80_FR_72169 80 FR 71947 - Flutriafol; Pesticide Tolerances

80 FR 71947 - Flutriafol; Pesticide Tolerances

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 222 (November 18, 2015)

Page Range71947-71952
FR Document2015-29462

This regulation establishes a tolerances for residues of flutriafol in or on hop, dried cones. Cheminova A/S, c/o Cheminova, Inc. requested this tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). Additionally, tolerances are being removed that were inadvertently returned from an earlier Final rule.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 222 (Wednesday, November 18, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 222 (Wednesday, November 18, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 71947-71952]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-29462]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 180

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2015-0179; FRL-9933-61]


Flutriafol; Pesticide Tolerances

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This regulation establishes a tolerances for residues of 
flutriafol in or on hop, dried cones. Cheminova A/S, c/o Cheminova, 
Inc. requested this tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and 
Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). Additionally, tolerances are being removed that 
were inadvertently returned from an earlier Final rule.

DATES: This regulation is effective November 18, 2015. Objections and 
requests for hearings must be received on or before January 19, 2016, 
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-2015-0179, is available at http://www.regulations.gov or at the Office of Pesticide Programs Regulatory 
Public Docket (OPP Docket) in the Environmental Protection Agency 
Docket Center (EPA/DC), West William Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 3334, 
1301 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001. The Public 
Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public 
Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the OPP 
Docket is (703) 305-5805. Please review the visitor instructions and 
additional information about the docket available at http://www.epa.gov/dockets.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. General Information

A. Does this action apply to me?

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

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

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

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

    Under FFDCA section 408(g), 21 U.S.C. 346a, any person may file an 
objection to any aspect of this regulation and may also request a 
hearing on those objections. You must file your objection or request a 
hearing on this regulation in accordance with the instructions provided 
in 40 CFR part 178. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, you must identify 
docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2015-0179 in the subject line on the first 
page of your submission. All objections and requests for a hearing must 
be in writing, and must be received by the Hearing Clerk on or before 
January 19, 2016. 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-2015-0179, 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.

[[Page 71948]]

II. Summary of Petitioned-for Tolerance and This Action

    In the Federal Register of April 22, 2015 (80 FR 22466) (FRL-9925-
79), 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 
4F8294) by Cheminova Inc., c/o Cheminova A/S, 1600 Wilson Blvd., Suite 
700, Arlington, VA 22209-2510. The petition requested that 40 CFR 
180.629 be amended by establishing tolerances for residues of the 
fungicide flutriafol, (()-[alpha]-(2-fluorophenyl)-[alpha]-
(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-ethanol), in or on hops, dried 
cones at 20 parts per million (ppm). That document referenced a summary 
of the petition prepared by Cheminova Inc., c/o Cheminova A/S, the 
registrant, which is available in the docket, http://www.regulations.gov. There were no comments received in response to the 
notice of filing. For purposes of accuracy, the Agency notes that a 
harmless error was made in the notice of filing publication and is 
correcting that misstatement here: The petition was actually filed by 
Cheminova A/S, c/o Cheminova, Inc.
    Additionally, in the Federal Register of February 4, 2015 (80 FR 
5946) (FRL-9922-06) EPA established tolerances for residues of 
flutriafol, in or on several commodities, including cotton, gin 
byproducts at 6.0 ppm and cotton, undelinted seed at 0.50 ppm. When 
establishing the general tolerances in paragraph (a) for cotton, gin 
byproducts at 6.0 ppm and cotton, undelinted seed at 0.50 ppm, EPA 
inadvertently forgot to remove the existing tolerances for cotton, gin 
byproducts at 0.02 ppm and cotton, undelinted seed at 0.01 ppm from the 
table in paragraph (d) for Indirect or inadvertent residues. These 
indirect tolerances were made redundant by the establishment of the 
tolerances in the General section at a higher level for the same 
commodities. Therefore, EPA is removing the cotton, gin byproducts and 
cotton, undelinted seed tolerances established in Sec.  180.629(d).

III. Aggregate Risk Assessment and Determination of Safety

    Section 408(b)(2)(A)(i) of FFDCA allows EPA to establish a 
tolerance (the legal limit for a pesticide chemical residue in or on a 
food) only if EPA determines that the tolerance is ``safe.'' Section 
408(b)(2)(A)(ii) of FFDCA defines ``safe'' to mean that ``there is a 
reasonable certainty that no harm will result from aggregate exposure 
to the pesticide chemical residue, including all anticipated dietary 
exposures and all other exposures for which there is reliable 
information.'' This includes exposure through drinking water and in 
residential settings, but does not include occupational exposure. 
Section 408(b)(2)(C) of FFDCA requires EPA to give special 
consideration to exposure of infants and children to the pesticide 
chemical residue in establishing a tolerance and to ``ensure that there 
is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result to infants and 
children from aggregate exposure to the pesticide chemical residue. . . 
.''
    Consistent with FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(D), and the factors 
specified in FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(D), EPA has reviewed the available 
scientific data and other relevant information in support of this 
action. EPA has sufficient data to assess the hazards of and to make a 
determination on aggregate exposure for flutriafol including exposure 
resulting from the tolerances established by this action. EPA's 
assessment of exposures and risks associated with flutriafol 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. Consistent with the mammalian toxicity profiles of the other 
triazole fungicides, the prevalent adverse effects following oral 
exposure to flutriafol were in the liver. Effects consisted of 
increases in liver enzyme release (alkaline phosphatase), liver 
weights, and histopathology findings (hepatocyte vacuolization to 
centrilobular hypertrophy and slight increases in hemosiderin-laden 
Kupffer cells, minimal to severe fatty changes, and bile duct 
proliferation/cholangiolar fibrosis). Progression of toxicity occurred 
with time as some effects were only observed at chronic durations.
    Slight indications of effects in the hematopoietic system were 
sporadically seen in all species consisting of slight anemia, increased 
platelets, white blood cells, neutrophils, and lymphocytes. The effects 
in the neurotoxicity screening batteries were observed only at higher 
doses and were considered secondary effects (decreased motor activity 
and hindlimb grip strength, ptosis, lost righting reflex, hunched 
posture, and ataxia). Flutriafol showed no evidence of dermal toxicity, 
or immunotoxicity. Flutriafol showed no evidence of carcinogenicity in 
rodents or in vitro.
    There is evidence of increased quantitative and qualitative pre- 
and postnatal susceptibility for flutriafol in rats and rabbits. In the 
first of two rat developmental toxicity studies, developmental effects 
(delayed ossification or non-ossification of the skeleton in the 
fetuses) were observed at a lower dose than that where maternal effects 
were observed. In the second rat developmental study, developmental 
effects (external, visceral, and skeletal malformations; embryo 
lethality; skeletal variations; a generalized delay in fetal 
development; and fewer live fetuses) were more severe than the 
decreased food consumption and body-weight gains observed in the dams 
at the same dose. For rabbits, intrauterine deaths occurred at a dose 
level that also caused adverse effects in maternal animals. In the 2-
generation reproduction studies, effects in the offspring decreased 
litter size and percentage of live births (increased pup mortality) and 
liver toxicity can be attributed to the systemic toxicity of the 
parental animals (decreased body weight and food consumption and liver 
toxicity) observed at the same dose.
    Flutriafol is categorized as having high oral acute toxicity in the 
mouse. It is categorized as having low acute toxicity via the oral, 
dermal and inhalation routes in rats. Flutriafol is minimally 
irritating to the eyes and is not a dermal irritant. Flutriafol was not 
shown to be a skin sensitizer when tested in guinea pigs.
    Flutriafol is considered to be ``Not likely to be Carcinogenic to 
Humans'' based on the results of the carcinogenicity studies in rats 
and mice. The results of the rat chronic toxicity/carcinogenicity study 
and the mouse carcinogenicity study are negative for carcinogenicity. 
All genotoxicity studies on flutriafol showed no evidence of 
clastogenicity or mutagenicity.
    Specific information on the studies received and the nature of the 
adverse effects caused by flutriafol as well as the no-observed-
adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) and the lowest-observed-adverse-effect-
level (LOAEL) from the toxicity studies are discussed in the final rule 
published in the Federal Register of June 6, 2014 (79 FR 32666) (FRL-
9910-38).

B. Toxicological Points of Departure/Levels of Concern

    Once a pesticide's toxicological profile is determined, EPA 
identifies toxicological points of departure (POD) and levels of 
concern to use in evaluating the risk posed by human

[[Page 71949]]

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://www2.epa.gov/pesticide-science-and-assessing-pesticide-risks/assessing-human-health-risk-pesticides.
    A summary of the toxicological endpoints for flutriafol used for 
human risk assessment is discussed in Unit III.B. of the final rule 
published in the Federal Register of June 6, 2014.

