81_FR_26231 81 FR 26147 - Abamectin; Pesticide Tolerances

81 FR 26147 - Abamectin; Pesticide Tolerances

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 84 (May 2, 2016)

Page Range26147-26156
FR Document2016-10230

This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of abamectin in or on multiple commodities which are identified and discussed later in this document. Interregional Research Project Number 4 (IR-4), Syngenta Crop Protection, and Y-TEX Corporation requested these tolerances in four separate petitions under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 84 (Monday, May 2, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 84 (Monday, May 2, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26147-26156]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-10230]



[[Page 26147]]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 180

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2013-0428; FRL-9945-29]


Abamectin; Pesticide Tolerances

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of 
abamectin in or on multiple commodities which are identified and 
discussed later in this document. Interregional Research Project Number 
4 (IR-4), Syngenta Crop Protection, and Y-TEX Corporation requested 
these tolerances in four separate petitions under the Federal Food, 
Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

DATES: This regulation is effective May 2, 2016. Objections and 
requests for hearings must be received on or before July 1, 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-2013-0428, 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-2013-0428 in the subject line on the first 
page of your submission. All objections and requests for a hearing must 
be in writing, and must be received by the Hearing Clerk on or before 
July 1, 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-2013-0428, by one of 
the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Do not submit 
electronically any information you consider to be CBI or other 
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
     Mail: OPP Docket, Environmental Protection Agency Docket 
Center (EPA/DC), (28221T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 
20460-0001.
     Hand Delivery: To make special arrangements for hand 
delivery or delivery of boxed information, please follow the 
instructions at http://www.epa.gov/dockets/contacts.html.

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

II. Summary of Petitioned-For Tolerances

    In the Federal Register of September 12, 2013 (78 FR 56185) (FRL-
9399-7), EPA issued a document pursuant to FFDCA section 408(d)(3), 21 
U.S.C. 346a(d)(3) announcing the filing of pesticide petitions by 
Interregional Research Project Number 4 (IR-4), 500 College Road East, 
Suite 201 W., Princeton, NJ 08540 (PP 3E8175) and Syngenta Crop 
Protection, LLC, P.O. Box 18300, Greensboro, NC 27419 (PP 3F8184). The 
petitions requested that 40 CFR 180.449 be amended by establishing 
tolerances for residues of the insecticide avermectin (abamectin) 
determined by measuring only avermectin B1, a mixture of 
avermectins containing greater than or equal to 80% avermectin 
B1a (5-O-demethyl avermectin A1) and less than or 
equal to 20% avermectin B1b (5-O-demethyl-25-de(1-
methylpropyl)-25-(1-methylethyl) avermectin A1), and its 
delta-8,9-isomer in or on caneberry subgroup 13-07A at 0.20 parts per 
million (ppm) (PP 3E8175), and corn, field, sweet, and pop at 0.01 ppm; 
corn, field and pop, forage at 0.2 ppm; corn, field and pop, grain at 
0.01 ppm; corn, field and pop, stover at 0.6 ppm; corn, sweet, forage 
at 0.2 ppm; corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husk removed at 0.01 ppm; 
corn, sweet, stover at 0.5 ppm; soybean at 0.01 ppm; soybean, forage at 
0.3 ppm; soybean, hay at 1 ppm; and soybean, seed at 0.01 ppm (PP 
3F8184). That document referenced summaries of the petitions prepared 
by Syngenta Crop Protection, the registrant, which is available in the 
docket, http://www.regulations.gov. There were no comments received in 
response to the notices of filing.
    In the Federal Register of February 25, 2014 (79 FR 10458) (FRL-
9906-77), EPA issued a document pursuant to FFDCA section 408(d)(3), 21 
U.S.C. 346a(d)(3) announcing the filing of pesticide petition by Y-TEX 
Corporation, 1825 Big Horn Avenue, P.O. Box 1450, Cody, WY 82414 (PP 
3F8200). The petition requested that 40 CFR 180.449 be amended by 
increasing an established tolerance for the combined residues of the 
insecticide

[[Page 26148]]

avermectin B1 (a mixture of avermectins containing greater 
than or equal to 80% avermectin B1a (5-O-demethyl avermectin 
A1) and less than or equal to 20% avermectin B1b 
(5-O-demethyl-25-de(1-methylpropyl)-25-(1-methylethyl) avermectin 
A1)) and its delta-8,9-isomer, in or on milk from 0.005 ppm 
to 0.01 ppm. That document referenced a summary of the petition 
prepared by Y-TEX Corporation, the registrant, which is available in 
the docket for docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2013-0264, http://www.regulations.gov. There were no FFDCA-related comments received in 
response to the notice of filing.
    In the Federal Register of February 11, 2015 (80 FR 7559) (FRL-
9921-94), 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 by IR-
4, 500 College Road East, Suite 201 W., Princeton, NJ 08540 (PP 
4E8309). The petition requested that 40 CFR 180.449 be amended by 
establishing tolerances for residues of the insecticide avermectin 
(abamectin) determined by measuring only avermectin B1, a 
mixture of avermectins containing greater than or equal to 80% 
avermectin B1a (5-O-demethyl avermectin A1) and 
less than or equal to 20% avermectin B1b (5-O-demethyl-25-
de(1-methylpropyl)-25-(1-methylethyl) avermectin A1), and 
its delta-8,9-isomer in or on fruit, stone, group 12-12 at 0.09 ppm, 
fruit, small, vine climbing, except fuzzy kiwifruit, subgroup 13-07F at 
0.02 ppm, nut, tree, group 14-12 at 0.01 ppm, vegetable, fruiting, 
group 8-10 at 0.07 ppm, fruit, citrus, group 10-10 at 0.02 ppm, berry, 
low growing, subgroup 13-07G at 0.05 ppm, fruit, pome, group 11-10 at 
0.02 ppm, papaya at 0.40 ppm, star apple at 0.40 ppm, black sapote at 
0.40 ppm, sapodilla at 0.40 ppm, canistel at 0.40 ppm, mamey sapote at 
0.40 ppm, guava at 0.015 ppm, feijoa at 0.015 ppm, jaboticaba at 0.015 
ppm, wax jambu at 0.015 ppm, starfruit at 0.015 ppm, passionfruit at 
0.015 ppm, acerola at 0.015 ppm, lychee 0.01 ppm, longan at 0.01 ppm, 
Spanish lime at 0.01 ppm, rambutan at 0.01 ppm, pulasan at 0.01 ppm, 
pineapple at 0.015 ppm, bean at 0.015 ppm, and onion, green, subgroup 
3-07B at 0.08 ppm. Upon the approval of the aforementioned tolerances, 
IR-4 requested removal of established tolerances of abamectin, 
including its metabolites and degradates, in or on the following 
commodities: Bean, dry, seed at 0.01 ppm, citrus at 0.02 ppm, apple at 
0.02 ppm, pear at 0.02 ppm, fruit, stone, group 12 at 0.09 ppm, nut, 
tree, group 14 at 0.01 ppm, pistachio at 0.01 ppm, grape at 0.02 ppm, 
strawberry at 0.05 ppm and vegetable, fruiting, group 8 at 0.02 ppm. 
That document referenced summaries of the petitions prepared by 
Syngenta Crop Protection, the registrant, which is available in the 
docket, http://www.regulations.gov. There were no comments received in 
response to the notice of filing.
    Based upon review of the data supporting the petitions, EPA has 
modified the level at which tolerances are being established for some 
commodities. The reasons for these changes are explained in Unit IV.C.

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 abamectin including exposure 
resulting from the tolerances established by this action. EPA's 
assessment of exposures and risks associated with abamectin 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.
    Abamectin is a mixture of avermectin B1 [a mixture of 
avermectins containing greater than or equal to 80% avermectin 
B1a (5-O-demethyl avermectin A1) and less than or 
equal to 20% avermectin B1b (5-O-demethyl-25-de(1-
methylpropyl)-25-(1-methylethyl) avermectin A1)] and its 
delta-8,9-isomer. Avermectins are macrocyclic lactones produced as 
natural fermentation products of the soil bacterium Streptomyces 
avermitilis. Currently, abamectin and emamectin are the only members of 
this group with active pesticide registrations. The two components of 
abamectin, B1a and B1b, have very similar 
biological and toxicological properties. Emamectin, which is a 
derivative of abamectin, is a structurally and toxicologically related 
chemical. The only difference between abamectin and emamectin is that 
abamectin has a hydroxyl moiety at the 4'' position of the 
tetrahydropyrane ring, whereas in emamectin the hydroxyl group is 
replaced by a methylamine.
    Since the last time the EPA assessed abamectin (Federal Register of 
March 27, 2013 (78 FR 18519) (FRL-9379-1)), the Agency has re-evaluated 
the entire abamectin and emamectin toxicological database along with 
currently available literature information on the toxicity of the 
abamectin and emamectin to ensure consistent hazard evaluation for 
these structurally related pesticides. This hazard characterization and 
dose-response assessment represents a more refined analysis than 
previous assessments, using the literature data to enhance the 
characterization of the studies submitted to the Agency.
    Available toxicity data show that, with single dose or repeated 
dose administration, the primary target organ of abamectin is the 
nervous system, and that decreased body weight is also one of the most 
frequent findings. Neurotoxicity (including tremors, mydriasis, ataxia, 
and death) was seen in mice, dogs, and rats. Developmental effects such 
as cleft palate were reported in rabbits. Abamectin was shown to bind 
to the gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors, and this interaction 
was believed to result in neurotoxicity. The GABA receptor interaction 
also plays a role in development; cleft palate findings may reflect the 
interaction of abamectin on the GABA receptor. Generally the finding of 
cleft palate was seen at higher dose levels than those for 
neurotoxicity.
    Integral to the dose response assessment in mammals for this class 
of compounds is P-glycoprotein (P-gp). P-gp is a member of adenosine 
triphosphate (ATP) binding cassette transporter proteins, which reside 
in the plasma membrane and function as a transmembrane efflux pump, 
moving

[[Page 26149]]

xenobiotics from the intracellular to the extracellular domain. P-gp is 
found in the canallicular surface of hepatocytes, the apical surface of 
proximal tubular cells in the kidneys, the brush border surface of 
enterocytes, and the luminal surface of blood capillaries of the brain 
(blood brain barrier), placenta, ovaries, and the testes. As an efflux 
transporter, P-gp acts as a protective barrier to keep xenobiotics out 
of the body by excreting them into bile, urine, and intestinal lumen 
and prevents accumulation of these compounds in the brain and gonads, 
as well as in the fetus. Therefore, test animals with genetic 
polymorphisms that compromise P-gp expression, are particularly 
susceptible to abamectin-induced neurotoxicity (Lankas et al., 1997). 
An example is the rat. P-gp is undetectable in the neonatal rat brain; 
the first detection of P-gp is on post-natal day (PND) 7 and does not 
reach adult levels until approximately PND 28 (Matsuoka, 1999). As 
shown in the reproductive and developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) 
studies, neonatal rats are sensitive to the effects of abamectin-
induced pup body weight reductions and death. In contrast, in the 
developing human fetus, P-gp was found as early as 22 weeks of 
gestation (Daood, MJ, 2008; van Kalken, et al., 1991). Based on the 
difference in the ontogeny of P-gp in neonatal rat and human newborn, 
the Agency, at this time, does not believe that the early post-natal 
findings in the rat to be relevant to human newborns or young children.
    Similarly, the CF-1 mouse is also uniquely sensitive to the 
neurotoxic effects of abamectin and its derivative, emamectin. Some CF-
1 mice have a polymorphism for the gene encoding P-gp and are either 
devoid (homozygous) or have diminished (heterozygous) level of P-gp. 
The Agency does not consider the results of studies with CF-1 mice to 
be relevant for human health risk assessment because there is a lack of 
convincing evidence from the literature on human polymorphism of human 
multidrug resistance (MDR-1) gene resulting in diminished P-gp 
function. Although many studies on human multidrug resistance (MDR-1) 
gene encoding P-gp and polymorphism of MDR-1 gene are available, the 
data are inconclusive with respect to the functional significance of 
the genetic variance in P-gp in human. At the present, the reported 
cases of polymorphism of the MDR-1 gene in human populations have not 
been shown to result in a loss of P-gp function similar to that found 
in CF-1 mice (Macdonald & Gledhill, 2007). As a result, the Agency does 
not consider the toxic effects observed in CF-1 mouse studies to be 
representative of abamectin (and emamectin) effects in humans.
    Therefore, the Agency is using results from toxicological studies 
conducted in the species (rats, CD-1 mice, rabbits, and dogs) that do 
not have diminished P-gp function for selecting toxicity endpoints and 
points of departure for risk assessment. Among the test animals with 
fully functional P-gp, the beagle dog is the most sensitive species.
    For various durations of treatment (subchronic (12- and 18-weeks) 
and chronic oral toxicity studies in dogs), clinical signs [tremors and 
mydriasis (decreased pupillary light response)] of neurotoxicity were 
observed in the at the lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) of 
0.5 milligram/kilogram (mg/kg); the no observed adverse effect level 
(NOAEL) was 0.25 mg/kg. Tremors and mydriasis were observed as early as 
the first week of exposure. The Agency assumes that these clinical 
signs could result from a single dose for the following reasons:
    1. Kinetic data demonstrates rapid absorption/excretion. With oral 
dosing in rats and mice, abamectin was absorbed rapidly, and maximum 
concentration in blood was achieved within 4-8 hours after 
administration. It was rapidly eliminated from the body, almost 
exclusively in the feces, and did not accumulate in the body after 
repeated exposure.
    2. In an acute neurotoxicity study (ACN) in rat (range finding and 
main studies), clinical signs of neurotoxicity such as reduced foot 
splay reflex, ataxia, tremors, and mydriasis (decreased pupillary light 
response) were observed from a single dose. Most of the effects 
observed in the rat ACN were consistent with those seen in the 
subchronic and chronic dog studies.
    3. The neurotoxic effects produced by abamectin in beagle dogs did 
not progress with time. The effects seen in the subchronic (gavage) and 
chronic dog studies were similar despite the varied durations of 
treatment, suggesting the response could be due to each individual 
exposure rather than to accumulation of abamectin in tissues. Clinical 
signs such as ataxia and or whole body tremors were reported within 3 
hours of the first dose at higher dose levels.
    Based on these considerations, 0.25 mg/kg/day was selected as a 
point of departure for risk assessment for all the exposure scenarios, 
and the toxicity endpoints were clinical signs of neurotoxicity.
    Carcinogenicity studies in rats and mice (CD-1) and mutagenicity 
studies provide no indication that abamectin is carcinogenic or 
mutagenic.
    Specific information on the studies received and the nature of the 
adverse effects caused by abamectin as well as the no-observed-adverse-
effect-level (NOAEL) and the lowest-observed-adverse-effect-level 
(LOAEL) from the toxicity studies can be found at http://www.regulations.gov in the document titled ``Abamectin. Human Health 
Risk Assessment for Uses on Caneberry Subgroup 13-07A; Soybean; Sweet 
Corn; Ear Tags for Lactating Dairy Cattle; Golf Course Turf; Bean; 
Onion, Green, Subgroup 3-07B; Fruit, Pome, Group 11-10; Fruit, Small 
Vine Climbing, Except Fuzzy Kiwifruit, Subgroup 13-07F; Berry, Low 
Growing, Subgroup 13-07G; Vegetable, Fruiting, Group 8-10; Greenhouse 
Tomato; Fruit, Citrus, Group 10-10; Fruit, Stone, Group 12-12; and Nut, 
Tree, Group 14-12; and Various Tropical Fruits'' on page 53 in docket 
ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2013-0428.

