulation eliminates the need to                         code 32532).                                                DC), (28221T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave.
                                                establish a maximum permissible level                                                                                 NW., Washington, DC 20460–0001.
                                                for residues of aluminum sulfate.                         B. How can I get electronic access to                         • Hand Delivery: To make special
                                                                                                          other related information?                                  arrangements for hand delivery or
                                                DATES: This regulation is effective June
                                                5, 2015. Objections and requests for                        You may access a frequently updated                       delivery of boxed information, please
                                                hearings must be received on or before                    electronic version of 40 CFR part 180                       follow the instructions at http://
                                                August 4, 2015, and must be filed in                      through the Government Publishing                           www.epa.gov/dockets/contacts.html.
                                                accordance with the instructions                          Office’s e-CFR site at http://                                Additional instructions on
                                                provided in 40 CFR part 178 (see also                     www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-                                  commenting or visiting the docket,
                                                Unit I.C. of the SUPPLEMENTARY                            idx?&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title40/                        along with more information about
                                                INFORMATION).                                             40tab_02.tpl. To access the OCSPP test                      dockets generally, is available at
                                                                                                          guidelines referenced in this document                      http://www.epa.gov/dockets.
                                                ADDRESSES: The docket for this action,
                                                                                                          electronically, please go to http://
                                                identified by docket identification (ID)                                                                              II. Background and Statutory Findings
                                                                                                          www.epa.gov/ocspp and select ‘‘Test
                                                number EPA–HQ–OPP–2012–0207, is                           Methods and Guidelines.’’                                      In the Federal Register of May 2,
                                                available at http://www.regulations.gov                                                                               2012, (77 FR 25954) (FRL–9346–1), EPA
                                                or at the Office of Pesticide Programs                    C. How can I file an objection or hearing                   issued a document pursuant to FFDCA
                                                Regulatory Public Docket (OPP Docket)                     request?                                                    section 408(d)(3), 21 U.S.C. 346a(d)(3),
                                                in the Environmental Protection Agency                      Under the Federal Food, Drug, and                         announcing the filing of a pesticide
                                                Docket Center (EPA/DC), West William                      Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) section 408(g),                        tolerance petition (PP 1E7933) by
                                                Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 3334, 1301                   21 U.S.C. 346a, any person may file an                      Exponent Inc., 1150 Connecticut Ave.
                                                Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC                     objection to any aspect of this regulation                  NW., Suite 1100, Washington, DC
                                                20460–0001. The Public Reading Room                       and may also request a hearing on those                     20036, on behalf of Ecolab, Inc., 370 N.
                                                is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,                      objections. You must file your objection                    Wabasha Street, St. Paul, MN 55102.
                                                Monday through Friday, excluding legal                    or request a hearing on this regulation                     The petition requested that 40 CFR part
                                                holidays. The telephone number for the                    in accordance with the instructions                         180.940(a) be amended by establishing
                                                Public Reading Room is (202) 566–1744,                    provided in 40 CFR part 178. To ensure                      an exemption from the requirement of a
                                                and the telephone number for the OPP                      proper receipt by EPA, you must                             tolerance for residues of aluminum
                                                Docket is (703) 305–5805. Please review                   identify docket ID number EPA–HQ–                           sulfate for use as an inert ingredient in
                                                the visitor instructions and additional                   OPP–2012–0207 in the subject line on                        antimicrobial pesticide formulations
                                                information about the docket available                    the first page of your submission. All                      applied to food-contact surfaces in
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                                                at http://www.epa.gov/dockets.                            objections and requests for a hearing                       public eating places, dairy-processing
                                                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                          must be in writing, and must be                             equipment, and food-processing
                                                Susan Lewis, Registration Division                        received by the Hearing Clerk on or                         equipment and utensils at a maximum
                                                (7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs,                    before August 4, 2015. Addresses for                        end use concentration not to exceed 50
                                                Environmental Protection Agency, 1200                     mail and hand delivery of objections                        parts per million (ppm). That document
                                                Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington,                        and hearing requests are provided in 40                     referenced a summary of the petition
                                                DC 20460–0001; main telephone                             CFR 178.25(b).                                              prepared by the petitioner Exponent,


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                                                                      Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 108 / Friday, June 5, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                         32035

                                                Inc., which is available in the docket,                 eyes. No skin sensitization studies are                exposed to 330 mg Al/kg/day on
                                                http://www.regulations.gov. There were                  available.                                             gestation day 1 through postnatal day
                                                no comments received in response to                        The points of departure (PODs) used                 35. Overt signs of neurotoxicity are
                                                the notice of filing.                                   for the chronic and short-term risk                    rarely reported at the doses tested in the
                                                   Section 408(c)(2)(A)(i) of FFDCA                     assessments for aluminum sulfate were                  available animal studies (≤330mg Al/kg/
                                                allows EPA to establish an exemption                    based on an Organization for Economic                  day for bioavailable aluminum
                                                from the requirement for a tolerance (the               Cooperation and Development (OECD)                     compounds); rather, exposure to these
                                                legal limit for a pesticide chemical                    Guideline 416, 2-generation rat oral                   doses is associated with subtle
                                                residue in or on a food) only if EPA                    reproduction study with aluminum                       neurological effects detected with
                                                determines that the exemption is ‘‘safe.’’              sulfate (equivalent to OCSPP                           neurobehavioral performance tests.
