80_FR_67005 80 FR 66795 - Metaflumizone; Pesticide Tolerance

80 FR 66795 - Metaflumizone; Pesticide Tolerance

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 210 (October 30, 2015)

Page Range66795-66801
FR Document2015-27788

This regulation establishes a tolerance for the combined residues of the insecticide metaflumizone in or on the raw agricultural commodities citrus (crop group 10-10) at 0.04 parts per million (ppm); pome fruit (crop group 11-10) at 0.04 ppm; stone fruit (crop group 12- 12) at 0.04 ppm; and tree nut (crop group 14-12) at 0.04 ppm. BASF Corporation requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 210 (Friday, October 30, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 210 (Friday, October 30, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66795-66801]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-27788]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 180

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2014-0607; FRL-9934-88]


Metaflumizone; Pesticide Tolerance

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This regulation establishes a tolerance for the combined 
residues of the insecticide metaflumizone in or on the raw agricultural 
commodities citrus (crop group 10-10) at 0.04 parts per million (ppm); 
pome fruit (crop group 11-10) at 0.04 ppm; stone fruit (crop group 12-
12) at 0.04 ppm; and tree nut (crop group 14-12) at 0.04 ppm. BASF 
Corporation requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, 
and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

DATES: This regulation is effective October 30, 2015. Objections and 
requests for hearings must be received on or before December 29, 2015, 
and must be filed in accordance with the instructions provided in 40 
CFR part 178 (see also Unit I.C. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this action, identified by docket 
identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2014-0607, 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: RDFRNotices@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does this action apply to me?

    You may be potentially affected by this action if you are an 
agricultural producer, food manufacturer, or pesticide manufacturer. 
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), e.g., agricultural 
workers; greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture workers; farmers.
     Animal production (NAICS code 112), e.g., cattle ranchers 
and farmers, dairy cattle farmers, livestock farmers.
     Food manufacturing (NAICS code 311), e.g., agricultural 
workers; farmers; greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture workers; 
ranchers; pesticide applicators.
     Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS code 32532), e.g., 
agricultural workers; commercial applicators; farmers; greenhouse, 
nursery, and floriculture workers; residential users.

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 Printing Office's e-CFR cite at http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title40/40tab_02.tpl.

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

    Under FFDCA section 408(g), 21 U.S.C. 346a, any person may file an 
objection to any aspect of this regulation and may also request a 
hearing on those objections. You must file your objection or request a 
hearing on this regulation in accordance with the instructions provided 
in 40 CFR part 178. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, you must identify 
docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2014-0607 in the subject line on the first 
page of your submission. All requests must be in writing, and must be 
received by the Hearing Clerk on or before December 29, 2015. Addresses 
for mail and hand delivery of objections and hearing requests are 
provided in 40 CFR 178.25(b).
    In addition to filing an objection or hearing request with the 
Hearing Clerk as described in 40 CFR part 178, please submit a copy of 
the filing (excluding any Confidential Business Information (CBI)) for 
inclusion in the public docket. Information not marked confidential 
pursuant to 40 CFR part 2 may be disclosed publicly by EPA without 
prior notice. Submit the non-CBI copy of your objection or hearing 
request, identified by docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2014-0607, 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 December 17, 2014 (79 FR 75107) (FRL-
9918-90), EPA issued a document pursuant to FFDCA section 408(d)(3), 21 
U.S.C. 346a(d)(3), announcing the filing of a pesticide petition (PP 
#4F8286) by BASF Corporation, P.O. Box 13528, Research Triangle Park, 
NC 27709. The petition requested that 40 CFR 180.657 be amended by 
establishing a tolerance for the combined residues of the

[[Page 66796]]

insecticide metaflumizone (2-[2-(4-cyanophenyl)-1-[3-
(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethylidene]-N-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl] 
hydrazinecarboxamide; E and Z isomers) and its metabolite 4-{2-oxo-2-
[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethyl{time} -benzonitrile, in or on the raw 
agricultural commodities citrus (crop group 10-10) at 0.04 ppm; pome 
fruit (crop group 11-10) at 0.04 ppm; stone fruit (crop group 12-12) at 
0.04 ppm; and tree nut (crop group 14-12) at 0.04 ppm. In addition, 
that petition requested removal of the existing tolerances for 
metaflumizone in or on fruit, citrus group 10 at 0.04 ppm and nut, 
tree, group 14 at 0.04 ppm upon establishment of the petitioned-for 
tolerances. That document included a summary of the petition prepared 
by BASF Corporation, the registrant. There were no substantive comments 
received in response to the notice of filing.

III. Aggregate Risk Assessment and Determination of Safety

    Section 408(b)(2)(A)(i) of FFDCA allows EPA to establish a 
tolerance (the legal limit for a pesticide chemical residue in or on a 
food) only if EPA determines that the tolerance is ``safe.'' Section 
408(b)(2)(A)(ii) of FFDCA defines ``safe'' to mean that ``there is a 
reasonable certainty that no harm will result from aggregate exposure 
to the pesticide chemical residue, including all anticipated dietary 
exposures and all other exposures for which there is reliable 
information.'' This includes exposure through drinking water and in 
residential settings, but does not include occupational exposure. 
Section 408(b)(2)(C) of FFDCA requires EPA to give special 
consideration to exposure of infants and children to the pesticide 
chemical residue in establishing a tolerance and to ``ensure that there 
is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result to infants and 
children from aggregate exposure to the pesticide chemical residue. . . 
.''
    Consistent with FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(D), EPA has reviewed the 
available scientific data and other relevant information in support of 
this action. EPA has sufficient data to assess the hazards of and to 
make a determination on aggregate exposure, consistent with FFDCA 
section 408(b)(2), for a tolerance for metaflumizone, including 
exposure resulting from the tolerances established by this action. 
EPA's assessment of exposures and risks associated with establishing 
the tolerance follows.

A. Toxicological Profile

    EPA has evaluated the available toxicity data and considered its 
validity, completeness, and reliability as well as the relationship of 
the results of the studies to human risk. EPA has also considered 
available information concerning the variability of the sensitivities 
of major identifiable subgroups of consumers, including infants and 
children.
    Hematotoxicity (toxicity of the blood) was the primary toxic effect 
of concern following subchronic or chronic oral exposures to 
metaflumizone. Splenic extramedullary hematopoiesis, increased 
hemosiderin, and anemia were the most common hematotoxic effects 
reported after repeated oral dosing with metaflumizone. Chronic oral 
(gavage) exposures to dogs resulted in slight decreases in mean 
corpuscular hemoglobin concentration and total hemoglobin, leading to 
increased plasma bilirubin, increased urinary urobilinogen, and 
increased hemosiderin in the liver. In a chronic toxicity/
carcinogenicity study in mice, anemia was observed in the form of 
increased hemosiderin in the spleen, increased mean absolute 
reticulocyte count, decreased mean corpuscular volume, and mean 
corpuscular hemoglobin.
    The postulated pesticidal mode of action of metaflumizone involves 
inhibition of sodium channels in target insect species; however, in 
mammals (rats), there were only clinical signs of neurotoxicity (i.e., 
piloerection and body temperature variations) with no neuropathology in 
the presence of systemic toxicity (e.g., recumbency and poor general 
state) following acute or repeated exposures. Similarly, several immune 
system organs seem to be affected following metaflumizone 
administration via the oral, dermal, and inhalation routes (e.g., the 
presence of macrophages in the thymus, lymphocyte necrosis in the 
mesenteric lymph nodes, and diffuse atrophy of the mandibular); 
however, there was no evidence of any functional deficits at the 
highest dose tested in a recently submitted and reviewed guideline 
immunotoxicity study. Therefore, the clinical neurotoxicity signs and 
the effects on the immune system organs following metaflumizone 
administration are likely to be secondary to the hematotoxic effects.
    Metaflumizone induced an increased incidence of a missing 
subclavian artery at a relatively high dose that also caused severe 
maternal toxicity (e.g., late term abortions) in the developmental 
toxicity study in rabbits. There was no evidence (quantitative or 
qualitative) of increased susceptibility following in utero exposures 
to rats or rabbit and following pre- and post natal exposures. There 
was no evidence that metaflumizone is genotoxic and carcinogenicity 
studies with mice and rabbits were negative.
    Specific information on the studies received and the nature of the 
adverse effects caused by metaflumizone as well as the no observed 
adverse effect level (NOAEL) and the lowest observed adverse effect 
level (LOAEL) from the toxicity studies can be found at http://www.regulations.gov in the document entitled, ``Metaflumizone: Human 
Health Risk Assessment in Support of Section 3 Registrations for 
Application of Metaflumizone to Pome Fruit (crop group (CG) 11-10) and 
Stone Fruit (CG 12-12); Updating the CG Designation for Citrus to 10-10 
and Tree Nuts to 14-12; and Permitting Aerial Application to Citrus 
Fruits, Grapes, Tree Nuts, and Nurseries Containing Field-/Container-
Grown Nonbearing Stone and Pome Fruit Trees'' in docket ID number EPA-
HQ-OPP-2014-0607.

B. Toxicological Endpoints of Departure/Levels of Concern

    Once a pesticide's toxicological profile is determined, EPA 
identifies toxicological points of departure (POD) and levels of 
concern (LOCs) to use in evaluating the risk posed by human exposure to 
the pesticide. For hazards that have a threshold below which there is 
no appreciable risk, the toxicological POD is used as the basis for 
derivation of reference values for risk assessment. PODs are developed 
based on a careful analysis of the doses in each toxicological study to 
determine the dose at which 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 reference dose (RfD)--and a safe margin of 
exposure (MOE). For non-threshold risks, the Agency assumes that any 
amount of exposure will lead to some degree of risk. Thus, the Agency 
estimates risk in terms of the probability of an occurrence of the 
adverse effect expected in a lifetime. For more information on the 
general principles EPA uses in risk characterization and a complete 
description of the risk assessment process, see http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/riskassess.htm.
    A summary of the toxicological endpoints for metaflumizone used for 
human risk assessment is provided below:

[[Page 66797]]

    i. Acute Dietary Endpoint (General population including infants and 
children). An acute dietary endpoint was not established for this 
population group since an endpoint of concern (effect) attributable to 
a single dose was not identified in the database. Studies considered 
for this endpoint included the acute neurotoxicity study for which a 
LOAEL was not observed.
    ii. Acute Dietary Endpoint (Females 13-49 years old). This endpoint 
was established based on a developmental effect observed in the rabbit 
developmental toxicity study that can be potentially due to a single 
dose of metaflumizone. This effect consisted of an increased incidence 
of an absent subclavian artery in the offspring at the LOAEL of 300 
milligram/kilogram (mg/kg) body weight/day (bw/day) metaflumizone 
(NOAEL = 100 mg/kg bw/day). The rat developmental toxicity study was 
also considered for this endpoint; however, no developmental effects 
were observed in this study at the highest dose tested of 120 mg/kg bw/
day metaflumizone. A combined uncertainty factor (UF) of 300 was 
applied to account for interspecies (10x) and intraspecies (10x) 
extrapolation. A Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) safety factor (SF) 
of 3x was retained because the rabbit developmental toxicity study was 
performed via oral gavage dosing. In an absorption study submitted by 
the petitioner, dietary exposures (which are more relevant for human 
exposures) exhibited an approximately 2-fold greater absorption into 
the systemic circulation than oral gavage dosing and, thus, can 
potentially lead to toxicity at 2-fold lower levels of exposure. Thus, 
aPAD for females 13-49 years old is estimated to be 0.33 mg/kg bw/day.
    iii. Chronic Dietary Endpoint. This endpoint was established based 
on results of a chronic toxicity study with dogs via capsule 
administration. The effects at the LOAEL of 30 mg/kg bw/day (NOAEL = 12 
mg/kg bw/day), consisted of reduced general health condition, slight to 
severe ataxia, recumbency, and severe salivation, decreases in mean 
cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and total hemoglobin (Hb) and 
increased bilirubin, increased urobilinogen, and increased hemosiderin 
in the liver. A combined UF of 300 was applied to account for 
interspecies (10x) and intraspecies (10x) extrapolation and an FQPA SF 
of 3x was retained for the higher absorption observed in dietary 
exposures to metaflumizone (see above). Thus, the chronic population 
adjusted dose (cPAD) is estimated to be 0.040 mg/kg bw/day.
    iv. Incidental Oral (Short- and Intermediate-Term). This endpoint 
was selected on the basis of the maternal effects observed in the rat 
two-generation reproductive toxicity study at the LOAEL of 50 mg/kg bw/
day metaflumizone (NOAEL = 20 mg/kg bw/day). Maternal toxicity 
consisted of poor general health and body weight deficits which were 
also associated with improper nursing behavior. Similar effects were 
also noted in a developmental neurotoxicity study (gavage, range 
finding) also considered for this endpoint. In this study, poor 
maternal health was also observed at the LOAEL of 120 mg/kg bw/day 
metaflumizone (NOAEL = 80 mg/kg bw/day). Both studies considered for 
this endpoint achieved a clear maternal NOAEL for the offspring 
effects, but the NOAEL of 20 mg/kg bw/day for the 2-generation 
reproductive toxicity study is considered more protective. A combined 
UF of 300 was applied to account for interspecies (10x) and 
intraspecies (10x) extrapolation, and an FQPA SF of 3x to account for 
the 2-fold greater absorption observed in dietary versus oral gavage 
exposures (see above). The LOC is 300.
    v. Dermal (Short- and Intermediate-Term). This endpoint was based 
on a rat 90-day dermal toxicity study in which deficits in body weight, 
body-weight gain, and food consumption (in males and females); 
anogenital smearing; increased macrophages in the thymus; lymphocyte 
necrosis in the mesenteric lymph nodes; diffuse atrophy of the 
mandibular lymph node; and increased hemosiderin in the liver (females 
only) were observed at the LOAEL of 300 mg/kg bw/day (NOAEL = 100 mg/kg 
bw/day). The LOC, for both occupational and residential exposure is 
100, based on a combined UF of 100 for interspecies (10x) and in 
intraspecies (10x) extrapolation. The FQPA SF is reduced to 1x for this 
exposure scenario because there is no residual uncertainty concerning 
potential effects on infants and children.
    vi. Inhalation (Short- and Intermediate-Term). There is a 28-day 
inhalation study that is adequate for both exposure durations. There 
was no NOAEL identified for female rats. At the LOAEL of 0.10 
milligrams per Liter (mg/L) metaflumizone (NOAEL = 0.03 mg/L), 
histopathology of the nasal tissues, lungs, thymus, prostate, and 
adrenal cortex was observed in males. The LOAEL of 0.03 mg/L identified 
in females resulted in lymphocyte necrosis in the mesenteric lymph 
node.
    The methods and dosimetry equations described in EPA's reference 
concentration (RfC) guidance (1994) are suited for calculating human-
equivalent concentrations (HECs) based on the inhalation toxicity point 
of departure (NOAEL, LOAEL, or Benchmark Dose Lower Confidence Limit 
(BMDL)) for use in MOE calculations. The regional-deposited-dose ratio 
(RDDR), which accounts for the particulate diameter (mass median 
aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) and geometric standard deviation ([sigma]g) 
of aerosols), can be used to estimate the different dose fractions 
deposited along the respiratory tract. The RDDR accounts for 
interspecies differences in ventilation and respiratory-tract surface 
areas. Thus, the RDDR can be used to adjust an observed inhalation 
particulate exposure of an animal to the predicted inhalation exposure 
for a human. For the subchronic inhalation toxicity study with 
metaflumizone, an RDDR was estimated at 2.81 based on systemic effects 
(lymphocyte necrosis in the mesenteric lymph node) in females at the 
LOAEL of 0.03 mg/L (no NOAEL established), and a MMAD of 1.7 micrometer 
([mu]m) and [sigma]g of 2.7.
    For this action with metaflumizone, residential and occupational 
handler scenarios are being assessed. For residential handler 
scenarios, 2-hr/day inhalation exposures are assumed. Adjustment to 
shorter exposure scenarios relative to the animal toxicity study 
duration (e.g., 2 hr. residential exposures) should only be made if 
there is time-course information that would support a shorter time-
frame. Since there is no such information available for metaflumizone, 
the unadjusted animal POD was used to assess the shorter duration 
residential handler exposures. Thus, the HEC equals the LOAEL from the 
study, and was calculated to be 0.084 mg/L. The FQPA SF of 10x is being 
retained for lack of a NOAEL for females in the study. The standard 
interspecies extrapolation UF can be reduced from 10x to 3x due to the 
HEC calculation accounting for pharmacokinetic (not pharmacodynamic) 
interspecies differences. The intraspecies UF remains at 10x. 
Therefore, the LOC for this scenario is 300, which includes the FQPA SF 
of 10x, interspecies (3x), and intraspecies (10x) extrapolation.

C. Exposure Assessment

    1. Dietary Exposure from Food and Feed Uses. Tolerances have been 
established in (40 CFR 180.657) for the residues of metaflumizone, in 
or on a variety of raw agricultural commodities. Risk assessments were 
conducted by EPA to assess dietary exposures from metaflumizone in food 
as follows:

[[Page 66798]]

    i. Acute Exposure. Quantitative acute dietary exposure and risk 
assessments are performed for a food-use pesticide if a toxicological 
study has indicated the possibility of an effect of concern occurring 
as a result of a 1-day or single exposure. Such effects were identified 
for metaflumizone. In estimating acute dietary exposure, EPA used food 
consumption information from the United States Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 
What We Eat in America (NHANES/WWEIA). This dietary survey was 
conducted from 2003 to 2008. As to residue levels in food, EPA assumed 
tolerance-level residues. It was further assumed that 100% of crops 
with the requested uses of metaflumizone were treated.
    ii. Chronic Exposure. In conducting the chronic dietary exposure 
assessment, EPA used the food consumption data from the USDA NHANES/
WWEIA. As to residue levels in food, EPA assumed tolerance-level 
residues. It was further assumed that 100% of crops with the requested 
uses of metaflumizone were treated.
    iii. Cancer. EPA has concluded that metaflumizone does not pose a 
cancer risk to humans; therefore, a dietary exposure assessment for the 
purpose of assessing cancer risk is unnecessary.
    iv. Anticipated Residue and Percent Crop Treated (PCT) Information. 
EPA did not use anticipated residue or PCT information in the dietary 
assessment for metaflumizone. Tolerance-level residues and 100 PCT were 
assumed for all food commodities.
    2. Dietary Exposure from Drinking Water. The Agency used screening-
level water exposure models in the dietary exposure analysis and risk 
assessment for metaflumizone in drinking water. These simulation models 
take into account data on the physical, chemical, and fate/transport 
characteristics of metaflumizone. Further information regarding EPA 
drinking water models used in pesticide exposure assessment can be 
found at http://www.epa.gov/oppefed1/models/water/index.htm.
    Based on the Pesticide Root Zone Model/Exposure Analysis Modeling 
System (PRZM/EXAMS) and Screening Concentration in Ground Water (SCI-
GROW) models, the estimated drinking water concentrations (EDWCs) of 
metaflumizone for acute exposures are estimated to be 1.03 parts per 
billion (ppb) for surface water and 1.09 x 10-\12\ ppb for 
ground water. The EDWCs of metaflumizone for chronic exposures for non-
cancer chronic assessments are estimated to be 0.487 ppb for surface 
water and 1.09 x 10-\12\ ppb for ground water.
    Modeled estimates of drinking water concentrations were directly 
entered into the dietary exposure model. For acute dietary risk 
assessment, the water concentration value of 1.03 ppb was used to 
assess the contribution of drinking water. For chronic dietary risk 
assessment, the water concentration value of 0.487 ppb was used to 
assess the contribution of drinking water.
    3. From Non-Dietary Exposure. The term ``residential exposure'' is 
used in this document to refer to non-occupational, non-dietary 
exposure (e.g., for lawn and garden pest control, indoor pest control, 
termiticides, and flea and tick control on pets). Metaflumizone is 
currently registered for the following uses that could result in 
residential exposures: As a fire ant bait for application to lawns, 
landscapes, golf courses, and other non-cropland area; and as a fly 
bait for use around industrial buildings, commercial facilities, 
agricultural structures/premises, and recreational facilities/areas.
    EPA assessed residential exposure using the following assumptions: 
Fire ant bait applications to home lawns are expected to result in 
short-term, residential handler exposure to adults. Fire ant bait 
applications to lawns and golf-courses are expected to result in short-
term, post-application dermal exposure to adults, children 11 to <16 
years old, and children 1 to <2 years old, and incident oral exposure 
for children 1 to <2 years old. For the fly bait product, residential 
handler exposure is not expected, because the product is applied by 
commercial handlers. The fly bait product is expected to result in 
short-term, post-application dermal exposure to adults, children 11 to 
<16 years old, and children 1 to <2 years old, and incident oral 
exposure for children 1 to <2 years old.
    For residential handlers, dermal and inhalation exposures are 
combined since the endpoints are similar for these routes. For children 
(1- to <2-year-olds), post-application hand-to-mouth and dermal 
exposures are combined. Since the LOCs for the dermal, inhalation and 
incidental oral routes are not the same (dermal LOC = 100, inhalation 
LOC = 300, and incidental oral LOC = 300), these routes were combined 
using the aggregate risk index approach. Further information regarding 
EPA standard assumptions and generic inputs for residential exposures 
may be found at http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/trac/science/trac6a05.pdf.
    4. Cumulative Effects from Substances With a Common Mechanism of 
Toxicity. Section 408(b)(2)(D)(v) of FFDCA requires that, when 
considering whether to establish, modify, or revoke a tolerance, the 
Agency consider ``available information'' concerning the cumulative 
effects of a particular pesticide's residues and ``other substances 
that have a common mechanism of toxicity.''
    Unlike other pesticides for which EPA has followed a cumulative 
risk approach based on a common mechanism of toxicity, EPA has not made 
a common mechanism of toxicity finding as to metaflumizone and any 
other substances and metaflumizone does not appear to produce a toxic 
metabolite produced by other substances. For the purposes of this 
tolerance action; therefore, EPA has not assumed that metaflumizone has 
a common mechanism of toxicity with other substances. For information 
regarding EPA's efforts to determine which chemicals have a common 
mechanism of toxicity and to evaluate the cumulative effects of such 
chemicals, see the policy statements released by EPA's Office of 
Pesticide Programs concerning common mechanism determinations and 
procedures for cumulating effects from substances found to have a 
common mechanism on EPA's Web site at http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/cumulative.