B. Toxicological Points of Departure/Levels of Concern

    Once a pesticide's toxicological profile is determined, EPA 
identifies toxicological points of departure (POD) and levels of 
concern to use in evaluating the risk posed by human exposure to the 
pesticide. For hazards that have a threshold below which there is no 
appreciable risk, the toxicological POD is used as the basis for 
derivation of reference values for risk assessment. PODs are developed 
based on a careful analysis of the doses in each toxicological study to 
determine the dose at which no adverse effects are observed (the NOAEL) 
and the lowest dose at which adverse effects of concern are identified 
(the LOAEL). Uncertainty/safety factors are used in conjunction with 
the POD to calculate a safe exposure level--generally referred to as a 
population-adjusted dose (PAD) or a reference dose (RfD)--and a safe 
margin of exposure (MOE). For non-threshold risks, the Agency assumes 
that any amount of exposure will lead to some degree of risk. Thus, the 
Agency estimates risk in terms of the probability of an occurrence of 
the adverse effect expected in a lifetime. For more information on the 
general principles EPA uses in risk characterization and a complete 
description of the risk assessment process, see http://www2.epa.gov/pesticide-science-and-assessing-pesticide-risks/assessing-human-health-risk-pesticides.
    A summary of the toxicological endpoints for abamectin used for 
human

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risk assessment is shown in Table 1 of this unit.

   Table 1--Summary of Toxicological Doses and Endpoints for Abamectin for Use in Human Health Risk Assessment
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Point of departure
         Exposure/scenario             and uncertainty/      RfD, PAD, LOC for   Study and toxicological effects
                                        safety factors        risk assessment
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acute dietary and Chronic dietary   NOAEL = 0.25 mg/kg/    Acute RfD = 0.0025    Subchronic & chronic oral
 (All populations).                  day.                   mg/kg/day.            toxicity studies in dogs.
                                    UFA = 10x............  aPAD = 0.0025 mg/kg/  Chronic LOAEL = 0.50 mg/kg/day
                                    UFH = 10x............   day.                  based on body tremors, one
                                    FQPA SF = 1x.........  Chronic RfD = 0.0025   death, liver pathology,
                                                            mg/kg/day.            decreased body weight.
                                                           cPAD = 0.0025 mg/kg/   Mydriasis was seen during week
                                                            day.                  one in one dog.
                                                                                 Subchronic LOAEL = 0.5 mg/kg/
                                                                                  day based on mydriasis during
                                                                                  week one, death at 1.0 mg/kg/
                                                                                  day.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dermal short-term (1 to 30 days)..  Oral study NOAEL =     LOC for MOE = 100...  Subchronic & chronic oral
                                     0.25 mg/kg/day                               toxicity studies in dogs.
                                     (dermal absorption                          Chronic LOAEL = 0.50 mg/kg/day
                                     rate = 1%.                                   based on body tremors, one
                                    UFA = 10x............                         death, liver pathology,
                                    UFH = 10x............                         decreased body weight.
                                    FQPA SF = 1x.........                         Mydriasis was seen during week
                                                                                  one in one dog.
                                                                                 Subchronic LOAEL = 0.5 mg/kg/
                                                                                  day based on mydriasis during
                                                                                  week one, death at 1.0 mg/kg/
                                                                                  day.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inhalation short-term (1 to 30      Oral study NOAEL =     LOC for MOE = 100...  Subchronic & chronic oral
 days).                              0.25 mg/kg/day                               toxicity studies in dogs.
                                     (Toxicity via the                           Chronic LOAEL = 0.50 mg/kg/day
                                     inhalation route                             based on body tremors, one
                                     assumed to be                                death, liver pathology,
                                     equivalent) to oral                          decreased body weight.
                                     route.                                       Mydriasis was seen during week
                                    UFA = 10x............                         one in one dog.
                                    UFH = 10x............                        Subchronic LOAEL = 0.5 mg/kg/
                                    FQPA SF = 1x.........                         day based on mydriasis during
                                                                                  week one, death at 1.0 mg/kg/
                                                                                  day.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cancer (Oral, dermal, inhalation).    Classification: ``Not likely to be Carcinogenic to Humans'' based on the
                                            absence of significant tumor increases in two adequate rodent
                                                               carcinogenicity studies.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FQPA SF = Food Quality Protection Act Safety Factor. LOAEL = lowest-observed-adverse-effect-level. LOC = level
  of concern. mg/kg/day = milligram/kilogram/day. MOE = margin of exposure. NOAEL = no-observed-adverse-effect-
  level. PAD = population adjusted dose (a = acute, c = chronic). RfD = reference dose. UF = uncertainty factor.
  UFA = extrapolation from animal to human (interspecies). UFH = potential variation in sensitivity among
  members of the human population (intraspecies).

C. Exposure Assessment

    1. Dietary exposure from food and feed uses. In evaluating dietary 
exposure to abamectin, EPA considered exposure under the petitioned-for 
tolerances as well as all existing abamectin tolerances in 40 CFR 
180.449. EPA assessed dietary exposures from abamectin 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 abamectin. In estimating acute 
dietary exposure, EPA used food consumption information from the 2003-
2008 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Health and 
Nutrition Examination Survey, What We Eat in America (NHANES/WWEIA). As 
to residue levels in food, a refined acute dietary exposure assessment 
was conducted for all proposed and established food uses of abamectin. 
Anticipated residues derived from field trial data for most plant 
commodities were used in the acute dietary exposure assessment. 
Tolerance-level residues were used for poultry and swine livestock 
commodities. Because cattle may be exposed to residues of abamectin 
through diet and ear tag, upper-bound anticipated residues were 
estimated from the maximum values found in cattle feeding studies and 
dermal magnitude of residue studies. For all other livestock 
commodities, upper-bound anticipated residues were estimated from 
secondary residues from consuming treated feed. Empirical and default 
processing factors and maximum percent crop treated (PCT) estimates 
were used, as available.
    ii. Chronic exposure. The Agency selected a point of departure for 
chronic effects that is the same as the point of departure for acute 
effects and so is relying on the acute assessment to be protective of 
chronic effects. So, the Agency assessed chronic exposure for purposes 
of providing background dietary exposure for use in the residential 
short-term assessments. In conducting the chronic dietary exposure 
assessment EPA used the food consumption data from the 2003-2008 USDA 
NHANES/WWEIA. As to residue levels in food, a refined chronic dietary 
exposure assessment was conducted for all proposed and established food 
uses of abamectin. Average residues for plant commodities from field 
trials were used. Residue levels based on maximum reasonable dietary 
burden for secondary residues in livestock (beef and dairy cattle) and 
the highest residues found in the magnitude of residue studies for 
cattle ear tags were used in the chronic assessment for livestock 
commodities. Tolerance values were used for poultry and swine to 
account for poultry and swine consuming treated feed. Residues from use 
in food handling establishments were included. Empirical and default 
processing factors and average PCT estimates were used, as available.

[[Page 26151]]

    iii. Cancer. Based on the data summarized in Unit III.A., EPA has 
concluded that abamectin 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 PCT information. Section 408(b)(2)(E) 
of FFDCA authorizes EPA to use available data and information on the 
anticipated residue levels of pesticide residues in food and the actual 
levels of pesticide residues that have been measured in food. If EPA 
relies on such information, EPA must require pursuant to FFDCA section 
408(f)(1) that data be provided 5 years after the tolerance is 
established, modified, or left in effect, demonstrating that the levels 
in food are not above the levels anticipated. For the present action, 
EPA will issue such data call-ins as are required by FFDCA section 
408(b)(2)(E) and authorized under FFDCA section 408(f)(1). Data will be 
required to be submitted no later than 5 years from the date of 
issuance of these tolerances.
    Section 408(b)(2)(F) of FFDCA states that the Agency may use data 
on the actual percent of food treated for assessing chronic dietary 
risk only if:
     Condition a: The data used are reliable and provide a 
valid basis to show what percentage of the food derived from such crop 
is likely to contain the pesticide residue.
     Condition b: The exposure estimate does not underestimate 
exposure for any significant subpopulation group.
     Condition c: Data are available on pesticide use and food 
consumption in a particular area, the exposure estimate does not 
understate exposure for the population in such area.

In addition, the Agency must provide for periodic evaluation of any 
estimates used. To provide for the periodic evaluation of the estimate 
of PCT as required by FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(F), EPA may require 
registrants to submit data on PCT.
    The following maximum PCT estimates were used in the acute dietary 
risk assessment for the following crops that are currently registered 
for abamectin: Almond: 80%; apple: 30%; apricot: 30%; avocado: 60%; 
bean, dry: 2.5%; cantaloupe: 45%; celery: 70%; cherry: 20%; cotton: 
30%; cucumber: 10%; grape: 35%; grapefruit: 90%; hazelnut: 2.5%; 
honeydew: 35%; lemon: 55%; lettuce: 45%; nectarine: 20%; onion, bulb: 
10%; orange: 70%; peach: 25%; pear: 85%; pecan: 2.5%; pepper: 30%; 
pistachio: 2.5%; plum/prune: 35%; potato: 20%; pumpkin: 10%; spinach: 
45%; squash: 15%; strawberry: 45%; tangerine: 55%; tomato: 25%; walnut: 
55%; and watermelon: 15%.
    The PCT values that were used to refine the livestock commodities 
for the acute assessment were based on: Sweet corn (44%) for beef, 
goat, horse, and sheep commodities; and the food handling establishment 
uses (5%) for hog and poultry meat and meat byproducts.
    The following average PCT estimates were used in the chronic 
dietary risk assessment for the following crops that are currently 
registered for abamectin: Almond: 70%; apple: 10%; apricot: 15%; 
avocado: 35%; bean, dry: 2.5%; cantaloupe: 25%; celery: 45%; cherry: 
5%; cotton: 20%; cucumber: 5%; grape: 15%; grapefruit: 70%; hazelnut: 
2.5%; honeydew: 20%; lemon: 40%; lettuce: 20%; nectarine: 20%; onion, 
bulb: 2.5%; orange: 40%; peach: 10%; pear: 70%; pecan: 1%; pepper: 15%; 
pistachio: 2.5%; plum/prune: 10%; potato: 5%; pumpkin: 5%; spinach: 
25%; squash: 5%; strawberry: 30%; tangerine: 35%; tomato: 10%; walnuts: 
25%; and watermelons: 5%.
    The PCT values that were used to refine the livestock commodities 
(cattle, goats, horses, and sheep) for the chronic assessment were 
based on: Cotton (30%), soybean (8%), and sweet corn (38%). The PCT for 
poultry and hog commodities is based on the food handling establishment 
PCT since the tolerances for food handling establishment uses result in 
residues considerably higher than secondary residues from hogs and 
poultry consuming treated feed. All commodities included for food 
handling residues were assigned the value of 5%.
    In most cases, EPA uses available data from United States 
Department of Agriculture/National Agricultural Statistics Service 
(USDA/NASS), proprietary market surveys, and the National Pesticide Use 
Database for the chemical/crop combination for the most recent 6-7 
years. EPA uses an average PCT for chronic dietary risk analysis. The 
average PCT figure for each existing use is derived by combining 
available public and private market survey data for that use, averaging 
across all observations, and rounding to the nearest 5%, except for 
those situations in which the average PCT is less than one. In those 
cases, 1% is used as the average PCT and 2.5% is used as the maximum 
PCT. EPA uses a maximum PCT for acute dietary risk analysis. The 
maximum PCT figure is the highest observed maximum value reported 
within the recent 6 years of available public and private market survey 
data for the existing use and rounded up to the nearest multiple of 5%.
    The following maximum PCT estimates were used in the acute dietary 
risk assessment for the following new uses of abamectin:
    Blackberries: 68%; boysenberry: 68%; corn, sweet 57%; loganberry: 
68%; raspberries: 68%; soybeans: 11%.
    The following average PCT estimates were used in the chronic 
dietary risk assessment for the following new uses of abamectin:
    Blackberries: 56%; boysenberry: 56%; corn, sweet 45%; loganberry: 
68%; raspberries: 56%; soybeans: 8%.
    EPA estimates of the PCTn of abamectin represents the upper bound 
of use expected during the pesticide's initial five years of 
registration; that is, PCTn for abamectin is a threshold of use that 
EPA is reasonably certain will not be exceeded for each registered use 
site. The PCTn recommended for use in the chronic dietary assessment is 
calculated as the average PCT of the market leader or leaders, (i.e., 
the one(s) with the greatest PCT) on that site over the three most 
recent years of available data. The PCTn recommended for use in the 
acute dietary assessment is the maximum observed PCT over the same 
period. Comparisons are only made among pesticides of the same 
pesticide types (e.g., the market leader for insecticides on the use 
site is selected for comparison with a new insecticide). The market 
leader included in the estimation may not be the same for each year 
since different pesticides may dominate at different times.
    Typically, EPA uses USDA/NASS as the source data because it is 
publicly available and directly reports values for PCT. When a specific 
use site is not reported by USDA/NASS, EPA uses proprietary data and 
calculates the PCT given reported data on acres treated and acres 
grown. If no data are available, EPA may extrapolate PCTn from other 
crops, if the production area and pest spectrum are substantially 
similar.
    A retrospective analysis to validate this approach shows few cases 
where the PCT for the market leaders were exceeded. Further review of 
these cases identified factors contributing to the exceptionally high 
use of a new pesticide. To evaluate whether the PCTn for abamectin 
could be exceeded, EPA considered whether there may be unusually high 
pest pressure, as indicated in emergency exemption requests for 
abamectin; the pest spectrum of the new pesticide in comparison with 
the market leaders and whether the market leaders are well-established 
for that use; and whether pest resistance issues with past market 
leaders provide abamectin with significant market potential. Given

[[Page 26152]]