                                                Section 408(c)(2)(A)(ii) of FFDCA                       Harmonized Test Guideline 870.3800)                    Significant alterations in motor
                                                defines ‘‘safe’’ to mean that ‘‘there is a              in which the lowest-observed-adverse-                  function, sensory function, and
                                                reasonable certainty that no harm will                  effect level (LOAEL) was 188 milligram/                cognitive function have been detected
                                                result from aggregate exposure to the                   kilogram/day (mg/kg/day) (equivalent to                following exposure to adult or weanling
                                                pesticide chemical residue, including                   37 mg aluminum (Al)/kg/day) based on                   rats and mice or following gestation
                                                all anticipated dietary exposures and all               decreased body weight from pups and                    and/or lactation exposure of rats and
                                                other exposures for which there is                      parents and delay in vaginal opening.                  mice to aluminum lactate, aluminum
                                                reliable information.’’ This includes                   The no-observed-adverse-effect level                   nitrate, and aluminum chloride. The
                                                exposure through drinking water and in                  (NOAEL) was 41 mg/kg/day aluminum                      most consistently affected performance
                                                residential settings, but does not include              sulfate (equivalent to 8.06 mg Al/kg/                  tests were forelimb and/or hindlimb
                                                occupational exposure. Pursuant to                      day.                                                   grip strength, spontaneous motor
                                                FFDCA section 408(c)(2)(B), in                             Apart from the 2-generation rat oral                activity, thermal sensitivity, and startle
                                                establishing or maintaining in effect an                reproduction study described above,                    responsiveness. Significant impairments
                                                exemption from the requirement of a                     limited data are available on aluminum                 in cognitive function have been
                                                                                                        sulfate. However, since ingested                       observed in some studies, although this
                                                tolerance, EPA must take into account
                                                                                                        aluminum sulfate will readily dissociate               has not been found in other studies even
                                                the factors set forth in FFDCA section
                                                                                                        in the stomach to aluminum (as will                    at higher doses. Adverse neurological
                                                408(b)(2)(C), which requires EPA to give
                                                                                                        many other aluminum compounds),                        effects have been observed in rats and
                                                special consideration to exposure of
                                                                                                        toxicology data on aluminum                            mice at doses of 100–200 mg Al/kg/day
                                                infants and children to the pesticide
                                                                                                        compounds as well as aluminum sulfate                  and neurodevelopmental effects have
                                                chemical residue in establishing a
                                                                                                        are considered in determining the                      been observed in rats and mice at doses
                                                tolerance and to ‘‘ensure that there is a
                                                                                                        acceptability and completeness of the                  of 103–330 mg Al/kg/day.’’