C. Exposure Assessment

    1. Dietary exposure from food and feed uses. In evaluating dietary 
exposure to flutriafol, EPA considered exposure under the petitioned-
for tolerances as well as all existing flutriafol tolerances in 40 CFR 
180.629. EPA assessed dietary exposures from flutriafol in food as 
follows:
    i. Acute exposure. Quantitative acute dietary exposure and risk 
assessments are performed for a food-use pesticide, if a toxicological 
study has indicated the possibility of an effect of concern occurring 
as a result of a 1-day or single exposure.
    Such effects were identified for flutriafol. In estimating acute 
dietary exposure, EPA used food consumption information from the United 
States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Nationwide Health and Nutrition 
Examination Survey, What We Eat In America (NHANES/WWEIA) conducted 
from 2003-2008. As to residue levels in food, EPA made the following 
assumptions for the acute exposure assessment: Tolerance-level residues 
or tolerance-level residues adjusted to account for the residues of 
concern for risk assessment and 100 percent crop treated (PCT). Since 
adequate processing studies have been submitted which indicate that 
tolerances for residues in/on apple juice, grape juice, dried prunes, 
and tomato puree are unnecessary and since tolerances for residues in/
on raisin and tomato paste tolerances are established, the DEEM (ver. 
7.81) default processing factors for these commodities were reduced to 
1. The DEEM (ver. 7.81) default processing factors were retained for 
the remaining relevant commodities.
    ii. Chronic exposure. In conducting the chronic dietary exposure 
assessment EPA used the food consumption data from the USDA NHANES/
WWEIA conducted from 2003-2008. As to residue levels in food, EPA made 
the following assumptions for the chronic exposure assessment: 
Tolerance-level residues or tolerance-level residues adjusted to 
account for the residues of concern for risk assessment and 100 PCT. 
Since adequate processing studies have been submitted which indicate 
that tolerances for residues in/on apple juice, grape juice, dried 
prunes, and tomato puree are unnecessary and since tolerances for 
residues in/on raisin and tomato paste tolerances are established, the 
DEEM (ver. 7.81) default processing factors for these commodities were 
reduced to 1. The DEEM (ver. 7.81) default processing factors were 
retained for the remaining relevant commodities.
    iii. Cancer. Based on the data summarized in Unit III.A., EPA has 
concluded that flutriafol 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 and/or PCT information in the 
dietary assessment for flutriafol. Tolerance-level residues and/or 100 
PCT were assumed for all food commodities.
    2. Dietary exposure from drinking water. The Agency used screening 
level water exposure models in the dietary exposure analysis and risk 
assessment for flutriafol in drinking water. These simulation models 
take into account data on the physical, chemical, and fate/transport 
characteristics of flutriafol. Further information regarding EPA 
drinking water models used in pesticide exposure assessment can be 
found at http://www2.epa.gov/pesticide-science-and-assessing-pesticide-risks/about-water-exposure-models-used-pesticide.
    Based on the First Index Reservoir Screening Tool (FIRST), and 
Pesticide Root Zone Model Ground Water (PRZM GW), the estimated 
drinking water concentrations (EDWCs) of flutriafol for acute exposures 
are estimated to be 15.9 parts per billion (ppb) for surface water and 
193 ppb for ground water.
    For chronic exposures assessments the EDWC's are estimated to be 
5.39 ppb for surface water and 165 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 193 ppb was used to assess 
the contribution to drinking water. For chronic dietary risk 
assessment, the water concentration of value 165 ppb was used to assess 
the contribution to drinking water.
    3. From non-dietary exposure. The term ``residential exposure'' is 
used in this document to refer to non-occupational, non-dietary 
exposure (e.g., for lawn and garden pest control, indoor pest control, 
termiticides, and flea and tick control on pets). Flutriafol is not 
registered for any specific use patterns that would result in 
residential exposure.
    4. Cumulative effects from substances with a common mechanism of 
toxicity. Section 408(b)(2)(D)(v) of FFDCA requires that, when 
considering whether to establish, modify, or revoke a tolerance, the 
Agency consider ``available information'' concerning the cumulative 
effects of a particular pesticide's residues and ``other substances 
that have a common mechanism of toxicity.''
    Flutriafol is a member of the triazole-containing class of 
pesticides. Although conazoles act similarly in plants (fungi) by 
inhibiting ergosterol biosynthesis, there is not necessarily a 
relationship between their pesticidal activity and their mechanism of 
toxicity in mammals. Structural similarities do not constitute a common 
mechanism of toxicity. Evidence is needed to establish that the 
chemicals operate by the same, or essentially the same, sequence of 
major biochemical events. In conazoles, however, a variable pattern of 
toxicological responses is found; some are hepatotoxic and 
hepatocarcinogenic in mice. Some induce thyroid tumors in rats. Some 
induce developmental, reproductive, and neurological effects in 
rodents. Furthermore, the conazoles produce a diverse range of 
biochemical events including altered cholesterol levels, stress 
responses, and altered DNA methylation. It is not clearly understood 
whether these biochemical events are directly connected to their 
toxicological outcomes. Thus, there is currently no evidence to 
indicate that conazoles share common mechanisms of toxicity and EPA is 
not following a cumulative risk approach based on a common mechanism of 
toxicity for the conazoles. For information regarding EPA's procedures 
for cumulating effects

[[Page 71950]]

from substances found to have a common mechanism of toxicity, see EPA's 
Web site at http://www2.epa.gov/pesticide-science-and-assessing-pesticide-risks/cumulative-assessment-risk-pesticides.
    Triazole-derived pesticides can form the metabolite 1,2,4-triazole 
(T) and two triazole conjugates triazolylalanine (TA) and 
triazolylacetic acid (TAA). To support existing tolerances and to 
establish new tolerances for triazole-derivative pesticides, EPA 
conducted an initial human-health risk assessment for exposure to T, 
TA, and TAA resulting from the use of all current and pending uses of 
any triazole-derived fungicide as of September 1, 2005. The risk 
assessment was a highly conservative, screening-level evaluation in 
terms of hazards associated with common metabolites (e.g., use of a 
maximum combination of uncertainty factors) and potential dietary and 
non-dietary exposures (i.e., high-end estimates of both dietary and 
non-dietary exposures). In addition, the Agency retained the additional 
10X Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) safety factor (SF) for the 
protection of infants and children. The assessment included evaluations 
of risk for various subgroups, including those comprised of infants and 
children. The Agency's complete risk assessment can be found in the 
propiconazole reregistration docket at http://www.regulations.gov. 
Docket ID Number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0497.
    The most recent update to that aggregate human health risk 
assessment for free traizoles and its conjugates was conducted on April 
9, 2015. This assessment considered all proposed/registered triazole 
derived pesticides uses with the resulting risk less than the Agency's 
level of concern. An update to the aggregate human health risk 
assessment for free triazoles and its conjugates may be found in this 
current docket, docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2015-0179-0014 entitled, 
``Common Triazole Metabolites: Updated Aggregate Human Health Risk 
Assessment to Address The New Section 3 Registrations for Use of 
Propiconazole on Tea, Dill, Mustard Greens, Radish, and Watercress; Use 
of Difenoconazole on Globe Artichoke, Ginseng and Greenhouse Grown 
Cucumbers and Conversation of the Established Foliar Uses/Tolerances 
for Stone Fruit and Tree Nut Crop Groups to Fruit, Stone, Group 12-12 
and the Nut, Tree, Group 14-12.; and Use of Flutriafol on Hops.''