currently available information, EPA concludes that it is unlikely that 
actual PCT for abamectin will exceed the estimated PCT for new uses 
during the next five years.
    The Agency believes that the three conditions discussed in Unit 
III.C.1.iv. have been met. With respect to Condition a, PCT estimates 
are derived from Federal and private market survey data, which are 
reliable and have a valid basis. The Agency is reasonably certain that 
the percentage of the food treated is not likely to be an 
underestimation. As to Conditions b and c, regional consumption 
information and consumption information for significant subpopulations 
is taken into account through EPA's computer-based model for evaluating 
the exposure of significant subpopulations including several regional 
groups. Use of this consumption information in EPA's risk assessment 
process ensures that EPA's exposure estimate does not understate 
exposure for any significant subpopulation group and allows the Agency 
to be reasonably certain that no regional population is exposed to 
residue levels higher than those estimated by the Agency. Other than 
the data available through national food consumption surveys, EPA does 
not have available reliable information on the regional consumption of 
food to which abamectin may be applied in a particular area.
    2. Dietary exposure from drinking water. The Agency used screening 
level water exposure models in the dietary exposure analysis and risk 
assessment for abamectin in drinking water. These simulation models 
take into account data on the physical, chemical, and fate/transport 
characteristics of abamectin. 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 Tier II surface water concentration calculator (SWCC) 
computer model and Tier I Screening Concentration in Ground Water (SCI-
GROW) model and Tier I Pesticide Root Zone Model Ground Water (PRZM 
GW), the estimated drinking water concentrations (EDWCs) of abamectin 
for acute exposures are estimated to be 0.76 parts per billion (ppb) 
for surface water and 0.074 ppb for ground water and for chronic 
exposures are estimated to be 0.30 ppb for surface water and <=0.0031 
ppb for ground water.
    Modeled estimates of drinking water concentrations were directly 
entered into the dietary exposure model either via point estimates or 
using residue distribution files.
    For acute dietary risk assessment, a drinking water residue 
distribution file was used to assess the contribution to drinking 
water.
    For chronic dietary risk assessment, the water concentration of 
value 0.30 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).
    Abamectin is currently registered for the following uses that could 
result in residential exposures: Homeowner bait and bait station 
products that include an outdoor granular bait formulation for use on 
fire ant mounds, and several indoor ready-to-use baits of both dust and 
gel formulations. In addition, as part of the current request, the 
registrant has proposed a use on golf course turf.
    EPA assessed residential exposure using the following assumptions: 
For residential handlers, both dermal and inhalation short-term 
exposure is expected from the currently registered bait and bait 
station uses. Quantitative exposure/risk assessment considered the 
following scenarios: Loading/applying granular bait outdoor via (1) 
push-type spreaders, (2) belly grinders, (3) spoons, (4) hand, and (5) 
cup or shaker; and (6) applying granular bait indoor by hand (as a 
surrogate for a ready-to-use dust bait).
    Post-application residential exposure for adults and children (1 to 
<2) is unlikely for the currently registered uses of abamectin. For 
currently registered outdoor treatments, adults and children are not 
expected to directly contact fire ant mounds. For currently registered 
indoor pest control, bait placements are intended to be placed in 
cracks and crevices where direct contact by adults and children (1 to 
<2) is unlikely.
    However, residential post-application exposure for adults and 
children (6 to <11 and 11 to <16) is possible for the newly proposed 
use of abamectin on golf courses. Adults and children (6 to <11 and 11 
to <16) performing physical post-application activities on golf course 
turf may receive dermal exposure to abamectin residues. The scenarios, 
lifestages, and routes of exposure include: Golfing for adults 
(dermal), children 11 to <16 years old (dermal), and children 6 to <11 
years old (dermal).
    Further information regarding EPA standard assumptions and generic 
inputs for residential exposures may be found at http://www2.epa.gov/pesticide-science-and-assessing-pesticide-risks/standard-operating-procedures-residential-pesticide.
    4. Cumulative effects from substances with a common mechanism of 
toxicity. Section 408(b)(2)(D)(v) of FFDCA requires that, when 
considering whether to establish, modify, or revoke a tolerance, the 
Agency consider ``available information'' concerning the cumulative 
effects of a particular pesticide's residues and ``other substances 
that have a common mechanism of toxicity.''
    EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) has previously developed 
guidance documents for establishing common mechanism groups (CMGs) 
(Guidance for Identifying Pesticide Chemicals and Other Substances that 
have a Common Mechanism of Toxicity (1999)) and conducting cumulative 
risk assessments (CRAs) (Guidance on Cumulative Risk Assessment of 
Pesticide Chemicals that have a Common Mechanism of Toxicity (2002)). 
In 2016, EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs released another guidance 
document entitled Pesticide Cumulative Risk Assessment: Framework for 
Screening Analysis. All three of these documents can be found at http://www.regulations.gov in docket ID EPA-HQ-OPP-2015-0422.
    The Agency has utilized this 2016 screening framework for abamectin 
and determined that abamectin along with emamectin form a candidate 
CMG. This group of pesticides is considered a candidate CMG because 
they share characteristics to support a testable hypothesis for a 
common mechanism of action. Following this determination, the Agency 
conducted a screening-level cumulative risk assessment consistent with 
the 2016 guidance document. This screening assessment indicates that 
that cumulative dietary and residential aggregate exposures for 
abamectin and emamectin are below the Agency's levels of concern. No 
further cumulative evaluation is necessary for abamectin and emamectin.
    The Agency's screening-level cumulative analysis can be found at 
http://www.regulations.gov in the document titled ``Abamectin. Human 
Health Risk Assessment for Uses on Caneberry Subgroup 13-07A; Soybean; 
Sweet Corn; Ear Tags for Lactating Dairy Cattle; Golf Course Turf; 
Bean; Onion, Green, Subgroup 3-07B; Fruit, Pome, Group 11-10; Fruit, 
Small Vine Climbing, Except Fuzzy Kiwifruit, Subgroup 13-07F; Berry, 
Low Growing, Subgroup 13-07G; Vegetable, Fruiting, Group 8-10; 
Greenhouse Tomato; Fruit, Citrus, Group 10-10; Fruit, Stone, Group

[[Page 26153]]

12-12; and Nut, Tree, Group 14-12; and Various Tropical Fruits'' on 
page 74 (Appendix H) in docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2013-0428.
    Additionally, when the Agency issued the notice in the Federal 
Register announcing the availability of the draft framework guidance, 
the EPA also received comments on the draft human health risk 
assessment for abamectin, which was included in that docket as an 
example of how EPA would implement the draft framework guidance. The 
response to those comments can be found in docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-
2013-0428.

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 Food Quality 
Protection Act (FQPA) Safety Factor (SF). In applying this provision, 
EPA either retains the default value of 10x, or uses a different 
additional safety factor when reliable data available to EPA support 
the choice of a different factor.
    2. Prenatal and postnatal sensitivity. An increase in qualitative 
susceptibility was seen in the rabbit developmental toxicity study, 
where decreases in body weight and food consumption were seen in 
maternal animals at 2.0 mg/kg/day. In contrast, the fetal effects were 
much more severe, consisting of cleft palate, clubbed foot, and death 
at 2.0 mg/kg/day. The point of departure (0.25 mg/kg/day) selected from 
the dog studies is more than 8x lower than the dose where rabbit fetal 
effects were seen. Therefore, it is protective of fetal effects seen in 
the rabbit developmental toxicity study.
    The rat reproduction toxicity and developmental neurotoxicity 
studies demonstrated both qualitative and quantitative susceptibility 
in the pups to the effects of abamectin (decrease pup weights and 
increased postnatal pup mortality). This observation is consistent with 
the finding that P-gp is not fully developed in rat pups until 
postnatal day 28. Therefore, during the period from birth to postnatal 
day 28, the rat pups are substantially more susceptible to the effects 
of abamectin than adult rats. However, in humans, P-gp has been 
detected in the fetus at 22 weeks of pregnancy, and the human newborns 
have functioning P-gp. Therefore, human infants and children are not 
expected to have enhanced sensitivity as seen in rat pups.
    3. Conclusion. Currently, the toxicity endpoints and points of 
departure for all exposure scenarios are selected from the subchronic 
and chronic oral toxicity studies in the dogs. The points of departure 
selected from the dog studies are based on clear NOAELs and protective 
of all the adverse effects seen in the studies conducted in human 
relevant studies with rats, CD-1 mice, and rabbits. Therefore, EPA has 
determined that 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 abamectin is complete.
    ii. The proposed mode of action (MOA) is interaction with GABA 
receptors leading to neurotoxicity. The findings of neurotoxic signs 
observed in the abamectin database are consistent with the proposed 
MOA. Signs of neurotoxicity ranging from decreases in foot splay 
reflex, mydriasis (i.e., excessive dilation of the pupil), curvature of 
the spine, decreased fore- and hind-limb grip strength, tip-toe gate, 
tremors, ataxia, or spastic movements of the limbs are reported in 
various studies with different durations of abamectin exposure. In 
dogs, mydriasis was the most common finding at doses as low as 0.5 mg/
kg/day at one week of treatment. No neuropathology was observed. 
Because the PODs used for assessing aggregate exposure to abamectin and 
the PODs for assessing cumulative exposure for abamectin and emamectin 
are protective of these neurotoxic effects in the U.S. population, as 
well as infants and children, no additional data concerning 
neurotoxicity is needed at this time to be protective of potential 
neurotoxic effects.
    iii. As explained in Unit III.D.2 ``Prenatal and postnatal 
sensitivity'', the enhanced susceptibility seen in the rabbit 
developmental toxicity, the rat reproduction, and the rat developmental 
neurotoxicity studies do not present a risk concern.
    iv. There are no residual uncertainties identified in the exposure 
databases. The chronic and acute dietary food exposure assessment are 
refined including use of anticipated residues, default processing 
factors, and percent crop treated; however, these refinements are 
considered protective because field trials are conducted to represent 
use conditions leading to the maximum residues in food when the product 
is used in accordance with the label and do not underestimate 
exposures. EPA made conservative (protective) assumptions in the ground 
and surface water modeling used to assess exposure to abamectin in 
drinking water. EPA used similarly conservative assumptions to assess 
post-application exposure of children. These assessments will not 
underestimate the exposure and risks posed by abamectin.

E. Aggregate Risks and Determination of Safety

    EPA determines whether acute and chronic dietary pesticide 
exposures are safe by comparing aggregate exposure estimates to the 
acute PAD (aPAD) and chronic PAD (cPAD). For linear cancer risks, EPA 
calculates the lifetime probability of acquiring cancer given the 
estimated aggregate exposure. Short-, intermediate-, and chronic-term 
risks are evaluated by comparing the estimated aggregate food, water, 
and residential exposure to the appropriate PODs to ensure that an 
adequate MOE exists.
    1. Acute risk. Using the exposure assumptions discussed in this 
unit for acute exposure, the acute dietary exposure from food and water 
to abamectin will occupy 88% of the aPAD for children 1-2 years old, 
the population group receiving the greatest exposure.
    2. Chronic risk. Using the exposure assumptions discussed in this 
unit for chronic exposure, the chronic dietary exposure from food and 
water to abamectin will occupy 11% of the cPAD for children 1-2 years 
old, the population group receiving the greatest exposure. Based on the 
explanation in Unit III.C.3., regarding residential use patterns, 
chronic residential exposure to residues of abamectin is not expected.
    3. Short-term risk. Short-term aggregate exposure takes into 
account short-term residential exposure plus chronic exposure to food 
and water (considered to be a background exposure level).
    Abamectin is currently registered for uses that could result in 
short-term residential exposure, and the Agency has determined that it 
is appropriate to aggregate chronic exposure through food and water 
with short-term residential exposures to abamectin.
    Using the exposure assumptions described in this unit for short-
term exposures, EPA has concluded the combined short-term food, water, 
and residential exposures result in aggregate MOEs of 4,400 for adults, 
3,600 for children 11 to <16 years old, and 2,100 for children 6 to <11 
years old. Because EPA's level of concern for abamectin is

[[Page 26154]]

a MOE of 100 or below, these MOEs are not of concern.
    4. Intermediate-term risk. Intermediate-term aggregate exposure 
takes into account intermediate-term residential exposure plus chronic 
exposure to food and water (considered to be a background exposure 
level).
    An intermediate-term adverse effect was identified; however, 
abamectin is not registered for any use patterns that would result in 
intermediate-term residential exposure. Intermediate-term risk is 
assessed based on intermediate-term residential exposure plus chronic 
dietary exposure. Because there is no intermediate-term residential 
exposure and the acute dietary risk assessment is protective of all 
exposure durations (since the point of departure is the same for all 
exposure durations), no further assessment of intermediate-term risk is 
necessary.
    5. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S. population. Based on the lack of 
evidence of carcinogenicity in two adequate rodent carcinogenicity 
studies, abamectin 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 abamectin residues.

IV. Other Considerations

A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology

    Adequate enforcement methods for abamectin in plant and livestock 
commodities are available in the Pesticide Analytical Manual, Volume II 
(PAM II).

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 MRLs for abamectin on sweet corn, 
soybean, papaya, star apple, black sapote, sapodilla, canistel, mamey 
sapote, guava, feijoa, jaboticaba, wax jambu, starfruit, passionfruit, 
acerola, lychee, longan, Spanish lime, rambutan, pulasan, pineapple, 
bean or green onion commodities. Additionally, there are no Codex MRLs 
for abamectin on the commodities in the caneberry subgroup 13-07A; 
fruit, small vine climbing, except fuzzy kiwifruit, subgroup 13-07F; or 
fruit, stone, group 12-12.
    The following U.S. tolerances are harmonized with established, 
related Codex MRLs: Fruit, pome, group 11-10; and nut, tree, group 14-
12.
    The Codex MRL on citrus is not harmonized with the U.S. tolerance 
on fruit, citrus, group 10-10, and the Codex MRL on strawberry is not 
harmonized with the recommended U.S. tolerance on berry, low-growing, 
subgroup 13-07G. Residue data underlying these U.S. tolerances supports 
tolerances that are higher than the established Codex MRLs on these 
related commodities.
    Codex MRLs for abamectin on fruiting vegetable commodities are not 
harmonized with the U.S. tolerance on vegetable, fruiting, group 8-10. 
The residue data underlying the U.S. fruiting vegetable tolerance 
resulted in a tolerance that is higher than the established Codex MRL 
on sweet peppers. Codex has also established a separate tolerance on 
dried chili pepper that is higher than the U.S. fruiting vegetable 
tolerance.
    There are some Codex MRLs on livestock commodities, but none of the 
Codex MRLs are set at the same level as the tolerance levels EPA is 
establishing today; however, the U.S. cannot harmonize with the Codex 
MRLs on livestock commodities since the Codex MRLs reflect different 
uses (i.e., different dietary burdens) as compared to the uses in the 
United States, which also reflect the direct treatment of cattle via 
ear tags. Setting U.S. tolerances at Codex MRL levels would result in 
tolerance violations for some livestock commodities.

C. Revisions to Petitioned-For Tolerances

    Although not requested, EPA is establishing a tolerance of 0.40 ppm 
for ``grain, aspirated grain fractions'' since aspirated grain 
fractions are associated with soybeans. The recommended tolerance of 
0.40 ppm for ``grain, aspirated grain fractions'' is based on residues 
of <0.006 ppm in soybean seed and a concentration factor of 59X in 
aspirated grain fractions.
    EPA is also increasing some of the established livestock tolerances 
based on a new dietary burden calculation that includes the proposed 
uses on soybeans and sweet corn as well as a proposed use for ear tags 
for lactating dairy cattle. Because of these calculations, EPA is 
increasing the established tolerances on cattle fat from 0.03 to 0.05 
ppm; cattle meat byproducts from 0.06 to 0.09 ppm; fat of goat, horse 
and sheep from 0.01 to 0.03 ppm; meat byproducts of goat, horse, and 
sheep from 0.02 to 0.04 ppm; and milk from 0.005 to 0.015 ppm.
    Finally, EPA is not establishing tolerances for ``corn, field, 
sweet, and pop; corn, field and pop, forage; corn, field and pop, 
grain; corn, field and pop, stover'' because the petitioner withdrew 
those tolerance requests.

D. Literature References

Daood., MJ, Tsai, C., Ahdab-Barmada, M., and Watchko, JF (2008). ABC 
transporter (P-gp/ABCB1, MRP1/ABCC1, BCRP/ABCG2) expression in the 
developing Human CNS. Neuropediatrics. 2008 August; 39(4): 211.
Lankas, GR, Cartwright, ME, and Umbenhauer, D. (1997) P-Glycoprotein 
deficiency in a subpopulation of CF-1 mice enhances avermectin-
induced neurotoxicity. Toxicol. and Appl. Pharmacol. 143: 357-365.
Macdonald, N. and Gledhill, A. (2007). Potential impact of ABCB1 (p-
glycoprotein) polymorphisms on avermectin toxicity in human. Arch 
Toxicol (2007) 81:553-563.
Matsukoa, Y., Okazaki, M., Kitamura, Y., and Taniguchi, T. (1999). 
Developmental expression of P-glycoprotein (multidrug resistance 
gene product) in the rat brain. Journal of Neurobiology, 39(3), 383-
392.
van Kalken, CK, Giaccone, G., van der Valk, P., Kuiper, CM, 
Hadisaputro, MMN, Bosma, SAA, Scheper, RJ, Meijer, CJLM, and Pinedo, 
HM (1992). Multidrug resistance gene (P-glycoprotein) expression in 
the human fetus. American Journal of Pathology, vol 141 No.5, 
November 1992.