                                                reasonable certainty that no harm will
                                                                                                        toxicological data relevant to aluminum                   There are no available carcinogenicity
                                                result to infants and children from
                                                                                                        sulfate.                                               studies with aluminum sulfate;
                                                aggregate exposure to the pesticide                        Aluminum compounds have been                        however, in a cancer study with
                                                chemical residue. . . .’’                               evaluated by the Agency for Toxic                      aluminum potassium sulfate, there were
                                                   EPA performs a number of analyses to                 Substances and Disease Registry                        no exposure-related increased
                                                determine the risks from aggregate                      (ASTDR, 2008) and as part of the                       incidences of tumors, other proliferative
                                                exposure to pesticide residues. First,                  toxicological profile of aluminum,                     lesions, or non-neoplastic lesions in
                                                EPA determines the toxicity of                          ASTDR notes that ‘‘There is a rather                   B6C3F1 mice that ingested ≤979 mg Al/
                                                pesticides. Second, EPA examines                        extensive database on the oral toxicity                kg/day as aluminum potassium sulfate
                                                exposure to the pesticide through food,                 of aluminum in animals. These studies                  in the diet for 20 months. Based on this
                                                drinking water, and through other                       clearly identify the nervous system as                 information, aluminum sulfate is not
                                                exposures that occur as a result of                     the most sensitive target of aluminum                  expected to be a carcinogen.
                                                pesticide use in residential settings.                  toxicity and most of the animal studies                   Specific information on the studies
                                                III. Toxicological Profile                              have focused on neurotoxicity and                      received and the nature of the adverse
                                                                                                        neurodevelopmental toxicity. Other                     effects caused by aluminum sulfate as
                                                   Consistent with FFDCA section                        adverse effects that have been observed                well as the NOAEL and the LOAEL from
                                                408(b)(2)(D), EPA has reviewed the                      in animals orally exposed to aluminum                  the toxicity studies are discussed in
                                                available scientific data and other                     include impaired erythropoiesis in rats                ‘‘Aluminum Sulfate: Human Health Risk
                                                relevant information in support of this                 exposed to 230 mg Al/kg/day and                        Assessment and Ecological Effects
                                                action and considered its validity,                     higher; erythrocyte damage (as                         Assessment for Proposed Exemption
                                                completeness and reliability and the                    evidenced by decreases in hemoglobin,                  from the Requirement for a Tolerance
                                                relationship of this information to                     hematocrit, and erythrocyte osmotic                    When Used as an Inert Ingredient in
                                                human risk. EPA has also considered                     fragility, and altered erythrocyte                     Antimicrobial Pesticide Formulations
                                                available information concerning the                    morphology) in rats exposed to 230 mg                  Applied to Food-Contact Surfaces’’ in
                                                variability of the sensitivities of major               Al/kg/day and higher; increased                        docket ID number EPA–HQ–OPP–2012–
                                                identifiable subgroups of consumers,                    susceptibility to infection in mouse                   0267.
                                                including infants and children. The                     dams exposed to 155 mg Al/kg/day;
                                                nature of the toxic effects caused by                   delays in pup maturation following                     A. Toxicological Points of Departure/
                                                aluminum sulfate is discussed in this                   exposure of rats to 53 mg Al/kg/day; and               Levels of Concern
                                                unit.                                                   decreases in pup body weight gain in                     Once a pesticide’s toxicological
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                                                   The acute oral toxicity of aluminum                  rats and mice exposed to 103 mg Al/kg/                 profile is determined, EPA identifies
                                                sulfate is low. The acute oral lethal dose              day and higher. Oral studies in rats and               toxicological POD and levels of concern
                                                (LD)50 in male rats is >5,000 milligram/                mice have not found significant                        to use in evaluating the risk posed by
                                                kilogram (mg/kg). No acute dermal or                    histopathological changes in the brain                 human exposure to the pesticide. For
                                                inhalation toxicity studies are available               under typical exposure conditions;                     hazards that have a threshold below
                                                on aluminum sulfate. It is not a dermal                 however, altered myelination was found                 which there is no appreciable risk, the
                                                irritant and is minimally irritating to the             in the spinal cord of mouse pups                       toxicological POD is used as the basis


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                                                32036                 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 108 / Friday, June 5, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                                for derivation of reference values for                  evaluating dietary exposure to                         sanitizing solutions was conservatively
                                                risk assessment. PODs are developed                     aluminum sulfate, EPA considered                       assumed that 100% of the diet results
                                                based on a careful analysis of the doses                exposure under the requested                           from food treated with food-contact
                                                in each toxicological study to determine                exemption from the requirement of a                    surface sanitizers and that 100% of the
                                                the dose at which the NOAEL and the                     tolerance as well as exposures from                    sanitizing solution is transferred into
                                                LOAEL are identified. Uncertainty/                      existing uses of aluminum sulfate under                food. A highly conservative model
                                                safety factors are used in conjunction                  the extant exemption from the                          based on FDA assumptions regarding
                                                with the POD to calculate a safe                        requirement of a tolerance under 40 CFR                transfer of food contact sanitizing
                                                exposure level—generally referred to as                 180.920. EPA assessed dietary                          solution residues to food is utilized.