D. Safety Factor for Infants and Children

    1. In general. Section 408(b)(2)(C) of FFDCA provides that EPA 
shall apply an additional tenfold (10X) margin of safety for infants 
and children in the case of threshold effects to account for prenatal 
and postnatal toxicity and the completeness of the database on toxicity 
and exposure unless EPA determines based on reliable data that a 
different margin of safety will be safe for infants and children. This 
additional margin of safety is commonly referred to as the FQPA SF. In 
applying this provision, EPA either retains the default value of 10X, 
or uses a different additional safety factor when reliable data 
available to EPA support the choice of a different factor.
    2. Prenatal and postnatal sensitivity. The potential impact of in 
utero and perinatal flutriafol exposure was investigated in three 
developmental toxicity studies (two in rats, one in rabbits) and 2 
multi-generation reproduction toxicity studies in rats. In the first of 
two rat developmental toxicity studies, increased quantitative 
susceptibility was observed with developmental effects (delayed 
ossification or non-ossification of the skeleton in the fetuses) seen 
at a lower dose than maternal effects. In the second rat developmental 
study, a qualitative susceptibility was noted. Although developmental 
toxicity occurred at the same dose level that elicited maternal 
toxicity, the developmental effects (external, visceral, and skeletal 
malformations; embryo lethality; skeletal variations; a generalized 
delay in fetal development; and fewer live fetuses) were more severe 
than the decreased food consumption and body-weight gains observed in 
the dams. For rabbits, there was in increased qualitative fetal 
susceptibly. Intrauterine deaths occurred at a dose level that also 
caused adverse effects in maternal animals. In the 2-generation 
reproduction studies, a qualitative susceptibility was also seen. 
Effects in the offspring decreased litter size and percentage of live 
births (increased pup mortality) and liver toxicity can be attributed 
to the systemic toxicity of the parental animals (decreased body weight 
and food consumption and liver toxicity).
    3. Conclusion. EPA has determined that reliable data show the 
safety of infants and children would be adequately protected if the 
FQPA SF were reduced to 1X. That decision is based on the following 
findings:
    i. The toxicity database for flutriafol is complete.
    ii. There is no indication that flutriafol is a neurotoxic chemical 
and there is no need for a developmental neurotoxicity study or 
additional UFs to account for neurotoxicity. Signs of neurotoxicity 
were reported in the acute and subchronic neurotoxicity studies at the 
highest dose only; however, these effects were primarily seen in 
animals that were agonal (at the point of death) and, thus, are not 
indicative of neurotoxicity. In addition, there was no evidence of 
neurotoxicity in any additional short-term or long-term toxicity 
studies in rats, mice, and dogs.
    iii. There are no concerns or residual uncertainties for prenatal 
and/or postnatal toxicity. Although there is evidence for increased 
quantitative and qualitative susceptibility in the prenatal study in 
rats and rabbits and the 2-generation reproduction study rats, there 
are no concerns for the offspring toxicity observed in the 
developmental and reproductive toxicity studies for the following 
reasons: (1) clear NOAELs and LOAELs were established in the fetuses/
offspring for each of these studies; (2) the dose-response for these 
effects are well-defined and characterized; (3) developmental endpoints 
are used for assessing acute dietary risks to the most sensitive 
population (females 13-49 years old) as well as all other short and 
intermediate-term exposure scenarios; (4) the acute reference dose for 
females 13-49 is 1,000 fold lower than the dose at which quantitative 
susceptibility in the first developmental rat study was observed; and 
(5) the chronic reference dose is greater than 300-fold lower than the 
dose at which the offspring effects were observed in the 2-generation 
reproduction studies.
    iv. EPA made conservative (protective) assumptions in the ground 
and surface water modeling used to assess exposure to flutriafol in 
drinking water. These assessments will not underestimate the exposure 
and risks posed by flutriafol.

E. Aggregate Risks and Determination of Safety

    EPA determines whether acute and chronic dietary pesticide 
exposures are safe by comparing aggregate exposure estimates to the 
acute PAD (aPAD) and chronic PAD (cPAD). For linear cancer risks, EPA 
calculates the lifetime probability of acquiring cancer given the 
estimated aggregate exposure. Short-, intermediate-, and chronic-term 
risks are evaluated by comparing the estimated aggregate food, water, 
and residential exposure to the appropriate PODs to ensure that an 
adequate MOE exists.

[[Page 71951]]

    1. Acute risk. Using the exposure assumptions discussed in this 
unit for acute exposure, the acute dietary exposure from food and water 
to flutriafol will occupy 39% of the aPAD for females 13-49 years, the 
population group receiving the greatest % aPAD.
    2. Chronic risk. Using the exposure assumptions described in this 
unit for chronic exposure, EPA has concluded that chronic exposure to 
flutriafol from food and water will utilize 96% of the cPAD for 
children 1-2 years old, the population group receiving the greatest 
exposure. There are no residential uses for flutriafol.
    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). Because there 
is no short-term residential exposure, and chronic dietary exposure has 
already been assessed under the appropriately protective cPAD (which is 
at least as protective as the POD used to assess short-term risk), no 
further assessment of short-term risk is necessary, and EPA relies on 
the chronic dietary risk assessment for evaluating short-term risk for 
flutriafol.
    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). Because there is no intermediate-term residential exposure, and 
chronic dietary exposure has already been assessed under the 
appropriately protective cPAD (which is at least as protective as the 
POD used to assess short-term risk), no further assessment of 
intermediate-term risk is necessary, and EPA relies on the chronic 
dietary risk assessment for evaluating intermediate-term risk for 
flutriafol.
    5. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S. population. Based on the lack of 
evidence of carcinogenicity in two adequate rodent carcinogenicity 
studies, flutriafol is not expected to pose a cancer risk to humans.
    6. Determination of safety. Based on these risk assessments, EPA 
concludes that there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result 
to the general population, or to infants and children from aggregate 
exposure to flutriafol residues.

IV. Other Considerations

A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology

    Adequate enforcement methodology gas chromotography/nitrogen-
phosphorus detector (GC/NPD) for the proposed tolerances is available 
to enforce the tolerances recommended herein is available to enforce 
the tolerance expression.
    The method may be requested from: Chief, Analytical Chemistry 
Branch, Environmental Science Center, 701 Mapes Rd., Ft. Meade, MD 
20755-5350; telephone number: (410) 305-2905; email address: 
[email protected].

B. International Residue Limits

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

V. Conclusion

    Therefore, tolerances are established for residues of flutriafol, 
(()-[alpha]-(2-fluorophenyl)-[alpha]-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-
1,2,4-triazole-1-ethanol), in or on hop, dried cones at 20 ppm. 
Additionally, the tolerances for cotton, gin byproducts, and cotton, 
undelinted seed established in 180.629(d) are being removed.

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 tolerance in this 
final rule, do not require the issuance of a proposed rule, the 
requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601 et 
seq.), do not apply.
    This 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

[[Page 71952]]

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: November 10, 2015.
Susan Lewis,
Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.
    Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is amended as follows:

PART 180--[AMENDED]

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

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


0
2. In Sec.  180.629:
0
a. Add alphabetically the commodity ``Hop, dried cones'' to the table 
in paragraph (a).
0
b. Remove the commodities ``Cotton, gin byproducts,'' and ``Cotton, 
undelinted seed'' from the table in paragraph (d).
    The addition reads as follows:


Sec.  180.629  Flutriafol; tolerances for residues.

    (a) * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Parts per
                       Commodity                             million
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                * * * * *
Hop, dried cones.......................................              20
 
                                * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2015-29462 Filed 11-17-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P



                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 222 / Wednesday, November 18, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                               71947