V. Conclusion

    Therefore, tolerances are established for residues of abamectin in 
or on acerola at 0.015 ppm; bean at 0.015 ppm; berry, low growing, 
subgroup 13-07G at 0.05 ppm; black sapote at 0.40 ppm; caneberry 
subgroup 13-07A at 0.20 ppm; canistel at 0.40 ppm; corn, sweet, forage 
at 0.20 ppm; corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husk removed at 0.01 
ppm; corn, sweet, stover at 0.50 ppm; feijoa at 0.015 ppm; fruit, 
citrus, group 10-10 at 0.02 ppm; fruit, pome, group 11-10 at 0.02 ppm; 
fruit, small, vine climbing, except fuzzy kiwifruit, subgroup 13-07F 
0.02 ppm; fruit, stone, group 12-12 at 0.09 ppm; grain, aspirated grain 
fractions at 0.40 ppm; guava at 0.015 ppm; jaboticaba at 0.015 ppm; 
longan at 0.01 ppm; lychee at 0.01 ppm; mamey sapote at 0.40 ppm; nut,

[[Page 26155]]

tree, group 14-12 at 0.01 ppm; onion, green, subgroup 3-07B at 0.08 
ppm; papaya at 0.40 ppm; passionfruit at 0.015 ppm; pineapple at 0.015 
ppm; pulasan at 0.01 ppm; rambutan at 0.01 ppm; sapodilla at 0.40 ppm; 
soybean, forage at 0.30 ppm; soybean, hay at 1.0 ppm; soybean, seed at 
0.01 ppm; Spanish lime at 0.01 ppm; star apple at 0.40 ppm; starfruit 
at 0.015 ppm; vegetable, fruiting, group 8-10 at 0.07 ppm; and wax 
jambu at 0.015 ppm.
    In addition, EPA is increasing the established tolerances on 
cattle, fat from 0.03 to 0.05 ppm; cattle, meat byproducts from 0.06 to 
0.09 ppm; fat of goat, horse, and sheep from 0.01 to 0.03 ppm; meat 
byproducts of goat, horse, and sheep from 0.02 to 0.04 ppm; and milk 
from 0.005 to 0.015 ppm.
    And lastly EPA is removing the following tolerances as unnecessary 
due to the establishment of the aforementioned tolerances: Apple at 
0.02 ppm; bean, dry, seed at 0.01 ppm; citrus at 0.02 ppm; fruit, 
stone, group 12 at 0.09 ppm; grape at 0.02 ppm; nut, tree, group 14 at 
0.01 ppm; pear at 0.02 ppm; pistachio at 0.01 ppm; strawberry at 0.05 
ppm; and vegetable, fruiting, group 8 at 0.020 ppm.

VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

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

VII. Congressional Review Act

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

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180

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

    Dated: April 22, 2016.
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.  180.449, the table in paragraph (a) is revised to read as 
follows:


Sec.  180.449  Avermectin B1 and its delta-8,9-isomer; 
tolerances for residues.

    (a) * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Parts per
                        Commodity                             million
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acerola.................................................           0.015
Almond, hulls...........................................            0.10
Apple, wet pomace.......................................            0.10
Avocado.................................................           0.020
Bean....................................................           0.015
Berry, low growing, subgroup 13-07G.....................            0.05
Black sapote............................................            0.40
Caneberry subgroup 13-07A...............................            0.20
Canistel................................................            0.40
Cattle, fat.............................................            0.05
Cattle, meat............................................            0.02
Cattle, meat byproducts.................................            0.09
Celeriac, roots.........................................            0.05
Celeriac, tops..........................................            0.05
Chive, dried leaves.....................................            0.02
Chive, fresh leaves.....................................            0.01
Citrus, dried pulp......................................            0.10

[[Page 26156]]

 
Citrus, oil.............................................            0.10
Corn, sweet, forage.....................................            0.20
Corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husk removed..........            0.01
Corn, sweet, stover.....................................            0.50
Cotton, gin byproducts..................................             1.0
Cotton, undelinted seed.................................            0.02
Feijoa..................................................           0.015
Food products in food handling establishments (other                0.01
 than those already covered by higher tolerances as a
 result of use on growing crops, and other than those
 already covered by tolerances on milk, meat, and meat
 byproducts)............................................
Fruit, citrus, group 10-10..............................            0.02
Fruit, pome, group 11-10................................            0.02
Fruit, small vine climbing, except fuzzy kiwifruit,                 0.02
 subgroup 13-07F........................................
Fruit, stone, group 12-12...............................            0.09
Goat, fat...............................................            0.03
Goat, meat..............................................            0.02
Goat, meat byproducts...................................            0.04
Grain, aspirated grain fractions........................            0.40
Guava...................................................           0.015
Herb subgroup 19A, except chive.........................           0.030
Hog, fat................................................            0.01
Hog, meat...............................................            0.02
Hog, meat byproducts....................................            0.02
Hop, dried cones........................................            0.20
Horse, fat..............................................            0.03
Horse, meat.............................................            0.02
Horse, meat byproducts..................................            0.04
Jaboticaba..............................................           0.015
Longan..................................................            0.01
Lychee..................................................            0.01
Mamey sapote............................................            0.40
Milk....................................................           0.015
Nut, tree, group 14-12..................................            0.01
Onion, bulb, subgroup 3-07A.............................            0.01
Onion, green, subgroup 3-07B............................            0.08
Papaya..................................................            0.40
Passionfruit............................................           0.015
Peppermint, tops........................................           0.010
Pineapple...............................................           0.015
Plum, prune, dried......................................           0.025
Poultry, meat...........................................            0.02
Poultry, meat byproducts................................            0.02
Pulasan.................................................            0.01
Rambutan................................................            0.01
Sapodilla...............................................            0.40
Sheep, fat..............................................            0.03
Sheep, meat.............................................            0.02
Sheep, meat byproducts..................................            0.04
Soybean, forage.........................................            0.30
Soybean, hay............................................             1.0
Soybean, seed...........................................            0.01
Spanish lime............................................            0.01
Spearmint, tops.........................................           0.010
Star apple..............................................            0.40
Starfruit...............................................           0.015
Vegetable, cucurbit, group 9............................           0.005
Vegetable, fruiting, group 8-10.........................            0.07
Vegetable, leafy, except brassica, group 4..............            0.10
Vegetable, tuberous and corm, subgroup 01C..............            0.01
Wax jambu...............................................           0.015
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2016-10230 Filed 4-29-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P



                                                                      Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 84 / Monday, May 2, 2016 / Rules and Regulations                                         26147

                                                ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION                                Classification System (NAICS) codes is                DC), (28221T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave.
                                                AGENCY                                                  not intended to be exhaustive, but rather             NW., Washington, DC 20460–0001.
                                                                                                        provides a guide to help readers                        • Hand Delivery: To make special
                                                40 CFR Part 180                                         determine whether this document                       arrangements for hand delivery or
                                                                                                        applies to them. Potentially affected                 delivery of boxed information, please
                                                [EPA–HQ–OPP–2013–0428; FRL–9945–29]
                                                                                                        entities may include:                                 follow the instructions at http://
                                                Abamectin; Pesticide Tolerances                           • Crop production (NAICS code 111).                 www.epa.gov/dockets/contacts.html.
                                                                                                          • Animal production (NAICS code                     Additional instructions on commenting
                                                AGENCY:  Environmental Protection                       112).                                                 or visiting the docket, along with more
                                                Agency (EPA).                                             • Food manufacturing (NAICS code                    information about dockets generally, is
                                                ACTION: Final rule.                                     311).                                                 available at
                                                                                                          • Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS                    http://www.epa.gov/dockets.
                                                SUMMARY:   This regulation establishes                  code 32532).
                                                tolerances for residues of abamectin in                                                                       II. Summary of Petitioned-For
                                                or on multiple commodities which are                    B. How can I get electronic access to                 Tolerances
                                                identified and discussed later in this                  other related information?                               In the Federal Register of September
                                                document. Interregional Research                           You may access a frequently updated                12, 2013 (78 FR 56185) (FRL–9399–7),
                                                Project Number 4 (IR–4), Syngenta Crop                  electronic version of EPA’s tolerance                 EPA issued a document pursuant to
                                                Protection, and Y–TEX Corporation                       regulations at 40 CFR part 180 through                FFDCA section 408(d)(3), 21 U.S.C.
                                                requested these tolerances in four                      the Government Printing Office’s e-CFR                346a(d)(3) announcing the filing of
                                                separate petitions under the Federal                                                                          pesticide petitions by Interregional
                                                                                                        site at http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-
                                                Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).                                                                         Research Project Number 4 (IR–4), 500
                                                                                                        idx?&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title40/
                                                DATES: This regulation is effective May                                                                       College Road East, Suite 201 W.,
                                                                                                        40tab_02.tpl.
                                                2, 2016. Objections and requests for                                                                          Princeton, NJ 08540 (PP 3E8175) and
                                                hearings must be received on or before                  C. How can I file an objection or hearing             Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC, P.O.
                                                July 1, 2016, and must be filed in                      request?                                              Box 18300, Greensboro, NC 27419 (PP
                                                accordance with the instructions                                                                              3F8184). The petitions requested that 40
                                                                                                          Under FFDCA section 408(g), 21
                                                provided in 40 CFR part 178 (see also                                                                         CFR 180.449 be amended by
                                                                                                        U.S.C. 346a, any person may file an
                                                Unit I.C. of the SUPPLEMENTARY                                                                                establishing tolerances for residues of
                                                                                                        objection to any aspect of this regulation
                                                INFORMATION).
                                                                                                                                                              the insecticide avermectin (abamectin)
                                                                                                        and may also request a hearing on those
                                                                                                                                                              determined by measuring only
                                                ADDRESSES:    The docket for this action,               objections. You must file your objection
                                                                                                                                                              avermectin B1, a mixture of avermectins
                                                identified by docket identification (ID)                or request a hearing on this regulation
                                                                                                                                                              containing greater than or equal to 80%
                                                number EPA–HQ–OPP–2013–0428, is                         in accordance with the instructions
                                                                                                                                                              avermectin B1a (5-O-demethyl
                                                available at http://www.regulations.gov                 provided in 40 CFR part 178. To ensure
                                                                                                                                                              avermectin A1) and less than or equal to
                                                or at the Office of Pesticide Programs                  proper receipt by EPA, you must
                                                                                                                                                              20% avermectin B1b (5-O-demethyl-25-
                                                Regulatory Public Docket (OPP Docket)                   identify docket ID number EPA–HQ–
                                                                                                                                                              de(1-methylpropyl)-25-(1-methylethyl)
                                                in the Environmental Protection Agency                  OPP–2013–0428 in the subject line on                  avermectin A1), and its delta-8,9-isomer
                                                Docket Center (EPA/DC), West William                    the first page of your submission. All                in or on caneberry subgroup 13–07A at
                                                Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 3334, 1301                 objections and requests for a hearing                 0.20 parts per million (ppm) (PP
                                                Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC                   must be in writing, and must be                       3E8175), and corn, field, sweet, and pop
                                                20460–0001. The Public Reading Room                     received by the Hearing Clerk on or                   at 0.01 ppm; corn, field and pop, forage
                                                is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,                    before July 1, 2016. Addresses for mail               at 0.2 ppm; corn, field and pop, grain at
                                                Monday through Friday, excluding legal                  and hand delivery of objections and                   0.01 ppm; corn, field and pop, stover at
                                                holidays. The telephone number for the                  hearing requests are provided in 40 CFR               0.6 ppm; corn, sweet, forage at 0.2 ppm;
                                                Public Reading Room is (202) 566–1744,                  178.25(b).                                            corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husk
                                                and the telephone number for the OPP                      In addition to filing an objection or               removed at 0.01 ppm; corn, sweet,
                                                Docket is (703) 305–5805. Please review                 hearing request with the Hearing Clerk                stover at 0.5 ppm; soybean at 0.01 ppm;
                                                the visitor instructions and additional                 as described in 40 CFR part 178, please               soybean, forage at 0.3 ppm; soybean,
                                                information about the docket available                  submit a copy of the filing (excluding                hay at 1 ppm; and soybean, seed at 0.01
                                                at http://www.epa.gov/dockets.                          any Confidential Business Information                 ppm (PP 3F8184). That document
                                                                                                        (CBI)) for inclusion in the public docket.            referenced summaries of the petitions
                                                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                                                                        Information not marked confidential                   prepared by Syngenta Crop Protection,
                                                Susan Lewis, Registration Division
                                                                                                        pursuant to 40 CFR part 2 may be                      the registrant, which is available in the
                                                (7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs,
                                                                                                        disclosed publicly by EPA without prior               docket, http://www.regulations.gov.
                                                Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
                                                                                                        notice. Submit the non-CBI copy of your               There were no comments received in
                                                Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington,
                                                                                                        objection or hearing request, identified              response to the notices of filing.
                                                DC 20460–0001; main telephone
                                                                                                        by docket ID number EPA–HQ–OPP–                          In the Federal Register of February
                                                number: (703) 305–7090; email address:
                                                                                                        2013–0428, by one of the following                    25, 2014 (79 FR 10458) (FRL–9906–77),
                                                RDFRNotices@epa.gov.
                                                                                                        methods:                                              EPA issued a document pursuant to
                                                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                                • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://               FFDCA section 408(d)(3), 21 U.S.C.
                                                I. General Information                                  www.regulations.gov. Follow the online                346a(d)(3) announcing the filing of
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                                                                                                        instructions for submitting comments.                 pesticide petition by Y-TEX
                                                A. Does this action apply to me?                        Do not submit electronically any                      Corporation, 1825 Big Horn Avenue,
                                                   You may be potentially affected by                   information you consider to be CBI or                 P.O. Box 1450, Cody, WY 82414 (PP
                                                this action if you are an agricultural                  other information whose disclosure is                 3F8200). The petition requested that 40
                                                producer, food manufacturer, or                         restricted by statute.                                CFR 180.449 be amended by increasing
                                                pesticide manufacturer. The following                     • Mail: OPP Docket, Environmental                   an established tolerance for the
                                                list of North American Industrial                       Protection Agency Docket Center (EPA/                 combined residues of the insecticide


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                                                26148                 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 84 / Monday, May 2, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