                                                a population-adjusted dose (PAD) or a                   exposures from aluminum sulfate in                        The dietary exposure values derived
                                                RfD—and a safe margin of exposure                       food as follows:                                       from both the conservative model used
                                                (MOE). For non-threshold risks, the                        i. Acute exposure. Quantitative acute               to estimate residues from application to
                                                Agency assumes that any amount of                       dietary exposure and risk assessments                  growing crops are combined with the
                                                exposure will lead to some degree of                    are performed for a food-use pesticide                 exposures estimated from the
                                                risk. Thus, the Agency estimates risk in                chemical, if a toxicological study has                 antimicrobial food-contact sanitizer
                                                terms of the probability of an occurrence               indicated the possibility of an effect of              uses.
                                                of the adverse effect expected in a                     concern occurring as a result of a 1-day                  iii Cancer. Based on the data
                                                lifetime. For more information on the                   or single exposure. No such effects were               summarized in Unit III.A., EPA has
                                                general principles EPA uses in risk                     identified in the toxicological studies                concluded that aluminum sulfate is not
                                                characterization and a complete                         for aluminum sulfate; therefore, a                     expected to pose a cancer risk to
                                                description of the risk assessment                      quantitative acute dietary exposure                    humans. Therefore, a dietary exposure
                                                process, see http://www.epa.gov/                        assessment is unnecessary.                             assessment for the purpose of assessing
                                                pesticides/factsheets/riskassess.htm.                      ii. Chronic exposure. The chronic                   cancer risk is unnecessary.
                                                   A summary of the toxicological                       dietary exposure assessment for this                      2. Dietary exposure from drinking
                                                endpoints for aluminum sulfate used for                 inert ingredient utilizes the Dietary                  water. For the purpose of the screening
                                                human risk assessment is discussed                      Exposure Evaluation Model Food                         level dietary risk assessment to support
                                                below:                                                  Commodity Intake Database (DEEM–                       this request for an exemption from the
                                                   Acute Dietary Endpoint. No                           FCID), Version 3.16, EPA, which                        requirement of a tolerance for aluminum
                                                appropriate endpoint was identified                     includes food consumption information                  sulfate, a conservative drinking water
                                                from any of the aluminum sulfate                        from the U.S. Department of                            concentration value of 100 parts per
                                                studies in the database, including                      Agriculture’s National Health and                      billion (ppb) based on screening level
                                                developmental toxicity studies in the                   Nutrition Examination Survey, ‘‘What                   modeling was used to assess the
                                                rat. Consequently, EPA determined that                  We Eat In America’’, (NHANES/                          contribution to drinking water for the
                                                there was no basis for selecting a dose                 WWEIA). This dietary survey was                        chronic dietary risk assessment of
                                                and endpoint for an acute POD for the                   conducted from 2003 to 2008. In the                    aluminum sulfate. This value was
                                                general population or females 13–49                     absence of actual residue data, the inert              directly entered into the dietary
                                                years old.                                              ingredient evaluation is based on a                    exposure model.
                                                   Chronic Dietary Endpoint. A 2-                       highly conservative model that assumes                    3. From non-dietary exposure. The
                                                generation reproduction study of                        that the residue level of the inert                    term ‘‘residential exposure’’ is used in
                                                aluminum sulfate in rats was considered                 ingredient would be no higher than the                 this document to refer to non-
                                                critical in establishing the POD for                    highest established tolerance for an                   occupational, non-dietary exposure
                                                chronic dietary risk assessment. The                    active ingredient on a given commodity.                (e.g., textiles (clothing and diapers),
                                                study supports a NOAEL of 41 mg/kg/                     Implicit in this assumption is that there              carpets, swimming pools, and hard
                                                day and a LOAEL of 188 mg/kg/day for                    would be similar rates of degradation                  surface disinfection on walls, floors,
                                                decreased body weight in parents and                    between the active and inert ingredient                tables).