D. Safety Factor for Infants and Children

    1. In general. Section 408 of FFDCA provides that EPA shall apply 
an additional ten-fold 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 data base on toxicity and exposure 
unless EPA determines based on reliable data that a different margin of 
safety will be safe for infants and children. Margins of safety are 
incorporated into EPA risk assessments either directly through use of a 
MOE analysis or through using uncertainty (safety) factors in 
calculating a dose level that poses no appreciable risk to humans. In 
applying this provision, EPA either retains the default value of 10X 
when reliable data do not support the choice of a different factor, or, 
if reliable data are available, EPA uses a different additional safety 
factor value based on the use of traditional uncertainty factors and/or 
special FQPA SFs, as appropriate.
    2. Prenatal and Postnatal Sensitivity. There is no evidence for 
increased qualitative or quantitative sensitivity/susceptibility 
resulting from pre- and/or postnatal exposures. In the rat prenatal 
development toxicity study, there was no offspring toxicity reported at 
any

[[Page 66799]]

dose tested whereas in the rabbit study a maltransformation based on an 
absent subclavian artery was noted to occur only in the presence of 
severe maternal toxicity. Similarly, offspring mortality in the 2-
generation reproductive toxicity occurred only in the presence of a 
poor maternal health state. Thus, there is no evidence for increased 
susceptibility.
    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 from 10x to 3x for all oral exposure scenarios; 
retained at 10x for inhalation exposure scenarios; and reduced to 1x 
for dermal exposures. That decision is based on the following findings:
    i. The toxicological database for metaflumizone is adequate for 
risk assessment and FQPA SF evaluation. Several studies are available 
for evaluating the safety of metaflumizone, although differences in 
dose administration and a missing NOAEL warrant retention of various 
FQPA safety factors in this instance.
    Dietary exposures exhibited an approximately 2-fold greater 
absorption into the systemic circulation as compared to oral gavage 
and, thus, can potentially lead to toxicity at 2-fold lower levels of 
exposure. Applying an FQPA SF of 3x for all oral exposure scenarios is 
adequate to protect against any greater toxicity that might occur in 
dietary exposures (absorption was noted to be 2-fold greater in dietary 
versus oral gavage studies).
    The FQPA SF of 10x is being retained for inhalation exposure 
scenarios for the use of a LOAEL instead of a NOAEL (no NOAEL achieved) 
for histopathological lesions consisting of lymphocyte necrosis in the 
mesenteric lymph node. The FQPA SF of 10x is adequate because the 
effect (lymphocyte necrosis) is considered minimal to slight and does 
not exhibit a strong dose dependence.
    The FQPA SF for dermal exposure scenarios is being reduced from 10x 
to 1x since there is a route-specific study with a clear NOAEL.
    ii. There is no indication that metaflumizone directly affects the 
nervous system. Clinical signs indicative of neurotoxicity were 
observed in several studies; however, these signs were generally 
observed in the presence of poor animal health (e.g., reduced general 
health condition, loss of body weight, or death). In addition, no 
neuropathology was observed in any study with metaflumizone. There is 
no need for a developmental neurotoxicity study or additional 
uncertainty factors to account for neurotoxicity.
    iii. There are no residual concerns or uncertainties for increased 
sensitivity/susceptibility in developing animals resulting from pre- 
and/or postnatal exposure.
    iv. There are no residual uncertainties identified in the exposure 
databases.

The dietary analyses assumed tolerance-level residues, 100 PCT, and 
modeled drinking water estimates. EPA made conservative (protective) 
assumptions in the ground and surface water modeling used to assess 
exposure to metaflumizone in drinking water. EPA used similarly 
conservative assumptions to assess post-application exposure of 
children as well as incidental oral exposure of toddlers. These 
assessments will not underestimate the exposure and risks posed by 
metaflumizone.

E. Aggregate Risks and Determination of Safety

    EPA determines whether acute and chronic dietary pesticide 
exposures are safe by comparing aggregate exposure estimates to the 
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. Based on 
the proposed/registered uses and since inhalation, dermal, and 
incidental oral exposures can be combined, aggregate acute (dietary), 
short-term (dietary, incidental oral, and/or dermal), and chronic 
(dietary) assessments were conducted.
    1. Acute Risk. Using the exposure assumptions discussed in this 
unit for acute exposure, the acute aggregate exposure assessment 
consists of exposure from only food and water. The acute dietary 
exposure assessment for females 13-49 years old was 1.6% of the aPAD 
and therefore, does not exceed EPA's LOC.
    2. Chronic Risk. Since there are no registered/proposed uses that 
result in chronic residential exposure, the chronic aggregate exposure 
assessment consists of exposure from only food and water. The chronic 
dietary exposure estimate was <=7.2% the cPAD and therefore, does not 
exceed EPA's LOC.
    3. Short-Term Risk. Short-term aggregate exposure takes into 
account short-term residential exposure plus chronic exposure to food 
and water (considered to be a background exposure level). Metaflumizone 
is currently registered for uses that could result in short-term 
residential exposure, and the Agency has determined that it is 
appropriate to aggregate chronic exposure through food and water with 
short-term residential exposures to metaflumizone. Since the LOC and 
toxicological points of departure for the short-term dermal and oral 
routes of exposure differ, the aggregate risk index method was used to 
determine aggregate risk (aggregate risk indices >1 are not a risk of 
concern).
    Using the exposure assumptions described in this unit for short-
term exposures, EPA has concluded the combined short-term food, water, 
and residential exposures result in aggregate risk indices of 42 for 
the general population, and 22 for children 1-2 years old. Because 
EPA's LOC for metaflumizone is an aggregate risk index less than 1, the 
aggregate risks are not of concern.
    4. Intermediate-Term Risk. Intermediate-term aggregate exposure 
takes into account intermediate-term residential exposure plus chronic 
exposure to food and water (considered to be a background exposure 
level). Metaflumizone is not currently registered for uses that could 
result in intermediate-term residential exposure; however, since the 
PODs for the short- and intermediate-term durations are the same for 
metaflumizone, the short-term aggregate assessment is protective of 
intermediate-term exposures.
    5. Aggregate Cancer Risk for U.S. Population. As discussed in Unit 
III.A., EPA does not expect metaflumizone to pose a cancer risk to 
humans.
    6. Determination of Safety. Based on these risk assessments, EPA 
concludes that there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result 
to the general population, and to infants and children from aggregate 
exposure to metaflumizone residues.

IV. Other Considerations

A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology

    EPA previously reviewed method validation and independent 
laboratory validation (ILV) studies for the BASF high-performance 
liquid chromatography (HPLC)/mass spectrometry (MS)/MS analytical 
method 531/0 and forwarded the method to FDA for tolerance enforcement 
(46264221.der; D308394, T. Bloem, 30-Nov-2005; D328915, T. Bloem, 17-
May-2006). It is noted that following method validation, BASF 
incorporated several minor modifications to method 531/0 with this 
revised method specified as 531/1 (method 531/1 is the current 
enforcement method). Based on the similarities of the proposed crops to 
that currently registered and since the grape, citrus, and tree nut 
residue samples

[[Page 66800]]

were analyzed using a method very similar to the current enforcement 
method and since adequate validation data were submitted, EPA concludes 
that the current enforcement method is suitable for enforcement of the 
tolerances recommended herein. The limit of quantitation (LOQ) is 0.01 
ppm for metaflumizone (E and Z isomers) and 0.018 ppm for M320I04 
(expressed in parent equivalents).
    The method may be requested from: Chief, Analytical Chemistry 
Branch, Environmental Science Center, 701 Mapes Rd., Ft. Meade, MD 
20755-5350; telephone number: (410) 305-2905; email address: 
residuemethods@epa.gov.

B. International Residue Limits

    In making its tolerance decisions, EPA seeks to harmonize U.S. 
tolerances with international standards whenever possible, consistent 
with U.S. food safety standards and agricultural practices. EPA 
considers the international maximum residue limits (MRLs) established 
by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), as required by FFDCA 
section 408(b)(4). The Codex Alimentarius is a joint United Nations 
Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization food 
standards program, and it is recognized as an international food safety 
standards-setting organization in trade agreements to which the United 
States is a party. EPA may establish a tolerance that is different from 
a Codex MRL; however, FFDCA section 408(b)(4) requires that EPA explain 
the reasons for departing from the Codex level.
    Codex MRLs are not established in/on the relevant crops for 
metaflumizone; therefore, harmonization is not an issue for this 
petition.

V. Conclusion

    Therefore, the tolerance is established for the combined residues 
of the insecticide metaflumizone (2-[2-(4-cyanophenyl)-1-[3-
(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethylidene]-N-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl] 
hydrazinecarboxamide; E and Z isomers), in or on the following raw 
agricultural commodities: Fruit, citrus, group 10-10 at 0.04 ppm; 
fruit, pome, group 11-10 at 0.04 ppm; fruit, stone, group 12-12 at 0.04 
ppm; and nut, tree, group 14-12 at 0.04 ppm. The existing tolerances 
for fruit, citrus, group 10 at 0.04 ppm and for nut, tree, group 14 at 
0.04 ppm are removed because they are superseded by the tolerances 
being established in this action.

VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

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

VII. Congressional Review Act

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

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180

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

    Dated: October 21, 2015.
G. Jeffrey Herndon,
Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.

    Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is amended as follows:

PART 180--[AMENDED]

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

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


0
2. Section 180.657 is amended as follows:
0
a. Remove the entries for ``Fruit, citrus, group 10'' and ``Nut, tree, 
group 14'' from the table in paragraph (a).
0
b. Add alphabetically the following list of commodities to the table in 
paragraph (a).
    The additions read as follows:


Sec.  [emsp14]180.657  Metaflumizone; tolerances for residues.

    (a) * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Parts per
                         Commodity                             million
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                * * * * *
Fruit, citrus, group 10-10.................................         0.04
Fruit, pome, group 11-10...................................         0.04
Fruit, stone, group 12-12..................................         0.04
 
                                * * * * *
Nut, tree, group 14-12.....................................         0.04
 
                                * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 66801]]

* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2015-27788 Filed 10-29-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P



                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 210 / Friday, October 30, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                        66795

                                           § 300.13 Fee for obtaining a preparer tax               number EPA–HQ–OPP–2014–0607, is                       C. How can I file an objection or hearing
                                           identification number.                                  available at http://www.regulations.gov               request?
                                           *     *     *    *     *                                or at the Office of Pesticide Programs                  Under FFDCA section 408(g), 21
                                             (b) Fee. [Reserved]                                   Regulatory Public Docket (OPP Docket)                 U.S.C. 346a, any person may file an
                                           *     *     *    *     *                                in the Environmental Protection Agency                objection to any aspect of this regulation
                                           ■ Par. 3. Section 300.13T is added to                   Docket Center (EPA/DC), West William                  and may also request a hearing on those
                                           read as follows:                                        Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 3334, 1301               objections. You must file your objection
                                                                                                   Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC                 or request a hearing on this regulation
                                           § 300.13T Fee for obtaining a preparer tax              20460–0001. The Public Reading Room
                                           identification number.                                                                                        in accordance with the instructions
                                                                                                   is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,                  provided in 40 CFR part 178. To ensure
                                              (a) [Reserved]                                       Monday through Friday, excluding legal
                                              (b) Fee. The fee to apply for or renew                                                                     proper receipt by EPA, you must
                                                                                                   holidays. The telephone number for the                identify docket ID number EPA–HQ–
                                           a preparer tax identification number is                 Public Reading Room is (202) 566–1744,
                                           $33 per year, which is the cost to the                                                                        OPP–2014–0607 in the subject line on
                                                                                                   and the telephone number for the OPP                  the first page of your submission. All
                                           government for processing the                           Docket is (703) 305–5805. Please review
                                           application for a preparer tax                                                                                requests must be in writing, and must be
                                                                                                   the visitor instructions and additional               received by the Hearing Clerk on or
                                           identification number and does not                      information about the docket available
                                           include any fees charged by the vendor.                                                                       before December 29, 2015. Addresses for
                                                                                                   at http://www.epa.gov/dockets.                        mail and hand delivery of objections
                                              (c) [Reserved]
                                              (d) Effective/applicability date. This               FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                      and hearing requests are provided in 40
                                           section will be applicable for all PTIN                 Susan Lewis, Registration Division                    CFR 178.25(b).
                                           applications filed on or after November                 (7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs,                  In addition to filing an objection or
                                           1, 2015.                                                Environmental Protection Agency, 1200                 hearing request with the Hearing Clerk
                                                                                                   Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington,                   as described in 40 CFR part 178, please
                                           Karen M. Schiller,                                      DC 20460–0001; main telephone                         submit a copy of the filing (excluding
                                           Acting Deputy Commissioner for Services and             number: (703) 305–7090; email address:                any Confidential Business Information
                                           Enforcement.                                            RDFRNotices@epa.gov.                                  (CBI)) for inclusion in the public docket.
                                             Approved: October 16, 2015.                           SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                            Information not marked confidential
                                           Mark J. Mazur,                                                                                                pursuant to 40 CFR part 2 may be
                                           Assistant Secretary of the Treasury (Tax                I. General Information                                disclosed publicly by EPA without prior
                                           Policy).                                                A. Does this action apply to me?                      notice. Submit the non-CBI copy of your
                                           [FR Doc. 2015–27789 Filed 10–29–15; 8:45 am]                                                                  objection or hearing request, identified
                                                                                                      You may be potentially affected by                 by docket ID number EPA–HQ–OPP–
                                           BILLING CODE 4830–01–P
                                                                                                   this action if you are an agricultural                2014–0607, by one of the following
                                                                                                   producer, food manufacturer, or                       methods:
                                                                                                   pesticide manufacturer. The following                   • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://
                                           ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION                                list of North American Industrial
                                           AGENCY                                                                                                        www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
                                                                                                   Classification System (NAICS) codes is                instructions for submitting comments.
                                           40 CFR Part 180                                         not intended to be exhaustive, but rather             Do not submit electronically any
                                                                                                   provides a guide to help readers                      information you consider to be CBI or
                                           [EPA–HQ–OPP–2014–0607; FRL–9934–88]                     determine whether this document                       other information whose disclosure is
                                                                                                   applies to them. Potentially affected                 restricted by statute.
                                           Metaflumizone; Pesticide Tolerance                      entities may include:                                   • Mail: OPP Docket, Environmental
                                           AGENCY:  Environmental Protection                          • Crop production (NAICS code 111),                Protection Agency Docket Center (EPA/
                                           Agency (EPA).                                           e.g., agricultural workers; greenhouse,               DC), (28221T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave.
                                           ACTION: Final rule.                                     nursery, and floriculture workers;                    NW., Washington, DC 20460–0001.
                                                                                                   farmers.                                                • Hand Delivery: To make special
                                           SUMMARY:   This regulation establishes a                   • Animal production (NAICS code                    arrangements for hand delivery or
                                           tolerance for the combined residues of                  112), e.g., cattle ranchers and farmers,              delivery of boxed information, please
                                           the insecticide metaflumizone in or on                  dairy cattle farmers, livestock farmers.              follow the instructions at http://
                                           the raw agricultural commodities citrus                    • Food manufacturing (NAICS code                   www.epa.gov/dockets/contacts.html.
                                           (crop group 10–10) at 0.04 parts per                    311), e.g., agricultural workers; farmers;            Additional instructions on commenting
                                           million (ppm); pome fruit (crop group                   greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture                 or visiting the docket, along with more
                                           11–10) at 0.04 ppm; stone fruit (crop                   workers; ranchers; pesticide applicators.             information about dockets generally, is
                                           group 12–12) at 0.04 ppm; and tree nut                     • Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS                   available at http://www.epa.gov/
                                           (crop group 14–12) at 0.04 ppm. BASF                    code 32532), e.g., agricultural workers;              dockets.
                                           Corporation requested these tolerances                  commercial applicators; farmers;
                                           under the Federal Food, Drug, and                       greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture                 II. Background and Statutory Findings
                                           Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).                                   workers; residential users.                             In the Federal Register of December
                                           DATES: This regulation is effective                                                                           17, 2014 (79 FR 75107) (FRL–9918–90),
                                           October 30, 2015. Objections and                        B. How can I get electronic access to
                                                                                                                                                         EPA issued a document pursuant to
                                           requests for hearings must be received                  other related information?
                                                                                                                                                         FFDCA section 408(d)(3), 21 U.S.C.
                                           on or before December 29, 2015, and                       You may access a frequently updated                 346a(d)(3), announcing the filing of a
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                                           must be filed in accordance with the                    electronic version of 40 CFR part 180                 pesticide petition (PP #4F8286) by
                                           instructions provided in 40 CFR part                    through the Government Printing                       BASF Corporation, P.O. Box 13528,
                                           178 (see also Unit I.C. of the                          Office’s e-CFR cite at http://                        Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. The
                                           SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.                              www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-                            petition requested that 40 CFR 180.657
                                           ADDRESSES: The docket for this action,                  idx?&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title40/                  be amended by establishing a tolerance
                                           identified by docket identification (ID)                40tab_02.tpl.                                         for the combined residues of the


