81_FR_80845 81 FR 80624 - Addition of Nonylphenol Ethoxylates Category; Community Right-To-Know Toxic Chemical Release Reporting

81 FR 80624 - Addition of Nonylphenol Ethoxylates Category; Community Right-To-Know Toxic Chemical Release Reporting

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 221 (November 16, 2016)

Page Range80624-80629
FR Document2016-27547

EPA is proposing to add a nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) category to the list of toxic chemicals subject to reporting under section 313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) and section 6607 of the Pollution Prevention Act (PPA). EPA is proposing to add this chemical category to the EPCRA section 313 list because EPA believes NPEs meet the EPCRA section 313(d)(2)(C) toxicity criteria. Specifically, EPA believes that longer chain NPEs can break down in the environment to short-chain NPEs and nonylphenol, both of which are highly toxic to aquatic organisms. Based on a review of the available production and use information, members of the NPEs category are expected to be manufactured, processed, or otherwise used in quantities that would exceed EPCRA section 313 reporting thresholds.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 221 (Wednesday, November 16, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 221 (Wednesday, November 16, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 80624-80629]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-27547]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 372

[EPA-HQ-TRI-2016-0222; FRL-9951-01]
RIN 2070-AK15


Addition of Nonylphenol Ethoxylates Category; Community Right-To-
Know Toxic Chemical Release Reporting

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: EPA is proposing to add a nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) 
category to the list of toxic chemicals subject to reporting under 
section 313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act 
(EPCRA) and section 6607 of the Pollution Prevention Act (PPA). EPA is 
proposing to add this chemical category to the EPCRA section 313 list 
because EPA believes NPEs meet the EPCRA section 313(d)(2)(C) toxicity 
criteria. Specifically, EPA believes that longer chain NPEs can break 
down in the environment to short-chain NPEs and nonylphenol, both of 
which are highly toxic to aquatic organisms. Based on a review of the 
available production and use information, members of the NPEs category 
are expected to be manufactured, processed, or otherwise used in 
quantities that would exceed EPCRA section 313 reporting thresholds.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 17, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
TRI-2016-0222, 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 Confidential Business 
Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted 
by statute.
     Mail: Document Control Office (7407M), Office of Pollution 
Prevention and Toxics (OPPT), Environmental Protection Agency, 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/where-send-comments-epa-dockets#hq.
    Additional instructions on commenting or visiting the docket, along 
with more information about dockets generally, is available at http://www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For technical information contact: 
Daniel R. Bushman, Toxics Release Inventory Program Division (7410M), 
Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental Protection 
Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; 
telephone number: (202) 566-0743; email: bushman.daniel@epa.gov.
    For general information contact: The Emergency Planning and 
Community Right-to-Know Hotline; telephone numbers: toll free at (800) 
424-9346 (select menu option 3) or (703) 412-9810 in the Washington, DC 
Area and International; or toll free, TDD (800) 553-7672; or go to 
http://www.epa.gov/superfund/contacts/infocenter/.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. General Information

A. Does this notice apply to me?

    You may be potentially affected by this action if you manufacture, 
process, or otherwise use NPEs. 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:
     Facilities included in the following NAICS manufacturing 
codes (corresponding to Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes 
20 through 39): 311 *, 312 *, 313 *, 314 *, 315 *, 316, 321, 322, 323 
*, 324, 325 *, 326 *, 327, 331, 332, 333, 334 *, 335 *, 336, 337 *, 339 
*, 111998 *, 211112 *, 212324 *, 212325 *, 212393 *, 212399 *, 488390 
*, 511110, 511120, 511130, 511140 *, 511191, 511199, 512220, 512230 *, 
519130 *, 541712 *, or 811490 *.
    * Exceptions and/or limitations exist for these NAICS codes.
     Facilities included in the following NAICS codes 
(corresponding to SIC codes other than SIC codes 20 through 39): 
212111, 212112, 212113 (corresponds to SIC code 12, Coal Mining (except 
1241)); or 212221, 212222, 212231, 212234, 212299 (corresponds to SIC 
code 10, Metal Mining (except 1011, 1081, and 1094)); or 221111, 
221112, 221113, 221118, 221121, 221122, 221330 (Limited to facilities 
that combust coal and/or oil for the purpose of generating power for 
distribution in commerce) (corresponds to SIC codes 4911, 4931, and 
4939, Electric Utilities); or 424690, 425110, 425120 (Limited to 
facilities previously classified in SIC code 5169, Chemicals and Allied 
Products, Not Elsewhere Classified); or 424710 (corresponds to SIC code 
5171, Petroleum Bulk Terminals and Plants); or 562112 (Limited to 
facilities primarily engaged in solvent recovery services on a contract 
or fee basis (previously classified under SIC code 7389, Business 
Services, NEC)); or 562211, 562212, 562213, 562219, 562920 (Limited to 
facilities regulated under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 
subtitle C, 42 U.S.C. 6921 et seq.) (corresponds to SIC code 4953, 
Refuse Systems).
     Federal facilities.
    To determine whether your facility would be affected by this 
action, you should carefully examine the applicability criteria in part 
372, subpart B of Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations. If you 
have questions regarding the applicability of this action to a 
particular entity, consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT.

B. What action is the agency taking?

    EPA is proposing to add a NPEs category to the list of toxic 
chemicals subject to reporting under EPCRA section 313 and PPA section 
6607. As discussed in more detail later in this document, EPA is 
proposing to add this chemical category to the EPCRA section 313 list 
because EPA believes NPEs meet the EPCRA section 313(d)(2)(C) toxicity 
criteria.

C. What is the agency's authority for taking this action?

    This action is issued under EPCRA sections 313(d) and 328, 42 
U.S.C. 11023 et seq., and PPA section 6607, 42 U.S.C. 13106. EPCRA is 
also referred to as Title III of the Superfund

[[Page 80625]]

Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986.
    Section 313 of EPCRA, 42 U.S.C. 11023, requires certain facilities 
that manufacture, process, or otherwise use listed toxic chemicals in 
amounts above reporting threshold levels to report their environmental 
releases and other waste management quantities of such chemicals 
annually. These facilities must also report pollution prevention and 
recycling data for such chemicals, pursuant to section 6607 of the PPA, 
42 U.S.C. 13106. Congress established an initial list of toxic 
chemicals that was comprised of 308 individually listed chemicals and 
20 chemical categories.
    EPCRA section 313(d) authorizes EPA to add or delete chemicals from 
the list and sets criteria for these actions. EPCRA section 313(d)(2) 
states that EPA may add a chemical to the list if any of the listing 
criteria in EPCRA section 313(d)(2) are met. Therefore, to add a 
chemical, EPA must demonstrate that at least one criterion is met, but 
need not determine whether any other criterion is met. Conversely, to 
remove a chemical from the list, EPCRA section 313(d)(3) dictates that 
EPA must demonstrate that none of the criteria in ECPRA section 
313(d)(2) are met. The listing criteria in EPCRA section 313(d)(2)(A)-
(C) are as follows:
     The chemical is known to cause or can reasonably be 
anticipated to cause significant adverse acute human health effects at 
concentration levels that are reasonably likely to exist beyond 
facility site boundaries as a result of continuous, or frequently 
recurring, releases.
     The chemical is known to cause or can reasonably be 
anticipated to cause in humans: Cancer or teratogenic effects, or 
serious or irreversible reproductive dysfunctions, neurological 
disorders, heritable genetic mutations, or other chronic health 
effects.
     The chemical is known to cause or can be reasonably 
anticipated to cause, because of its toxicity, its toxicity and 
persistence in the environment, or its toxicity and tendency to 
bioaccumulate in the environment, a significant adverse effect on the 
environment of sufficient seriousness, in the judgment of the 
Administrator, to warrant reporting under this section.
    EPA often refers to the EPCRA section 313(d)(2)(A) criterion as the 
``acute human health effects criterion;'' the EPCRA section 
313(d)(2)(B) criterion as the ``chronic human health effects 
criterion;'' and the EPCRA section 313(d)(2)(C) criterion as the 
``environmental effects criterion.''
    EPA published in the Federal Register of November 30, 1994 (59 FR 
61432) (FRL-4922-2), a statement clarifying its interpretation of the 
EPCRA section 313(d)(2) and (d)(3) criteria for modifying the EPCRA 
section 313 list of toxic chemicals.

II. Background Information

A. What are NPEs?

    NPEs are nonionic surfactants containing a branched nine-carbon 
alkyl chain bound to phenol and a chain of repeating ethoxylate units 
(C9H19C6H4(OCH2CH
2)nOH). The number of repeating ethoxylate units 
(n) can range from 1 to 100 (Reference (Ref.) 1). The major positional 
isomer is para (>=90%), while the ortho isomer is typically less than 
10% (Ref. 2). The number of ethoxylate units can be designated as NP#EO 
where # indicates the number of ethoxylate groups. For example, 
nonylphenol monoethoxylate would be NP1EO and nonylphenol diethoxylate 
would be NP2EO. Alternatively, NPE-# can be used where # indicates the 
number of ethoxylate groups. The surfactant properties of NPEs have 
resulted in their widespread industrial and commercial use in 
adhesives, wetting agents, emulsifiers, stabilizers, dispersants, 
defoamers, cleaners, paints, and coatings (Refs. 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6). 
The widespread use of NPEs surfactants has resulted in their release to 
surface waters (Ref. 4).