                                                pups and a delay in vaginal opening and                 (if any) and that the concentration of                    There are no registered pesticide
                                                should be used as the POD for all                       inert ingredient in the scenarios leading              products containing aluminum sulfate
                                                durations and exposure scenarios. An                    to these highest of tolerances would be                as an inert ingredient for any specific
                                                uncertainty factor (UF) of 100X (10X for                no higher than the concentration of the                use patterns that would result in
                                                interspecies extrapolation and 10X for                  active ingredient. The model assumes                   residential exposure.
                                                intraspecies variation) is applied to                   100 percent crop treated (PCT) for all                    4. Cumulative effects from substances
                                                obtain a chronic reference dose (cRfD) of               crops and that every food eaten by a                   with a common mechanism of toxicity.
                                                0.41 mg/kg/day. The Food Quality                        person each day has tolerance-level                    Section 408(b)(2)(D)(v) of FFDCA
                                                Protection Act (FQPA) factor is reduced                 residues. A complete description of the                requires that, when considering whether
                                                to 1X. The chronic population adjusted                  general approach taken to assess inert                 to establish, modify, or revoke a
                                                dose (cPAD) is 0.41 mg/kg/day. This                     ingredient risks in the absence of                     tolerance, the Agency consider
                                                cPAD is protective of potential                         residue data is contained in the                       ‘‘available information’’ concerning the
                                                neurotoxicological effects of aluminum                  memorandum entitled ‘‘Alkyl Amines                     cumulative effects of a particular
                                                compounds.                                              Polyalkoxylates (Cluster 4): Acute and                 pesticide’s residues and ‘‘other
                                                                                                        Chronic Aggregate (Food and Drinking                   substances that have a common
                                                B. Exposure Assessment                                  Water) Dietary Exposure and Risk                       mechanism of toxicity.’’
                                                  1. Dietary exposure from food and                     Assessments for the Inerts’’ (D361707, S.                 EPA has not found aluminum sulfate
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                                                feed uses. Exposures to aluminum                        Piper, 2/25/09) and can be found at                    to share a common mechanism of
                                                sulfate can occur following ingestion of                http://www.regulations.gov in docket ID                toxicity with any other substances, and
                                                foods with residues from food-contact                   number EPA–HQ–OPP–2008–0738.                           aluminum sulfate does not appear to
                                                surface sanitizing solutions for public                    Additionally, a dietary exposure                    produce a toxic metabolite produced by
                                                eating places, treated dairy- and food-                 assessment of aluminum sulfate                         other substances. For the purposes of
                                                processing equipment and utensils as                    resulting from the requested use in                    this tolerance action, therefore, EPA has
                                                well as pre-harvest crop uses. In                       antimicrobial food-contact surface                     assumed that aluminum sulfate does not


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                                                                      Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 108 / Friday, June 5, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                         32037

                                                have a common mechanism of toxicity                     aluminum sulfate, in which adverse                     chronic exposure to food and water
                                                with other substances. For information                  effects were identified at dose levels                 (considered to be a background
                                                regarding EPA’s efforts to determine                    below the dose levels at which                         exposure level). A short-term/
                                                which chemicals have a common                           neurotoxic effects or developmental                    intermediate-term adverse effect was
                                                mechanism of toxicity and to evaluate                   neurotoxicological effects were observed               identified; however, aluminum sulfate
                                                the cumulative effects of such                          and is therefore protective of those                   is not used as inert ingredient in any
                                                chemicals, see EPA’s Web site at                        effects; no additional UFs are required                pesticide product registered for any use
                                                http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/                          to account for neurotoxicity.                          patterns that would result in short-term
                                                cumulative.                                                iii. There is no evidence of increased              or intermediate-term residential
                                                                                                        susceptibility due to pre-or post-natal                exposure. Because there is no short-term
                                                C. Safety Factor for Infants and Children               exposure to aluminum in infants and                    or intermediate-term residential
                                                  1. In general. Section 408(b)(2)(C) of                children.                                              exposure and chronic dietary exposure
                                                FFDCA provides that EPA shall apply                        iv. There are no residual uncertainties             has already been assessed under the
                                                an additional tenfold (10X) margin of                   identified in the exposure databases.                  appropriately protective cPAD (which is
                                                safety for infants and children in the                  The dietary food exposure assessments                  at least as protective as the POD used to
                                                case of threshold effects to account for                were performed based on 100 PCT and                    assess short-term risk), no further
                                                prenatal and postnatal toxicity and the                 residues equivalent to the highest                     assessment of short-term risk is
                                                completeness of the database on toxicity                established tolerance-level residues for               necessary, and EPA relies on the
                                                and exposure unless EPA determines                      every food commodity. EPA made                         chronic dietary risk assessment for
                                                based on reliable data that a different                 conservative (protective) assumptions                  evaluating short-term risk for aluminum
                                                margin of safety will be safe for infants               utilizing a 100 ppb default value in the               sulfate.