                                           12(d) of the National Technology                                  ACTION:   Final rule.                                 B. How can I get electronic access to
                                           Transfer and Advancement Act                                                                                            other related information?
                                           (NTTAA) (15 U.S.C. 272 note).                                     SUMMARY:   This regulation establishes a
                                                                                                             tolerances for residues of flutriafol in or              You may access a frequently updated
                                           XI. Congressional Review Act                                      on hop, dried cones. Cheminova A/S,                   electronic version of EPA’s tolerance
                                             Pursuant to the Congressional Review                            c/o Cheminova, Inc. requested this                    regulations at 40 CFR part 180 through
                                           Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), EPA will                              tolerances under the Federal Food,                    the Government Printing Office’s e-CFR
                                           submit a report containing this rule and                          Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).                       site at http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-
                                           other required information to the U.S.                            Additionally, tolerances are being                    idx?&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title40/
                                           Senate, the U.S. House of                                         removed that were inadvertently                       40tab_02.tpl.
                                           Representatives, and the Comptroller                              returned from an earlier Final rule.
                                           General of the United States prior to                             DATES: This regulation is effective                   C. How can I file an objection or hearing
                                           publication of the rule in the Federal                            November 18, 2015. Objections and                     request?
                                           Register. This action is not a ‘‘major                            requests for hearings must be received                  Under FFDCA section 408(g), 21
                                           rule’’ as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).                             on or before January 19, 2016, and must               U.S.C. 346a, any person may file an
                                                                                                             be filed in accordance with the                       objection to any aspect of this regulation
                                           List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180
                                                                                                             instructions provided in 40 CFR part                  and may also request a hearing on those
                                             Environmental protection,                                       178 (see also Unit I.C. of the
                                           Administrative practice and procedure,                                                                                  objections. You must file your objection
                                                                                                             SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION).
                                           Agricultural commodities, Pesticides                                                                                    or request a hearing on this regulation
                                                                                                             ADDRESSES: The docket for this action,
                                           and pests, Reporting and recordkeeping                                                                                  in accordance with the instructions
                                                                                                             identified by docket identification (ID)              provided in 40 CFR part 178. To ensure
                                           requirements.                                                     number EPA–HQ–OPP–2015–0179, is                       proper receipt by EPA, you must
                                             Dated: November 9, 2015.                                        available at http://www.regulations.gov               identify docket ID number EPA–HQ–
                                           Susan Lewis,                                                      or at the Office of Pesticide Programs                OPP–2015–0179 in the subject line on
                                           Director, Registration Division, Office of                        Regulatory Public Docket (OPP Docket)                 the first page of your submission. All
                                           Pesticide Programs.                                               in the Environmental Protection Agency
                                                                                                                                                                   objections and requests for a hearing
                                             Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is                                  Docket Center (EPA/DC), West William
                                                                                                                                                                   must be in writing, and must be
                                           amended as follows:                                               Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 3334, 1301
                                                                                                                                                                   received by the Hearing Clerk on or
                                                                                                             Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC
                                           PART 180—[AMENDED]                                                                                                      before January 19, 2016. Addresses for
                                                                                                             20460–0001. The Public Reading Room
                                                                                                                                                                   mail and hand delivery of objections
                                             1. The authority citation for part 180                          is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,
                                           ■                                                                                                                       and hearing requests are provided in 40
                                           continues to read as follows:                                     Monday through Friday, excluding legal
                                                                                                                                                                   CFR 178.25(b).
                                                                                                             holidays. The telephone number for the
                                               Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.                    Public Reading Room is (202) 566–1744,                  In addition to filing an objection or
                                           ■ 2. In § 180.960, add alphabetically the                         and the telephone number for the OPP                  hearing request with the Hearing Clerk
                                           following polymer to the table to read as                         Docket is (703) 305–5805. Please review               as described in 40 CFR part 178, please
                                           follows:                                                          the visitor instructions and additional               submit a copy of the filing (excluding
                                                                                                             information about the docket available                any Confidential Business Information
                                           § 180.960 Polymers; exemptions from the                                                                                 (CBI)) for inclusion in the public docket.
                                                                                                             at http://www.epa.gov/dockets.
                                           requirement of a tolerance.                                                                                             Information not marked confidential
                                                                                                             FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                           *        *       *        *        *                              Susan Lewis, Registration Division                    pursuant to 40 CFR part 2 may be
                                                                                                             (7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs,                disclosed publicly by EPA without prior
                                                         Polymer                           CAS No.                                                                 notice. Submit the non-CBI copy of your
                                                                                                             Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
                                                                                                             Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington,                    objection or hearing request, identified
                                                *            *            *            *            *        DC 20460–0001; main telephone                         by docket ID number EPA–HQ–OPP–
                                                                                                             number: (703) 305–7090; email address:                2015–0179, by one of the following
                                           2-Propenoic acid, polymer                                         RDFRNotices@epa.gov.                                  methods:
                                             with ethenylbenzene and                                                                                                 • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://
                                                                                                             SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                             (1-methylethenyl)benzene,
                                                                                                                                                                   www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
                                             minimum number average                                          I. General Information
                                             molecular weight (in amu),                                                                                            instructions for submitting comments.
                                             2,000 .................................       52831–04–6.       A. Does this action apply to me?                      Do not submit electronically any
                                                                                                                You may be potentially affected by                 information you consider to be CBI or
                                                                                                             this action if you are an agricultural                other information whose disclosure is
                                           *            *             *            *           *                                                                   restricted by statute.
                                                                                                             producer, food manufacturer, or
                                                                                                             pesticide manufacturer. The following                   • Mail: OPP Docket, Environmental
                                           [FR Doc. 2015–29466 Filed 11–17–15; 8:45 am]                      list of North American Industrial                     Protection Agency Docket Center (EPA/
                                           BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
                                                                                                             Classification System (NAICS) codes is                DC), (28221T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave.
                                                                                                             not intended to be exhaustive, but rather             NW., Washington, DC 20460–0001.
                                                                                                             provides a guide to help readers                        • Hand Delivery: To make special
                                           ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION                                          determine whether this document                       arrangements for hand delivery or
                                           AGENCY                                                            applies to them. Potentially affected                 delivery of boxed information, please
                                                                                                             entities may include:                                 follow the instructions at http://
                                                                                                                • Crop production (NAICS code 111).
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                                           40 CFR Part 180                                                                                                         www.epa.gov/dockets/contacts.html.
                                                                                                                • Animal production (NAICS code
                                           [EPA–HQ–OPP–2015–0179; FRL–9933–61]                                                                                       Additional instructions on
                                                                                                             112).
                                           Flutriafol; Pesticide Tolerances                                     • Food manufacturing (NAICS code                   commenting or visiting the docket,
                                                                                                             311).                                                 along with more information about
                                           AGENCY: Environmental Protection                                     • Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS                   dockets generally, is available at
                                           Agency (EPA).                                                     code 32532).                                          http://www.epa.gov/dockets.


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                                           71948        Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 222 / Wednesday, November 18, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                           II. Summary of Petitioned-for Tolerance                 other exposures for which there is                    evidence of carcinogenicity in rodents
                                           and This Action                                         reliable information.’’ This includes                 or in vitro.
                                                                                                   exposure through drinking water and in                   There is evidence of increased
                                              In the Federal Register of April 22,
                                                                                                   residential settings, but does not include            quantitative and qualitative pre- and
                                           2015 (80 FR 22466) (FRL–9925–79),
                                                                                                   occupational exposure. Section                        postnatal susceptibility for flutriafol in
                                           EPA issued a document pursuant to
                                                                                                   408(b)(2)(C) of FFDCA requires EPA to                 rats and rabbits. In the first of two rat
                                           FFDCA section 408(d)(3), 21 U.S.C.
                                                                                                   give special consideration to exposure                developmental toxicity studies,
                                           346a(d)(3), announcing the filing of a
                                                                                                   of infants and children to the pesticide              developmental effects (delayed
                                           pesticide petition (PP 4F8294) by
                                                                                                   chemical residue in establishing a                    ossification or non-ossification of the
                                           Cheminova Inc., c/o Cheminova A/S,
                                                                                                   tolerance and to ‘‘ensure that there is a             skeleton in the fetuses) were observed at
                                           1600 Wilson Blvd., Suite 700, Arlington,
                                                                                                   reasonable certainty that no harm will                a lower dose than that where maternal
                                           VA 22209–2510. The petition requested                                                                         effects were observed. In the second rat
                                           that 40 CFR 180.629 be amended by                       result to infants and children from
                                                                                                   aggregate exposure to the pesticide                   developmental study, developmental
                                           establishing tolerances for residues of                                                                       effects (external, visceral, and skeletal
                                           the fungicide flutriafol, ((±)-a-(2-                    chemical residue. . . .’’
                                                                                                     Consistent with FFDCA section                       malformations; embryo lethality;
                                           fluorophenyl)-a-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H–                                                                          skeletal variations; a generalized delay
                                           1,2,4-triazole-1-ethanol), in or on hops,               408(b)(2)(D), and the factors specified in
                                                                                                   FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(D), EPA has                   in fetal development; and fewer live
                                           dried cones at 20 parts per million                                                                           fetuses) were more severe than the
                                           (ppm). That document referenced a                       reviewed the available scientific data
                                                                                                   and other relevant information in                     decreased food consumption and body-
                                           summary of the petition prepared by                                                                           weight gains observed in the dams at the
                                           Cheminova Inc., c/o Cheminova A/S,                      support of this action. EPA has
                                                                                                   sufficient data to assess the hazards of              same dose. For rabbits, intrauterine
                                           the registrant, which is available in the                                                                     deaths occurred at a dose level that also
                                           docket, http://www.regulations.gov.                     and to make a determination on
                                                                                                   aggregate exposure for flutriafol                     caused adverse effects in maternal
                                           There were no comments received in                                                                            animals. In the 2-generation
                                           response to the notice of filing. For                   including exposure resulting from the
                                                                                                   tolerances established by this action.                reproduction studies, effects in the
                                           purposes of accuracy, the Agency notes                                                                        offspring decreased litter size and
                                           that a harmless error was made in the                   EPA’s assessment of exposures and risks
                                                                                                   associated with flutriafol follows.                   percentage of live births (increased pup
                                           notice of filing publication and is                                                                           mortality) and liver toxicity can be
                                           correcting that misstatement here: The                  A. Toxicological Profile                              attributed to the systemic toxicity of the
                                           petition was actually filed by                                                                                parental animals (decreased body
                                           Cheminova A/S, c/o Cheminova, Inc.                         EPA has evaluated the available
                                                                                                                                                         weight and food consumption and liver
                                              Additionally, in the Federal Register                toxicity data and considered its validity,
                                                                                                                                                         toxicity) observed at the same dose.
                                           of February 4, 2015 (80 FR 5946) (FRL–                  completeness, and reliability as well as
                                                                                                                                                            Flutriafol is categorized as having
                                           9922–06) EPA established tolerances for                 the relationship of the results of the
                                                                                                                                                         high oral acute toxicity in the mouse. It
                                           residues of flutriafol, in or on several                studies to human risk. EPA has also
                                                                                                                                                         is categorized as having low acute
                                           commodities, including cotton, gin                      considered available information
                                                                                                                                                         toxicity via the oral, dermal and
                                           byproducts at 6.0 ppm and cotton,                       concerning the variability of the
                                                                                                                                                         inhalation routes in rats. Flutriafol is
                                           undelinted seed at 0.50 ppm. When                       sensitivities of major identifiable
                                                                                                                                                         minimally irritating to the eyes and is
                                           establishing the general tolerances in                  subgroups of consumers, including
                                                                                                                                                         not a dermal irritant. Flutriafol was not
                                           paragraph (a) for cotton, gin byproducts                infants and children. Consistent with
                                                                                                                                                         shown to be a skin sensitizer when
                                           at 6.0 ppm and cotton, undelinted seed                  the mammalian toxicity profiles of the
                                                                                                                                                         tested in guinea pigs.
                                           at 0.50 ppm, EPA inadvertently forgot to                other triazole fungicides, the prevalent                 Flutriafol is considered to be ‘‘Not
                                           remove the existing tolerances for                      adverse effects following oral exposure               likely to be Carcinogenic to Humans’’
                                           cotton, gin byproducts at 0.02 ppm and                  to flutriafol were in the liver. Effects              based on the results of the
                                           cotton, undelinted seed at 0.01 ppm                     consisted of increases in liver enzyme                carcinogenicity studies in rats and mice.
                                           from the table in paragraph (d) for                     release (alkaline phosphatase), liver                 The results of the rat chronic toxicity/
                                           Indirect or inadvertent residues. These                 weights, and histopathology findings                  carcinogenicity study and the mouse
                                           indirect tolerances were made                           (hepatocyte vacuolization to                          carcinogenicity study are negative for
                                           redundant by the establishment of the                   centrilobular hypertrophy and slight                  carcinogenicity. All genotoxicity studies
                                           tolerances in the General section at a                  increases in hemosiderin-laden Kupffer                on flutriafol showed no evidence of
                                           higher level for the same commodities.                  cells, minimal to severe fatty changes,               clastogenicity or mutagenicity.
                                           Therefore, EPA is removing the cotton,                  and bile duct proliferation/cholangiolar                 Specific information on the studies
                                           gin byproducts and cotton, undelinted                   fibrosis). Progression of toxicity                    received and the nature of the adverse
                                           seed tolerances established in                          occurred with time as some effects were               effects caused by flutriafol as well as the
                                           § 180.629(d).                                           only observed at chronic durations.                   no-observed-adverse-effect-level
                                                                                                      Slight indications of effects in the               (NOAEL) and the lowest-observed-
                                           III. Aggregate Risk Assessment and                      hematopoietic system were sporadically
                                           Determination of Safety                                                                                       adverse-effect-level (LOAEL) from the
                                                                                                   seen in all species consisting of slight              toxicity studies are discussed in the
                                              Section 408(b)(2)(A)(i) of FFDCA                     anemia, increased platelets, white blood              final rule published in the Federal
                                           allows EPA to establish a tolerance (the                cells, neutrophils, and lymphocytes.                  Register of June 6, 2014 (79 FR 32666)
                                           legal limit for a pesticide chemical                    The effects in the neurotoxicity                      (FRL–9910–38).
                                           residue in or on a food) only if EPA                    screening batteries were observed only
                                           determines that the tolerance is ‘‘safe.’’              at higher doses and were considered                   B. Toxicological Points of Departure/
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                                           Section 408(b)(2)(A)(ii) of FFDCA                       secondary effects (decreased motor                    Levels of Concern
                                           defines ‘‘safe’’ to mean that ‘‘there is a              activity and hindlimb grip strength,                    Once a pesticide’s toxicological
                                           reasonable certainty that no harm will                  ptosis, lost righting reflex, hunched                 profile is determined, EPA identifies
                                           result from aggregate exposure to the                   posture, and ataxia). Flutriafol showed               toxicological points of departure (POD)
                                           pesticide chemical residue, including                   no evidence of dermal toxicity, or                    and levels of concern to use in
                                           all anticipated dietary exposures and all               immunotoxicity. Flutriafol showed no                  evaluating the risk posed by human