B. How does EPA propose to list NPEs?

    EPA is proposing to list NPEs as a category that would include the 
thirteen NPEs that currently appear on the Toxic Substances Control Act 
inventory (https://www.epa.gov/tsca-inventory). The NPEs category would 
be defined as Nonylphenol Ethoxylates and would only include those 
chemicals covered by the following Chemical Abstracts Service Registry 
Numbers (CASRNs):
    [ssquf] 7311-27-5; Ethanol, 2-[2-[2-[2-(4-
nonylphenoxy)ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]-
    [ssquf] 9016-45-9; Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), [alpha]-(nonylphenyl)-
[omega]-hydroxy-
    [ssquf] 20427-84-3; Ethanol, 2-[2-(4-nonylphenoxy)ethoxy]-
    [ssquf] 26027-38-3; Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), [alpha]-(4-
nonylphenyl)-[omega]-hydroxy-
    [ssquf] 26571-11-9; 3,6,9,12,15,18,21,24-Octaoxahexacosan-1-ol, 26-
(nonylphenoxy)-
    [ssquf] 27176-93-8; Ethanol, 2-[2-(nonylphenoxy)ethoxy]-
    [ssquf] 27177-05-5; 3,6,9,12,15,18,21-Heptaoxatricosan-1-ol, 23-
(nonylphenoxy)-
    [ssquf] 27177-08-8; 3,6,9,12,15,18,21,24,27-Nonaoxanonacosan-1-ol, 
29-(nonylphenoxy)-
    [ssquf] 27986-36-3; Ethanol, 2-(nonylphenoxy)-
    [ssquf] 37205-87-1; Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), [alpha]-
(isononylphenyl)-[omega]-hydroxy-
    [ssquf] 51938-25-1; Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), [alpha]-(2-
nonylphenyl)-[omega]-hydroxy-
    [ssquf] 68412-54-4; Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), [alpha]-
(nonylphenyl)-[omega]-hydroxy-, branched
    [ssquf] 127087-87-0; Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), [alpha]-(4-
nonylphenyl)-[omega]-hydroxy-, branched

III. What is EPA's evaluation of the ecological toxicity and 
environmental fate of NPEs?

    EPA prepared two technical documents to support the listing of the 
NPEs category. The first document is ``Chemistry and Environmental Fate 
ofol Ethoxylates (NPEs)'' (Ref. 7), which provides detailed information 
on the chemistry and environmental fate of NPEs. The second document is 
``Ecological Hazard Assessment for Nonylphenol Monoethoxylate (NP1EO) 
and Nonylphenol Diethoxylate (NP2EO)'' (Ref. 8), which provides an 
assessment of the ecological toxicity of short-chain NPEs. Unit III.A. 
provides a brief summary of the chemistry and environmental fate of 
NPEs and Unit III.B. provides a brief summary of the ecological 
toxicity of short-chain NPEs. Readers should consult the support 
documents (Refs. 7 and 8) for further information.

A. What is the environmental fate of nonylphenol ethoxylates?

    In the environment, NPEs (in particular, those containing long 
ethoxylate chains) are expected to have very low volatility based on 
Henry's law constant values of <9.8 x 10-7 atmospheres-cubic 
meter per mole (atm-m\3\/mol) (Ref. 9). However, the vapor pressures of 
some of the degradation products of long-chain NPEs (e.g., nonylphenol, 
NP1EO) indicate the potential to exist in the atmosphere in the vapor 
phase. Although nonylphenol itself is somewhat volatile, volatilization 
of most NPEs from soil and water surfaces is not expected to be a 
significant environmental transport process. The potential for 
adsorption of NPEs to organic carbon in soil and to suspended solids 
and sediment in water is expected to increase with decreasing 
ethoxylation as water solubilities decrease (Ref. 9). In general, 
partitioning to soils and sediments is expected to be significant based 
on carbon-normalization partition coefficient (log Koc) 
values of 4.87-5.46 for NP1EO, NP2EO, and NP3EO and 3.61-4.63 for

[[Page 80626]]

NP9EO, which indicate a potential for strong adsorption to suspended 
solids and sediments in water and to organic matter in soils (Ref. 9). 
The highly water-soluble, higher molecular weight (i.e., longer chain) 
NPEs are expected to adsorb less to organic carbon, and may therefore 
have some mobility in soil (Refs. 9 and 10).
    Biodegradation is the dominant fate process for NPEs in the 
environment; abiotic degradation processes such as hydrolysis are not 
expected to be significant (Ref. 9). The available data indicate that 
NPEs undergo rapid primary biodegradation but slow ultimate 
biodegradation (Refs. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19). Half-
lives ranging from 2 to 57.8 days have been determined for these 
substances based on river water die-away studies, which report primary 
degradation (Ref. 13). Anaerobic biodegradation appears to proceed more 
slowly than aerobic biodegradation (Ref. 13). Nonylphenol ethoxylate 
biodegradation products include shorter chain NPEs and 
ethoxycarboxylates. (Refs. 9, 10, and 20). Nonylphenol 
ethoxycarboxylates are NPEs that terminate with a carboxylate group (-
CO2H) rather than an alcohol group (-OH). Although not 
commonly observed under aerobic conditions, nonylphenol is a major 
metabolite of NPEs under anaerobic conditions (Refs. 9, 10, 21, 22, 23, 
24, 25, 26, and 27).
    Well-designed and properly functioning wastewater treatment plants 
(WWTPs) can greatly reduce effluent concentrations of NPEs and their 
degradation products relative to those found in the influent (Ref. 28). 
However, treatment efficiency varies considerably for WWTPs depending 
on plant design and operating conditions (Refs. 10, 29, 30, 31, and 
32). WWTP effluent remains a significant source of NPEs, nonylphenol 
ethoxycarboxylates, and nonylphenol in the environment, and 
concentrations of these compounds in surface waters, sediments, and 
wildlife tend to be higher near WWTP outfalls (Refs. 10, 31, 33, 34, 
35, 36, and 37).
    Nonylphenol ethoxylates and the degradation products, nonylphenol 
ethoxycarboxylates and nonylphenol, are widely distributed in surface 
waters, including rivers, lakes, estuaries, marine ecosystems, and 
their underlying sediments (Refs. 10, 31, 33, 34, 35, 38, 39, 40, and 
41). The more hydrophobic of these compounds, such as nonylphenol, 
NP1EO, and NP2EO, tend to partition to sediments (Ref. 10). Because 
sediments are often anaerobic, sorbed nonylphenol ethoxylates and their 
degradation products undergo further biodegradation slowly, ultimately 
producing nonylphenol. Through a combination of strong sorption and 
slow biodegradation, NPEs and nonylphenol can accumulate in sediments 
in concentrations that are much higher than are found in the 
surrounding water (Refs. 10 and 37) and can persist for years (Ref. 
42).

B. What is the ecological toxicity of short-chain NPEs?

    For NPEs, aquatic toxicity generally decreases as the length of the 
ethoxylate chain increases (Refs. 43 and 44). The available data show 
that NP1EO and NP2EO are significantly more toxic to aquatic organisms 
than the longer chain ethoxylates (e.g., NP9EO). Experimental data on 
acute aquatic toxicity of NP1EO indicate 96-hour LC50 values 
(i.e., the concentration that is lethal to 50% of test organisms) as 
low as 218 [mu]g/L in the fathead minnow (Pimphales promelas) (Ref. 
45). The 48-hour LC50 for the water flea, (Daphnia magna) 
and NP2EO was as low as 148 [mu]g/L (Ref. 46). Longer term exposures to 
NP1EO resulted in a Maximum-Acceptable-Toxicant-Concentration (MATC) of 
61 [micro]g/L based on an increase of mixed secondary sex 
characteristics for the Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) (Ref. 47). 
Exposure of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) to NP2EO indicated a 
22-day Lowest-Observed-Effect-Concentration (LOEC) for growth 
inhibition of 1 [micro]g/L (Ref. 48). Gonadosomatic Index (GSI) (weight 
of testes expressed as a percentage of total body weight) in rainbow 
trout also decreased relative to controls with a 21-day LOEC of 38 
[micro]g/L for NP2EO (Ref. 49). Additional toxicity values are included 
in the ecological hazard assessment (Ref. 8).
    The available experimental data demonstrate that NP1EO and NP2EO 
have been shown to cause acute and chronic toxicity to aquatic 
organisms at very low concentrations (Ref. 8). They have been shown to 
reduce individual survival, growth, and reproduction in aquatic 
organisms and NP2EO has been shown to reduce testicular growth and GSI 
in fish. The concentrations at which toxicity is observed are well 
below 1 mg/L and as low as 148 [mu]g/L for acute effects and less than 
0.1 mg/L for chronic effects. Acute and chronic toxicity values at 
these low concentrations show that NP1EO and NP2EO are highly toxic to 
aquatic organisms.

IV. Rationale for Listing NPEs

    The NPEs category that EPA is proposing to add to the EPCRA section 
313 toxic chemical list, contains both short and long-chain NPEs. 
Short-chain NPEs are highly toxic to aquatic organisms with toxicity 
values well below 1 mg/L as described in Unit III. Therefore, EPA 
believes that the evidence is sufficient for listing short-chain NPEs 
on the EPCRA section 313 toxic chemical list pursuant to EPCRA section 
313(d)(2)(C) based on the available ecological toxicity data. Long-
chain NPEs, while not as toxic as short-chain NPEs, degrade in the 
environment to produce products that include highly toxic short-chain 
NPEs and nonylphenol. Nonylphenol is even more toxic to aquatic 
organisms than short-chain NPEs and was added to the EPCRA section 313 
toxic chemical list based on its toxicity to aquatic organisms (79 FR 
58686, FRL-9915-59-OEI, September 30, 2014). As a source of degradation 
products that are highly toxic to aquatic organisms, EPA believes that 
the evidence is sufficient for listing long-chain NPEs on the EPCRA 
section 313 toxic chemical list pursuant to EPCRA section 313(d)(2)(C) 
based on the available ecological toxicity and environmental fate data.
    EPA does not believe that it is appropriate to consider exposure 
for chemicals that are highly toxic based on a hazard assessment when 
determining if a chemical can be added for environmental effects 
pursuant to EPCRA section 313(d)(2)(C) (see 59 FR 61440-61442). 
Therefore, in accordance with EPA's standard policy on the use of 
exposure assessments (see November 30, 1994 (59 FR 61432) (FRL-4922-
2)), EPA does not believe that an exposure assessment is necessary or 
appropriate for determining whether NPEs meet the criteria of EPCRA 
section 313(d)(2)(C).

V. References

    The following is a listing of the documents that are specifically 
referenced in this document. The docket includes these documents and 
other information considered by EPA, including documents that are 
referenced within the documents that are included in the docket, even 
if the referenced document is not itself physically located in the 
docket. For assistance in locating these other documents, please 
consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

1. Dow Chemical. 2010. Product safety assessment. Nonylphenol 
ethoxylate surfactants. The Dow Chemical Company. October 11, 2010.
2. Naylor, C.G. 2004. The environmental safety of alkylphenol 
ethoxylates demonstrated by risk assessment and guidelines for their 
safe use. In: Handbook of detergents. Part B: Environmental impact. 
New York, NY: Marcel Dekker. p. 429-445.
3. Dow Chemical. 2002. Tergitol. Nonylphenol ethoxylate surfactants.