                                                and children. This additional margin of                 ground and surface water modeling                         4. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S.
                                                safety is commonly referred to as the                   used to assess exposure to aluminum                    population. Based on the lack of
                                                Food Quality Protection Act Safety                      sulfate in drinking water. In addition,                evidence of carcinogenicity in a rodent
                                                Factor (FQPA SF). In applying this                      highly conservative assumptions were                   carcinogenicity study with aluminum
                                                provision, EPA either retains the default               utilized in assessing exposures to                     potassium sulfate, aluminum sulfate is
                                                value of 10X, or uses a different                       aluminum sulfate resulting from the                    not expected to pose a cancer risk to
                                                additional safety factor when reliable                  proposed use in food-contact surface                   humans.
                                                data available to EPA support the choice                antimicrobial pesticide formulations.                     5. Determination of safety. Based on
                                                of a different factor.                                  These assessments will not                             these risk assessments, EPA concludes
                                                  2. Prenatal and postnatal sensitivity.                underestimate the exposure and risks                   that there is a reasonable certainty that
                                                In a 2-generation reproduction toxicity                 posed by aluminum sulfate.                             no harm will result to the general
                                                study, there was no evidence of
                                                                                                        D. Aggregate Risks and Determination of                population, or to infants and children
                                                increased susceptibility of infants and
                                                                                                        Safety                                                 from aggregate exposure to aluminum
                                                children to aluminum sulfate. In this
                                                                                                                                                               sulfate residues.
                                                study, the offspring and parental                          EPA determines whether acute and
                                                toxicity NOAEL was 41 mg/kg/day                         chronic dietary pesticide exposures are                VII. Other Considerations
                                                based on decreased weight gain in                       safe by comparing aggregate exposure
                                                                                                                                                               A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
                                                offspring, decreased body weight in                     estimates to the acute PAD (aPAD) and
                                                parental animals, and a delay in vaginal                cPAD. For linear cancer risks, EPA                        An analytical method is not required
                                                opening seen at the LOAEL of 188 mg/                    calculates the lifetime probability of                 for enforcement purposes since the
                                                kg/day.                                                 acquiring cancer given the estimated                   Agency is establishing an exemption
                                                  3. Conclusion. EPA has determined                     aggregate exposure. Short-,                            from the requirement of a tolerance
                                                that reliable data show the safety of                   intermediate-, and chronic-term risks                  without any numerical limitation. EPA
                                                infants and children would be                           are evaluated by comparing the                         is establishing a limitation on the
                                                adequately protected if the FQPA SF                     estimated aggregate food, water, and                   amount of aluminum sulfate that may be
                                                were reduced to 1X. That decision is                    residential exposure to the appropriate                used in food-contact surface
                                                based on the following findings:                        PODs to ensure that an adequate MOE                    antimicrobial applications. That
                                                  i. The toxicity database for aluminum                 exists.                                                limitation will be enforced through the
                                                sulfate includes a 2-generation                            1. Acute risk. An acute aggregate risk              pesticide registration process under the
                                                reproduction study, as well as chronic/                 assessment takes into account acute                    Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
                                                carcinogenicity studies, mutagenicity                   exposure estimates from dietary                        Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), 7 U.S.C. 136
                                                studies, neurotoxicity studies and                      consumption of food and drinking                       et seq. EPA will not register any food-
                                                developmental neurotoxicity studies on                  water. No adverse effect resulting from                contact surface antimicrobial
                                                other related aluminum compounds.                       a single oral exposure was identified,                 applications for sale or distribution that
                                                The Agency concludes that for this                      therefore, an acute dietary exposure                   contains greater than 50 ppm of
                                                ingredient, the results of these studies                assessment was not conducted.                          aluminum sulfate by weight.