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                                                        Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 222 / Wednesday, November 18, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                         71949

                                           exposure to the pesticide. For hazards                  residues in/on apple juice, grape juice,                 For chronic exposures assessments
                                           that have a threshold below which there                 dried prunes, and tomato puree are                    the EDWC’s are estimated to be 5.39 ppb
                                           is no appreciable risk, the toxicological               unnecessary and since tolerances for                  for surface water and 165 ppb for
                                           POD is used as the basis for derivation                 residues in/on raisin and tomato paste                ground water.
                                           of reference values for risk assessment.                tolerances are established, the DEEM                     Modeled estimates of drinking water
                                           PODs are developed based on a careful                   (ver. 7.81) default processing factors for            concentrations were directly entered
                                           analysis of the doses in each                           these commodities were reduced to 1.                  into the dietary exposure model. For
                                           toxicological study to determine the                    The DEEM (ver. 7.81) default processing               acute dietary risk assessment, the water
                                           dose at which the NOAEL and the                         factors were retained for the remaining               concentration value of 193 ppb was
                                           LOAEL are identified. Uncertainty/                      relevant commodities.                                 used to assess the contribution to
                                           safety factors are used in conjunction                     ii. Chronic exposure. In conducting                drinking water. For chronic dietary risk
                                           with the POD to calculate a safe                        the chronic dietary exposure assessment               assessment, the water concentration of
                                           exposure level—generally referred to as                 EPA used the food consumption data                    value 165 ppb was used to assess the
                                           a population-adjusted dose (PAD) or a                   from the USDA NHANES/WWEIA                            contribution to drinking water.
                                           reference dose (RfD)—and a safe margin                  conducted from 2003–2008. As to                          3. From non-dietary exposure. The
                                           of exposure (MOE). For non-threshold                    residue levels in food, EPA made the                  term ‘‘residential exposure’’ is used in
                                           risks, the Agency assumes that any                      following assumptions for the chronic                 this document to refer to non-
                                           amount of exposure will lead to some                    exposure assessment: Tolerance-level                  occupational, non-dietary exposure
                                           degree of risk. Thus, the Agency                        residues or tolerance-level residues                  (e.g., for lawn and garden pest control,
                                           estimates risk in terms of the probability              adjusted to account for the residues of               indoor pest control, termiticides, and
                                           of an occurrence of the adverse effect                  concern for risk assessment and 100                   flea and tick control on pets). Flutriafol
                                           expected in a lifetime. For more                        PCT. Since adequate processing studies                is not registered for any specific use
                                           information on the general principles                   have been submitted which indicate                    patterns that would result in residential
                                           EPA uses in risk characterization and a                 that tolerances for residues in/on apple              exposure.
                                           complete description of the risk                        juice, grape juice, dried prunes, and                    4. Cumulative effects from substances
                                           assessment process, see http://                         tomato puree are unnecessary and since                with a common mechanism of toxicity.
                                           www2.epa.gov/pesticide-science-and-                     tolerances for residues in/on raisin and              Section 408(b)(2)(D)(v) of FFDCA
                                           assessing-pesticide-risks/assessing-                    tomato paste tolerances are established,              requires that, when considering whether
                                           human-health-risk-pesticides.                           the DEEM (ver. 7.81) default processing               to establish, modify, or revoke a
                                              A summary of the toxicological                       factors for these commodities were                    tolerance, the Agency consider
                                           endpoints for flutriafol used for human                 reduced to 1. The DEEM (ver. 7.81)                    ‘‘available information’’ concerning the
                                           risk assessment is discussed in Unit                    default processing factors were retained              cumulative effects of a particular
                                           III.B. of the final rule published in the               for the remaining relevant commodities.               pesticide’s residues and ‘‘other
                                           Federal Register of June 6, 2014.                          iii. Cancer. Based on the data                     substances that have a common
                                                                                                   summarized in Unit III.A., EPA has                    mechanism of toxicity.’’
                                           C. Exposure Assessment                                  concluded that flutriafol does not pose                  Flutriafol is a member of the triazole-
                                              1. Dietary exposure from food and                    a cancer risk to humans. Therefore, a                 containing class of pesticides. Although
                                           feed uses. In evaluating dietary                        dietary exposure assessment for the                   conazoles act similarly in plants (fungi)
                                           exposure to flutriafol, EPA considered                  purpose of assessing cancer risk is                   by inhibiting ergosterol biosynthesis,
                                           exposure under the petitioned-for                       unnecessary.                                          there is not necessarily a relationship
                                           tolerances as well as all existing                         iv. Anticipated residue and percent                between their pesticidal activity and
                                           flutriafol tolerances in 40 CFR 180.629.                crop treated (PCT) information. EPA did               their mechanism of toxicity in
                                           EPA assessed dietary exposures from                     not use anticipated residue and/or PCT                mammals. Structural similarities do not
                                           flutriafol in food as follows:                          information in the dietary assessment                 constitute a common mechanism of
                                              i. Acute exposure. Quantitative acute                for flutriafol. Tolerance-level residues              toxicity. Evidence is needed to establish
                                           dietary exposure and risk assessments                   and/or 100 PCT were assumed for all                   that the chemicals operate by the same,
                                           are performed for a food-use pesticide,                 food commodities.                                     or essentially the same, sequence of
                                           if a toxicological study has indicated the                 2. Dietary exposure from drinking                  major biochemical events. In conazoles,
                                           possibility of an effect of concern                     water. The Agency used screening level                however, a variable pattern of
                                           occurring as a result of a 1-day or single              water exposure models in the dietary                  toxicological responses is found; some
                                           exposure.                                               exposure analysis and risk assessment                 are hepatotoxic and hepatocarcinogenic
                                              Such effects were identified for                     for flutriafol in drinking water. These               in mice. Some induce thyroid tumors in
                                           flutriafol. In estimating acute dietary                 simulation models take into account                   rats. Some induce developmental,
                                           exposure, EPA used food consumption                     data on the physical, chemical, and fate/             reproductive, and neurological effects in
                                           information from the United States                      transport characteristics of flutriafol.              rodents. Furthermore, the conazoles
                                           Department of Agriculture (USDA)                        Further information regarding EPA                     produce a diverse range of biochemical
                                           Nationwide Health and Nutrition                         drinking water models used in pesticide               events including altered cholesterol
                                           Examination Survey, What We Eat In                      exposure assessment can be found at                   levels, stress responses, and altered
                                           America (NHANES/WWEIA) conducted                        http://www2.epa.gov/pesticide-science-                DNA methylation. It is not clearly
                                           from 2003–2008. As to residue levels in                 and-assessing-pesticide-risks/about-                  understood whether these biochemical
                                           food, EPA made the following                            water-exposure-models-used-pesticide.                 events are directly connected to their
                                           assumptions for the acute exposure                         Based on the First Index Reservoir                 toxicological outcomes. Thus, there is
                                           assessment: Tolerance-level residues or                 Screening Tool (FIRST), and Pesticide                 currently no evidence to indicate that
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                                           tolerance-level residues adjusted to                    Root Zone Model Ground Water (PRZM                    conazoles share common mechanisms of
                                           account for the residues of concern for                 GW), the estimated drinking water                     toxicity and EPA is not following a
                                           risk assessment and 100 percent crop                    concentrations (EDWCs) of flutriafol for              cumulative risk approach based on a
                                           treated (PCT). Since adequate                           acute exposures are estimated to be 15.9              common mechanism of toxicity for the
                                           processing studies have been submitted                  parts per billion (ppb) for surface water             conazoles. For information regarding
                                           which indicate that tolerances for                      and 193 ppb for ground water.                         EPA’s procedures for cumulating effects