[[Page 80627]]

Products and applications. Dow Chemical Company, Midland, MI.
4. USEPA. 2009. Testing of certain nonylphenol and nonylphenol 
ethoxylate substances. Federal Register 74(115):28654-28262.
5. USEPA. 2010. Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl),-alpha. 
(nonylphenyl)-.omega.-hydroxy-. IUR (Inventory Update Reporting) 
data. Non-confidential 2006 IUR records by chemical, including 
manufacturing, processing and use information.
6. USEPA. 2010. Nonylphenol (NP) and Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (NPEs) 
Action Plan. RIN 2070eZA09.
7. USEPA, OPPT. Chemistry and Environmental Fate of Nonylphenol 
Ethoxylates (NPEs). May 10, 2016.
8. USEPA, OPPT. Ecological Hazard Assessment for Nonylphenol 
Monoethoxylate (NP1EO) and Nonylphenol Diethoxylate (NP2EO). May 5, 
2016.
9. Staples, C.A., G.M. Klecka, C.G. Naylor, and B.S. Losey. 2008. 
C8- and C9-alkylphenols and ethoxylates: 1. Identity, physical 
characterization, and biodegradation pathways analysis. Hum. Ecol. 
Risk Assess. 14(5):1007-1024.
10. Ying, G.G., B. Williams, and R. Kookana. 2002. Environmental 
fate of alkylphenols and alkylphenol ethoxylates: a review. Environ. 
Int. 28:215-226.
11. Ahel, M., D. Hr[scaron]ak, and W. Giger. 1994. Aerobic 
transformation of short-chain alkylphenol polyethoxylates by mixed 
bacterial cultures. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 26:540-548.
12. Jurado, E., M. Fern[aacute]ndez-Serrano, J. N[uacute][ntilde]ez-
Olea, and M. Lechuga. 2009. Aerobic biodegradation of a nonylphenol 
polyethoxylate and toxicity of the biodegradation metabolites. Bull. 
Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 83:307-312.
13. Klecka, G.M., C.A. Staples, C.G. Naylor, K.B. Woodburn, and B.S. 
Losey. 2008. C8- and C9-Alkylphenols and ethoxylates: II. Assessment 
of environmental persistence and bioaccumulation potential. Hum. 
Ecol. Risk Assess. 14(5):1025-1055.
14. Kve[scaron]tak, R., and M. Ahel. 1995. Biotransformation of 
nonylphenol polyethoxylate surfactants by estuarine mixed bacterial 
cultures. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 29:551-556.
15. Maki, H., M. Fujita, and Y. Fujiwara. 1996. Identification of 
final biodegradation product of nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPE) by 
river microbial consortia. Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 57:881-
887.
16. Manzano, M.A., J.A. Perales, D. Sales, and J.M. Quiroga. 1999. 
The effect of temperature on the biodegradation of a nonylphenol 
polyethoxylate in river water. Water Res. 33(11):2593-2600.
17. Potter, T. L., K. Simmons, J. Wu, M. Sanchez-Olvera, P. 
Kostecki, and E. Calabrese. 1999. Static die-away of a nonylphenol 
ethoxylate surfactant in estuarine water samples. Environ. Sci. 
Technol. 33:113-118.
18. Quiroga, J.M., M.A. Manzano, D. Sales, and J.A. Perales. 1996. 
Biodegradation of a nonyfenol polyethoxilate (NPEO) in river water. 
Barcelona, Spain: World Surfactant Congress, 4th. p. 417-425.
19. Staples, C.A., C.G. Naylor, J.B. Williams, and W.E. Gledhill. 
2001. Ultimate biodegradation of alkylphenol ethoxylate surfactants 
and their biodegradation intermediates. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 
20(11):2450-2455.
20. Gu, X., Y. Zhang, J. Zhang, M. Yang, H. Tamaki, Y. Kamagata, and 
D. Li. 2010. Isolation of phylogenetically diverse nonylphenol 
ethoxylate-degrading bacteria and characterization of their 
corresponding biotransformation pathways. Chemosphere 80:216-222.
21. Lu, J., Q. Jin, Y. He, and J. Wu. 2007. Biodegradation of 
nonylphenol polyethoxylates under Fe(III)-reducing conditions. 
Chemosphere 69:1047-1054.
22. Lu, J., Q. Jin, Y. He, J. Wu, W. Zhang, and J. Zhao. 2008. 
Anaerobic degradation behavior of nonylphenol polyethoxylates in 
sludge. Chemosphere 71:345-351.
23. Patureau, D., N. Delgenes, and J.P. Delgenes. 2008. Impact of 
sewage sludge treatment processes on the removal of the endocrine 
disrupters nonylphenol ethoxylates. Chemosphere 72:586-591.
24. Luppi, L.I., I. Hardmeier, P.A. Babay, R.F. Itria, and L. 
Erijman. 2007. Anaerobic nonylphenol ethoxylate degradation coupled 
to nitrate reduction in a modified biodegradability batch test. 
Chemosphere 68:2136-2143.
25. Chang, B.V., C.H. Yu, and S.Y. Yuan. 2004. Degradation of 
nonylphenol by anaerobic microorganisms from river sediment. 
Chemosphere 55:493-500.
26. Ejlertsson, J., M.L. Nilsson, H. Kylin, A. Bergman, L. Karlson, 
M. Oquist, and B.H. Svensson. 1999. Anaerobic degradation of 
nonylphenol mono- and diethoxylates in digestor sludge, landfilled 
municipal solid waste, and landfilled sludge. Environ. Sci. Technol. 
33(2):301-306.
27. Giger, W., P.H. Brunner, and C. Schaffner. 1984. 4-Nonylphenol 
in sewage sludge: accumulation of toxic metabolites from nonionic 
surfactants. Science 225:623-625.
28. Ying, G., and R.S. Kookana. 2003. Degradation of five selected 
endocrine-disrupting chemicals in seawater and marine sediment. 
Environ. Sci. Technol. 37(7):1256-1260.
29. Loyo-Rosales, J.E., C.P. Rice, and A. Torrents. 2007. Fate of 
octyl- and nonylphenol ethoxylates and some carboxylated derivatives 
in three American wastewater treatment plants. Environ. Sci. 
Technol. 41(19):6815-6821, Including supplemental information.
30. Ahel, M., W. Giger, and C. Schaffner. 1994. Behaviour of 
alkylphenol polyethoxylate surfactants in the aquatic environment--
II. Occurrence and transformation in rivers. Water Res. 28:1142-
1152.
31. Barber, L.B., B.K. Brown, and S.D. Zaugg. 2000. Potential 
endocrine disrupting organic chemicals in treated municipal 
wastewater and river water. In: Keith L.H., T.L. Jones-Lepp, and 
L.L. Needham, eds. Analysis of Environmental Endocrine Disruptors, 
ACS Symposium Series 747. American Chemical Society, Washington, DC 
USA. p. 97-123.
32. Shao, B., J. Hu, and M. Yang. 2003. Nonylphenol ethoxylates and 
their biodegradation intermediates in water and sludge of a sewage 
treatment plant. Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 70:527-532.
33. Rice, C. P., I. Schmitz-Afonso, J.E. Lolyo-Rosales, E. Link, R. 
Thoma, L. Fay, Altfater, D., and M.J. Camp. 2003. Alkylphenol and 
alkylphenol-ethoxylates in carp, water, and sediment from the 
Cuyahoga River, Ohio. Environ. Sci. Technol. 37:3747-3754.
34. Bennett, E.R., and C.D. Metcalfe. 1998. Distribution of 
alkylphenol compounds in Great Lakes sediments, United States and 
Canada. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 17(7):1230-1235.
35. Bennett, E.R., and C.D. Metcalfe. 2000. Distribution of 
degradation products of alkylphenol ethoxylates near sewage 
treatment plants in the lower Great Lakes, North America. Environ. 
Toxicol. Chem. 19(4):784-792.
36. Ferguson, P.L., C.R. Iden, and B.J. Brownawell. 2001. 
Distribution and fate of neutral alkylphenol ethoxylate metabolites 
in a sewage-impacted urban estuary. Environ. Sci. Technol. 
35(12):2428-2435.
37. Ferguson, P.L., R.F. Bopp, S.N. Chillrud, R.D. Aller, and B.J. 
Brownawell. 2003. Biogeochemistry of nonylphenol ethoxylates in 
urban estuarine sediments. Environ. Sci. Technol. 37:3499-3506.
38. Bennie, D.T. 1999. Review of the environmental occurrence of 
alkylphenols and alkylphenol ethoxylates. Water Qual. Res. J. Canada 
34:79-122.
39. Montgomery-Brown, J., and M. Reinhard. 2003. Occurrence and 
behavior of alkylphenol polyethoxylates in the environment. Environ. 
Eng. Sci. 20(5):471-486.
40. Naylor, C.G., J.P. Mieure, W.J. Adams, J.A. Weeks, and F.J. 
Castaidi. 1992. Alkylphenol ethoxylates in the environment. J. Am. 
Oil Chem. Soc. 69(7):695-703.
41. Kolpin, D.W., E.T. Furlong, M.T. Meyer, E.M. Thurman, S.D. 
Zaugg, L.B. Barber, and H.T. Buxton. 2002. Pharmaceuticals, 
hormones, and other organic wastewater contaminants in U.S. streams, 
1999-2000: A national reconnaissance. Environ. Sci. Technol. 
36(6):1202-1211.
42. Shang, D.Y., R.W. Macdonald, and M.G. Ikonmou. 1999. Persistence 
of nonylphenol ethoxylate surfactants and their primary degradation 
products in sediments from near a municipal outfall in the Strait of 
Georgia, British Columbia, Canada. Environ. Sci. Technol. 33:1366-
1372.
43. Hall, W.S., M.B. Patoczka, R.J. Mirenda, B.A. Porter, and E. 
Miller. 1989. Acute toxicity of industrial surfactants to Mysidopsis 
bahia. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 18: 765-772.
44. Servos, M.R. 1999. Review of the aquatic toxicity, estrogenic 
responses and bioaccumulation of alkylphenols and alkylphenol 
polyethoxylates. Water Qual. Res. J. Canada 34: 123-177.