                                                avermectin B1 (a mixture of avermectins                 0.05 ppm and vegetable, fruiting, group               greater than or equal to 80% avermectin
                                                containing greater than or equal to 80%                 8 at 0.02 ppm. That document                          B1a (5-O-demethyl avermectin A1) and
                                                avermectin B1a (5-O-demethyl                            referenced summaries of the petitions                 less than or equal to 20% avermectin
                                                avermectin A1) and less than or equal to                prepared by Syngenta Crop Protection,                 B1b (5-O-demethyl-25-de(1-
                                                20% avermectin B1b (5-O-demethyl-25-                    the registrant, which is available in the             methylpropyl)-25-(1-methylethyl)
                                                de(1-methylpropyl)-25-(1-methylethyl)                   docket, http://www.regulations.gov.                   avermectin A1)] and its delta-8,9-isomer.
                                                avermectin A1)) and its delta-8,9-isomer,               There were no comments received in                    Avermectins are macrocyclic lactones
                                                in or on milk from 0.005 ppm to 0.01                    response to the notice of filing.                     produced as natural fermentation
                                                ppm. That document referenced a                           Based upon review of the data                       products of the soil bacterium
                                                summary of the petition prepared by Y–                  supporting the petitions, EPA has                     Streptomyces avermitilis. Currently,
                                                TEX Corporation, the registrant, which                  modified the level at which tolerances                abamectin and emamectin are the only
                                                is available in the docket for docket ID                are being established for some                        members of this group with active
                                                number EPA–HQ–OPP–2013–0264,                            commodities. The reasons for these                    pesticide registrations. The two
                                                http://www.regulations.gov. There were                  changes are explained in Unit IV.C.                   components of abamectin, B1a and B1b,
                                                no FFDCA-related comments received                      III. Aggregate Risk Assessment and                    have very similar biological and
                                                in response to the notice of filing.                    Determination of Safety                               toxicological properties. Emamectin,
                                                   In the Federal Register of February                                                                        which is a derivative of abamectin, is a
                                                                                                           Section 408(b)(2)(A)(i) of FFDCA                   structurally and toxicologically related
                                                11, 2015 (80 FR 7559) (FRL–9921–94),                    allows EPA to establish a tolerance (the
                                                EPA issued a document pursuant to                                                                             chemical. The only difference between
                                                                                                        legal limit for a pesticide chemical                  abamectin and emamectin is that
                                                FFDCA section 408(d)(3), 21 U.S.C.                      residue in or on a food) only if EPA
                                                346a(d)(3) announcing the filing of a                                                                         abamectin has a hydroxyl moiety at the
                                                                                                        determines that the tolerance is ‘‘safe.’’            4″ position of the tetrahydropyrane ring,
                                                pesticide petition by IR–4, 500 College                 Section 408(b)(2)(A)(ii) of FFDCA
                                                Road East, Suite 201 W., Princeton, NJ                                                                        whereas in emamectin the hydroxyl
                                                                                                        defines ‘‘safe’’ to mean that ‘‘there is a            group is replaced by a methylamine.
                                                08540 (PP 4E8309). The petition                         reasonable certainty that no harm will                   Since the last time the EPA assessed
                                                requested that 40 CFR 180.449 be                        result from aggregate exposure to the                 abamectin (Federal Register of March
                                                amended by establishing tolerances for                  pesticide chemical residue, including                 27, 2013 (78 FR 18519) (FRL–9379–1)),
                                                residues of the insecticide avermectin                  all anticipated dietary exposures and all             the Agency has re-evaluated the entire
                                                (abamectin) determined by measuring                     other exposures for which there is                    abamectin and emamectin toxicological
                                                only avermectin B1, a mixture of                        reliable information.’’ This includes                 database along with currently available
                                                avermectins containing greater than or                  exposure through drinking water and in                literature information on the toxicity of
                                                equal to 80% avermectin B1a (5-O-                       residential settings, but does not include            the abamectin and emamectin to ensure
                                                demethyl avermectin A1) and less than                   occupational exposure. Section                        consistent hazard evaluation for these
                                                or equal to 20% avermectin B1b (5-O-                    408(b)(2)(C) of FFDCA requires EPA to                 structurally related pesticides. This
                                                demethyl-25-de(1-methylpropyl)-25-(1-                   give special consideration to exposure                hazard characterization and dose-
                                                methylethyl) avermectin A1), and its                    of infants and children to the pesticide              response assessment represents a more
                                                delta-8,9-isomer in or on fruit, stone,                 chemical residue in establishing a                    refined analysis than previous
                                                group 12–12 at 0.09 ppm, fruit, small,                  tolerance and to ‘‘ensure that there is a             assessments, using the literature data to
                                                vine climbing, except fuzzy kiwifruit,                  reasonable certainty that no harm will                enhance the characterization of the
                                                subgroup 13–07F at 0.02 ppm, nut, tree,                 result to infants and children from                   studies submitted to the Agency.
                                                group 14–12 at 0.01 ppm, vegetable,                     aggregate exposure to the pesticide                      Available toxicity data show that,
                                                fruiting, group 8–10 at 0.07 ppm, fruit,                chemical residue . . . .’’                            with single dose or repeated dose
                                                citrus, group 10–10 at 0.02 ppm, berry,                    Consistent with FFDCA section                      administration, the primary target organ
                                                low growing, subgroup 13–07G at 0.05                    408(b)(2)(D), and the factors specified in            of abamectin is the nervous system, and
                                                ppm, fruit, pome, group 11–10 at 0.02                   FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(D), EPA has                   that decreased body weight is also one
                                                ppm, papaya at 0.40 ppm, star apple at                  reviewed the available scientific data                of the most frequent findings.
                                                0.40 ppm, black sapote at 0.40 ppm,                     and other relevant information in                     Neurotoxicity (including tremors,
                                                sapodilla at 0.40 ppm, canistel at 0.40                 support of this action. EPA has                       mydriasis, ataxia, and death) was seen
                                                ppm, mamey sapote at 0.40 ppm, guava                    sufficient data to assess the hazards of              in mice, dogs, and rats. Developmental
                                                at 0.015 ppm, feijoa at 0.015 ppm,                      and to make a determination on                        effects such as cleft palate were reported
                                                jaboticaba at 0.015 ppm, wax jambu at                   aggregate exposure for abamectin                      in rabbits. Abamectin was shown to
                                                0.015 ppm, starfruit at 0.015 ppm,                      including exposure resulting from the                 bind to the gamma aminobutyric acid
                                                passionfruit at 0.015 ppm, acerola at                   tolerances established by this action.                (GABA) receptors, and this interaction
                                                0.015 ppm, lychee 0.01 ppm, longan at                   EPA’s assessment of exposures and risks               was believed to result in neurotoxicity.
                                                0.01 ppm, Spanish lime at 0.01 ppm,                     associated with abamectin follows.                    The GABA receptor interaction also
                                                rambutan at 0.01 ppm, pulasan at 0.01                                                                         plays a role in development; cleft palate
                                                ppm, pineapple at 0.015 ppm, bean at                    A. Toxicological Profile                              findings may reflect the interaction of
                                                0.015 ppm, and onion, green, subgroup                     EPA has evaluated the available                     abamectin on the GABA receptor.
                                                3–07B at 0.08 ppm. Upon the approval                    toxicity data and considered its validity,            Generally the finding of cleft palate was
                                                of the aforementioned tolerances, IR–4                  completeness, and reliability as well as              seen at higher dose levels than those for
                                                requested removal of established                        the relationship of the results of the                neurotoxicity.
                                                tolerances of abamectin, including its                  studies to human risk. EPA has also                      Integral to the dose response
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                                                metabolites and degradates, in or on the                considered available information                      assessment in mammals for this class of
                                                following commodities: Bean, dry, seed                  concerning the variability of the                     compounds is P-glycoprotein (P-gp). P-
                                                at 0.01 ppm, citrus at 0.02 ppm, apple                  sensitivities of major identifiable                   gp is a member of adenosine
                                                at 0.02 ppm, pear at 0.02 ppm, fruit,                   subgroups of consumers, including                     triphosphate (ATP) binding cassette
                                                stone, group 12 at 0.09 ppm, nut, tree,                 infants and children.                                 transporter proteins, which reside in the
                                                group 14 at 0.01 ppm, pistachio at 0.01                   Abamectin is a mixture of avermectin                plasma membrane and function as a
                                                ppm, grape at 0.02 ppm, strawberry at                   B1 [a mixture of avermectins containing               transmembrane efflux pump, moving


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                                                                      Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 84 / Monday, May 2, 2016 / Rules and Regulations                                          26149

                                                xenobiotics from the intracellular to the               a result, the Agency does not consider                   Carcinogenicity studies in rats and
                                                extracellular domain. P-gp is found in                  the toxic effects observed in CF-1 mouse              mice (CD-1) and mutagenicity studies
                                                the canallicular surface of hepatocytes,                studies to be representative of                       provide no indication that abamectin is
                                                the apical surface of proximal tubular                  abamectin (and emamectin) effects in                  carcinogenic or mutagenic.
                                                cells in the kidneys, the brush border                  humans.                                                  Specific information on the studies
                                                surface of enterocytes, and the luminal                    Therefore, the Agency is using results             received and the nature of the adverse
                                                surface of blood capillaries of the brain               from toxicological studies conducted in               effects caused by abamectin as well as
                                                (blood brain barrier), placenta, ovaries,               the species (rats, CD-1 mice, rabbits, and            the no-observed-adverse-effect-level
                                                and the testes. As an efflux transporter,               dogs) that do not have diminished P-gp                (NOAEL) and the lowest-observed-
                                                P-gp acts as a protective barrier to keep               function for selecting toxicity endpoints             adverse-effect-level (LOAEL) from the
                                                xenobiotics out of the body by excreting                and points of departure for risk                      toxicity studies can be found at http://
                                                them into bile, urine, and intestinal                   assessment. Among the test animals                    www.regulations.gov in the document
                                                lumen and prevents accumulation of                      with fully functional P-gp, the beagle                titled ‘‘Abamectin. Human Health Risk
                                                these compounds in the brain and                        dog is the most sensitive species.                    Assessment for Uses on Caneberry
                                                gonads, as well as in the fetus.                           For various durations of treatment                 Subgroup 13–07A; Soybean; Sweet
                                                Therefore, test animals with genetic                    (subchronic (12- and 18-weeks) and                    Corn; Ear Tags for Lactating Dairy
                                                polymorphisms that compromise P-gp                      chronic oral toxicity studies in dogs),               Cattle; Golf Course Turf; Bean; Onion,
                                                expression, are particularly susceptible                clinical signs [tremors and mydriasis                 Green, Subgroup 3–07B; Fruit, Pome,
                                                to abamectin-induced neurotoxicity                      (decreased pupillary light response)] of              Group 11–10; Fruit, Small Vine
                                                (Lankas et al., 1997). An example is the                neurotoxicity were observed in the at                 Climbing, Except Fuzzy Kiwifruit,
                                                rat. P-gp is undetectable in the neonatal               the lowest observed adverse effect level              Subgroup 13–07F; Berry, Low Growing,
                                                rat brain; the first detection of P-gp is on            (LOAEL) of 0.5 milligram/kilogram (mg/                Subgroup 13–07G; Vegetable, Fruiting,
                                                post-natal day (PND) 7 and does not                     kg); the no observed adverse effect level             Group 8–10; Greenhouse Tomato; Fruit,
                                                reach adult levels until approximately                  (NOAEL) was 0.25 mg/kg. Tremors and                   Citrus, Group 10–10; Fruit, Stone, Group
                                                PND 28 (Matsuoka, 1999). As shown in                    mydriasis were observed as early as the               12–12; and Nut, Tree, Group 14–12; and
                                                the reproductive and developmental                      first week of exposure. The Agency                    Various Tropical Fruits’’ on page 53 in
                                                neurotoxicity (DNT) studies, neonatal                   assumes that these clinical signs could               docket ID number EPA–HQ–OPP–2013–
                                                rats are sensitive to the effects of                    result from a single dose for the                     0428.
                                                abamectin-induced pup body weight                       following reasons:                                    B. Toxicological Points of Departure/
                                                reductions and death. In contrast, in the                  1. Kinetic data demonstrates rapid                 Levels of Concern
                                                developing human fetus, P-gp was                        absorption/excretion. With oral dosing                   Once a pesticide’s toxicological
                                                found as early as 22 weeks of gestation                 in rats and mice, abamectin was                       profile is determined, EPA identifies
                                                (Daood, MJ, 2008; van Kalken, et al.,                   absorbed rapidly, and maximum                         toxicological points of departure (POD)
                                                1991). Based on the difference in the                   concentration in blood was achieved                   and levels of concern to use in
                                                ontogeny of P-gp in neonatal rat and                    within 4-8 hours after administration. It             evaluating the risk posed by human
                                                human newborn, the Agency, at this                      was rapidly eliminated from the body,                 exposure to the pesticide. For hazards
                                                time, does not believe that the early                   almost exclusively in the feces, and did              that have a threshold below which there
                                                post-natal findings in the rat to be                    not accumulate in the body after                      is no appreciable risk, the toxicological
                                                relevant to human newborns or young                     repeated exposure.                                    POD is used as the basis for derivation
                                                children.                                                  2. In an acute neurotoxicity study                 of reference values for risk assessment.
                                                   Similarly, the CF-1 mouse is also                    (ACN) in rat (range finding and main                  PODs are developed based on a careful
                                                uniquely sensitive to the neurotoxic                    studies), clinical signs of neurotoxicity             analysis of the doses in each
                                                effects of abamectin and its derivative,                such as reduced foot splay reflex, ataxia,            toxicological study to determine the
                                                emamectin. Some CF-1 mice have a                        tremors, and mydriasis (decreased                     dose at which no adverse effects are
                                                polymorphism for the gene encoding P-                   pupillary light response) were observed               observed (the NOAEL) and the lowest
                                                gp and are either devoid (homozygous)                   from a single dose. Most of the effects               dose at which adverse effects of concern
                                                or have diminished (heterozygous) level                 observed in the rat ACN were consistent               are identified (the LOAEL). Uncertainty/
                                                of P-gp. The Agency does not consider                   with those seen in the subchronic and                 safety factors are used in conjunction
                                                the results of studies with CF-1 mice to                chronic dog studies.                                  with the POD to calculate a safe
                                                be relevant for human health risk                          3. The neurotoxic effects produced by              exposure level—generally referred to as
                                                assessment because there is a lack of                   abamectin in beagle dogs did not                      a population-adjusted dose (PAD) or a
                                                convincing evidence from the literature                 progress with time. The effects seen in               reference dose (RfD)—and a safe margin
                                                on human polymorphism of human                          the subchronic (gavage) and chronic dog               of exposure (MOE). For non-threshold
                                                multidrug resistance (MDR-1) gene                       studies were similar despite the varied               risks, the Agency assumes that any
                                                resulting in diminished P-gp function.                  durations of treatment, suggesting the                amount of exposure will lead to some
                                                Although many studies on human                          response could be due to each                         degree of risk. Thus, the Agency
                                                multidrug resistance (MDR-1) gene                       individual exposure rather than to                    estimates risk in terms of the probability
                                                encoding P-gp and polymorphism of                       accumulation of abamectin in tissues.                 of an occurrence of the adverse effect
                                                MDR-1 gene are available, the data are                  Clinical signs such as ataxia and or                  expected in a lifetime. For more
                                                inconclusive with respect to the                        whole body tremors were reported                      information on the general principles
                                                functional significance of the genetic                  within 3 hours of the first dose at higher            EPA uses in risk characterization and a
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                                                variance in P-gp in human. At the                       dose levels.                                          complete description of the risk
                                                present, the reported cases of                             Based on these considerations, 0.25                assessment process, see http://
                                                polymorphism of the MDR-1 gene in                       mg/kg/day was selected as a point of                  www2.epa.gov/pesticide-science-and-
                                                human populations have not been                         departure for risk assessment for all the             assessing-pesticide-risks/assessing-
                                                shown to result in a loss of P-gp                       exposure scenarios, and the toxicity                  human-health-risk-pesticides.
                                                function similar to that found in CF-1                  endpoints were clinical signs of                         A summary of the toxicological
                                                mice (Macdonald & Gledhill, 2007). As                   neurotoxicity.                                        endpoints for abamectin used for human


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                                                26150                 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 84 / Monday, May 2, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

                                                risk assessment is shown in Table 1 of
                                                this unit.

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

                                                Acute dietary and Chronic die-         NOAEL = 0.25 mg/kg/            Acute RfD = 0.0025 mg/          Subchronic & chronic oral toxicity studies in dogs.
                                                  tary (All populations).               day.                            kg/day.                       Chronic LOAEL = 0.50 mg/kg/day based on body
                                                                                       UFA = 10x                      aPAD = 0.0025 mg/kg/              tremors, one death, liver pathology, decreased body
                                                                                       UFH = 10x                        day                             weight. Mydriasis was seen during week one in one
                                                                                       FQPA SF = 1x                   Chronic RfD = 0.0025              dog.
                                                                                                                        mg/kg/day                     Subchronic LOAEL = 0.5 mg/kg/day based on mydria-
                                                                                                                      cPAD = 0.0025 mg/kg/              sis during week one, death at 1.0 mg/kg/day.
                                                                                                                        day

                                                Dermal short-term (1 to 30             Oral study NOAEL =             LOC for MOE = 100 .......       Subchronic & chronic oral toxicity studies in dogs.
                                                  days).                                 0.25 mg/kg/day (der-                                         Chronic LOAEL = 0.50 mg/kg/day based on body
                                                                                         mal absorption rate =                                          tremors, one death, liver pathology, decreased body
                                                                                         1%.                                                            weight. Mydriasis was seen during week one in one
                                                                                       UFA = 10x                                                        dog.
                                                                                       UFH = 10x                                                      Subchronic LOAEL = 0.5 mg/kg/day based on mydria-
                                                                                       FQPA SF = 1x                                                     sis during week one, death at 1.0 mg/kg/day.