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                                           66796             Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 210 / Friday, October 30, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                           insecticide metaflumizone (2-[2-(4-                     A. Toxicological Profile                              (quantitative or qualitative) of increased
                                           cyanophenyl)-1-[3-                                         EPA has evaluated the available                    susceptibility following in utero
                                           (trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethylidene]-N-                  toxicity data and considered its validity,            exposures to rats or rabbit and following
                                           [4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]                            completeness, and reliability as well as              pre- and post natal exposures. There
                                           hydrazinecarboxamide; E and Z                           the relationship of the results of the                was no evidence that metaflumizone is
                                           isomers) and its metabolite 4-{2-oxo-2-                 studies to human risk. EPA has also                   genotoxic and carcinogenicity studies
                                           [3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethyl}-                      considered available information                      with mice and rabbits were negative.
                                           benzonitrile, in or on the raw                          concerning the variability of the                        Specific information on the studies
                                           agricultural commodities citrus (crop                   sensitivities of major identifiable                   received and the nature of the adverse
                                           group 10–10) at 0.04 ppm; pome fruit                    subgroups of consumers, including                     effects caused by metaflumizone as well
                                           (crop group 11–10) at 0.04 ppm; stone                   infants and children.                                 as the no observed adverse effect level
                                           fruit (crop group 12–12) at 0.04 ppm;                      Hematotoxicity (toxicity of the blood)             (NOAEL) and the lowest observed
                                           and tree nut (crop group 14–12) at 0.04                 was the primary toxic effect of concern               adverse effect level (LOAEL) from the
                                           ppm. In addition, that petition                         following subchronic or chronic oral                  toxicity studies can be found at http://
                                           requested removal of the existing                       exposures to metaflumizone. Splenic                   www.regulations.gov in the document
                                           tolerances for metaflumizone in or on                   extramedullary hematopoiesis,                         entitled, ‘‘Metaflumizone: Human
                                           fruit, citrus group 10 at 0.04 ppm and                  increased hemosiderin, and anemia                     Health Risk Assessment in Support of
                                           nut, tree, group 14 at 0.04 ppm upon                    were the most common hematotoxic                      Section 3 Registrations for Application
                                                                                                   effects reported after repeated oral                  of Metaflumizone to Pome Fruit (crop
                                           establishment of the petitioned-for
                                                                                                   dosing with metaflumizone. Chronic                    group (CG) 11–10) and Stone Fruit (CG
                                           tolerances. That document included a
                                                                                                   oral (gavage) exposures to dogs resulted              12–12); Updating the CG Designation for
                                           summary of the petition prepared by
                                                                                                   in slight decreases in mean corpuscular               Citrus to 10–10 and Tree Nuts to 14–12;
                                           BASF Corporation, the registrant. There                                                                       and Permitting Aerial Application to
                                           were no substantive comments received                   hemoglobin concentration and total
                                                                                                   hemoglobin, leading to increased                      Citrus Fruits, Grapes, Tree Nuts, and
                                           in response to the notice of filing.                                                                          Nurseries Containing Field-/Container-
                                                                                                   plasma bilirubin, increased urinary
                                           III. Aggregate Risk Assessment and                      urobilinogen, and increased                           Grown Nonbearing Stone and Pome
                                           Determination of Safety                                 hemosiderin in the liver. In a chronic                Fruit Trees’’ in docket ID number EPA–
                                                                                                   toxicity/carcinogenicity study in mice,               HQ–OPP–2014–0607.
                                              Section 408(b)(2)(A)(i) of FFDCA                     anemia was observed in the form of                    B. Toxicological Endpoints of
                                           allows EPA to establish a tolerance (the                increased hemosiderin in the spleen,                  Departure/Levels of Concern
                                           legal limit for a pesticide chemical                    increased mean absolute reticulocyte
                                           residue in or on a food) only if EPA                    count, decreased mean corpuscular                        Once a pesticide’s toxicological
                                           determines that the tolerance is ‘‘safe.’’              volume, and mean corpuscular                          profile is determined, EPA identifies
                                           Section 408(b)(2)(A)(ii) of FFDCA                       hemoglobin.                                           toxicological points of departure (POD)
                                           defines ‘‘safe’’ to mean that ‘‘there is a                 The postulated pesticidal mode of                  and levels of concern (LOCs) to use in
                                           reasonable certainty that no harm will                  action of metaflumizone involves                      evaluating the risk posed by human
                                           result from aggregate exposure to the                   inhibition of sodium channels in target               exposure to the pesticide. For hazards
                                           pesticide chemical residue, including                   insect species; however, in mammals                   that have a threshold below which there
                                           all anticipated dietary exposures and all               (rats), there were only clinical signs of             is no appreciable risk, the toxicological
                                           other exposures for which there is                      neurotoxicity (i.e., piloerection and                 POD is used as the basis for derivation
                                           reliable information.’’ This includes                   body temperature variations) with no                  of reference values for risk assessment.
                                           exposure through drinking water and in                  neuropathology in the presence of                     PODs are developed based on a careful
                                           residential settings, but does not include              systemic toxicity (e.g., recumbency and               analysis of the doses in each
                                           occupational exposure. Section                          poor general state) following acute or                toxicological study to determine the
                                           408(b)(2)(C) of FFDCA requires EPA to                   repeated exposures. Similarly, several                dose at which the NOAEL and the
                                           give special consideration to exposure                  immune system organs seem to be                       LOAEL are identified. Uncertainty/
                                           of infants and children to the pesticide                affected following metaflumizone                      safety factors are used in conjunction
                                           chemical residue in establishing a                      administration via the oral, dermal, and              with the POD to calculate a safe
                                                                                                   inhalation routes (e.g., the presence of              exposure level—generally referred to as
                                           tolerance and to ‘‘ensure that there is a
                                                                                                   macrophages in the thymus, lymphocyte                 a population-adjusted dose (PAD) or a
                                           reasonable certainty that no harm will
                                                                                                   necrosis in the mesenteric lymph nodes,               reference dose (RfD)—and a safe margin
                                           result to infants and children from
                                                                                                   and diffuse atrophy of the mandibular);               of exposure (MOE). For non-threshold
                                           aggregate exposure to the pesticide
                                                                                                   however, there was no evidence of any                 risks, the Agency assumes that any
                                           chemical residue. . . .’’
                                                                                                   functional deficits at the highest dose               amount of exposure will lead to some
                                              Consistent with FFDCA section                        tested in a recently submitted and                    degree of risk. Thus, the Agency
                                           408(b)(2)(D), EPA has reviewed the                      reviewed guideline immunotoxicity                     estimates risk in terms of the probability
                                           available scientific data and other                     study. Therefore, the clinical                        of an occurrence of the adverse effect
                                           relevant information in support of this                 neurotoxicity signs and the effects on                expected in a lifetime. For more
                                           action. EPA has sufficient data to assess               the immune system organs following                    information on the general principles
                                           the hazards of and to make a                            metaflumizone administration are likely               EPA uses in risk characterization and a
                                           determination on aggregate exposure,                    to be secondary to the hematotoxic                    complete description of the risk
                                           consistent with FFDCA section                           effects.                                              assessment process, see http://
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                                           408(b)(2), for a tolerance for                             Metaflumizone induced an increased                 www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/
                                           metaflumizone, including exposure                       incidence of a missing subclavian artery              riskassess.htm.
                                           resulting from the tolerances established               at a relatively high dose that also caused               A summary of the toxicological
                                           by this action. EPA’s assessment of                     severe maternal toxicity (e.g., late term             endpoints for metaflumizone used for
                                           exposures and risks associated with                     abortions) in the developmental toxicity              human risk assessment is provided
                                           establishing the tolerance follows.                     study in rabbits. There was no evidence               below:


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                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 210 / Friday, October 30, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                        66797

                                              i. Acute Dietary Endpoint (General                      iv. Incidental Oral (Short- and                    suited for calculating human-equivalent
                                           population including infants and                        Intermediate-Term). This endpoint was                 concentrations (HECs) based on the
                                           children). An acute dietary endpoint                    selected on the basis of the maternal                 inhalation toxicity point of departure
                                           was not established for this population                 effects observed in the rat two-                      (NOAEL, LOAEL, or Benchmark Dose
                                           group since an endpoint of concern                      generation reproductive toxicity study                Lower Confidence Limit (BMDL)) for
                                           (effect) attributable to a single dose was              at the LOAEL of 50 mg/kg bw/day                       use in MOE calculations. The regional-
                                           not identified in the database. Studies                 metaflumizone (NOAEL = 20 mg/kg bw/                   deposited-dose ratio (RDDR), which
                                           considered for this endpoint included                   day). Maternal toxicity consisted of poor             accounts for the particulate diameter
                                           the acute neurotoxicity study for which                 general health and body weight deficits               (mass median aerodynamic diameter
                                           a LOAEL was not observed.                               which were also associated with                       (MMAD) and geometric standard
                                              ii. Acute Dietary Endpoint (Females                  improper nursing behavior. Similar                    deviation (sg) of aerosols), can be used
                                           13–49 years old). This endpoint was                     effects were also noted in a                          to estimate the different dose fractions
                                           established based on a developmental                    developmental neurotoxicity study                     deposited along the respiratory tract.
                                           effect observed in the rabbit                           (gavage, range finding) also considered               The RDDR accounts for interspecies
                                           developmental toxicity study that can                   for this endpoint. In this study, poor                differences in ventilation and
                                           be potentially due to a single dose of                  maternal health was also observed at the              respiratory-tract surface areas. Thus, the
                                           metaflumizone. This effect consisted of                 LOAEL of 120 mg/kg bw/day                             RDDR can be used to adjust an observed
                                           an increased incidence of an absent                     metaflumizone (NOAEL = 80 mg/kg bw/                   inhalation particulate exposure of an
                                           subclavian artery in the offspring at the               day). Both studies considered for this                animal to the predicted inhalation
                                           LOAEL of 300 milligram/kilogram (mg/                    endpoint achieved a clear maternal                    exposure for a human. For the
                                           kg) body weight/day (bw/day)                            NOAEL for the offspring effects, but the              subchronic inhalation toxicity study
                                           metaflumizone (NOAEL = 100 mg/kg                        NOAEL of 20 mg/kg bw/day for the 2-                   with metaflumizone, an RDDR was
                                           bw/day). The rat developmental toxicity                 generation reproductive toxicity study is             estimated at 2.81 based on systemic
                                           study was also considered for this                      considered more protective. A                         effects (lymphocyte necrosis in the
                                           endpoint; however, no developmental                     combined UF of 300 was applied to                     mesenteric lymph node) in females at
                                           effects were observed in this study at                  account for interspecies (10x) and                    the LOAEL of 0.03 mg/L (no NOAEL
                                           the highest dose tested of 120 mg/kg                    intraspecies (10x) extrapolation, and an              established), and a MMAD of 1.7
                                           bw/day metaflumizone. A combined                        FQPA SF of 3x to account for the 2-fold               micrometer (mm) and sg of 2.7.
                                           uncertainty factor (UF) of 300 was                      greater absorption observed in dietary                   For this action with metaflumizone,
                                           applied to account for interspecies (10x)               versus oral gavage exposures (see                     residential and occupational handler
                                           and intraspecies (10x) extrapolation. A                 above). The LOC is 300.                               scenarios are being assessed. For
                                           Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA)                         v. Dermal (Short- and Intermediate-
                                                                                                                                                         residential handler scenarios, 2-hr/day
                                           safety factor (SF) of 3x was retained                   Term). This endpoint was based on a rat
                                                                                                                                                         inhalation exposures are assumed.
                                           because the rabbit developmental                        90-day dermal toxicity study in which
                                           toxicity study was performed via oral                   deficits in body weight, body-weight                  Adjustment to shorter exposure
                                           gavage dosing. In an absorption study                   gain, and food consumption (in males                  scenarios relative to the animal toxicity
                                           submitted by the petitioner, dietary                    and females); anogenital smearing;                    study duration (e.g., 2 hr. residential
                                           exposures (which are more relevant for                  increased macrophages in the thymus;                  exposures) should only be made if there
                                           human exposures) exhibited an                           lymphocyte necrosis in the mesenteric                 is time-course information that would
                                           approximately 2-fold greater absorption                 lymph nodes; diffuse atrophy of the                   support a shorter time-frame. Since
                                           into the systemic circulation than oral                 mandibular lymph node; and increased                  there is no such information available
                                           gavage dosing and, thus, can potentially                hemosiderin in the liver (females only)               for metaflumizone, the unadjusted
                                           lead to toxicity at 2-fold lower levels of              were observed at the LOAEL of 300 mg/                 animal POD was used to assess the
                                           exposure. Thus, aPAD for females 13–49                  kg bw/day (NOAEL = 100 mg/kg bw/                      shorter duration residential handler
                                           years old is estimated to be 0.33 mg/kg                 day). The LOC, for both occupational                  exposures. Thus, the HEC equals the
                                           bw/day.                                                 and residential exposure is 100, based                LOAEL from the study, and was
                                              iii. Chronic Dietary Endpoint. This                  on a combined UF of 100 for                           calculated to be 0.084 mg/L. The FQPA
                                           endpoint was established based on                       interspecies (10x) and in intraspecies                SF of 10x is being retained for lack of
                                           results of a chronic toxicity study with                (10x) extrapolation. The FQPA SF is                   a NOAEL for females in the study. The
                                           dogs via capsule administration. The                    reduced to 1x for this exposure scenario              standard interspecies extrapolation UF
                                           effects at the LOAEL of 30 mg/kg bw/                    because there is no residual uncertainty              can be reduced from 10x to 3x due to
                                           day (NOAEL = 12 mg/kg bw/day),                          concerning potential effects on infants               the HEC calculation accounting for
                                           consisted of reduced general health                     and children.                                         pharmacokinetic (not
                                           condition, slight to severe ataxia,                        vi. Inhalation (Short- and                         pharmacodynamic) interspecies
                                           recumbency, and severe salivation,                      Intermediate-Term). There is a 28-day                 differences. The intraspecies UF
                                           decreases in mean cell hemoglobin                       inhalation study that is adequate for                 remains at 10x. Therefore, the LOC for
                                           concentration (MCHC) and total                          both exposure durations. There was no                 this scenario is 300, which includes the
                                           hemoglobin (Hb) and increased                           NOAEL identified for female rats. At the              FQPA SF of 10x, interspecies (3x), and
                                           bilirubin, increased urobilinogen, and                  LOAEL of 0.10 milligrams per Liter (mg/               intraspecies (10x) extrapolation.
                                           increased hemosiderin in the liver. A                   L) metaflumizone (NOAEL = 0.03 mg/L),                 C. Exposure Assessment
                                           combined UF of 300 was applied to                       histopathology of the nasal tissues,
                                           account for interspecies (10x) and                      lungs, thymus, prostate, and adrenal                    1. Dietary Exposure from Food and
                                           intraspecies (10x) extrapolation and an                 cortex was observed in males. The                     Feed Uses. Tolerances have been
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                                           FQPA SF of 3x was retained for the                      LOAEL of 0.03 mg/L identified in                      established in (40 CFR 180.657) for the
                                           higher absorption observed in dietary                   females resulted in lymphocyte necrosis               residues of metaflumizone, in or on a
                                           exposures to metaflumizone (see above).                 in the mesenteric lymph node.                         variety of raw agricultural commodities.
                                           Thus, the chronic population adjusted                      The methods and dosimetry equations                Risk assessments were conducted by
                                           dose (cPAD) is estimated to be 0.040                    described in EPA’s reference                          EPA to assess dietary exposures from
                                           mg/kg bw/day.                                           concentration (RfC) guidance (1994) are               metaflumizone in food as follows:


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                                           66798             Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 210 / Friday, October 30, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                              i. Acute Exposure. Quantitative acute                   Modeled estimates of drinking water                requires that, when considering whether
                                           dietary exposure and risk assessments                   concentrations were directly entered                  to establish, modify, or revoke a
                                           are performed for a food-use pesticide if               into the dietary exposure model. For                  tolerance, the Agency consider
                                           a toxicological study has indicated the                 acute dietary risk assessment, the water              ‘‘available information’’ concerning the
                                           possibility of an effect of concern                     concentration value of 1.03 ppb was                   cumulative effects of a particular
                                           occurring as a result of a 1-day or single              used to assess the contribution of                    pesticide’s residues and ‘‘other
                                           exposure. Such effects were identified                  drinking water. For chronic dietary risk              substances that have a common
                                           for metaflumizone. In estimating acute                  assessment, the water concentration                   mechanism of toxicity.’’
                                           dietary exposure, EPA used food                         value of 0.487 ppb was used to assess                    Unlike other pesticides for which EPA
                                           consumption information from the                        the contribution of drinking water.                   has followed a cumulative risk approach
                                           United States Department of Agriculture                    3. From Non-Dietary Exposure. The                  based on a common mechanism of
                                           (USDA) National Health and Nutrition                    term ‘‘residential exposure’’ is used in              toxicity, EPA has not made a common
                                           Examination Survey, What We Eat in                      this document to refer to non-                        mechanism of toxicity finding as to
                                           America (NHANES/WWEIA). This                            occupational, non-dietary exposure                    metaflumizone and any other
                                           dietary survey was conducted from 2003                  (e.g., for lawn and garden pest control,              substances and metaflumizone does not
                                           to 2008. As to residue levels in food,                  indoor pest control, termiticides, and                appear to produce a toxic metabolite
                                           EPA assumed tolerance-level residues. It                flea and tick control on pets).                       produced by other substances. For the
                                           was further assumed that 100% of crops                  Metaflumizone is currently registered                 purposes of this tolerance action;
                                           with the requested uses of                              for the following uses that could result              therefore, EPA has not assumed that
                                           metaflumizone were treated.                             in residential exposures: As a fire ant               metaflumizone has a common
                                              ii. Chronic Exposure. In conducting                  bait for application to lawns,                        mechanism of toxicity with other
                                           the chronic dietary exposure                            landscapes, golf courses, and other non-              substances. For information regarding
                                           assessment, EPA used the food                           cropland area; and as a fly bait for use              EPA’s efforts to determine which
                                           consumption data from the USDA                          around industrial buildings, commercial               chemicals have a common mechanism
                                           NHANES/WWEIA. As to residue levels                      facilities, agricultural structures/                  of toxicity and to evaluate the
                                           in food, EPA assumed tolerance-level                    premises, and recreational facilities/                cumulative effects of such chemicals,
                                           residues. It was further assumed that                   areas.                                                see the policy statements released by
                                           100% of crops with the requested uses                      EPA assessed residential exposure                  EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs
                                           of metaflumizone were treated.                          using the following assumptions: Fire                 concerning common mechanism
                                              iii. Cancer. EPA has concluded that                  ant bait applications to home lawns are               determinations and procedures for
                                           metaflumizone does not pose a cancer                    expected to result in short-term,                     cumulating effects from substances
                                           risk to humans; therefore, a dietary                    residential handler exposure to adults.               found to have a common mechanism on
                                           exposure assessment for the purpose of                  Fire ant bait applications to lawns and               EPA’s Web site at http://www.epa.gov/
                                           assessing cancer risk is unnecessary.                   golf-courses are expected to result in                pesticides/cumulative.
                                              iv. Anticipated Residue and Percent                  short-term, post-application dermal
                                           Crop Treated (PCT) Information. EPA                     exposure to adults, children 11 to <16                D. Safety Factor for Infants and
                                           did not use anticipated residue or PCT                  years old, and children 1 to <2 years                 Children
                                           information in the dietary assessment                   old, and incident oral exposure for                      1. In general. Section 408 of FFDCA
                                           for metaflumizone. Tolerance-level                      children 1 to <2 years old. For the fly               provides that EPA shall apply an
                                           residues and 100 PCT were assumed for                   bait product, residential handler                     additional ten-fold margin of safety for
                                           all food commodities.                                   exposure is not expected, because the                 infants and children in the case of
                                              2. Dietary Exposure from Drinking                    product is applied by commercial                      threshold effects to account for prenatal
                                           Water. The Agency used screening-level                  handlers. The fly bait product is                     and postnatal toxicity and the
                                           water exposure models in the dietary                    expected to result in short-term, post-               completeness of the data base on
                                           exposure analysis and risk assessment                   application dermal exposure to adults,                toxicity and exposure unless EPA
                                           for metaflumizone in drinking water.                    children 11 to <16 years old, and                     determines based on reliable data that a
                                           These simulation models take into                       children 1 to <2 years old, and incident              different margin of safety will be safe for
                                           account data on the physical, chemical,                 oral exposure for children 1 to <2 years              infants and children. Margins of safety
                                           and fate/transport characteristics of                   old.                                                  are incorporated into EPA risk
                                           metaflumizone. Further information                         For residential handlers, dermal and               assessments either directly through use
                                           regarding EPA drinking water models                     inhalation exposures are combined                     of a MOE analysis or through using
                                           used in pesticide exposure assessment                   since the endpoints are similar for these             uncertainty (safety) factors in
                                           can be found at http://www.epa.gov/                     routes. For children (1- to <2-year-olds),            calculating a dose level that poses no
                                           oppefed1/models/water/index.htm.                        post-application hand-to-mouth and                    appreciable risk to humans. In applying
                                              Based on the Pesticide Root Zone                     dermal exposures are combined. Since                  this provision, EPA either retains the
                                           Model/Exposure Analysis Modeling                        the LOCs for the dermal, inhalation and               default value of 10X when reliable data
                                           System (PRZM/EXAMS) and Screening                       incidental oral routes are not the same               do not support the choice of a different
                                           Concentration in Ground Water (SCI–                     (dermal LOC = 100, inhalation LOC =                   factor, or, if reliable data are available,
                                           GROW) models, the estimated drinking                    300, and incidental oral LOC = 300),                  EPA uses a different additional safety
                                           water concentrations (EDWCs) of                         these routes were combined using the                  factor value based on the use of
                                           metaflumizone for acute exposures are                   aggregate risk index approach. Further                traditional uncertainty factors and/or
                                           estimated to be 1.03 parts per billion                  information regarding EPA standard                    special FQPA SFs, as appropriate.
                                           (ppb) for surface water and 1.09 x 10¥12                assumptions and generic inputs for                       2. Prenatal and Postnatal Sensitivity.
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                                           ppb for ground water. The EDWCs of                      residential exposures may be found at                 There is no evidence for increased
                                           metaflumizone for chronic exposures for                 http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/trac/                   qualitative or quantitative sensitivity/
                                           non-cancer chronic assessments are                      science/trac6a05.pdf.                                 susceptibility resulting from pre- and/or
                                           estimated to be 0.487 ppb for surface                      4. Cumulative Effects from Substances              postnatal exposures. In the rat prenatal
                                           water and 1.09 x 10¥12 ppb for ground                   With a Common Mechanism of Toxicity.                  development toxicity study, there was
                                           water.                                                  Section 408(b)(2)(D)(v) of FFDCA                      no offspring toxicity reported at any


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                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 210 / Friday, October 30, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                        66799