[[Page 80628]]

45. TenEyck, M.C. and T.P. Markee. 2007. Toxicity of nonylphenol, 
nonylphenol monoethoxylate, and nonylphenol diethoxylate and 
mixtures of these compounds to Pimephales promelas (Fathead minnow) 
and Ceriodaphnia dubia. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 53: 599-606.
46. Maki, H., H. Okamura, I. Aoyama, and M. Fujita. 1998. 
Halogenation and toxicity of the biodegradation products of a 
nonionic surfactant, nonylphenol ethoxylate. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 
17: 650-654.
47. Balch, G., and C. Metcalfe. 2006. Developmental effects in 
Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) exposed to nonylphenol ethoxylates 
and their degradation products. Chemosphere 62: 1214-1223.
48. Ashfield, L.A., T.G. Pottinger, and J.P. Sumpter. 1998. Exposure 
of female juvenile rainbow trout to alkylphenolic compounds results 
in modifications to growth and ovosomatic index. Environ. Toxicol. 
Chem. 17: 679-686.
49. Jobling, S., D. Sheahan, J.A. Osborne, P. Matthiessen, and J.P. 
Sumpter. 1996. Inhibition of testicular growth in rainbow trout 
(Oncorhynchus mykiss) exposed to estrogenic alkylphenolic chemicals. 
Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 15: 194-202.
50. USEPA, OPPT. Economic Analysis of the Proposed Rule to Add 
Nonylphenol Ethoxylates to the EPCRA Section 313 List of Toxic 
Chemicals. April 12, 2016.

VI. What are the Statutory and Executive Orders reviews associated with 
this action?

    Additional information about these statutes and Executive Orders 
can be found at http://www2.epa.gov/laws-regulations/laws-and-executive-orders.

A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review and Executive 
Order 13563: Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review

    This action is not a significant regulatory action and was 
therefore not submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
for review under Executive Orders 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993) 
and 13563 (76 FR 3821, January 21, 2011).

B. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)

    This action does not contain any new information collection 
requirements that require additional approval by OMB under the PRA, 44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq. OMB has previously approved the information 
collection activities contained in the existing regulations and has 
assigned OMB control numbers 2025-0009 and 2050-0078. Currently, the 
facilities subject to the reporting requirements under EPCRA section 
313 and PPA section 6607 may use either EPA Toxic Chemicals Release 
Inventory Form R (EPA Form 1B9350-1), or EPA Toxic Chemicals Release 
Inventory Form A (EPA Form 1B9350-2). The Form R must be completed if a 
facility manufactures, processes, or otherwise uses any listed chemical 
above threshold quantities and meets certain other criteria. For the 
Form A, EPA established an alternative threshold for facilities with 
low annual reportable amounts of a listed toxic chemical. A facility 
that meets the appropriate reporting thresholds, but estimates that the 
total annual reportable amount of the chemical does not exceed 500 
pounds per year, can take advantage of an alternative manufacture, 
process, or otherwise use threshold of 1 million pounds per year of the 
chemical, provided that certain conditions are met, and submit the Form 
A instead of the Form R. In addition, respondents may designate the 
specific chemical identity of a substance as a trade secret pursuant to 
EPCRA section 322, 42 U.S.C. 11042, 40 CFR part 350.
    OMB has approved the reporting and recordkeeping requirements 
related to Forms A and R, supplier notification, and petitions under 
OMB Control number 2025-0009 (EPA Information Collection Request (ICR) 
No. 1363) and those related to trade secret designations under OMB 
Control 2050-0078 (EPA ICR No. 1428). As provided in 5 CFR 1320.5(b) 
and 1320.6(a), an Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is 
not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it 
displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers 
relevant to EPA's regulations are listed in 40 CFR part 9 or 48 CFR 
chapter 15, and displayed on the information collection instruments 
(e.g., forms, instructions).

C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)

    I certify that this action will not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities under the RFA, 5 
U.S.C. 601 et seq. The small entities subject to the requirements of 
this action are small manufacturing facilities. The Agency has 
determined that of the 178 entities estimated to be impacted by this 
action, 161 are small businesses; no small governments or small 
organizations are expected to be affected by this action. All 161 small 
businesses affected by this action are estimated to incur annualized 
cost impacts of less than 1%. Thus, this action is not expected to have 
a significant adverse economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. A more detailed analysis of the impacts on small entities is 
located in EPA's economic analysis (Ref. 50).

D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)

    This action does not contain an unfunded mandate of $100 million or 
more as described in UMRA, 2 U.S.C. 1531-1538, and does not 
significantly or uniquely affect small governments. This action is not 
subject to the requirements of UMRA because it contains no regulatory 
requirements that might significantly or uniquely affect small 
governments. EPA did not identify any small governments that would be 
impacted by this action. EPA's economic analysis indicates that the 
total cost of this action is estimated to be $619,627 in the first year 
of reporting (Ref. 50).

E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism

    This action does not have federalism implications as specified in 
Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999). It will not have 
substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between 
the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power 
and responsibilities among the various levels of government.

F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With Indian 
Tribal Governments

    This action does not have tribal implications as specified in 
Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000). This action 
relates to toxic chemical reporting under EPCRA section 313, which 
primarily affects private sector facilities. Thus, Executive Order 
13175 does not apply to this action.

G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental 
Health Risks and Safety Risks

    EPA interprets Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997) 
as applying only to those regulatory actions that concern environmental 
health or safety risks that EPA has reason to believe may 
disproportionately affect children, per the definition of ``covered 
regulatory action'' in section 2-202 of the Executive Order. This 
action is not subject to Executive Order 13045 because it does not 
concern an environmental health risk or safety risk.

H. Executive Order 13211: Actions Concerning Regulations That 
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use

    This action is not subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, 
May 22, 2001), because it is not a significant regulatory action under 
Executive Order 12866.

[[Page 80629]]

I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA)

    This rulemaking does not involve technical standards and is 
therefore not subject to considerations under section 12(d) of NTTAA, 
15 U.S.C. 272 note.

J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions To Address Environmental 
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations

    EPA has determined that this action will not have 
disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental 
effects on minority or low-income populations as specified in Executive 
Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994). This action does not 
address any human health or environmental risks and does not affect the 
level of protection provided to human health or the environment. This 
action adds an additional chemical to the EPCRA section 313 reporting 
requirements. By adding a chemical to the list of toxic chemicals 
subject to reporting under section 313 of EPCRA, EPA would be providing 
communities across the United States (including minority populations 
and low income populations) with access to data which they may use to 
seek lower exposures and consequently reductions in chemical risks for 
themselves and their children. This information can also be used by 
government agencies and others to identify potential problems, set 
priorities, and take appropriate steps to reduce any potential risks to 
human health and the environment. Therefore, the informational benefits 
of the action would have positive human health and environmental 
impacts on minority populations, low-income populations, and children.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 372

    Environmental protection, Community right-to-know, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, and Toxic chemicals.

    Dated: November 2, 2016.
Gina McCarthy,
Administrator.

    Therefore, it is proposed that 40 CFR chapter I be amended as 
follows:

PART 372--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for part 372 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 11023 and 11048.

0
2. In Sec.  372.65, paragraph (c) is amended by adding alphabetically 
an entry for ``Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (This category includes only 
those chemicals covered by the CAS numbers listed here)'' to the table 
to read as follows:


Sec.  372.65  Chemicals and chemical categories to which this part 
applies.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Category name                       Effective date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              * * * * * * *
Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (This category includes only              1/1/18
 those chemicals covered by the CAS numbers listed here)
     7311-27-5 Ethanol, 2-[2-[2-[2-(4-
     nonylphenoxy)ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]-
     9016-45-9 Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), [alpha]-
     (nonylphenyl)-[omega]-hydroxy-
     20427-84-3 Ethanol, 2-[2-(4-nonylphenoxy)ethoxy]-
     26027-38-3 Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), [alpha]-(4-
     nonylphenyl)-[omega]-hydroxy-
     26571-11-9 3,6,9,12,15,18,21,24-Octaoxahexacosan-1-
     ol, 26-(nonylphenoxy)-
     27176-93-8 Ethanol, 2-[2-(nonylphenoxy)ethoxy]-
     27177-05-5 3,6,9,12,15,18,21-Heptaoxatricosan-1-ol,
     23-(nonylphenoxy)-
     27177-08-8 3,6,9,12,15,18,21,24,27-Nonaoxanonacosan-
     1-ol, 29-(nonylphenoxy)-
     27986-36-3 Ethanol, 2-(nonylphenoxy)-
     37205-87-1 Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), [alpha]-
     (isononylphenyl)-[omega]-hydroxy-
     51938-25-1 Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), [alpha]-(2-
     nonylphenyl)-[omega]-hydroxy-
     68412-54-4 Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), [alpha]-
     (nonylphenyl)-[omega]-hydroxy-, branched
    127087-87-0 Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), [alpha]-(4-
     nonylphenyl)-[omega]-hydroxy-, branched
 
                              * * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[FR Doc. 2016-27547 Filed 11-15-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P



                                                      80624             Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 221 / Wednesday, November 16, 2016 / Proposed Rules