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                                           71950        Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 222 / Wednesday, November 18, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                           from substances found to have a                         D. Safety Factor for Infants and                         ii. There is no indication that
                                           common mechanism of toxicity, see                       Children                                              flutriafol is a neurotoxic chemical and
                                           EPA’s Web site at http://www2.epa.gov/                     1. In general. Section 408(b)(2)(C) of             there is no need for a developmental
                                           pesticide-science-and-assessing-                        FFDCA provides that EPA shall apply                   neurotoxicity study or additional UFs to
                                           pesticide-risks/cumulative-assessment-                  an additional tenfold (10X) margin of                 account for neurotoxicity. Signs of
                                           risk-pesticides.                                        safety for infants and children in the                neurotoxicity were reported in the acute
                                                                                                   case of threshold effects to account for              and subchronic neurotoxicity studies at
                                              Triazole-derived pesticides can form
                                                                                                   prenatal and postnatal toxicity and the               the highest dose only; however, these
                                           the metabolite 1,2,4-triazole (T) and two                                                                     effects were primarily seen in animals
                                           triazole conjugates triazolylalanine (TA)               completeness of the database on toxicity
                                                                                                   and exposure unless EPA determines                    that were agonal (at the point of death)
                                           and triazolylacetic acid (TAA). To                                                                            and, thus, are not indicative of
                                           support existing tolerances and to                      based on reliable data that a different
                                                                                                   margin of safety will be safe for infants             neurotoxicity. In addition, there was no
                                           establish new tolerances for triazole-                                                                        evidence of neurotoxicity in any
                                           derivative pesticides, EPA conducted an                 and children. This additional margin of
                                                                                                   safety is commonly referred to as the                 additional short-term or long-term
                                           initial human-health risk assessment for                                                                      toxicity studies in rats, mice, and dogs.
                                                                                                   FQPA SF. In applying this provision,
                                           exposure to T, TA, and TAA resulting                                                                             iii. There are no concerns or residual
                                                                                                   EPA either retains the default value of
                                           from the use of all current and pending                                                                       uncertainties for prenatal and/or
                                                                                                   10X, or uses a different additional safety
                                           uses of any triazole-derived fungicide as               factor when reliable data available to                postnatal toxicity. Although there is
                                           of September 1, 2005. The risk                          EPA support the choice of a different                 evidence for increased quantitative and
                                           assessment was a highly conservative,                   factor.                                               qualitative susceptibility in the prenatal
                                           screening-level evaluation in terms of                     2. Prenatal and postnatal sensitivity.             study in rats and rabbits and the 2-
                                           hazards associated with common                          The potential impact of in utero and                  generation reproduction study rats,
                                           metabolites (e.g., use of a maximum                     perinatal flutriafol exposure was                     there are no concerns for the offspring
                                           combination of uncertainty factors) and                 investigated in three developmental                   toxicity observed in the developmental
                                           potential dietary and non-dietary                       toxicity studies (two in rats, one in                 and reproductive toxicity studies for the
                                           exposures (i.e., high-end estimates of                  rabbits) and 2 multi-generation                       following reasons: (1) clear NOAELs and
                                           both dietary and non-dietary exposures).                reproduction toxicity studies in rats. In             LOAELs were established in the fetuses/
                                           In addition, the Agency retained the                    the first of two rat developmental                    offspring for each of these studies; (2)
                                           additional 10X Food Quality Protection                  toxicity studies, increased quantitative              the dose-response for these effects are
                                           Act (FQPA) safety factor (SF) for the                   susceptibility was observed with                      well-defined and characterized; (3)
                                           protection of infants and children. The                 developmental effects (delayed                        developmental endpoints are used for
                                           assessment included evaluations of risk                 ossification or non-ossification of the               assessing acute dietary risks to the most
                                           for various subgroups, including those                  skeleton in the fetuses) seen at a lower              sensitive population (females 13–49
                                                                                                   dose than maternal effects. In the                    years old) as well as all other short and
                                           comprised of infants and children. The
                                                                                                   second rat developmental study, a                     intermediate-term exposure scenarios;
                                           Agency’s complete risk assessment can
                                                                                                   qualitative susceptibility was noted.                 (4) the acute reference dose for females
                                           be found in the propiconazole
                                                                                                   Although developmental toxicity                       13–49 is 1,000 fold lower than the dose
                                           reregistration docket at http://                                                                              at which quantitative susceptibility in
                                           www.regulations.gov. Docket ID Number                   occurred at the same dose level that
                                                                                                   elicited maternal toxicity, the                       the first developmental rat study was
                                           EPA–HQ–OPP–2005–0497.                                                                                         observed; and (5) the chronic reference
                                                                                                   developmental effects (external,
                                              The most recent update to that                       visceral, and skeletal malformations;                 dose is greater than 300-fold lower than
                                           aggregate human health risk assessment                  embryo lethality; skeletal variations; a              the dose at which the offspring effects
                                           for free traizoles and its conjugates was               generalized delay in fetal development;               were observed in the 2-generation
                                           conducted on April 9, 2015. This                        and fewer live fetuses) were more severe              reproduction studies.
                                           assessment considered all proposed/                     than the decreased food consumption                      iv. EPA made conservative
                                           registered triazole derived pesticides                  and body-weight gains observed in the                 (protective) assumptions in the ground
                                           uses with the resulting risk less than the              dams. For rabbits, there was in                       and surface water modeling used to
                                           Agency’s level of concern. An update to                 increased qualitative fetal susceptibly.              assess exposure to flutriafol in drinking
                                           the aggregate human health risk                         Intrauterine deaths occurred at a dose                water. These assessments will not
                                           assessment for free triazoles and its                   level that also caused adverse effects in             underestimate the exposure and risks
                                           conjugates may be found in this current                 maternal animals. In the 2-generation                 posed by flutriafol.
                                           docket, docket ID number EPA–HQ–                        reproduction studies, a qualitative                   E. Aggregate Risks and Determination of
                                           OPP–2015–0179–0014 entitled,                            susceptibility was also seen. Effects in              Safety
                                           ‘‘Common Triazole Metabolites:                          the offspring decreased litter size and
                                           Updated Aggregate Human Health Risk                     percentage of live births (increased pup                 EPA determines whether acute and
                                                                                                   mortality) and liver toxicity can be                  chronic dietary pesticide exposures are
                                           Assessment to Address The New
                                                                                                   attributed to the systemic toxicity of the            safe by comparing aggregate exposure
                                           Section 3 Registrations for Use of
                                                                                                   parental animals (decreased body                      estimates to the acute PAD (aPAD) and
                                           Propiconazole on Tea, Dill, Mustard                                                                           chronic PAD (cPAD). For linear cancer
                                                                                                   weight and food consumption and liver
                                           Greens, Radish, and Watercress; Use of                                                                        risks, EPA calculates the lifetime
                                                                                                   toxicity).
                                           Difenoconazole on Globe Artichoke,                         3. Conclusion. EPA has determined                  probability of acquiring cancer given the
                                           Ginseng and Greenhouse Grown                            that reliable data show the safety of                 estimated aggregate exposure. Short-,
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                                           Cucumbers and Conversation of the                       infants and children would be                         intermediate-, and chronic-term risks
                                           Established Foliar Uses/Tolerances for                  adequately protected if the FQPA SF                   are evaluated by comparing the
                                           Stone Fruit and Tree Nut Crop Groups                    were reduced to 1X. That decision is                  estimated aggregate food, water, and
                                           to Fruit, Stone, Group 12–12 and the                    based on the following findings:                      residential exposure to the appropriate
                                           Nut, Tree, Group 14–12.; and Use of                        i. The toxicity database for flutriafol is         PODs to ensure that an adequate MOE
                                           Flutriafol on Hops.’’                                   complete.                                             exists.