                                                Inhalation short-term (1 to 30         Oral study NOAEL =             LOC for MOE = 100 .......       Subchronic & chronic oral toxicity studies in dogs.
                                                  days).                                 0.25 mg/kg/day (Tox-                                         Chronic LOAEL = 0.50 mg/kg/day based on body
                                                                                         icity via the inhalation                                       tremors, one death, liver pathology, decreased body
                                                                                         route assumed to be                                            weight. Mydriasis was seen during week one in one
                                                                                         equivalent) to oral                                            dog.
                                                                                         route.                                                       Subchronic LOAEL = 0.5 mg/kg/day based on mydria-
                                                                                       UFA = 10x                                                        sis during week one, death at 1.0 mg/kg/day.
                                                                                       UFH = 10x
                                                                                       FQPA SF = 1x

                                                Cancer (Oral, dermal, inhala-           Classification: ‘‘Not likely to be Carcinogenic to Humans’’ based on the absence of significant tumor increases
                                                  tion).                                                                   in two adequate rodent carcinogenicity studies.
                                                  FQPA SF = Food Quality Protection Act Safety Factor. LOAEL = lowest-observed-adverse-effect-level. LOC = level of concern. mg/kg/day =
                                                milligram/kilogram/day. MOE = margin of exposure. NOAEL = no-observed-adverse-effect-level. PAD = population adjusted dose (a = acute, c =
                                                chronic). RfD = reference dose. UF = uncertainty factor. UFA = extrapolation from animal to human (interspecies). UFH = potential variation in
                                                sensitivity among members of the human population (intraspecies).


                                                C. Exposure Assessment                                  established food uses of abamectin.                   purposes of providing background
                                                   1. Dietary exposure from food and                    Anticipated residues derived from field               dietary exposure for use in the
                                                feed uses. In evaluating dietary                        trial data for most plant commodities                 residential short-term assessments. In
                                                exposure to abamectin, EPA considered                   were used in the acute dietary exposure               conducting the chronic dietary exposure
                                                exposure under the petitioned-for                       assessment. Tolerance-level residues                  assessment EPA used the food
                                                tolerances as well as all existing                      were used for poultry and swine                       consumption data from the 2003–2008
                                                abamectin tolerances in 40 CFR 180.449.                 livestock commodities. Because cattle                 USDA NHANES/WWEIA. As to residue
                                                EPA assessed dietary exposures from                     may be exposed to residues of                         levels in food, a refined chronic dietary
                                                abamectin in food as follows:                           abamectin through diet and ear tag,                   exposure assessment was conducted for
                                                   i. Acute exposure. Quantitative acute                upper-bound anticipated residues were                 all proposed and established food uses
                                                dietary exposure and risk assessments                   estimated from the maximum values                     of abamectin. Average residues for plant
                                                are performed for a food-use pesticide,                 found in cattle feeding studies and                   commodities from field trials were used.
                                                if a toxicological study has indicated the              dermal magnitude of residue studies.                  Residue levels based on maximum
                                                possibility of an effect of concern                     For all other livestock commodities,                  reasonable dietary burden for secondary
                                                occurring as a result of a 1-day or single              upper-bound anticipated residues were                 residues in livestock (beef and dairy
                                                exposure.                                               estimated from secondary residues from                cattle) and the highest residues found in
                                                   Such effects were identified for                     consuming treated feed. Empirical and                 the magnitude of residue studies for
                                                abamectin. In estimating acute dietary                  default processing factors and maximum                cattle ear tags were used in the chronic
                                                exposure, EPA used food consumption                     percent crop treated (PCT) estimates                  assessment for livestock commodities.
                                                information from the 2003–2008 United                   were used, as available.                              Tolerance values were used for poultry
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                                                States Department of Agriculture                           ii. Chronic exposure. The Agency                   and swine to account for poultry and
                                                (USDA) National Health and Nutrition                    selected a point of departure for chronic             swine consuming treated feed. Residues
                                                Examination Survey, What We Eat in                      effects that is the same as the point of              from use in food handling
                                                America (NHANES/WWEIA). As to                           departure for acute effects and so is                 establishments were included.
                                                residue levels in food, a refined acute                 relying on the acute assessment to be                 Empirical and default processing factors
                                                dietary exposure assessment was                         protective of chronic effects. So, the                and average PCT estimates were used, as
                                                conducted for all proposed and                          Agency assessed chronic exposure for                  available.


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                                                                      Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 84 / Monday, May 2, 2016 / Rules and Regulations                                            26151

                                                   iii. Cancer. Based on the data                       45%; tangerine: 55%; tomato: 25%;                        The following maximum PCT
                                                summarized in Unit III.A., EPA has                      walnut: 55%; and watermelon: 15%.                     estimates were used in the acute dietary
                                                concluded that abamectin does not pose                    The PCT values that were used to                    risk assessment for the following new
                                                a cancer risk to humans. Therefore, a                   refine the livestock commodities for the              uses of abamectin:
                                                dietary exposure assessment for the                     acute assessment were based on: Sweet                    Blackberries: 68%; boysenberry: 68%;
                                                purpose of assessing cancer risk is                     corn (44%) for beef, goat, horse, and                 corn, sweet 57%; loganberry: 68%;
                                                unnecessary.                                            sheep commodities; and the food                       raspberries: 68%; soybeans: 11%.
                                                   iv. Anticipated residue and PCT                      handling establishment uses (5%) for                     The following average PCT estimates
                                                information. Section 408(b)(2)(E) of                    hog and poultry meat and meat                         were used in the chronic dietary risk
                                                FFDCA authorizes EPA to use available                   byproducts.                                           assessment for the following new uses
                                                data and information on the anticipated                   The following average PCT estimates                 of abamectin:
                                                residue levels of pesticide residues in                 were used in the chronic dietary risk                    Blackberries: 56%; boysenberry: 56%;
                                                food and the actual levels of pesticide                 assessment for the following crops that               corn, sweet 45%; loganberry: 68%;
                                                residues that have been measured in                     are currently registered for abamectin:               raspberries: 56%; soybeans: 8%.
                                                food. If EPA relies on such information,                Almond: 70%; apple: 10%; apricot:                        EPA estimates of the PCTn of
                                                EPA must require pursuant to FFDCA                      15%; avocado: 35%; bean, dry: 2.5%;                   abamectin represents the upper bound
                                                section 408(f)(1) that data be provided 5               cantaloupe: 25%; celery: 45%; cherry:                 of use expected during the pesticide’s
                                                                                                        5%; cotton: 20%; cucumber: 5%; grape:                 initial five years of registration; that is,
                                                years after the tolerance is established,
                                                                                                        15%; grapefruit: 70%; hazelnut: 2.5%;                 PCTn for abamectin is a threshold of use
                                                modified, or left in effect, demonstrating
                                                                                                        honeydew: 20%; lemon: 40%; lettuce:                   that EPA is reasonably certain will not
                                                that the levels in food are not above the
                                                                                                        20%; nectarine: 20%; onion, bulb: 2.5%;               be exceeded for each registered use site.
                                                levels anticipated. For the present
                                                                                                        orange: 40%; peach: 10%; pear: 70%;                   The PCTn recommended for use in the
                                                action, EPA will issue such data call-ins
                                                                                                        pecan: 1%; pepper: 15%; pistachio:                    chronic dietary assessment is calculated
                                                as are required by FFDCA section
                                                                                                        2.5%; plum/prune: 10%; potato: 5%;                    as the average PCT of the market leader
                                                408(b)(2)(E) and authorized under
                                                                                                        pumpkin: 5%; spinach: 25%; squash:                    or leaders, (i.e., the one(s) with the
                                                FFDCA section 408(f)(1). Data will be
                                                                                                        5%; strawberry: 30%; tangerine: 35%;                  greatest PCT) on that site over the three
                                                required to be submitted no later than
                                                                                                        tomato: 10%; walnuts: 25%; and                        most recent years of available data. The
                                                5 years from the date of issuance of                                                                          PCTn recommended for use in the acute
                                                these tolerances.                                       watermelons: 5%.
                                                                                                          The PCT values that were used to                    dietary assessment is the maximum
                                                   Section 408(b)(2)(F) of FFDCA states                                                                       observed PCT over the same period.
                                                                                                        refine the livestock commodities (cattle,
                                                that the Agency may use data on the                                                                           Comparisons are only made among
                                                                                                        goats, horses, and sheep) for the chronic
                                                actual percent of food treated for                                                                            pesticides of the same pesticide types
                                                                                                        assessment were based on: Cotton
                                                assessing chronic dietary risk only if:                                                                       (e.g., the market leader for insecticides
                                                                                                        (30%), soybean (8%), and sweet corn
                                                   • Condition a: The data used are                                                                           on the use site is selected for
                                                                                                        (38%). The PCT for poultry and hog
                                                reliable and provide a valid basis to                   commodities is based on the food                      comparison with a new insecticide).
                                                show what percentage of the food                        handling establishment PCT since the                  The market leader included in the
                                                derived from such crop is likely to                     tolerances for food handling                          estimation may not be the same for each
                                                contain the pesticide residue.                          establishment uses result in residues                 year since different pesticides may
                                                   • Condition b: The exposure estimate                 considerably higher than secondary                    dominate at different times.
                                                does not underestimate exposure for any                 residues from hogs and poultry                           Typically, EPA uses USDA/NASS as
                                                significant subpopulation group.                        consuming treated feed. All                           the source data because it is publicly
                                                   • Condition c: Data are available on                 commodities included for food handling                available and directly reports values for
                                                pesticide use and food consumption in                   residues were assigned the value of 5%.               PCT. When a specific use site is not
                                                a particular area, the exposure estimate                  In most cases, EPA uses available data              reported by USDA/NASS, EPA uses
                                                does not understate exposure for the                    from United States Department of                      proprietary data and calculates the PCT
                                                population in such area.                                Agriculture/National Agricultural                     given reported data on acres treated and
                                                In addition, the Agency must provide                    Statistics Service (USDA/NASS),                       acres grown. If no data are available,
                                                for periodic evaluation of any estimates                proprietary market surveys, and the                   EPA may extrapolate PCTn from other
                                                used. To provide for the periodic                       National Pesticide Use Database for the               crops, if the production area and pest
                                                evaluation of the estimate of PCT as                    chemical/crop combination for the most                spectrum are substantially similar.
                                                required by FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(F),                 recent 6–7 years. EPA uses an average                    A retrospective analysis to validate
                                                EPA may require registrants to submit                   PCT for chronic dietary risk analysis.                this approach shows few cases where
                                                data on PCT.                                            The average PCT figure for each existing              the PCT for the market leaders were
                                                   The following maximum PCT                            use is derived by combining available                 exceeded. Further review of these cases
                                                estimates were used in the acute dietary                public and private market survey data                 identified factors contributing to the
                                                risk assessment for the following crops                 for that use, averaging across all                    exceptionally high use of a new
                                                that are currently registered for                       observations, and rounding to the                     pesticide. To evaluate whether the PCTn
                                                abamectin: Almond: 80%; apple: 30%;                     nearest 5%, except for those situations               for abamectin could be exceeded, EPA
                                                apricot: 30%; avocado: 60%; bean, dry:                  in which the average PCT is less than                 considered whether there may be
                                                2.5%; cantaloupe: 45%; celery: 70%;                     one. In those cases, 1% is used as the                unusually high pest pressure, as
                                                cherry: 20%; cotton: 30%; cucumber:                     average PCT and 2.5% is used as the                   indicated in emergency exemption
                                                10%; grape: 35%; grapefruit: 90%;                       maximum PCT. EPA uses a maximum                       requests for abamectin; the pest
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                                                hazelnut: 2.5%; honeydew: 35%; lemon:                   PCT for acute dietary risk analysis. The              spectrum of the new pesticide in
                                                55%; lettuce: 45%; nectarine: 20%;                      maximum PCT figure is the highest                     comparison with the market leaders and
                                                onion, bulb: 10%; orange: 70%; peach:                   observed maximum value reported                       whether the market leaders are well-
                                                25%; pear: 85%; pecan: 2.5%; pepper:                    within the recent 6 years of available                established for that use; and whether
                                                30%; pistachio: 2.5%; plum/prune:                       public and private market survey data                 pest resistance issues with past market
                                                35%; potato: 20%; pumpkin: 10%;                         for the existing use and rounded up to                leaders provide abamectin with
                                                spinach: 45%; squash: 15%; strawberry:                  the nearest multiple of 5%.                           significant market potential. Given


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                                                26152                 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 84 / Monday, May 2, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

                                                currently available information, EPA                    via point estimates or using residue                  found at http://www2.epa.gov/pesticide-
                                                concludes that it is unlikely that actual               distribution files.                                   science-and-assessing-pesticide-risks/
                                                PCT for abamectin will exceed the                          For acute dietary risk assessment, a               standard-operating-procedures-
                                                estimated PCT for new uses during the                   drinking water residue distribution file              residential-pesticide.
                                                next five years.                                        was used to assess the contribution to                   4. Cumulative effects from substances
                                                   The Agency believes that the three                   drinking water.                                       with a common mechanism of toxicity.
                                                conditions discussed in Unit III.C.1.iv.                   For chronic dietary risk assessment,               Section 408(b)(2)(D)(v) of FFDCA
                                                have been met. With respect to                          the water concentration of value 0.30                 requires that, when considering whether
                                                Condition a, PCT estimates are derived                  ppb was used to assess the contribution               to establish, modify, or revoke a
                                                from Federal and private market survey                  to drinking water.                                    tolerance, the Agency consider
                                                data, which are reliable and have a valid                  3. From non-dietary exposure. The                  ‘‘available information’’ concerning the
                                                basis. The Agency is reasonably certain                 term ‘‘residential exposure’’ is used in              cumulative effects of a particular
                                                that the percentage of the food treated                 this document to refer to non-                        pesticide’s residues and ‘‘other
                                                is not likely to be an underestimation.                 occupational, non-dietary exposure                    substances that have a common
                                                As to Conditions b and c, regional                      (e.g., for lawn and garden pest control,              mechanism of toxicity.’’
                                                consumption information and                             indoor pest control, termiticides, and                   EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs
                                                consumption information for significant                 flea and tick control on pets).                       (OPP) has previously developed
                                                                                                           Abamectin is currently registered for              guidance documents for establishing
                                                subpopulations is taken into account
                                                                                                        the following uses that could result in               common mechanism groups (CMGs)
                                                through EPA’s computer-based model
                                                                                                        residential exposures: Homeowner bait                 (Guidance for Identifying Pesticide
                                                for evaluating the exposure of
                                                                                                        and bait station products that include an             Chemicals and Other Substances that
                                                significant subpopulations including
                                                                                                        outdoor granular bait formulation for                 have a Common Mechanism of Toxicity
                                                several regional groups. Use of this
                                                                                                        use on fire ant mounds, and several                   (1999)) and conducting cumulative risk
                                                consumption information in EPA’s risk
                                                                                                        indoor ready-to-use baits of both dust                assessments (CRAs) (Guidance on
                                                assessment process ensures that EPA’s
                                                                                                        and gel formulations. In addition, as                 Cumulative Risk Assessment of
                                                exposure estimate does not understate
                                                                                                        part of the current request, the registrant           Pesticide Chemicals that have a
                                                exposure for any significant
                                                                                                        has proposed a use on golf course turf.               Common Mechanism of Toxicity
                                                subpopulation group and allows the                         EPA assessed residential exposure                  (2002)). In 2016, EPA’s Office of
                                                Agency to be reasonably certain that no                 using the following assumptions: For                  Pesticide Programs released another
                                                regional population is exposed to                       residential handlers, both dermal and                 guidance document entitled Pesticide
                                                residue levels higher than those                        inhalation short-term exposure is                     Cumulative Risk Assessment:
                                                estimated by the Agency. Other than the                 expected from the currently registered                Framework for Screening Analysis. All
                                                data available through national food                    bait and bait station uses. Quantitative              three of these documents can be found
                                                consumption surveys, EPA does not                       exposure/risk assessment considered                   at http://www.regulations.gov in docket
                                                have available reliable information on                  the following scenarios: Loading/                     ID EPA–HQ–OPP–2015–0422.
                                                the regional consumption of food to                     applying granular bait outdoor via (1)                   The Agency has utilized this 2016
                                                which abamectin may be applied in a                     push-type spreaders, (2) belly grinders,              screening framework for abamectin and
                                                particular area.                                        (3) spoons, (4) hand, and (5) cup or                  determined that abamectin along with
                                                   2. Dietary exposure from drinking                    shaker; and (6) applying granular bait                emamectin form a candidate CMG. This
                                                water. The Agency used screening level                  indoor by hand (as a surrogate for a                  group of pesticides is considered a
                                                water exposure models in the dietary                    ready-to-use dust bait).                              candidate CMG because they share
                                                exposure analysis and risk assessment                      Post-application residential exposure              characteristics to support a testable
                                                for abamectin in drinking water. These                  for adults and children (1 to <2) is                  hypothesis for a common mechanism of
                                                simulation models take into account                     unlikely for the currently registered uses            action. Following this determination,
                                                data on the physical, chemical, and fate/               of abamectin. For currently registered                the Agency conducted a screening-level
                                                transport characteristics of abamectin.                 outdoor treatments, adults and children               cumulative risk assessment consistent
                                                Further information regarding EPA                       are not expected to directly contact fire             with the 2016 guidance document. This
                                                drinking water models used in pesticide                 ant mounds. For currently registered                  screening assessment indicates that that
                                                exposure assessment can be found at                     indoor pest control, bait placements are              cumulative dietary and residential
                                                http://www2.epa.gov/pesticide-science-                  intended to be placed in cracks and                   aggregate exposures for abamectin and
                                                and-assessing-pesticide-risks/about-                    crevices where direct contact by adults               emamectin are below the Agency’s
                                                water-exposure-models-used-pesticide.                   and children (1 to <2) is unlikely.                   levels of concern. No further cumulative
                                                   Based on the Tier II surface water                      However, residential post-application              evaluation is necessary for abamectin
                                                concentration calculator (SWCC)                         exposure for adults and children (6 to                and emamectin.
                                                computer model and Tier I Screening                     <11 and 11 to <16) is possible for the                   The Agency’s screening-level
                                                Concentration in Ground Water (SCI–                     newly proposed use of abamectin on                    cumulative analysis can be found at
                                                GROW) model and Tier I Pesticide Root                   golf courses. Adults and children (6 to               http://www.regulations.gov in the
                                                Zone Model Ground Water (PRZM GW),                      <11 and 11 to <16) performing physical                document titled ‘‘Abamectin. Human
                                                the estimated drinking water                            post-application activities on golf course            Health Risk Assessment for Uses on
                                                concentrations (EDWCs) of abamectin                     turf may receive dermal exposure to                   Caneberry Subgroup 13–07A; Soybean;
                                                for acute exposures are estimated to be                 abamectin residues. The scenarios,                    Sweet Corn; Ear Tags for Lactating Dairy
                                                0.76 parts per billion (ppb) for surface                lifestages, and routes of exposure                    Cattle; Golf Course Turf; Bean; Onion,
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                                                water and 0.074 ppb for ground water                    include: Golfing for adults (dermal),                 Green, Subgroup 3–07B; Fruit, Pome,
                                                and for chronic exposures are estimated                 children 11 to <16 years old (dermal),                Group 11–10; Fruit, Small Vine
                                                to be 0.30 ppb for surface water and                    and children 6 to <11 years old                       Climbing, Except Fuzzy Kiwifruit,
                                                ≤0.0031 ppb for ground water.                           (dermal).                                             Subgroup 13–07F; Berry, Low Growing,
                                                   Modeled estimates of drinking water                     Further information regarding EPA                  Subgroup 13–07G; Vegetable, Fruiting,
                                                concentrations were directly entered                    standard assumptions and generic                      Group 8–10; Greenhouse Tomato; Fruit,
                                                into the dietary exposure model either                  inputs for residential exposures may be               Citrus, Group 10–10; Fruit, Stone, Group