                                                        (c) Enforcement periods. The safety                     • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://               511191, 511199, 512220, 512230 *,
                                                      zone described in paragraph (a) of this                 www.regulations.gov. Follow the online                519130 *, 541712 *, or 811490 *.
                                                      section will be enforced by the Captain                 instructions for submitting comments.                    * Exceptions and/or limitations exist
                                                      of the Port only upon notice. Notice of                 Do not submit electronically any                      for these NAICS codes.
                                                      enforcement by the Captain of the Port                  information you consider to be                           • Facilities included in the following
                                                      will be provided prior to execution of                  Confidential Business Information (CBI)               NAICS codes (corresponding to SIC
                                                      the drydock movement by all                             or other information whose disclosure is              codes other than SIC codes 20 through
                                                      appropriate means, in accordance with                   restricted by statute.                                39): 212111, 212112, 212113
                                                      33 CFR 165.7(a). Such means will                          • Mail: Document Control Office                     (corresponds to SIC code 12, Coal
                                                      include issuance of a notice of                         (7407M), Office of Pollution Prevention               Mining (except 1241)); or 212221,
                                                      enforcement to be published in the                      and Toxics (OPPT), Environmental                      212222, 212231, 212234, 212299
                                                      Federal Register, Local Notice to                       Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania                  (corresponds to SIC code 10, Metal
                                                      Mariners, and Special Marine                            Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460–0001.                  Mining (except 1011, 1081, and 1094));
                                                      Information Broadcast.                                    • Hand Delivery: To make special                    or 221111, 221112, 221113, 221118,
                                                                                                              arrangements for hand delivery or                     221121, 221122, 221330 (Limited to
                                                        Dated: November 8, 2016.
                                                                                                              delivery of boxed information, please                 facilities that combust coal and/or oil
                                                      M.W. Raymond,                                           follow the instructions at http://
                                                      Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the                                                                     for the purpose of generating power for
                                                                                                              www.epa.gov/dockets/where-send-                       distribution in commerce) (corresponds
                                                      Port Puget Sound.                                       comments-epa-dockets#hq.                              to SIC codes 4911, 4931, and 4939,
                                                      [FR Doc. 2016–27494 Filed 11–15–16; 8:45 am]              Additional instructions on
                                                                                                                                                                    Electric Utilities); or 424690, 425110,
                                                      BILLING CODE 9110–04–P                                  commenting or visiting the docket,
                                                                                                                                                                    425120 (Limited to facilities previously
                                                                                                              along with more information about
                                                                                                                                                                    classified in SIC code 5169, Chemicals
                                                                                                              dockets generally, is available at http://
                                                                                                                                                                    and Allied Products, Not Elsewhere
                                                      ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION                                www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-
                                                                                                                                                                    Classified); or 424710 (corresponds to
                                                      AGENCY                                                  dockets.
                                                                                                                                                                    SIC code 5171, Petroleum Bulk
                                                                                                              FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For                  Terminals and Plants); or 562112
                                                      40 CFR Part 372
                                                                                                              technical information contact: Daniel R.              (Limited to facilities primarily engaged
                                                      [EPA–HQ–TRI–2016–0222; FRL–9951–01]                     Bushman, Toxics Release Inventory                     in solvent recovery services on a
                                                      RIN 2070–AK15
                                                                                                              Program Division (7410M), Office of                   contract or fee basis (previously
                                                                                                              Pollution Prevention and Toxics,                      classified under SIC code 7389,
                                                      Addition of Nonylphenol Ethoxylates                     Environmental Protection Agency, 1200                 Business Services, NEC)); or 562211,
                                                      Category; Community Right-To-Know                       Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington,                    562212, 562213, 562219, 562920
                                                      Toxic Chemical Release Reporting                        DC 20460–0001; telephone number:                      (Limited to facilities regulated under the
                                                                                                              (202) 566–0743; email:                                Resource Conservation and Recovery
                                                      AGENCY:  Environmental Protection                       bushman.daniel@epa.gov.                               Act, subtitle C, 42 U.S.C. 6921 et seq.)
                                                      Agency (EPA).                                             For general information contact: The                (corresponds to SIC code 4953, Refuse
                                                      ACTION: Proposed rule.                                  Emergency Planning and Community                      Systems).
                                                                                                              Right-to-Know Hotline; telephone                         • Federal facilities.
                                                      SUMMARY:   EPA is proposing to add a                    numbers: toll free at (800) 424–9346
                                                      nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs)                                                                                   To determine whether your facility
                                                                                                              (select menu option 3) or (703) 412–                  would be affected by this action, you
                                                      category to the list of toxic chemicals                 9810 in the Washington, DC Area and
                                                      subject to reporting under section 313 of                                                                     should carefully examine the
                                                                                                              International; or toll free, TDD (800)                applicability criteria in part 372, subpart
                                                      the Emergency Planning and                              553–7672; or go to http://www.epa.gov/
                                                      Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)                                                                           B of Title 40 of the Code of Federal
                                                                                                              superfund/contacts/infocenter/.                       Regulations. If you have questions
                                                      and section 6607 of the Pollution                       SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                      Prevention Act (PPA). EPA is proposing                                                                        regarding the applicability of this action
                                                      to add this chemical category to the                    I. General Information                                to a particular entity, consult the person
                                                      EPCRA section 313 list because EPA                                                                            listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
                                                                                                              A. Does this notice apply to me?                      CONTACT.
                                                      believes NPEs meet the EPCRA section
                                                      313(d)(2)(C) toxicity criteria.                            You may be potentially affected by
                                                                                                                                                                    B. What action is the agency taking?
                                                      Specifically, EPA believes that longer                  this action if you manufacture, process,
                                                      chain NPEs can break down in the                        or otherwise use NPEs. The following                    EPA is proposing to add a NPEs
                                                      environment to short-chain NPEs and                     list of North American Industrial                     category to the list of toxic chemicals
                                                      nonylphenol, both of which are highly                   Classification System (NAICS) codes is                subject to reporting under EPCRA
                                                      toxic to aquatic organisms. Based on a                  not intended to be exhaustive, but rather             section 313 and PPA section 6607. As
                                                      review of the available production and                  provides a guide to help readers                      discussed in more detail later in this
                                                      use information, members of the NPEs                    determine whether this document                       document, EPA is proposing to add this
                                                      category are expected to be                             applies to them. Potentially affected                 chemical category to the EPCRA section
                                                      manufactured, processed, or otherwise                   entities may include:                                 313 list because EPA believes NPEs
                                                                                                                 • Facilities included in the following             meet the EPCRA section 313(d)(2)(C)
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                      used in quantities that would exceed
                                                      EPCRA section 313 reporting                             NAICS manufacturing codes                             toxicity criteria.
                                                      thresholds.                                             (corresponding to Standard Industrial
                                                                                                                                                                    C. What is the agency’s authority for
                                                                                                              Classification (SIC) codes 20 through
                                                      DATES:  Comments must be received on                                                                          taking this action?
                                                                                                              39): 311 *, 312 *, 313 *, 314 *, 315 *, 316,
                                                      or before January 17, 2017.                             321, 322, 323 *, 324, 325 *, 326 *, 327,                This action is issued under EPCRA
                                                      ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,                        331, 332, 333, 334 *, 335 *, 336, 337 *,              sections 313(d) and 328, 42 U.S.C.
                                                      identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–                     339 *, 111998 *, 211112 *, 212324 *,                  11023 et seq., and PPA section 6607, 42
                                                      TRI–2016–0222, by one of the following                  212325 *, 212393 *, 212399 *, 488390 *,               U.S.C. 13106. EPCRA is also referred to
                                                      methods:                                                511110, 511120, 511130, 511140 *,                     as Title III of the Superfund


                                                 VerDate Sep<11>2014   16:17 Nov 15, 2016   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00013   Fmt 4702   Sfmt 4702   E:\FR\FM\16NOP1.SGM   16NOP1


                                                                        Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 221 / Wednesday, November 16, 2016 / Proposed Rules                                            80625