                                           dose tested whereas in the rabbit study                    iii. There are no residual concerns or             aggregate chronic exposure through food
                                           a maltransformation based on an absent                  uncertainties for increased sensitivity/              and water with short-term residential
                                           subclavian artery was noted to occur                    susceptibility in developing animals                  exposures to metaflumizone. Since the
                                           only in the presence of severe maternal                 resulting from pre- and/or postnatal                  LOC and toxicological points of
                                           toxicity. Similarly, offspring mortality                exposure.                                             departure for the short-term dermal and
                                           in the 2-generation reproductive toxicity                  iv. There are no residual uncertainties            oral routes of exposure differ, the
                                           occurred only in the presence of a poor                 identified in the exposure databases.                 aggregate risk index method was used to
                                           maternal health state. Thus, there is no                The dietary analyses assumed tolerance-               determine aggregate risk (aggregate risk
                                           evidence for increased susceptibility.                  level residues, 100 PCT, and modeled                  indices >1 are not a risk of concern).
                                              3. Conclusion. EPA has determined                    drinking water estimates. EPA made                       Using the exposure assumptions
                                           that reliable data show the safety of                   conservative (protective) assumptions in              described in this unit for short-term
                                           infants and children would be                           the ground and surface water modeling                 exposures, EPA has concluded the
                                           adequately protected if the FQPA SF                     used to assess exposure to                            combined short-term food, water, and
                                           were reduced from 10x to 3x for all oral                metaflumizone in drinking water. EPA                  residential exposures result in aggregate
                                           exposure scenarios; retained at 10x for                 used similarly conservative assumptions               risk indices of 42 for the general
                                           inhalation exposure scenarios; and                      to assess post-application exposure of                population, and 22 for children 1–2
                                           reduced to 1x for dermal exposures.                     children as well as incidental oral                   years old. Because EPA’s LOC for
                                           That decision is based on the following                 exposure of toddlers. These assessments               metaflumizone is an aggregate risk
                                           findings:                                               will not underestimate the exposure and               index less than 1, the aggregate risks are
                                              i. The toxicological database for                    risks posed by metaflumizone.                         not of concern.
                                           metaflumizone is adequate for risk                      E. Aggregate Risks and Determination of                  4. Intermediate-Term Risk.
                                           assessment and FQPA SF evaluation.                      Safety                                                Intermediate-term aggregate exposure
                                           Several studies are available for                                                                             takes into account intermediate-term
                                           evaluating the safety of metaflumizone,                    EPA determines whether acute and                   residential exposure plus chronic
                                           although differences in dose                            chronic dietary pesticide exposures are               exposure to food and water (considered
                                           administration and a missing NOAEL                      safe by comparing aggregate exposure                  to be a background exposure level).
                                                                                                   estimates to the aPAD and cPAD. For                   Metaflumizone is not currently
                                           warrant retention of various FQPA
                                                                                                   linear cancer risks, EPA calculates the               registered for uses that could result in
                                           safety factors in this instance.
                                                                                                   lifetime probability of acquiring cancer              intermediate-term residential exposure;
                                              Dietary exposures exhibited an
                                                                                                   given the estimated aggregate exposure.               however, since the PODs for the short-
                                           approximately 2-fold greater absorption
                                                                                                   Short-, intermediate-, and chronic-term               and intermediate-term durations are the
                                           into the systemic circulation as
                                                                                                   risks are evaluated by comparing the                  same for metaflumizone, the short-term
                                           compared to oral gavage and, thus, can
                                                                                                   estimated aggregate food, water, and                  aggregate assessment is protective of
                                           potentially lead to toxicity at 2-fold                  residential exposure to the appropriate
                                           lower levels of exposure. Applying an                                                                         intermediate-term exposures.
                                                                                                   PODs to ensure that an adequate MOE                      5. Aggregate Cancer Risk for U.S.
                                           FQPA SF of 3x for all oral exposure                     exists. Based on the proposed/registered
                                           scenarios is adequate to protect against                                                                      Population. As discussed in Unit III.A.,
                                                                                                   uses and since inhalation, dermal, and                EPA does not expect metaflumizone to
                                           any greater toxicity that might occur in                incidental oral exposures can be
                                           dietary exposures (absorption was noted                                                                       pose a cancer risk to humans.
                                                                                                   combined, aggregate acute (dietary),                     6. Determination of Safety. Based on
                                           to be 2-fold greater in dietary versus oral             short-term (dietary, incidental oral, and/
                                           gavage studies).                                                                                              these risk assessments, EPA concludes
                                                                                                   or dermal), and chronic (dietary)                     that there is a reasonable certainty that
                                              The FQPA SF of 10x is being retained                 assessments were conducted.
                                           for inhalation exposure scenarios for the                                                                     no harm will result to the general
                                                                                                      1. Acute Risk. Using the exposure                  population, and to infants and children
                                           use of a LOAEL instead of a NOAEL (no                   assumptions discussed in this unit for
                                           NOAEL achieved) for histopathological                                                                         from aggregate exposure to
                                                                                                   acute exposure, the acute aggregate
                                           lesions consisting of lymphocyte                                                                              metaflumizone residues.
                                                                                                   exposure assessment consists of
                                           necrosis in the mesenteric lymph node.                  exposure from only food and water. The                IV. Other Considerations
                                           The FQPA SF of 10x is adequate                          acute dietary exposure assessment for
                                           because the effect (lymphocyte necrosis)                                                                      A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
                                                                                                   females 13–49 years old was 1.6% of the
                                           is considered minimal to slight and does                aPAD and therefore, does not exceed                      EPA previously reviewed method
                                           not exhibit a strong dose dependence.                   EPA’s LOC.                                            validation and independent laboratory
                                              The FQPA SF for dermal exposure                         2. Chronic Risk. Since there are no                validation (ILV) studies for the BASF
                                           scenarios is being reduced from 10x to                  registered/proposed uses that result in               high-performance liquid
                                           1x since there is a route-specific study                chronic residential exposure, the                     chromatography (HPLC)/mass
                                           with a clear NOAEL.                                     chronic aggregate exposure assessment                 spectrometry (MS)/MS analytical
                                              ii. There is no indication that                      consists of exposure from only food and               method 531/0 and forwarded the
                                           metaflumizone directly affects the                      water. The chronic dietary exposure                   method to FDA for tolerance
                                           nervous system. Clinical signs                          estimate was ≤7.2% the cPAD and                       enforcement (46264221.der; D308394, T.
                                           indicative of neurotoxicity were                        therefore, does not exceed EPA’s LOC.                 Bloem, 30-Nov-2005; D328915, T.
                                           observed in several studies; however,                      3. Short-Term Risk. Short-term                     Bloem, 17-May-2006). It is noted that
                                           these signs were generally observed in                  aggregate exposure takes into account                 following method validation, BASF
                                           the presence of poor animal health (e.g.,               short-term residential exposure plus                  incorporated several minor
                                           reduced general health condition, loss                  chronic exposure to food and water                    modifications to method 531/0 with this
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                                           of body weight, or death). In addition,                 (considered to be a background                        revised method specified as 531/1
                                           no neuropathology was observed in any                   exposure level). Metaflumizone is                     (method 531/1 is the current
                                           study with metaflumizone. There is no                   currently registered for uses that could              enforcement method). Based on the
                                           need for a developmental neurotoxicity                  result in short-term residential                      similarities of the proposed crops to that
                                           study or additional uncertainty factors                 exposure, and the Agency has                          currently registered and since the grape,
                                           to account for neurotoxicity.                           determined that it is appropriate to                  citrus, and tree nut residue samples


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                                           66800             Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 210 / Friday, October 30, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                           were analyzed using a method very                       VI. Statutory and Executive Order                     described under Title II of the Unfunded
                                           similar to the current enforcement                      Reviews                                               Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) (2 U.S.C.
                                           method and since adequate validation                       This action establishes tolerances                 1501 et seq.).
                                           data were submitted, EPA concludes                      under FFDCA section 408(d) in                           This action does not involve any
                                           that the current enforcement method is                  response to a petition submitted to the               technical standards that would require
                                           suitable for enforcement of the                         Agency. The Office of Management and                  Agency consideration of voluntary
                                           tolerances recommended herein. The                      Budget (OMB) has exempted these types                 consensus standards pursuant to section
                                           limit of quantitation (LOQ) is 0.01 ppm                 of actions from review under Executive                12(d) of the National Technology
                                           for metaflumizone (E and Z isomers)                     Order 12866, entitled ‘‘Regulatory                    Transfer and Advancement Act
                                           and 0.018 ppm for M320I04 (expressed                    Planning and Review’’ (58 FR 51735,                   (NTTAA) (15 U.S.C. 272 note).
                                           in parent equivalents).                                 October 4, 1993). Because this action                 VII. Congressional Review Act
                                              The method may be requested from:                    has been exempted from review under
                                           Chief, Analytical Chemistry Branch,                     Executive Order 12866, this action is                   Pursuant to the Congressional Review
                                           Environmental Science Center, 701                       not subject to Executive Order 13211,                 Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), EPA will
                                           Mapes Rd., Ft. Meade, MD 20755–5350;                    entitled ‘‘Actions Concerning                         submit a report containing this rule and
                                           telephone number: (410) 305–2905;                       Regulations That Significantly Affect                 other required information to the U.S.
                                           email address: residuemethods@                          Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use’’ (66             Senate, the U.S. House of
                                           epa.gov.                                                FR 28355, May 22, 2001) or Executive                  Representatives, and the Comptroller
                                                                                                   Order 13045, entitled ‘‘Protection of                 General of the United States prior to
                                           B. International Residue Limits                         Children from Environmental Health                    publication of the rule in the Federal
                                                                                                   Risks and Safety Risks’’ (62 FR 19885,                Register. This action is not a ‘‘major
                                              In making its tolerance decisions, EPA                                                                     rule’’ as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
                                           seeks to harmonize U.S. tolerances with                 April 23, 1997). This action does not
                                           international standards whenever                        contain any information collections                   List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180
                                           possible, consistent with U.S. food                     subject to OMB approval under the
                                                                                                                                                           Environmental protection,
                                           safety standards and agricultural                       Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44
                                                                                                                                                         Administrative practice and procedure,
                                           practices. EPA considers the                            U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), nor does it require
                                                                                                                                                         Agricultural commodities, Pesticides
                                           international maximum residue limits                    any special considerations under
                                                                                                                                                         and pests, Reporting and recordkeeping
                                           (MRLs) established by the Codex                         Executive Order 12898, entitled
                                                                                                                                                         requirements.
                                           Alimentarius Commission (Codex), as                     ‘‘Federal Actions to Address
                                                                                                   Environmental Justice in Minority                       Dated: October 21, 2015.
                                           required by FFDCA section 408(b)(4).
                                           The Codex Alimentarius is a joint                       Populations and Low-Income                            G. Jeffrey Herndon,
                                           United Nations Food and Agriculture                     Populations’’ (59 FR 7629, February 16,               Director, Registration Division, Office of
                                           Organization/World Health                               1994).                                                Pesticide Programs.
                                           Organization food standards program,                       Since tolerances and exemptions that
                                                                                                                                                           Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is
                                           and it is recognized as an international                are established on the basis of a petition
                                                                                                                                                         amended as follows:
                                           food safety standards-setting                           under FFDCA section 408(d), such as
                                           organization in trade agreements to                     the tolerances in this final rule, do not             PART 180—[AMENDED]
                                           which the United States is a party. EPA                 require the issuance of a proposed rule,
                                           may establish a tolerance that is                       the requirements of the Regulatory                    ■ 1. The authority citation for part 180
                                           different from a Codex MRL; however,                    Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601 et                continues to read as follows:
                                           FFDCA section 408(b)(4) requires that                   seq.), do not apply.
                                                                                                                                                             Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.
                                           EPA explain the reasons for departing                      This action directly regulates growers,
                                           from the Codex level.                                   food processors, food handlers, and food              ■  2. Section 180.657 is amended as
                                                                                                   retailers, not States or tribes, nor does             follows:
                                              Codex MRLs are not established in/on                 this action alter the relationships or                ■ a. Remove the entries for ‘‘Fruit,
                                           the relevant crops for metaflumizone;                   distribution of power and                             citrus, group 10’’ and ‘‘Nut, tree, group
                                           therefore, harmonization is not an issue                responsibilities established by Congress              14’’ from the table in paragraph (a).
                                           for this petition.                                      in the preemption provisions of FFDCA                 ■ b. Add alphabetically the following
                                           V. Conclusion                                           section 408(n)(4). As such, the Agency                list of commodities to the table in
                                                                                                   has determined that this action will not              paragraph (a).
                                              Therefore, the tolerance is established              have a substantial direct effect on States               The additions read as follows:
                                           for the combined residues of the                        or tribal governments, on the
                                           insecticide metaflumizone (2-[2-(4-                     relationship between the national                     § 180.657     Metaflumizone; tolerances for
                                           cyanophenyl)-1-[3-                                      government and the States or tribal                   residues.
                                           (trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethylidene]-N-                  governments, or on the distribution of                    (a) *    *       *
                                           [4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]                            power and responsibilities among the
                                           hydrazinecarboxamide; E and Z                           various levels of government or between                                                        Parts per
                                                                                                                                                                     Commodity                     million
                                           isomers), in or on the following raw                    the Federal Government and Indian
                                           agricultural commodities: Fruit, citrus,                tribes. Thus, the Agency has determined
                                           group 10–10 at 0.04 ppm; fruit, pome,                   that Executive Order 13132, entitled                     *           *        *            *         *
                                           group 11–10 at 0.04 ppm; fruit, stone,                  ‘‘Federalism’’ (64 FR 43255, August 10,               Fruit, citrus, group 10–10 .........           0.04
                                           group 12–12 at 0.04 ppm; and nut, tree,                 1999) and Executive Order 13175,                      Fruit, pome, group 11–10 .........             0.04
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                                           group 14–12 at 0.04 ppm. The existing                   entitled ‘‘Consultation and Coordination              Fruit, stone, group 12–12 .........            0.04
                                           tolerances for fruit, citrus, group 10 at               with Indian Tribal Governments’’ (65 FR
                                           0.04 ppm and for nut, tree, group 14 at                 67249, November 9, 2000) do not apply                    *          *       *              *         *
                                           0.04 ppm are removed because they are                   to this action. In addition, this action              Nut, tree, group 14–12 .............           0.04
                                           superseded by the tolerances being                      does not impose any enforceable duty or                    *           *       *           *         *
                                           established in this action.                             contain any unfunded mandate as