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                                                        Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 222 / Wednesday, November 18, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                         71951

                                              1. Acute risk. Using the exposure                    proposed tolerances is available to                   Risks and Safety Risks’’ (62 FR 19885,
                                           assumptions discussed in this unit for                  enforce the tolerances recommended                    April 23, 1997). This action does not
                                           acute exposure, the acute dietary                       herein is available to enforce the                    contain any information collections
                                           exposure from food and water to                         tolerance expression.                                 subject to OMB approval under the
                                           flutriafol will occupy 39% of the aPAD                     The method may be requested from:                  Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44
                                           for females 13–49 years, the population                 Chief, Analytical Chemistry Branch,                   U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), nor does it require
                                           group receiving the greatest % aPAD.                    Environmental Science Center, 701                     any special considerations under
                                              2. Chronic risk. Using the exposure                  Mapes Rd., Ft. Meade, MD 20755–5350;                  Executive Order 12898, entitled
                                           assumptions described in this unit for                  telephone number: (410) 305–2905;                     ‘‘Federal Actions to Address
                                           chronic exposure, EPA has concluded                     email address: residuemethods@                        Environmental Justice in Minority
                                           that chronic exposure to flutriafol from                epa.gov.                                              Populations and Low-Income
                                           food and water will utilize 96% of the                  B. International Residue Limits                       Populations’’ (59 FR 7629, February 16,
                                           cPAD for children 1–2 years old, the                                                                          1994).
                                           population group receiving the greatest                   In making its tolerance decisions, EPA                 Since tolerances and exemptions that
                                           exposure. There are no residential uses                 seeks to harmonize U.S. tolerances with               are established on the basis of a petition
                                           for flutriafol.                                         international standards whenever                      under FFDCA section 408(d), such as
                                              3. Short-term risk. Short-term                       possible, consistent with U.S. food                   the tolerance in this final rule, do not
                                           aggregate exposure takes into account                   safety standards and agricultural                     require the issuance of a proposed rule,
                                           short-term residential exposure plus                    practices. EPA considers the                          the requirements of the Regulatory
                                           chronic exposure to food and water                      international maximum residue limits                  Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601 et
                                           (considered to be a background                          (MRLs) established by the Codex                       seq.), do not apply.
                                           exposure level). Because there is no                    Alimentarius Commission (Codex), as
                                                                                                                                                            This action directly regulates growers,
                                           short-term residential exposure, and                    required by FFDCA section 408(b)(4).
                                                                                                                                                         food processors, food handlers, and food
                                           chronic dietary exposure has already                    The Codex Alimentarius is a joint
                                                                                                                                                         retailers, not States or tribes, nor does
                                           been assessed under the appropriately                   United Nations Food and Agriculture
                                                                                                                                                         this action alter the relationships or
                                           protective cPAD (which is at least as                   Organization/World Health
                                                                                                                                                         distribution of power and
                                           protective as the POD used to assess                    Organization food standards program,
                                                                                                                                                         responsibilities established by Congress
                                           short-term risk), no further assessment                 and it is recognized as an international
                                                                                                                                                         in the preemption provisions of FFDCA
                                           of short-term risk is necessary, and EPA                food safety standards-setting
                                                                                                                                                         section 408(n)(4). As such, the Agency
                                           relies on the chronic dietary risk                      organization in trade agreements to
                                                                                                                                                         has determined that this action will not
                                           assessment for evaluating short-term                    which the United States is a party. EPA
                                                                                                                                                         have a substantial direct effect on States
                                           risk for flutriafol.                                    may establish a tolerance that is
                                                                                                                                                         or tribal governments, on the
                                              4. Intermediate-term risk.                           different from a Codex MRL; however,
                                                                                                                                                         relationship between the national
                                           Intermediate-term aggregate exposure                    FFDCA section 408(b)(4) requires that
                                                                                                                                                         government and the States or tribal
                                           takes into account intermediate-term                    EPA explain the reasons for departing
                                                                                                                                                         governments, or on the distribution of
                                           residential exposure plus chronic                       from the Codex level.
                                                                                                     The Codex has not established a MRL                 power and responsibilities among the
                                           exposure to food and water (considered                                                                        various levels of government or between
                                           to be a background exposure level).                     for flutriafol.
                                                                                                                                                         the Federal Government and Indian
                                           Because there is no intermediate-term                   V. Conclusion                                         tribes. Thus, the Agency has determined
                                           residential exposure, and chronic                                                                             that Executive Order 13132, entitled
                                                                                                      Therefore, tolerances are established
                                           dietary exposure has already been                                                                             ‘‘Federalism’’ (64 FR 43255, August 10,
                                                                                                   for residues of flutriafol, ((±)-a-(2-
                                           assessed under the appropriately                                                                              1999) and Executive Order 13175,
                                                                                                   fluorophenyl)-a-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-
                                           protective cPAD (which is at least as                                                                         entitled ‘‘Consultation and Coordination
                                                                                                   1,2,4-triazole-1-ethanol), in or on hop,
                                           protective as the POD used to assess                                                                          with Indian Tribal Governments’’ (65 FR
                                                                                                   dried cones at 20 ppm. Additionally, the
                                           short-term risk), no further assessment                                                                       67249, November 9, 2000) do not apply
                                                                                                   tolerances for cotton, gin byproducts,
                                           of intermediate-term risk is necessary,                                                                       to this action. In addition, this action
                                                                                                   and cotton, undelinted seed established
                                           and EPA relies on the chronic dietary                                                                         does not impose any enforceable duty or
                                                                                                   in 180.629(d) are being removed.
                                           risk assessment for evaluating                                                                                contain any unfunded mandate as
                                           intermediate-term risk for flutriafol.                  VI. Statutory and Executive Order                     described under Title II of the Unfunded
                                              5. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S.                    Reviews                                               Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) (2 U.S.C.
                                           population. Based on the lack of                          This action establishes tolerances                  1501 et seq.).
                                           evidence of carcinogenicity in two                      under FFDCA section 408(d) in                            This action does not involve any
                                           adequate rodent carcinogenicity studies,                response to a petition submitted to the               technical standards that would require
                                           flutriafol is not expected to pose a                    Agency. The Office of Management and                  Agency consideration of voluntary
                                           cancer risk to humans.                                  Budget (OMB) has exempted these types                 consensus standards pursuant to section
                                              6. Determination of safety. Based on                 of actions from review under Executive                12(d) of the National Technology
                                           these risk assessments, EPA concludes                   Order 12866, entitled ‘‘Regulatory                    Transfer and Advancement Act
                                           that there is a reasonable certainty that               Planning and Review’’ (58 FR 51735,                   (NTTAA) (15 U.S.C. 272 note).
                                           no harm will result to the general                      October 4, 1993). Because this action
                                           population, or to infants and children                                                                        VII. Congressional Review Act
                                                                                                   has been exempted from review under
                                           from aggregate exposure to flutriafol                   Executive Order 12866, this action is                   Pursuant to the Congressional Review
                                           residues.                                               not subject to Executive Order 13211,                 Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), EPA will
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                                           IV. Other Considerations                                entitled ‘‘Actions Concerning                         submit a report containing this rule and
                                                                                                   Regulations That Significantly Affect                 other required information to the U.S.
                                           A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology                   Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use’’ (66             Senate, the U.S. House of
                                             Adequate enforcement methodology                      FR 28355, May 22, 2001) or Executive                  Representatives, and the Comptroller
                                           gas chromotography/nitrogen-                            Order 13045, entitled ‘‘Protection of                 General of the United States prior to
                                           phosphorus detector (GC/NPD) for the                    Children from Environmental Health                    publication of the rule in the Federal