                                                      Amendments and Reauthorization Act                      61432) (FRL–4922–2), a statement                        D 27986–36–3; Ethanol, 2-
                                                      of 1986.                                                clarifying its interpretation of the                  (nonylphenoxy)-
                                                         Section 313 of EPCRA, 42 U.S.C.                      EPCRA section 313(d)(2) and (d)(3)                      D 37205–87–1; Poly(oxy-1,2-
                                                      11023, requires certain facilities that                 criteria for modifying the EPCRA                      ethanediyl), a-(isononylphenyl)-w-
                                                      manufacture, process, or otherwise use                  section 313 list of toxic chemicals.                  hydroxy-
                                                      listed toxic chemicals in amounts above                                                                         D 51938–25–1; Poly(oxy-1,2-
                                                      reporting threshold levels to report their              II. Background Information                            ethanediyl), a-(2-nonylphenyl)-w-
                                                      environmental releases and other waste                  A. What are NPEs?                                     hydroxy-
                                                      management quantities of such                                                                                   D 68412–54–4; Poly(oxy-1,2-
                                                                                                                 NPEs are nonionic surfactants
                                                      chemicals annually. These facilities                                                                          ethanediyl), a-(nonylphenyl)-w-
                                                                                                              containing a branched nine-carbon alkyl
                                                      must also report pollution prevention                                                                         hydroxy-, branched
                                                                                                              chain bound to phenol and a chain of                    D 127087–87–0; Poly(oxy-1,2-
                                                      and recycling data for such chemicals,                  repeating ethoxylate units
                                                      pursuant to section 6607 of the PPA, 42                                                                       ethanediyl), a-(4-nonylphenyl)-w-
                                                                                                              (C9H19C6H4(OCH2CH2)nOH). The                          hydroxy-, branched
                                                      U.S.C. 13106. Congress established an                   number of repeating ethoxylate units (n)
                                                      initial list of toxic chemicals that was                can range from 1 to 100 (Reference (Ref.)             III. What is EPA’s evaluation of the
                                                      comprised of 308 individually listed                    1). The major positional isomer is para               ecological toxicity and environmental
                                                      chemicals and 20 chemical categories.                   (≥90%), while the ortho isomer is                     fate of NPEs?
                                                         EPCRA section 313(d) authorizes EPA
                                                                                                              typically less than 10% (Ref. 2). The                    EPA prepared two technical
                                                      to add or delete chemicals from the list
                                                                                                              number of ethoxylate units can be                     documents to support the listing of the
                                                      and sets criteria for these actions.
                                                                                                              designated as NP#EO where # indicates                 NPEs category. The first document is
                                                      EPCRA section 313(d)(2) states that EPA
                                                                                                              the number of ethoxylate groups. For                  ‘‘Chemistry and Environmental Fate ofol
                                                      may add a chemical to the list if any of
                                                                                                              example, nonylphenol monoethoxylate                   Ethoxylates (NPEs)’’ (Ref. 7), which
                                                      the listing criteria in EPCRA section
                                                                                                              would be NP1EO and nonylphenol                        provides detailed information on the
                                                      313(d)(2) are met. Therefore, to add a
                                                                                                              diethoxylate would be NP2EO.                          chemistry and environmental fate of
                                                      chemical, EPA must demonstrate that at
                                                                                                              Alternatively, NPE-# can be used where                NPEs. The second document is
                                                      least one criterion is met, but need not
                                                                                                              # indicates the number of ethoxylate                  ‘‘Ecological Hazard Assessment for
                                                      determine whether any other criterion is
                                                                                                              groups. The surfactant properties of                  Nonylphenol Monoethoxylate (NP1EO)
                                                      met. Conversely, to remove a chemical
                                                                                                              NPEs have resulted in their widespread                and Nonylphenol Diethoxylate
                                                      from the list, EPCRA section 313(d)(3)                  industrial and commercial use in
                                                      dictates that EPA must demonstrate that                                                                       (NP2EO)’’ (Ref. 8), which provides an
                                                                                                              adhesives, wetting agents, emulsifiers,               assessment of the ecological toxicity of
                                                      none of the criteria in ECPRA section                   stabilizers, dispersants, defoamers,
                                                      313(d)(2) are met. The listing criteria in                                                                    short-chain NPEs. Unit III.A. provides a
                                                                                                              cleaners, paints, and coatings (Refs. 1, 3,           brief summary of the chemistry and
                                                      EPCRA section 313(d)(2)(A)–(C) are as                   4, 5, and 6). The widespread use of
                                                      follows:                                                                                                      environmental fate of NPEs and Unit
                                                                                                              NPEs surfactants has resulted in their
                                                         • The chemical is known to cause or                                                                        III.B. provides a brief summary of the
                                                                                                              release to surface waters (Ref. 4).                   ecological toxicity of short-chain NPEs.
                                                      can reasonably be anticipated to cause
                                                      significant adverse acute human health                  B. How does EPA propose to list NPEs?                 Readers should consult the support
                                                      effects at concentration levels that are                  EPA is proposing to list NPEs as a                  documents (Refs. 7 and 8) for further
                                                      reasonably likely to exist beyond facility              category that would include the thirteen              information.
                                                      site boundaries as a result of                          NPEs that currently appear on the Toxic               A. What is the environmental fate of
                                                      continuous, or frequently recurring,                    Substances Control Act inventory                      nonylphenol ethoxylates?
                                                      releases.                                               (https://www.epa.gov/tsca-inventory).
                                                         • The chemical is known to cause or                                                                           In the environment, NPEs (in
                                                                                                              The NPEs category would be defined as                 particular, those containing long
                                                      can reasonably be anticipated to cause                  Nonylphenol Ethoxylates and would
                                                      in humans: Cancer or teratogenic effects,                                                                     ethoxylate chains) are expected to have
                                                                                                              only include those chemicals covered                  very low volatility based on Henry’s law
                                                      or serious or irreversible reproductive                 by the following Chemical Abstracts
                                                      dysfunctions, neurological disorders,                                                                         constant values of <9.8 × 10¥7
                                                                                                              Service Registry Numbers (CASRNs):                    atmospheres-cubic meter per mole (atm-
                                                      heritable genetic mutations, or other                     D 7311–27–5; Ethanol, 2-[2-[2-[2-(4-
                                                      chronic health effects.                                                                                       m3/mol) (Ref. 9). However, the vapor
                                                                                                              nonylphenoxy)ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]-
                                                         • The chemical is known to cause or                    D 9016–45–9; Poly(oxy-1,2-
                                                                                                                                                                    pressures of some of the degradation
                                                      can be reasonably anticipated to cause,                                                                       products of long-chain NPEs (e.g.,
                                                                                                              ethanediyl), a-(nonylphenyl)-w-
                                                      because of its toxicity, its toxicity and                                                                     nonylphenol, NP1EO) indicate the
                                                                                                              hydroxy-
                                                      persistence in the environment, or its                    D 20427–84–3; Ethanol, 2-[2-(4-                     potential to exist in the atmosphere in
                                                      toxicity and tendency to bioaccumulate                  nonylphenoxy)ethoxy]-                                 the vapor phase. Although nonylphenol
                                                      in the environment, a significant                         D 26027–38–3; Poly(oxy-1,2-                         itself is somewhat volatile, volatilization
                                                      adverse effect on the environment of                    ethanediyl), a-(4-nonylphenyl)-w-                     of most NPEs from soil and water
                                                      sufficient seriousness, in the judgment                 hydroxy-                                              surfaces is not expected to be a
                                                      of the Administrator, to warrant                          D 26571–11–9; 3,6,9,12,15,18,21,24-                 significant environmental transport
                                                      reporting under this section.                           Octaoxahexacosan-1-ol, 26-                            process. The potential for adsorption of
                                                         EPA often refers to the EPCRA section                                                                      NPEs to organic carbon in soil and to
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                                                                              (nonylphenoxy)-
                                                      313(d)(2)(A) criterion as the ‘‘acute                     D 27176–93–8; Ethanol, 2-[2-                        suspended solids and sediment in water
                                                      human health effects criterion;’’ the                   (nonylphenoxy)ethoxy]-                                is expected to increase with decreasing
                                                      EPCRA section 313(d)(2)(B) criterion as                   D 27177–05–5; 3,6,9,12,15,18,21-                    ethoxylation as water solubilities
                                                      the ‘‘chronic human health effects                      Heptaoxatricosan-1-ol, 23-                            decrease (Ref. 9). In general, partitioning
                                                      criterion;’’ and the EPCRA section                      (nonylphenoxy)-                                       to soils and sediments is expected to be
                                                      313(d)(2)(C) criterion as the                             D 27177–08–8;                                       significant based on carbon-
                                                      ‘‘environmental effects criterion.’’                    3,6,9,12,15,18,21,24,27-                              normalization partition coefficient (log
                                                         EPA published in the Federal                         Nonaoxanonacosan-1-ol, 29-                            Koc) values of 4.87–5.46 for NP1EO,
                                                      Register of November 30, 1994 (59 FR                    (nonylphenoxy)-                                       NP2EO, and NP3EO and 3.61–4.63 for


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                                                      80626             Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 221 / Wednesday, November 16, 2016 / Proposed Rules