                                                provide a reliable basis for assessing the                 2. Chronic risk. Using the exposure
                                                                                                                                                               VIII. Conclusion
                                                range of potential effects to infants and               assumptions described in this unit for
                                                children, such that the Agency has                      chronic exposure, EPA has concluded                      Therefore, an exemption is
                                                determined that no additional data are                  that chronic exposure to aluminum                      established for residues of aluminum
                                                necessary at this time to evaluate effects              sulfate from food and water will utilize               sulfate for use as an inert ingredient in
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                                                to infants and children.                                6.7% of the cPAD for children 1–2 years                antimicrobial pesticide formulations
                                                  ii. There are available data on                       old, the population group receiving the                applied to food-contact surfaces in
                                                neurotoxicity and developmental                         greatest exposure.                                     public eating places, dairy-processing
                                                neurotoxicity on aluminum compounds.                       3. Short-term and intermediate-term                 equipment, and food-processing
                                                The point of departure selected for risk                risk. Short-term and intermediate-term                 equipment and utensils at a maximum
                                                assessment is based on a 2-generation                   aggregate exposure takes into account                  end use concentration not to exceed 50
                                                rat reproductive toxicity study with                    short-term residential exposure plus                   ppm.


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                                                32038                     Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 108 / Friday, June 5, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                                IX. Statutory and Executive Order                               Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601 et                     X. Congressional Review Act
                                                Reviews                                                         seq.), do not apply.                                         Pursuant to the Congressional Review
                                                   This action establishes an exemption                            This action directly regulates growers,                 Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), EPA will
                                                from the requirement of a tolerance                             food processors, food handlers, and food                   submit a report containing this rule and
                                                under FFDCA section 408(d) in                                   retailers, not States or tribes, nor does                  other required information to the U.S.
                                                response to a petition submitted to the                         this action alter the relationships or                     Senate, the U.S. House of
                                                Agency. The Office of Management and                            distribution of power and                                  Representatives, and the Comptroller
                                                Budget (OMB) has exempted these types                           responsibilities established by Congress                   General of the United States prior to
                                                of actions from review under Executive                          in the preemption provisions of FFDCA                      publication of the rule in the Federal
                                                Order 12866, entitled ‘‘Regulatory                              section 408(n)(4). As such, the Agency                     Register. This action is not a ‘‘major
                                                Planning and Review’’ (58 FR 51735,                             has determined that this action will not                   rule’’ as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
                                                October 4, 1993). Because this action                           have a substantial direct effect on States                 List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180
                                                has been exempted from review under                             or tribal governments, on the
                                                                                                                                                                             Environmental protection,
                                                Executive Order 12866, this action is                           relationship between the national
                                                                                                                                                                           Administrative practice and procedure,
                                                not subject to Executive Order 13211,                           government and the States or tribal
                                                                                                                                                                           Agricultural commodities, Pesticides
                                                entitled ‘‘Actions Concerning                                   governments, or on the distribution of                     and pests, Reporting and recordkeeping
                                                Regulations That Significantly Affect                           power and responsibilities among the                       requirements.
                                                Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use’’ (66                       various levels of government or between
                                                FR 28355, May 22, 2001) or Executive                            the Federal Government and Indian                             Dated: May 29, 2015.
                                                Order 13045, entitled ‘‘Protection of                           tribes. Thus, the Agency has determined                    Daniel J. Rosenblatt,
                                                Children from Environmental Health                              that Executive Order 13132, entitled                       Acting Director, Registration Division, Office
                                                Risks and Safety Risks’’ (62 FR 19885,                                                                                     of Pesticide Programs.