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                                                                      Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 84 / Monday, May 2, 2016 / Rules and Regulations                                         26153

                                                12–12; and Nut, Tree, Group 14–12; and                  newborns have functioning P-gp.                       do not underestimate exposures. EPA
                                                Various Tropical Fruits’’ on page 74                    Therefore, human infants and children                 made conservative (protective)
                                                (Appendix H) in docket ID number                        are not expected to have enhanced                     assumptions in the ground and surface
                                                EPA–HQ–OPP–2013–0428.                                   sensitivity as seen in rat pups.                      water modeling used to assess exposure
                                                   Additionally, when the Agency issued                    3. Conclusion. Currently, the toxicity             to abamectin in drinking water. EPA
                                                the notice in the Federal Register                      endpoints and points of departure for all             used similarly conservative assumptions
                                                announcing the availability of the draft                exposure scenarios are selected from the              to assess post-application exposure of
                                                framework guidance, the EPA also                        subchronic and chronic oral toxicity                  children. These assessments will not
                                                received comments on the draft human                    studies in the dogs. The points of                    underestimate the exposure and risks
                                                health risk assessment for abamectin,                   departure selected from the dog studies               posed by abamectin.
                                                which was included in that docket as an                 are based on clear NOAELs and
                                                example of how EPA would implement                      protective of all the adverse effects seen            E. Aggregate Risks and Determination of
                                                the draft framework guidance. The                       in the studies conducted in human                     Safety
                                                response to those comments can be                       relevant studies with rats, CD–1 mice,                   EPA determines whether acute and
                                                found in docket ID number EPA–HQ–                       and rabbits. Therefore, EPA has                       chronic dietary pesticide exposures are
                                                OPP–2013–0428.                                          determined that the safety of infants and             safe by comparing aggregate exposure
                                                                                                        children would be adequately protected                estimates to the acute PAD (aPAD) and
                                                D. Safety Factor for Infants and
                                                                                                        if the FQPA SF were reduced to 1x. That               chronic PAD (cPAD). For linear cancer
                                                Children
                                                                                                        decision is based on the following                    risks, EPA calculates the lifetime
                                                   1. In general. Section 408(b)(2)(C) of               findings:                                             probability of acquiring cancer given the
                                                FFDCA provides that EPA shall apply                        i. The toxicity database for abamectin             estimated aggregate exposure. Short-,
                                                an additional tenfold (10x) margin of                   is complete.                                          intermediate-, and chronic-term risks
                                                safety for infants and children in the                     ii. The proposed mode of action                    are evaluated by comparing the
                                                case of threshold effects to account for                (MOA) is interaction with GABA                        estimated aggregate food, water, and
                                                prenatal and postnatal toxicity and the                 receptors leading to neurotoxicity. The               residential exposure to the appropriate
                                                completeness of the database on toxicity                findings of neurotoxic signs observed in              PODs to ensure that an adequate MOE
                                                and exposure unless EPA determines                      the abamectin database are consistent                 exists.
                                                based on reliable data that a different                 with the proposed MOA. Signs of
                                                                                                                                                                 1. Acute risk. Using the exposure
                                                margin of safety will be safe for infants               neurotoxicity ranging from decreases in
                                                                                                                                                              assumptions discussed in this unit for
                                                and children. This additional margin of                 foot splay reflex, mydriasis (i.e.,
                                                                                                                                                              acute exposure, the acute dietary
                                                safety is commonly referred to as the                   excessive dilation of the pupil),
                                                                                                                                                              exposure from food and water to
                                                Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA)                      curvature of the spine, decreased fore-
                                                Safety Factor (SF). In applying this                                                                          abamectin will occupy 88% of the aPAD
                                                                                                        and hind-limb grip strength, tip-toe gate,
                                                provision, EPA either retains the default                                                                     for children 1–2 years old, the
                                                                                                        tremors, ataxia, or spastic movements of
                                                value of 10x, or uses a different                                                                             population group receiving the greatest
                                                                                                        the limbs are reported in various studies
                                                additional safety factor when reliable                  with different durations of abamectin                 exposure.
                                                data available to EPA support the choice                exposure. In dogs, mydriasis was the                     2. Chronic risk. Using the exposure
                                                of a different factor.                                  most common finding at doses as low as                assumptions discussed in this unit for
                                                   2. Prenatal and postnatal sensitivity.               0.5 mg/kg/day at one week of treatment.               chronic exposure, the chronic dietary
                                                An increase in qualitative susceptibility               No neuropathology was observed.                       exposure from food and water to
                                                was seen in the rabbit developmental                    Because the PODs used for assessing                   abamectin will occupy 11% of the cPAD
                                                toxicity study, where decreases in body                 aggregate exposure to abamectin and the               for children 1–2 years old, the
                                                weight and food consumption were seen                   PODs for assessing cumulative exposure                population group receiving the greatest
                                                in maternal animals at 2.0 mg/kg/day. In                for abamectin and emamectin are                       exposure. Based on the explanation in
                                                contrast, the fetal effects were much                   protective of these neurotoxic effects in             Unit III.C.3., regarding residential use
                                                more severe, consisting of cleft palate,                the U.S. population, as well as infants               patterns, chronic residential exposure to
                                                clubbed foot, and death at 2.0 mg/kg/                   and children, no additional data                      residues of abamectin is not expected.
                                                day. The point of departure (0.25 mg/kg/                concerning neurotoxicity is needed at                    3. Short-term risk. Short-term
                                                day) selected from the dog studies is                   this time to be protective of potential               aggregate exposure takes into account
                                                more than 8x lower than the dose where                  neurotoxic effects.                                   short-term residential exposure plus
                                                rabbit fetal effects were seen. Therefore,                 iii. As explained in Unit III.D.2                  chronic exposure to food and water
                                                it is protective of fetal effects seen in the           ‘‘Prenatal and postnatal sensitivity’’, the           (considered to be a background
                                                rabbit developmental toxicity study.                    enhanced susceptibility seen in the                   exposure level).
                                                   The rat reproduction toxicity and                    rabbit developmental toxicity, the rat                   Abamectin is currently registered for
                                                developmental neurotoxicity studies                     reproduction, and the rat developmental               uses that could result in short-term
                                                demonstrated both qualitative and                       neurotoxicity studies do not present a                residential exposure, and the Agency
                                                quantitative susceptibility in the pups to              risk concern.                                         has determined that it is appropriate to
                                                the effects of abamectin (decrease pup                     iv. There are no residual uncertainties            aggregate chronic exposure through food
                                                weights and increased postnatal pup                     identified in the exposure databases.                 and water with short-term residential
                                                mortality). This observation is                         The chronic and acute dietary food                    exposures to abamectin.
                                                consistent with the finding that P-gp is                exposure assessment are refined                          Using the exposure assumptions
                                                not fully developed in rat pups until                   including use of anticipated residues,                described in this unit for short-term
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                                                postnatal day 28. Therefore, during the                 default processing factors, and percent               exposures, EPA has concluded the
                                                period from birth to postnatal day 28,                  crop treated; however, these refinements              combined short-term food, water, and
                                                the rat pups are substantially more                     are considered protective because field               residential exposures result in aggregate
                                                susceptible to the effects of abamectin                 trials are conducted to represent use                 MOEs of 4,400 for adults, 3,600 for
                                                than adult rats. However, in humans, P-                 conditions leading to the maximum                     children 11 to <16 years old, and 2,100
                                                gp has been detected in the fetus at 22                 residues in food when the product is                  for children 6 to <11 years old. Because
                                                weeks of pregnancy, and the human                       used in accordance with the label and                 EPA’s level of concern for abamectin is


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                                                26154                 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 84 / Monday, May 2, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

                                                a MOE of 100 or below, these MOEs are                      The Codex has not established MRLs                    EPA is also increasing some of the
                                                not of concern.                                         for abamectin on sweet corn, soybean,                 established livestock tolerances based
                                                   4. Intermediate-term risk.                           papaya, star apple, black sapote,                     on a new dietary burden calculation that
                                                Intermediate-term aggregate exposure                    sapodilla, canistel, mamey sapote,                    includes the proposed uses on soybeans
                                                takes into account intermediate-term                    guava, feijoa, jaboticaba, wax jambu,                 and sweet corn as well as a proposed
                                                residential exposure plus chronic                       starfruit, passionfruit, acerola, lychee,             use for ear tags for lactating dairy cattle.
                                                exposure to food and water (considered                  longan, Spanish lime, rambutan,                       Because of these calculations, EPA is
                                                to be a background exposure level).                     pulasan, pineapple, bean or green onion               increasing the established tolerances on
                                                   An intermediate-term adverse effect                  commodities. Additionally, there are no               cattle fat from 0.03 to 0.05 ppm; cattle
                                                was identified; however, abamectin is                   Codex MRLs for abamectin on the                       meat byproducts from 0.06 to 0.09 ppm;
                                                not registered for any use patterns that                commodities in the caneberry subgroup                 fat of goat, horse and sheep from 0.01
                                                would result in intermediate-term                       13–07A; fruit, small vine climbing,                   to 0.03 ppm; meat byproducts of goat,
                                                residential exposure. Intermediate-term                 except fuzzy kiwifruit, subgroup 13–                  horse, and sheep from 0.02 to 0.04 ppm;
                                                risk is assessed based on intermediate-                 07F; or fruit, stone, group 12–12.                    and milk from 0.005 to 0.015 ppm.
                                                term residential exposure plus chronic                     The following U.S. tolerances are                     Finally, EPA is not establishing
                                                dietary exposure. Because there is no                   harmonized with established, related                  tolerances for ‘‘corn, field, sweet, and
                                                intermediate-term residential exposure                  Codex MRLs: Fruit, pome, group 11–10;                 pop; corn, field and pop, forage; corn,
                                                and the acute dietary risk assessment is                and nut, tree, group 14–12.                           field and pop, grain; corn, field and pop,
                                                protective of all exposure durations                       The Codex MRL on citrus is not                     stover’’ because the petitioner withdrew
                                                (since the point of departure is the same               harmonized with the U.S. tolerance on                 those tolerance requests.
                                                for all exposure durations), no further
                                                                                                        fruit, citrus, group 10–10, and the Codex             D. Literature References
                                                assessment of intermediate-term risk is
                                                                                                        MRL on strawberry is not harmonized
                                                necessary.                                                                                                    Daood., MJ, Tsai, C., Ahdab-Barmada, M.,
                                                   5. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S.                    with the recommended U.S. tolerance                     and Watchko, JF (2008). ABC transporter
                                                population. Based on the lack of                        on berry, low-growing, subgroup 13–                     (P-gp/ABCB1, MRP1/ABCC1, BCRP/
                                                evidence of carcinogenicity in two                      07G. Residue data underlying these U.S.                 ABCG2) expression in the developing
                                                adequate rodent carcinogenicity studies,                tolerances supports tolerances that are                 Human CNS. Neuropediatrics. 2008
                                                                                                        higher than the established Codex MRLs                  August; 39(4): 211.
                                                abamectin is not expected to pose a                                                                           Lankas, GR, Cartwright, ME, and
                                                cancer risk to humans.                                  on these related commodities.
                                                                                                           Codex MRLs for abamectin on fruiting                 Umbenhauer, D. (1997) P-Glycoprotein
                                                   6. Determination of safety. Based on                                                                         deficiency in a subpopulation of CF–1
                                                these risk assessments, EPA concludes                   vegetable commodities are not                           mice enhances avermectin-induced
                                                that there is a reasonable certainty that               harmonized with the U.S. tolerance on                   neurotoxicity. Toxicol. and Appl.
                                                no harm will result to the general                      vegetable, fruiting, group 8–10. The                    Pharmacol. 143: 357–365.
                                                population, or to infants and children                  residue data underlying the U.S. fruiting             Macdonald, N. and Gledhill, A. (2007).
                                                from aggregate exposure to abamectin                    vegetable tolerance resulted in a                       Potential impact of ABCB1 (p-glycoprotein)
                                                                                                        tolerance that is higher than the                       polymorphisms on avermectin toxicity in
                                                residues.
                                                                                                        established Codex MRL on sweet                          human. Arch Toxicol (2007) 81:553–563.
                                                IV. Other Considerations                                                                                      Matsukoa, Y., Okazaki, M., Kitamura, Y., and
                                                                                                        peppers. Codex has also established a                   Taniguchi, T. (1999). Developmental
                                                A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology                   separate tolerance on dried chili pepper                expression of P-glycoprotein (multidrug
                                                                                                        that is higher than the U.S. fruiting                   resistance gene product) in the rat brain.
                                                  Adequate enforcement methods for
                                                                                                        vegetable tolerance.                                    Journal of Neurobiology, 39(3), 383–392.
                                                abamectin in plant and livestock
                                                                                                           There are some Codex MRLs on                       van Kalken, CK, Giaccone, G., van der Valk,
                                                commodities are available in the                                                                                P., Kuiper, CM, Hadisaputro, MMN,
                                                Pesticide Analytical Manual, Volume II                  livestock commodities, but none of the
                                                                                                        Codex MRLs are set at the same level as                 Bosma, SAA, Scheper, RJ, Meijer, CJLM,
                                                (PAM II).                                                                                                       and Pinedo, HM (1992). Multidrug
                                                                                                        the tolerance levels EPA is establishing                resistance gene (P-glycoprotein) expression
                                                B. International Residue Limits                         today; however, the U.S. cannot                         in the human fetus. American Journal of
                                                   In making its tolerance decisions, EPA               harmonize with the Codex MRLs on                        Pathology, vol 141 No.5, November 1992.
                                                seeks to harmonize U.S. tolerances with                 livestock commodities since the Codex
                                                                                                        MRLs reflect different uses (i.e.,                    V. Conclusion
                                                international standards whenever
                                                possible, consistent with U.S. food                     different dietary burdens) as compared                  Therefore, tolerances are established
                                                safety standards and agricultural                       to the uses in the United States, which               for residues of abamectin in or on
                                                practices. EPA considers the                            also reflect the direct treatment of cattle           acerola at 0.015 ppm; bean at 0.015
                                                international maximum residue limits                    via ear tags. Setting U.S. tolerances at              ppm; berry, low growing, subgroup 13–
                                                (MRLs) established by the Codex                         Codex MRL levels would result in                      07G at 0.05 ppm; black sapote at 0.40
                                                Alimentarius Commission (Codex), as                     tolerance violations for some livestock               ppm; caneberry subgroup 13–07A at
                                                required by FFDCA section 408(b)(4).                    commodities.                                          0.20 ppm; canistel at 0.40 ppm; corn,
                                                The Codex Alimentarius is a joint                                                                             sweet, forage at 0.20 ppm; corn, sweet,
                                                                                                        C. Revisions to Petitioned-For
                                                United Nations Food and Agriculture                                                                           kernel plus cob with husk removed at
                                                                                                        Tolerances
                                                Organization/World Health                                                                                     0.01 ppm; corn, sweet, stover at 0.50
                                                Organization food standards program,                       Although not requested, EPA is                     ppm; feijoa at 0.015 ppm; fruit, citrus,
                                                and it is recognized as an international                establishing a tolerance of 0.40 ppm for              group 10–10 at 0.02 ppm; fruit, pome,
                                                food safety standards-setting                           ‘‘grain, aspirated grain fractions’’ since            group 11–10 at 0.02 ppm; fruit, small,
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                                                organization in trade agreements to                     aspirated grain fractions are associated              vine climbing, except fuzzy kiwifruit,
                                                which the United States is a party. EPA                 with soybeans. The recommended                        subgroup 13–07F 0.02 ppm; fruit, stone,
                                                may establish a tolerance that is                       tolerance of 0.40 ppm for ‘‘grain,                    group 12–12 at 0.09 ppm; grain,
                                                different from a Codex MRL; however,                    aspirated grain fractions’’ is based on               aspirated grain fractions at 0.40 ppm;
                                                FFDCA section 408(b)(4) requires that                   residues of <0.006 ppm in soybean seed                guava at 0.015 ppm; jaboticaba at 0.015
                                                EPA explain the reasons for departing                   and a concentration factor of 59X in                  ppm; longan at 0.01 ppm; lychee at 0.01
                                                from the Codex level.                                   aspirated grain fractions.                            ppm; mamey sapote at 0.40 ppm; nut,