                                                      NP9EO, which indicate a potential for                   ultimately producing nonylphenol.                     organisms with toxicity values well
                                                      strong adsorption to suspended solids                   Through a combination of strong                       below 1 mg/L as described in Unit III.
                                                      and sediments in water and to organic                   sorption and slow biodegradation, NPEs                Therefore, EPA believes that the
                                                      matter in soils (Ref. 9). The highly                    and nonylphenol can accumulate in                     evidence is sufficient for listing short-
                                                      water-soluble, higher molecular weight                  sediments in concentrations that are                  chain NPEs on the EPCRA section 313
                                                      (i.e., longer chain) NPEs are expected to               much higher than are found in the                     toxic chemical list pursuant to EPCRA
                                                      adsorb less to organic carbon, and may                  surrounding water (Refs. 10 and 37) and               section 313(d)(2)(C) based on the
                                                      therefore have some mobility in soil                    can persist for years (Ref. 42).                      available ecological toxicity data. Long-
                                                      (Refs. 9 and 10).                                                                                             chain NPEs, while not as toxic as short-
                                                         Biodegradation is the dominant fate                  B. What is the ecological toxicity of
                                                                                                                                                                    chain NPEs, degrade in the environment
                                                      process for NPEs in the environment;                    short-chain NPEs?
                                                                                                                                                                    to produce products that include highly
                                                      abiotic degradation processes such as                      For NPEs, aquatic toxicity generally               toxic short-chain NPEs and
                                                      hydrolysis are not expected to be                       decreases as the length of the ethoxylate             nonylphenol. Nonylphenol is even more
                                                      significant (Ref. 9). The available data                chain increases (Refs. 43 and 44). The                toxic to aquatic organisms than short-
                                                      indicate that NPEs undergo rapid                        available data show that NP1EO and                    chain NPEs and was added to the
                                                      primary biodegradation but slow                         NP2EO are significantly more toxic to                 EPCRA section 313 toxic chemical list
                                                      ultimate biodegradation (Refs. 11, 12,                  aquatic organisms than the longer chain               based on its toxicity to aquatic
                                                      13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19). Half-lives             ethoxylates (e.g., NP9EO). Experimental               organisms (79 FR 58686, FRL–9915–59–
                                                      ranging from 2 to 57.8 days have been                   data on acute aquatic toxicity of NP1EO               OEI, September 30, 2014). As a source
                                                      determined for these substances based                   indicate 96-hour LC50 values (i.e., the               of degradation products that are highly
                                                      on river water die-away studies, which                  concentration that is lethal to 50% of                toxic to aquatic organisms, EPA believes
                                                      report primary degradation (Ref. 13).                   test organisms) as low as 218 mg/L in the             that the evidence is sufficient for listing
                                                      Anaerobic biodegradation appears to                     fathead minnow (Pimphales promelas)                   long-chain NPEs on the EPCRA section
                                                      proceed more slowly than aerobic                        (Ref. 45). The 48-hour LC50 for the water             313 toxic chemical list pursuant to
                                                      biodegradation (Ref. 13). Nonylphenol                   flea, (Daphnia magna) and NP2EO was                   EPCRA section 313(d)(2)(C) based on
                                                      ethoxylate biodegradation products                      as low as 148 mg/L (Ref. 46). Longer term             the available ecological toxicity and
                                                      include shorter chain NPEs and                          exposures to NP1EO resulted in a                      environmental fate data.
                                                      ethoxycarboxylates. (Refs. 9, 10, and                   Maximum-Acceptable-Toxicant-                             EPA does not believe that it is
                                                      20). Nonylphenol ethoxycarboxylates                     Concentration (MATC) of 61 mg/L based                 appropriate to consider exposure for
                                                      are NPEs that terminate with a                          on an increase of mixed secondary sex                 chemicals that are highly toxic based on
                                                      carboxylate group (-CO2H) rather than                   characteristics for the Japanese medaka               a hazard assessment when determining
                                                      an alcohol group (-OH). Although not                    (Oryzias latipes) (Ref. 47). Exposure of              if a chemical can be added for
                                                      commonly observed under aerobic                         rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) to                environmental effects pursuant to
                                                      conditions, nonylphenol is a major                      NP2EO indicated a 22-day Lowest-                      EPCRA section 313(d)(2)(C) (see 59 FR
                                                      metabolite of NPEs under anaerobic                      Observed-Effect-Concentration (LOEC)                  61440–61442). Therefore, in accordance
                                                      conditions (Refs. 9, 10, 21, 22, 23, 24,                for growth inhibition of 1 mg/L (Ref. 48).            with EPA’s standard policy on the use
                                                      25, 26, and 27).                                        Gonadosomatic Index (GSI) (weight of                  of exposure assessments (see November
                                                         Well-designed and properly                           testes expressed as a percentage of total             30, 1994 (59 FR 61432) (FRL–4922–2)),
                                                      functioning wastewater treatment plants                 body weight) in rainbow trout also                    EPA does not believe that an exposure
                                                      (WWTPs) can greatly reduce effluent                     decreased relative to controls with a 21-             assessment is necessary or appropriate
                                                      concentrations of NPEs and their                        day LOEC of 38 mg/L for NP2EO (Ref.                   for determining whether NPEs meet the
                                                      degradation products relative to those                  49). Additional toxicity values are                   criteria of EPCRA section 313(d)(2)(C).
                                                      found in the influent (Ref. 28). However,               included in the ecological hazard
                                                      treatment efficiency varies considerably                assessment (Ref. 8).                                  V. References
                                                      for WWTPs depending on plant design                        The available experimental data                      The following is a listing of the
                                                      and operating conditions (Refs. 10, 29,                 demonstrate that NP1EO and NP2EO                      documents that are specifically
                                                      30, 31, and 32). WWTP effluent remains                  have been shown to cause acute and                    referenced in this document. The docket
                                                      a significant source of NPEs,                           chronic toxicity to aquatic organisms at              includes these documents and other
                                                      nonylphenol ethoxycarboxylates, and                     very low concentrations (Ref. 8). They                information considered by EPA,
                                                      nonylphenol in the environment, and                     have been shown to reduce individual                  including documents that are referenced
                                                      concentrations of these compounds in                    survival, growth, and reproduction in                 within the documents that are included
                                                      surface waters, sediments, and wildlife                 aquatic organisms and NP2EO has been                  in the docket, even if the referenced
                                                      tend to be higher near WWTP outfalls                    shown to reduce testicular growth and                 document is not itself physically located
                                                      (Refs. 10, 31, 33, 34, 35, 36, and 37).                 GSI in fish. The concentrations at which              in the docket. For assistance in locating
                                                         Nonylphenol ethoxylates and the                      toxicity is observed are well below 1                 these other documents, please consult
                                                      degradation products, nonylphenol                       mg/L and as low as 148 mg/L for acute                 the person listed under FOR FURTHER
                                                      ethoxycarboxylates and nonylphenol,                     effects and less than 0.1 mg/L for                    INFORMATION CONTACT.
                                                      are widely distributed in surface waters,               chronic effects. Acute and chronic                    1. Dow Chemical. 2010. Product safety
                                                      including rivers, lakes, estuaries, marine              toxicity values at these low                              assessment. Nonylphenol ethoxylate
                                                      ecosystems, and their underlying                        concentrations show that NP1EO and
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                                                                                                                                        surfactants. The Dow Chemical
                                                      sediments (Refs. 10, 31, 33, 34, 35, 38,                NP2EO are highly toxic to aquatic                         Company. October 11, 2010.
                                                      39, 40, and 41). The more hydrophobic                   organisms.                                            2. Naylor, C.G. 2004. The environmental
                                                      of these compounds, such as                                                                                       safety of alkylphenol ethoxylates
                                                      nonylphenol, NP1EO, and NP2EO, tend                     IV. Rationale for Listing NPEs                            demonstrated by risk assessment and
                                                      to partition to sediments (Ref. 10).                      The NPEs category that EPA is                           guidelines for their safe use. In:
                                                                                                                                                                        Handbook of detergents. Part B:
                                                      Because sediments are often anaerobic,                  proposing to add to the EPCRA section                     Environmental impact. New York, NY:
                                                      sorbed nonylphenol ethoxylates and                      313 toxic chemical list, contains both                    Marcel Dekker. p. 429–445.
                                                      their degradation products undergo                      short and long-chain NPEs. Short-chain                3. Dow Chemical. 2002. Tergitol.
                                                      further biodegradation slowly,                          NPEs are highly toxic to aquatic                          Nonylphenol ethoxylate surfactants.



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                                                                        Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 221 / Wednesday, November 16, 2016 / Proposed Rules                                               80627