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                                           71952          Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 222 / Wednesday, November 18, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                           Register. This action is not a ‘‘major                          SUMMARY:   On May 8, 2015, the Pipeline                  American Fuel & Petrochemical
                                           rule’’ as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).                           and Hazardous Materials Safety                              Manufacturers
                                                                                                           Administration, in coordination with                     PHMSA and FRA Response
                                           List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180                                                                                      F. Thermal Protection for Tank Cars
                                                                                                           the Federal Railroad Administration                      Association of American Railroads
                                             Environmental protection,                                     (FRA), published a final rule entitled                   PHMSA and FRA Response
                                           Administrative practice and procedure,                          ‘‘Hazardous Materials: Enhanced Tank                     G. Advanced Brake Signal Propagation
                                           Agricultural commodities, Pesticides                            Car Standards and Operational Controls                      Systems
                                           and pests, Reporting and recordkeeping                          for High-Hazard Flammable Trains,’’                      Dangerous Goods Advisory Council
                                           requirements.                                                   which adopted requirements designed                      PHMSA and FRA Response
                                             Dated: November 10, 2015.                                     to reduce the consequences and, in                       Association of American Railroads
                                                                                                           some instances, reduce the probability                   PHMSA and FRA Response
                                           Susan Lewis,                                                                                                          III. Summary
                                           Director, Registration Division, Office of                      of accidents involving trains
                                           Pesticide Programs.                                             transporting large quantities of Class 3              I. Background
                                             Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is                                flammable liquids. The Hazardous                         Under 49 CFR 106.110–106.130,1 a
                                           amended as follows:                                             Materials Regulations provide a person                person may appeal a PHMSA action,
                                                                                                           the opportunity to appeal a PHMSA                     including a final rule. Appeals must
                                           PART 180—[AMENDED]                                              action, including a final rule. PHMSA                 reach PHMSA no later than 30 days
                                                                                                           received six appeals regarding the final              after the date PHMSA published the
                                           ■ 1. The authority citation for part 180                        rule, one of which was withdrawn. This
                                           continues to read as follows:                                                                                         regulation. On May 8, 2015, PHMSA, in
                                                                                                           document responds to the five                         coordination with FRA, published a
                                               Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.                  remaining appeals submitted by the                    final rule entitled ‘‘Hazardous Materials:
                                           ■ 2. In § 180.629:                                              Dangerous Goods Advisory Council                      Enhanced Tank Car Standards and
                                           ■ a. Add alphabetically the commodity                           (DGAC), American Chemistry Council                    Operational Controls for High-Hazard
                                           ‘‘Hop, dried cones’’ to the table in                            (ACC), Association of American                        Flammable Trains’’ (HM–251, 80 FR
                                           paragraph (a).                                                  Railroads (AAR), American Fuel &                      26644) (the final rule). The final rule
                                           ■ b. Remove the commodities ‘‘Cotton,                           Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM),                   adopted requirements designed to
                                           gin byproducts,’’ and ‘‘Cotton,                                 and jointly the Umatilla, Yakama, Warm                reduce the consequences and, in some
                                           undelinted seed’’ from the table in                             Springs, and Nez Perce tribes (Columbia               instances, reduce the probability of,
                                           paragraph (d).                                                  River Treaty Tribes) and the Quinault                 accidents involving trains transporting
                                              The addition reads as follows:                               Indian Nation (Northwest Treaty                       large quantities of flammable liquids.
                                                                                                           Tribes).                                              The final rule defines certain trains
                                           § 180.629 Flutriafol; tolerances for
                                           residues.                                                       DATES: November 18, 2015.                             transporting large volumes of flammable
                                               (a) * * *                                                   ADDRESSES: You may find information                   liquids as ‘‘high-hazard flammable
                                                                                                           on this rulemaking and the associated                 trains’’ (HHFT) 2 and regulates their
                                                                                         Parts per         appeals (Docket No. PHMSA–2012–                       operation in terms of enhanced tank car
                                                        Commodity                                                                                                designs, speed restrictions, braking
                                                                                          million          0082) at the Federal eRulemaking Portal:
                                                                                                           http://www.regulations.gov.                           systems, and routing. In response to the
                                                                                                           FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ben                  final rule, PHMSA received six appeals,
                                             *          *          *                 *            *                                                              one of which was withdrawn. The five
                                           Hop, dried cones ..................              20             Supko, (202) 366–8553, Standards and
                                                                                                           Rulemaking Division, Pipeline and                     active appeals were submitted by the
                                                *           *           *            *            *        Hazardous Materials Safety                            DGAC, ACC, AAR, AFPM, and jointly
                                                                                                           Administration or Karl Alexy, (202)                   the Columbia River Treaty Tribes and
                                           *        *     *         *       *                              493–6245, Office of Safety Assurance                  the Northwest Treaty Tribes.
                                           [FR Doc. 2015–29462 Filed 11–17–15; 8:45 am]                    and Compliance, Federal Railroad                         Section 106.130 requires PHMSA to
                                           BILLING CODE 6560–50–P                                          Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave.                  notify those who appeal, in writing, of
                                                                                                           SE., Washington, DC 20590.                            the action on the appeal, within 90 days
                                                                                                                                                                 after the date that PHMSA published the
                                                                                                           SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                           DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                                                                                          action being appealed. Based on the
                                                                                                           Table of Contents of Supplementary                    final rule’s publication date of May 8,
                                           Pipeline and Hazardous Materials                                Information                                           2015, PHMSA was required to provide
                                           Safety Administration                                           I. Background                                         a response or notice of delay by August
                                                                                                           II. Response to Appeals                               6, 2015. On August 6, 2015, PHMSA
                                           49 CFR Parts 171, 172, 173, 174, and                               A. Scope of Rulemaking                             posted a notice of delay on its Web site
                                           179                                                                Dangerous Goods Advisory Council                   and subsequently published that notice
                                                                                                              American Chemistry Council                         in the Federal Register on August 10,
                                           [Docket No. PHMSA–2012–0082 (HM–251)]                              Association of American Railroads                  2015 (Notice 15–14; 80 FR 47987).3
                                                                                                              PHMSA and FRA Response                                This document summarizes and
                                           RIN 2137–AE91
                                                                                                              B. Tribal Impacts and Consultation
                                                                                                                                                                 responds to the appeals of the DGAC,
                                                                                                              Columbia River Treaty Tribes and
                                           Hazardous Materials: Enhanced Tank                                   Northwest Treaty Tribes
                                           Car Standards and Operational                                      PHMSA and FRA Response
                                                                                                                                                                    1 All references to sections of the regulations in

                                           Controls for High-Hazard Flammable                                                                                    this document refer to title 49 CFR.
                                                                                                              C. Information Sharing/Notification                   2 HHFT ‘‘means a single train transporting 20 or
                                           Trains                                                             Columbia River Treaty Tribes and
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                                                                                                                                                                 more loaded tank cars of a Class 3 flammable liquid
                                                                                                                Northwest Treaty Tribes                          in a continuous block or a single train carrying 35
                                           AGENCY:  Pipeline and Hazardous                                    PHMSA and FRA Response                             or more loaded tank cars of a Class 3 flammable
                                           Materials Safety Administration                                    D. Testing and Sampling Program                    liquid throughout the train consist.’’ § 171.8.
                                           (PHMSA), Department of Transportation                              Dangerous Goods Advisory Council                      3 http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/pv_obj_cache/pv_

                                           (DOT).                                                             PHMSA and FRA Response                             obj_id_79961459E55D0ADB8FF510CF4A
                                           ACTION: Response to appeals.                                       E. Retrofit Timeline and Tank Car                  93EC93E3A00000/filename/Notice_No_15_14_
                                                                                                                Reporting Requirements                           Delay_in_Appeals.pdf



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Document Created: 2018-03-01 11:20:32
Document Modified: 2018-03-01 11:20:32
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 November 18, 2015. Objections and requests for hearings must be received on or before January 19, 2016, 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 71947 
CFR AssociatedEnvironmental Protection; Administrative Practice and Procedure; Agricultural Commodities; Pesticides and Pests and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements

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