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                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 210 / Friday, October 30, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                        66801

                                           *      *     *       *      *                           pesticide manufacturer. The following                 instructions for submitting comments.
                                           [FR Doc. 2015–27788 Filed 10–29–15; 8:45 am]            list of North American Industrial                     Do not submit electronically any
                                           BILLING CODE 6560–50–P                                  Classification System (NAICS) codes is                information you consider to be CBI or
                                                                                                   not intended to be exhaustive, but rather             other information whose disclosure is
                                                                                                   provides a guide to help readers                      restricted by statute.
                                           ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION                                determine whether this document                         • Mail: OPP Docket, Environmental
                                           AGENCY                                                  applies to them. Potentially affected                 Protection Agency Docket Center (EPA/
                                                                                                   entities may include:                                 DC), (28221T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave.
                                           40 CFR Part 180                                            • Crop production (NAICS code 111).                NW., Washington, DC 20460–0001.
                                           [EPA–HQ–OPP–2013–0035; FRL–9912–31]                        • Animal production (NAICS code                      • Hand Delivery: To make special
                                                                                                   112).                                                 arrangements for hand delivery or
                                           Rimsulfuron; Pesticide Tolerances                          • Food manufacturing (NAICS code                   delivery of boxed information, please
                                                                                                   311).                                                 follow the instructions at http://
                                           AGENCY:  Environmental Protection                          • Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS                   www.epa.gov/dockets/contacts.html.
                                           Agency (EPA).                                           code 32532).                                            Additional instructions on
                                           ACTION: Final rule.                                                                                           commenting or visiting the docket,
                                                                                                   B. How can I get electronic access to
                                                                                                                                                         along with more information about
                                           SUMMARY:   This regulation establishes                  other related information?
                                                                                                                                                         dockets generally, is available at
                                           tolerances for residues of rimsulfuron in                  You may access a frequently updated                http://www.epa.gov/dockets.
                                           or on sorghum, grain, forage; sorghum,                  electronic version of EPA’s tolerance
                                           grain, grain; and sorghum, grain, stover.               regulations at 40 CFR part 180 through                II. Summary of Petitioned-For
                                           E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company                     the Government Printing Office’s e-CFR                Tolerance
                                           requested these tolerances under the                    site at http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-                In the Federal Register of July 19,
                                           Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act                    idx?&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title40/                  2013 (78 FR 43115) (FRL–9392–9), EPA
                                           (FFDCA).                                                40tab_02.tpl. To access the Office of                 issued a document pursuant to FFDCA
                                           DATES: This regulation is effective                     Chemical Safety and Pollution                         section 408(d)(3), 21 U.S.C. 346a(d)(3),
                                           October 30, 2015. Objections and                        Prevention (OCSPP) test guidelines                    announcing the filing of a pesticide
                                           requests for hearings must be received                  referenced in this document                           petition (PP 2F8131) by E.I. du Pont de
                                           on or before December 29, 2015, and                     electronically, please go to http://                  Nemours and Company, 1007 Market
                                           must be filed in accordance with the                    www.epa.gov/ocspp and select ‘‘Test                   Street, Wilmington, DE 19898. The
                                           instructions provided in 40 CFR part                    Methods and Guidelines.’’                             petition requested that 40 CFR 180.478
                                           178 (see also Unit I.C. of the                                                                                be amended by establishing tolerances
                                                                                                   C. How can I file an objection or hearing
                                           SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION).                                                                                   for residues of the herbicide
                                                                                                   request?
                                           ADDRESSES: The docket for this action,                                                                        rimsulfuron, N-((4,6-
                                           identified by docket identification (ID)                  Under FFDCA section 408(g), 21                      dimethoxypyrimidin-2-
                                           number EPA–HQ–OPP–2013–0035, is                         U.S.C. 346a, any person may file an                   yl)aminocarbonyl)-3-(ethylsulfonyl)-2-
                                           available at http://www.regulations.gov                 objection to any aspect of this regulation            pyridinesulfonamide, in or on sorghum,
                                           or at the Office of Pesticide Programs                  and may also request a hearing on those               forage; sorghum, grain; and sorghum,
                                           Regulatory Public Docket (OPP Docket)                   objections. You must file your objection              stover at 0.01 parts per million (ppm).
                                           in the Environmental Protection Agency                  or request a hearing on this regulation               That document referenced a summary of
                                           Docket Center (EPA/DC), West William                    in accordance with the instructions                   the petition prepared by E.I. du Pont de
                                           Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 3334, 1301                 provided in 40 CFR part 178. To ensure                Nemours and Company, the registrant,
                                           Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC                   proper receipt by EPA, you must                       which is available in the docket,
                                           20460–0001. The Public Reading Room                     identify docket ID number EPA–HQ–                     http://www.regulations.gov. There were
                                           is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,                    OPP–2013–0035 in the subject line on                  no comments received in response to
                                           Monday through Friday, excluding legal                  the first page of your submission. All                the notice of filing.
                                           holidays. The telephone number for the                  objections and requests for a hearing                    Based upon review of the data
                                           Public Reading Room is (202) 566–1744,                  must be in writing, and must be                       supporting the petition, EPA has revised
                                           and the telephone number for the OPP                    received by the Hearing Clerk on or                   the proposed commodity definitions.
                                           Docket is (703) 305–5805. Please review                 before December 29, 2015. Addresses for               EPA has also revised the chemical name
                                           the visitor instructions and additional                 mail and hand delivery of objections                  nomenclature for rimsulfuron in the
                                           information about the docket available                  and hearing requests are provided in 40               tolerance expression. The reasons for
                                           at http://www.epa.gov/dockets.                          CFR 178.25(b).                                        these changes are explained in Unit
                                                                                                     In addition to filing an objection or               IV.C.
                                           FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                                                                   hearing request with the Hearing Clerk
                                           Susan Lewis, Registration Division                                                                            III. Aggregate Risk Assessment and
                                                                                                   as described in 40 CFR part 178, please
                                           (7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs,                                                                        Determination of Safety
                                                                                                   submit a copy of the filing (excluding
                                           Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
                                                                                                   any Confidential Business Information                    Section 408(b)(2)(A)(i) of FFDCA
                                           Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington,
                                                                                                   (CBI)) for inclusion in the public docket.            allows EPA to establish a tolerance (the
                                           DC 20460–0001; main telephone
                                                                                                   Information not marked confidential                   legal limit for a pesticide chemical
                                           number: (703) 305–7090; email address:
                                                                                                   pursuant to 40 CFR part 2 may be                      residue in or on a food) only if EPA
                                           RDFRNotices@epa.gov.
                                                                                                   disclosed publicly by EPA without prior               determines that the tolerance is ‘‘safe.’’
                                           SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                                                                                    Section 408(b)(2)(A)(ii) of FFDCA
                                                                                                   notice. Submit the non-CBI copy of your
Lhorne on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                           I. General Information                                  objection or hearing request, identified              defines ‘‘safe’’ to mean that ‘‘there is a
                                                                                                   by docket ID number EPA–HQ–OPP–                       reasonable certainty that no harm will
                                           A. Does this action apply to me?                        2013–0035, by one of the following                    result from aggregate exposure to the
                                             You may be potentially affected by                    methods:                                              pesticide chemical residue, including
                                           this action if you are an agricultural                    • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://               all anticipated dietary exposures and all
                                           producer, food manufacturer, or                         www.regulations.gov. Follow the online                other exposures for which there is


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Document Created: 2015-12-14 15:30:01
Document Modified: 2015-12-14 15:30:01
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 October 30, 2015. Objections and requests for hearings must be received on or before December 29, 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 66795 
CFR AssociatedEnvironmental Protection; Administrative Practice and Procedure; Agricultural Commodities; Pesticides and Pests and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements

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