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                                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 84 / Monday, May 2, 2016 / Rules and Regulations                                                                                                  26155

                                                tree, group 14–12 at 0.01 ppm; onion,                                        Order 13045, entitled ‘‘Protection of                                         contain any unfunded mandate as
                                                green, subgroup 3–07B at 0.08 ppm;                                           Children from Environmental Health                                            described under Title II of the Unfunded
                                                papaya at 0.40 ppm; passionfruit at                                          Risks and Safety Risks’’ (62 FR 19885,                                        Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) (2 U.S.C.
                                                0.015 ppm; pineapple at 0.015 ppm;                                           April 23, 1997). This action does not                                         1501 et seq.).
                                                pulasan at 0.01 ppm; rambutan at 0.01                                        contain any information collections                                             This action does not involve any
                                                ppm; sapodilla at 0.40 ppm; soybean,                                         subject to OMB approval under the                                             technical standards that would require
                                                forage at 0.30 ppm; soybean, hay at 1.0                                      Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44                                             Agency consideration of voluntary
                                                ppm; soybean, seed at 0.01 ppm;                                              U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), nor does it require                                     consensus standards pursuant to section
                                                Spanish lime at 0.01 ppm; star apple at                                      any special considerations under                                              12(d) of the National Technology
                                                0.40 ppm; starfruit at 0.015 ppm;                                            Executive Order 12898, entitled                                               Transfer and Advancement Act
                                                vegetable, fruiting, group 8–10 at 0.07                                      ‘‘Federal Actions to Address                                                  (NTTAA) (15 U.S.C. 272 note).
                                                ppm; and wax jambu at 0.015 ppm.                                             Environmental Justice in Minority
                                                   In addition, EPA is increasing the                                        Populations and Low-Income                                                    VII. Congressional Review Act
                                                established tolerances on cattle, fat from                                   Populations’’ (59 FR 7629, February 16,                                         Pursuant to the Congressional Review
                                                0.03 to 0.05 ppm; cattle, meat                                               1994).                                                                        Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), EPA will
                                                byproducts from 0.06 to 0.09 ppm; fat of                                        Since tolerances and exemptions that                                       submit a report containing this rule and
                                                goat, horse, and sheep from 0.01 to 0.03                                     are established on the basis of a petition                                    other required information to the U.S.
                                                ppm; meat byproducts of goat, horse,                                         under FFDCA section 408(d), such as                                           Senate, the U.S. House of
                                                and sheep from 0.02 to 0.04 ppm; and                                         the tolerances in this final rule, do not                                     Representatives, and the Comptroller
                                                milk from 0.005 to 0.015 ppm.                                                require the issuance of a proposed rule,                                      General of the United States prior to
                                                   And lastly EPA is removing the                                            the requirements of the Regulatory                                            publication of the rule in the Federal
                                                following tolerances as unnecessary due                                      Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601 et                                        Register. This action is not a ‘‘major
                                                to the establishment of the
                                                                                                                             seq.), do not apply.                                                          rule’’ as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
                                                aforementioned tolerances: Apple at
                                                0.02 ppm; bean, dry, seed at 0.01 ppm;                                          This action directly regulates growers,                                    List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180
                                                citrus at 0.02 ppm; fruit, stone, group 12                                   food processors, food handlers, and food
                                                                                                                             retailers, not States or tribes, nor does                                       Environmental protection,
                                                at 0.09 ppm; grape at 0.02 ppm; nut,
                                                                                                                             this action alter the relationships or                                        Administrative practice and procedure,
                                                tree, group 14 at 0.01 ppm; pear at 0.02
                                                                                                                             distribution of power and                                                     Agricultural commodities, Pesticides
                                                ppm; pistachio at 0.01 ppm; strawberry
                                                                                                                             responsibilities established by Congress                                      and pests, Reporting and recordkeeping
                                                at 0.05 ppm; and vegetable, fruiting,
                                                                                                                             in the preemption provisions of FFDCA                                         requirements.
                                                group 8 at 0.020 ppm.
                                                                                                                             section 408(n)(4). As such, the Agency                                          Dated: April 22, 2016.
                                                VI. Statutory and Executive Order                                            has determined that this action will not                                      Susan Lewis,
                                                Reviews                                                                      have a substantial direct effect on States                                    Director, Registration Division, Office of
                                                  This action establishes tolerances                                         or tribal governments, on the                                                 Pesticide Programs.
                                                under FFDCA section 408(d) in                                                relationship between the national
                                                response to a petition submitted to the                                      government and the States or tribal                                             Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is
                                                Agency. The Office of Management and                                         governments, or on the distribution of                                        amended as follows:
                                                Budget (OMB) has exempted these types                                        power and responsibilities among the
                                                                                                                                                                                                           PART 180—[AMENDED]
                                                of actions from review under Executive                                       various levels of government or between
                                                Order 12866, entitled ‘‘Regulatory                                           the Federal Government and Indian                                             ■ 1. The authority citation for part 180
                                                Planning and Review’’ (58 FR 51735,                                          tribes. Thus, the Agency has determined                                       continues to read as follows:
                                                October 4, 1993). Because this action                                        that Executive Order 13132, entitled
                                                has been exempted from review under                                          ‘‘Federalism’’ (64 FR 43255, August 10,                                           Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.
                                                Executive Order 12866, this action is                                        1999) and Executive Order 13175,                                              ■ 2. In § 180.449, the table in paragraph
                                                not subject to Executive Order 13211,                                        entitled ‘‘Consultation and Coordination                                      (a) is revised to read as follows:
                                                entitled ‘‘Actions Concerning                                                with Indian Tribal Governments’’ (65 FR
                                                Regulations That Significantly Affect                                        67249, November 9, 2000) do not apply                                         § 180.449 Avermectin B1 and its delta-8,9-
                                                Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use’’ (66                                    to this action. In addition, this action                                      isomer; tolerances for residues.
                                                FR 28355, May 22, 2001) or Executive                                         does not impose any enforceable duty or                                           (a) * * *

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Parts per
                                                                                                                                            Commodity                                                                                                         million

                                                Acerola .................................................................................................................................................................................................          0.015
                                                Almond, hulls .......................................................................................................................................................................................               0.10
                                                Apple, wet pomace ..............................................................................................................................................................................                    0.10
                                                Avocado ...............................................................................................................................................................................................            0.020
                                                Bean .....................................................................................................................................................................................................         0.015
                                                Berry, low growing, subgroup 13–07G ................................................................................................................................................                                0.05
                                                Black sapote ........................................................................................................................................................................................               0.40
                                                Caneberry subgroup 13–07A ..............................................................................................................................................................                            0.20
                                                Canistel ................................................................................................................................................................................................           0.40
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                                                Cattle, fat .............................................................................................................................................................................................           0.05
                                                Cattle, meat .........................................................................................................................................................................................              0.02
                                                Cattle, meat byproducts .......................................................................................................................................................................                     0.09
                                                Celeriac, roots ......................................................................................................................................................................................              0.05
                                                Celeriac, tops .......................................................................................................................................................................................              0.05
                                                Chive, dried leaves ..............................................................................................................................................................................                  0.02
                                                Chive, fresh leaves ..............................................................................................................................................................................                  0.01
                                                Citrus, dried pulp .................................................................................................................................................................................                0.10



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                                                26156                          Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 84 / Monday, May 2, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Parts per
                                                                                                                                            Commodity                                                                                                           million

                                                Citrus, oil ..............................................................................................................................................................................................            0.10
                                                Corn, sweet, forage .............................................................................................................................................................................                     0.20
                                                Corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with husk removed ...............................................................................................................................                                        0.01
                                                Corn, sweet, stover ..............................................................................................................................................................................                    0.50
                                                Cotton, gin byproducts .........................................................................................................................................................................                       1.0
                                                Cotton, undelinted seed .......................................................................................................................................................................                       0.02
                                                Feijoa ...................................................................................................................................................................................................           0.015
                                                Food products in food handling establishments (other than those already covered by higher tolerances as a result of use on
                                                  growing crops, and other than those already covered by tolerances on milk, meat, and meat byproducts) .................................                                                                             0.01
                                                Fruit, citrus, group 10–10 ....................................................................................................................................................................                       0.02
                                                Fruit, pome, group 11–10 ....................................................................................................................................................................                         0.02
                                                Fruit, small vine climbing, except fuzzy kiwifruit, subgroup 13–07F ...................................................................................................                                               0.02
                                                Fruit, stone, group 12–12 ....................................................................................................................................................................                        0.09
                                                Goat, fat ...............................................................................................................................................................................................             0.03
                                                Goat, meat ...........................................................................................................................................................................................                0.02
                                                Goat, meat byproducts ........................................................................................................................................................................                        0.04
                                                Grain, aspirated grain fractions ...........................................................................................................................................................                          0.40
                                                Guava ..................................................................................................................................................................................................             0.015
                                                Herb subgroup 19A, except chive .......................................................................................................................................................                              0.030
                                                Hog, fat ................................................................................................................................................................................................             0.01
                                                Hog, meat ............................................................................................................................................................................................                0.02
                                                Hog, meat byproducts .........................................................................................................................................................................                        0.02
                                                Hop, dried cones .................................................................................................................................................................................                    0.20
                                                Horse, fat .............................................................................................................................................................................................              0.03
                                                Horse, meat .........................................................................................................................................................................................                 0.02
                                                Horse, meat byproducts ......................................................................................................................................................................                         0.04
                                                Jaboticaba ............................................................................................................................................................................................              0.015
                                                Longan .................................................................................................................................................................................................              0.01
                                                Lychee .................................................................................................................................................................................................              0.01
                                                Mamey sapote .....................................................................................................................................................................................                    0.40
                                                Milk .......................................................................................................................................................................................................         0.015
                                                Nut, tree, group 14–12 ........................................................................................................................................................................                       0.01
                                                Onion, bulb, subgroup 3–07A ..............................................................................................................................................................                            0.01
                                                Onion, green, subgroup 3–07B ...........................................................................................................................................................                              0.08
                                                Papaya .................................................................................................................................................................................................              0.40
                                                Passionfruit ..........................................................................................................................................................................................              0.015
                                                Peppermint, tops ..................................................................................................................................................................................                  0.010
                                                Pineapple .............................................................................................................................................................................................              0.015
                                                Plum, prune, dried ...............................................................................................................................................................................                   0.025
                                                Poultry, meat ........................................................................................................................................................................................                0.02
                                                Poultry, meat byproducts .....................................................................................................................................................................                        0.02
                                                Pulasan ................................................................................................................................................................................................              0.01
                                                Rambutan ............................................................................................................................................................................................                 0.01
                                                Sapodilla ..............................................................................................................................................................................................              0.40
                                                Sheep, fat ............................................................................................................................................................................................               0.03
                                                Sheep, meat ........................................................................................................................................................................................                  0.02
                                                Sheep, meat byproducts ......................................................................................................................................................................                         0.04
                                                Soybean, forage ..................................................................................................................................................................................                    0.30
                                                Soybean, hay .......................................................................................................................................................................................                    1.0
                                                Soybean, seed .....................................................................................................................................................................................                   0.01
                                                Spanish lime ........................................................................................................................................................................................                 0.01
                                                Spearmint, tops ....................................................................................................................................................................................                 0.010
                                                Star apple ............................................................................................................................................................................................               0.40
                                                Starfruit ................................................................................................................................................................................................           0.015
                                                Vegetable, cucurbit, group 9 ...............................................................................................................................................................                         0.005
                                                Vegetable, fruiting, group 8–10 ...........................................................................................................................................................                           0.07
                                                Vegetable, leafy, except brassica, group 4 .........................................................................................................................................                                  0.10
                                                Vegetable, tuberous and corm, subgroup 01C ...................................................................................................................................                                        0.01
                                                Wax jambu ...........................................................................................................................................................................................                0.015



                                                *        *          *         *         *
                                                [FR Doc. 2016–10230 Filed 4–29–16; 8:45 am]
                                                BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
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Document Created: 2016-04-30 13:35:06
Document Modified: 2016-04-30 13:35:06
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionFinal rule.
DatesThis regulation is effective May 2, 2016. Objections and requests for hearings must be received on or before July 1, 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 Citation81 FR 26147 
CFR AssociatedEnvironmental Protection; Administrative Practice and Procedure; Agricultural Commodities; Pesticides and Pests and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements

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