                                                                                                                ‘‘Federalism’’ (64 FR 43255, August 10,
                                                April 23, 1997). This action does not                           1999) and Executive Order 13175,                             Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is
                                                contain any information collections                             entitled ‘‘Consultation and Coordination                   amended as follows:
                                                subject to OMB approval under the                               with Indian Tribal Governments’’ (65 FR
                                                Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44                                                                                          PART 180—[AMENDED]
                                                                                                                67249, November 9, 2000) do not apply
                                                U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), nor does it require
                                                                                                                to this action. In addition, this action                     1. The authority citation for part 180
                                                any special considerations under                                                                                           ■
                                                Executive Order 12898, entitled                                 does not impose any enforceable duty or                    continues to read as follows:
                                                ‘‘Federal Actions to Address                                    contain any unfunded mandate as
                                                                                                                                                                               Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.
                                                Environmental Justice in Minority                               described under Title II of the Unfunded
                                                Populations and Low-Income                                      Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) (2 U.S.C.                       ■ 2. In § 180.940, add alphabetically the
                                                Populations’’ (59 FR 7629, February 16,                         1501 et seq.).                                             following inert ingredient to the table in
                                                1994).                                                             This action does not involve any                        paragraph (a) to read as follows:
                                                   Since tolerances and exemptions that                         technical standards that would require                     § 180.940 Tolerance exemptions for active
                                                are established on the basis of a petition                      Agency consideration of voluntary                          and inert ingredients for use in
                                                under FFDCA section 408(d), such as                             consensus standards pursuant to section                    antimicrobial formulations (Food-contact
                                                the exemption in this final rule, do not                        12(d) of the National Technology                           surface sanitizing solutions).
                                                require the issuance of a proposed rule,                        Transfer and Advancement Act                               *       *    *        *   *
                                                the requirements of the Regulatory                              (NTTAA) (15 U.S.C. 272 note).                                  (a) * * *

                                                                Pesticide chemical                          CAS Reg. No.                                                       Limits


                                                        *                            *                           *                     *                    *                    *                   *
                                                Aluminum sulfate .......................................     10043–01–3       When ready for use, the end-use concentration is not to exceed 50 ppm.

                                                            *                           *                         *                          *                       *                       *                  *



                                                *       *       *        *       *                              SUMMARY:   The Committee for Purchase                      authorized series so that replacement
                                                [FR Doc. 2015–13821 Filed 6–4–15; 8:45 am]                      From People Who Are Blind or Severely                      products may have their own unique
                                                BILLING CODE 6560–50–P                                          Disabled (the Committee) has in its                        identifying numbers.
                                                                                                                procurement program nonprofit                              DATES: Effective June 5, 2015.
                                                                                                                agencies that sell products to military                    ADDRESSES: Committee for Purchase
                                                COMMITTEE FOR PURCHASE FROM                                     commissary stores for resale. The items                    From People Who Are Blind or Severely
                                                PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR                                         sold are assigned to specific number                       Disabled, 1401 S. Clark Street, Suite
                                                SEVERELY DISABLED                                               series so that the nonprofit agencies, the                 715, Arlington, Virginia 22202–4149.
                                                                                                                Committee, and the military stores may                     FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                41 CFR Part 51–6                                                identify the specific products. The                        Barry S. Lineback, Telephone: (703)
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                                                                                                                number series are only used for                            603–7740, Fax: (703) 603–0655, or email
                                                Military Resale Commodities                                     identification of specific products sold                   CMTEFedReg@AbilityOne.gov.
                                                AGENCY:  Committee for Purchase From                            in the military stores. These product                      SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
                                                People Who Are Blind or Severely                                numbers are internal only to the                           Committee’s regulation at 41 CFR 51–
                                                Disabled.                                                       Committee, the nonprofit agencies, and                     6.4, Military Resale Commodities,
                                                                                                                the military commissaries. This rule                       requires military commissary stores and
                                                ACTION: Final rule.
                                                                                                                adds additional number series to the                       other military resale outlets to stock


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Document Created: 2015-12-15 15:21:08
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 15:21:08
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 June 5, 2015. Objections and requests for hearings must be received on or before August 4, 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 32034 
CFR AssociatedEnvironmental Protection; Administrative Practice and Procedure; Agricultural Commodities; Pesticides and Pests and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements

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