                                                           Products and applications. Dow                          river water. Barcelona, Spain: World             32. Shao, B., J. Hu, and M. Yang. 2003.
                                                           Chemical Company, Midland, MI.                          Surfactant Congress, 4th. p. 417–425.                 Nonylphenol ethoxylates and their
                                                      4. USEPA. 2009. Testing of certain                      19. Staples, C.A., C.G. Naylor, J.B. Williams,             biodegradation intermediates in water
                                                           nonylphenol and nonylphenol                             and W.E. Gledhill. 2001. Ultimate                     and sludge of a sewage treatment plant.
                                                           ethoxylate substances. Federal Register                 biodegradation of alkylphenol ethoxylate              Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 70:527–
                                                           74(115):28654–28262.                                    surfactants and their biodegradation                  532.
                                                      5. USEPA. 2010. Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl),-                   intermediates. Environ. Toxicol. Chem.           33. Rice, C. P., I. Schmitz-Afonso, J.E. Lolyo-
                                                           alpha. (nonylphenyl)-.omega.-hydroxy-.                  20(11):2450–2455.                                     Rosales, E. Link, R. Thoma, L. Fay,
                                                           IUR (Inventory Update Reporting) data.             20. Gu, X., Y. Zhang, J. Zhang, M. Yang, H.                Altfater, D., and M.J. Camp. 2003.
                                                           Non-confidential 2006 IUR records by                    Tamaki, Y. Kamagata, and D. Li. 2010.                 Alkylphenol and alkylphenol-
                                                           chemical, including manufacturing,                      Isolation of phylogenetically diverse                 ethoxylates in carp, water, and sediment
                                                           processing and use information.                         nonylphenol ethoxylate-degrading                      from the Cuyahoga River, Ohio. Environ.
                                                      6. USEPA. 2010. Nonylphenol (NP) and                         bacteria and characterization of their                Sci. Technol. 37:3747–3754.
                                                           Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (NPEs) Action                   corresponding biotransformation                  34. Bennett, E.R., and C.D. Metcalfe. 1998.
                                                           Plan. RIN 2070eZA09.                                    pathways. Chemosphere 80:216–222.                     Distribution of alkylphenol compounds
                                                      7. USEPA, OPPT. Chemistry and                           21. Lu, J., Q. Jin, Y. He, and J. Wu. 2007.                in Great Lakes sediments, United States
                                                           Environmental Fate of Nonylphenol                       Biodegradation of nonylphenol                         and Canada. Environ. Toxicol. Chem.
                                                           Ethoxylates (NPEs). May 10, 2016.                       polyethoxylates under Fe(III)-reducing                17(7):1230–1235.
                                                      8. USEPA, OPPT. Ecological Hazard                            conditions. Chemosphere 69:1047–1054.            35. Bennett, E.R., and C.D. Metcalfe. 2000.
                                                           Assessment for Nonylphenol                         22. Lu, J., Q. Jin, Y. He, J. Wu, W. Zhang, and            Distribution of degradation products of
                                                           Monoethoxylate (NP1EO) and                              J. Zhao. 2008. Anaerobic degradation                  alkylphenol ethoxylates near sewage
                                                           Nonylphenol Diethoxylate (NP2EO). May                   behavior of nonylphenol polyethoxylates               treatment plants in the lower Great
                                                           5, 2016.                                                in sludge. Chemosphere 71:345–351.                    Lakes, North America. Environ. Toxicol.
                                                      9. Staples, C.A., G.M. Klecka, C.G. Naylor,             23. Patureau, D., N. Delgenes, and J.P.                    Chem. 19(4):784–792.
                                                           and B.S. Losey. 2008. C8- and C9-                       Delgenes. 2008. Impact of sewage sludge          36. Ferguson, P.L., C.R. Iden, and B.J.
                                                           alkylphenols and ethoxylates: 1. Identity,              treatment processes on the removal of                 Brownawell. 2001. Distribution and fate
                                                           physical characterization, and                          the endocrine disrupters nonylphenol                  of neutral alkylphenol ethoxylate
                                                           biodegradation pathways analysis. Hum.                  ethoxylates. Chemosphere 72:586–591.                  metabolites in a sewage-impacted urban
                                                           Ecol. Risk Assess. 14(5):1007–1024.                24. Luppi, L.I., I. Hardmeier, P.A. Babay, R.F.            estuary. Environ. Sci. Technol.
                                                      10. Ying, G.G., B. Williams, and R. Kookana.                 Itria, and L. Erijman. 2007. Anaerobic                35(12):2428–2435.
                                                           2002. Environmental fate of alkylphenols                nonylphenol ethoxylate degradation               37. Ferguson, P.L., R.F. Bopp, S.N. Chillrud,
                                                                                                                   coupled to nitrate reduction in a                     R.D. Aller, and B.J. Brownawell. 2003.
                                                           and alkylphenol ethoxylates: a review.
                                                                                                                   modified biodegradability batch test.
                                                           Environ. Int. 28:215–226.                                                                                     Biogeochemistry of nonylphenol
                                                                                                                   Chemosphere 68:2136–2143.
                                                      11. Ahel, M., D. Hršak, and W. Giger. 1994.                                                                       ethoxylates in urban estuarine
                                                                                                              25. Chang, B.V., C.H. Yu, and S.Y. Yuan.
                                                           Aerobic transformation of short-chain                                                                         sediments. Environ. Sci. Technol.
                                                                                                                   2004. Degradation of nonylphenol by
                                                           alkylphenol polyethoxylates by mixed                                                                          37:3499–3506.
                                                                                                                   anaerobic microorganisms from river
                                                           bacterial cultures. Arch. Environ.                                                                       38. Bennie, D.T. 1999. Review of the
                                                                                                                   sediment. Chemosphere 55:493–500.
                                                           Contam. Toxicol. 26:540–548.                                                                                  environmental occurrence of
                                                                                                              26. Ejlertsson, J., M.L. Nilsson, H. Kylin, A.
                                                      12. Jurado, E., M. Fernández-Serrano, J.                    Bergman, L. Karlson, M. Oquist, and B.H.              alkylphenols and alkylphenol
                                                           Núñez-Olea, and M. Lechuga. 2009.                     Svensson. 1999. Anaerobic degradation                 ethoxylates. Water Qual. Res. J. Canada
                                                           Aerobic biodegradation of a nonylphenol                 of nonylphenol mono- and diethoxylates                34:79–122.
                                                           polyethoxylate and toxicity of the                      in digestor sludge, landfilled municipal         39. Montgomery-Brown, J., and M. Reinhard.
                                                           biodegradation metabolites. Bull.                       solid waste, and landfilled sludge.                   2003. Occurrence and behavior of
                                                           Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 83:307–312.                   Environ. Sci. Technol. 33(2):301–306.                 alkylphenol polyethoxylates in the
                                                      13. Klecka, G.M., C.A. Staples, C.G. Naylor,            27. Giger, W., P.H. Brunner, and C. Schaffner.             environment. Environ. Eng. Sci.
                                                           K.B. Woodburn, and B.S. Losey. 2008.                    1984. 4-Nonylphenol in sewage sludge:                 20(5):471–486.
                                                           C8- and C9-Alkylphenols and                             accumulation of toxic metabolites from           40. Naylor, C.G., J.P. Mieure, W.J. Adams,
                                                           ethoxylates: II. Assessment of                          nonionic surfactants. Science 225:623–                J.A. Weeks, and F.J. Castaidi. 1992.
                                                           environmental persistence and                           625.                                                  Alkylphenol ethoxylates in the
                                                           bioaccumulation potential. Hum. Ecol.              28. Ying, G., and R.S. Kookana. 2003.                      environment. J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc.
                                                           Risk Assess. 14(5):1025–1055.                           Degradation of five selected endocrine-               69(7):695–703.
                                                      14. Kveštak, R., and M. Ahel. 1995.                         disrupting chemicals in seawater and             41. Kolpin, D.W., E.T. Furlong, M.T. Meyer,
                                                           Biotransformation of nonylphenol                        marine sediment. Environ. Sci. Technol.               E.M. Thurman, S.D. Zaugg, L.B. Barber,
                                                           polyethoxylate surfactants by estuarine                 37(7):1256–1260.                                      and H.T. Buxton. 2002. Pharmaceuticals,
                                                           mixed bacterial cultures. Arch. Environ.           29. Loyo-Rosales, J.E., C.P. Rice, and A.                  hormones, and other organic wastewater
                                                           Contam. Toxicol. 29:551–556.                            Torrents. 2007. Fate of octyl- and                    contaminants in U.S. streams, 1999–
                                                      15. Maki, H., M. Fujita, and Y. Fujiwara.                    nonylphenol ethoxylates and some                      2000: A national reconnaissance.
                                                           1996. Identification of final                           carboxylated derivatives in three                     Environ. Sci. Technol. 36(6):1202–1211.
                                                           biodegradation product of nonylphenol                   American wastewater treatment plants.            42. Shang, D.Y., R.W. Macdonald, and M.G.
                                                           ethoxylate (NPE) by river microbial                     Environ. Sci. Technol. 41(19):6815–6821,              Ikonmou. 1999. Persistence of
                                                           consortia. Bull. Environ. Contam.                       Including supplemental information.                   nonylphenol ethoxylate surfactants and
                                                           Toxicol. 57:881–887.                               30. Ahel, M., W. Giger, and C. Schaffner.                  their primary degradation products in
                                                      16. Manzano, M.A., J.A. Perales, D. Sales, and               1994. Behaviour of alkylphenol                        sediments from near a municipal outfall
                                                           J.M. Quiroga. 1999. The effect of                       polyethoxylate surfactants in the aquatic             in the Strait of Georgia, British
                                                           temperature on the biodegradation of a                  environment—II. Occurrence and                        Columbia, Canada. Environ. Sci.
                                                           nonylphenol polyethoxylate in river                     transformation in rivers. Water Res.                  Technol. 33:1366–1372.
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                           water. Water Res. 33(11):2593–2600.                     28:1142–1152.                                    43. Hall, W.S., M.B. Patoczka, R.J. Mirenda,
                                                      17. Potter, T. L., K. Simmons, J. Wu, M.                31. Barber, L.B., B.K. Brown, and S.D. Zaugg.              B.A. Porter, and E. Miller. 1989. Acute
                                                           Sanchez-Olvera, P. Kostecki, and E.                     2000. Potential endocrine disrupting                  toxicity of industrial surfactants to
                                                           Calabrese. 1999. Static die-away of a                   organic chemicals in treated municipal                Mysidopsis bahia. Arch. Environ.
                                                           nonylphenol ethoxylate surfactant in                    wastewater and river water. In: Keith                 Contam. Toxicol. 18: 765–772.
                                                           estuarine water samples. Environ. Sci.                  L.H., T.L. Jones-Lepp, and L.L. Needham,         44. Servos, M.R. 1999. Review of the aquatic
                                                           Technol. 33:113–118.                                    eds. Analysis of Environmental                        toxicity, estrogenic responses and
                                                      18. Quiroga, J.M., M.A. Manzano, D. Sales,                   Endocrine Disruptors, ACS Symposium                   bioaccumulation of alkylphenols and
                                                           and J.A. Perales. 1996. Biodegradation of               Series 747. American Chemical Society,                alkylphenol polyethoxylates. Water
                                                           a nonyfenol polyethoxilate (NPEO) in                    Washington, DC USA. p. 97–123.                        Qual. Res. J. Canada 34: 123–177.



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                                                      80628             Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 221 / Wednesday, November 16, 2016 / Proposed Rules

                                                      45. TenEyck, M.C. and T.P. Markee. 2007.                Toxic Chemicals Release Inventory                     D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
                                                           Toxicity of nonylphenol, nonylphenol               Form A (EPA Form 1B9350–2). The                       (UMRA)
                                                           monoethoxylate, and nonylphenol                    Form R must be completed if a facility
                                                           diethoxylate and mixtures of these                                                                         This action does not contain an
                                                           compounds to Pimephales promelas                   manufactures, processes, or otherwise                 unfunded mandate of $100 million or
                                                           (Fathead minnow) and Ceriodaphnia                  uses any listed chemical above                        more as described in UMRA, 2 U.S.C.
                                                           dubia. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.             threshold quantities and meets certain                1531–1538, and does not significantly or
                                                           53: 599–606.                                       other criteria. For the Form A, EPA                   uniquely affect small governments. This
                                                      46. Maki, H., H. Okamura, I. Aoyama, and M.             established an alternative threshold for              action is not subject to the requirements
                                                           Fujita. 1998. Halogenation and toxicity            facilities with low annual reportable                 of UMRA because it contains no
                                                           of the biodegradation products of a                amounts of a listed toxic chemical. A
                                                           nonionic surfactant, nonylphenol                                                                         regulatory requirements that might
                                                           ethoxylate. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 17:            facility that meets the appropriate                   significantly or uniquely affect small
                                                           650–654.                                           reporting thresholds, but estimates that              governments. EPA did not identify any
                                                      47. Balch, G., and C. Metcalfe. 2006.                   the total annual reportable amount of                 small governments that would be
                                                           Developmental effects in Japanese                  the chemical does not exceed 500                      impacted by this action. EPA’s
                                                           medaka (Oryzias latipes) exposed to                pounds per year, can take advantage of                economic analysis indicates that the
                                                           nonylphenol ethoxylates and their                  an alternative manufacture, process, or               total cost of this action is estimated to
                                                           degradation products. Chemosphere 62:
                                                                                                              otherwise use threshold of 1 million                  be $619,627 in the first year of reporting
                                                           1214–1223.
                                                      48. Ashfield, L.A., T.G. Pottinger, and J.P.            pounds per year of the chemical,                      (Ref. 50).
                                                           Sumpter. 1998. Exposure of female                  provided that certain conditions are
                                                                                                                                                                    E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
                                                           juvenile rainbow trout to alkylphenolic            met, and submit the Form A instead of
                                                           compounds results in modifications to              the Form R. In addition, respondents                     This action does not have federalism
                                                           growth and ovosomatic index. Environ.              may designate the specific chemical                   implications as specified in Executive
                                                           Toxicol. Chem. 17: 679–686.                        identity of a substance as a trade secret             Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10,
                                                      49. Jobling, S., D. Sheahan, J.A. Osborne, P.           pursuant to EPCRA section 322, 42                     1999). It will not have substantial direct
                                                           Matthiessen, and J.P. Sumpter. 1996.                                                                     effects on the States, on the relationship
                                                           Inhibition of testicular growth in
                                                                                                              U.S.C. 11042, 40 CFR part 350.
                                                                                                                                                                    between the national government and
                                                           rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)                  OMB has approved the reporting and                  the States, or on the distribution of
                                                           exposed to estrogenic alkylphenolic                recordkeeping requirements related to
                                                           chemicals. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 15:
                                                                                                                                                                    power and responsibilities among the
                                                                                                              Forms A and R, supplier notification,                 various levels of government.
                                                           194–202.                                           and petitions under OMB Control
                                                      50. USEPA, OPPT. Economic Analysis of the                                                                     F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation
                                                           Proposed Rule to Add Nonylphenol                   number 2025–0009 (EPA Information
                                                                                                              Collection Request (ICR) No. 1363) and                and Coordination With Indian Tribal
                                                           Ethoxylates to the EPCRA Section 313
                                                           List of Toxic Chemicals. April 12, 2016.           those related to trade secret designations            Governments
                                                                                                              under OMB Control 2050–0078 (EPA                        This action does not have tribal
                                                      VI. What are the Statutory and                          ICR No. 1428). As provided in 5 CFR                   implications as specified in Executive
                                                      Executive Orders reviews associated                     1320.5(b) and 1320.6(a), an Agency may                Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9,
                                                      with this action?                                       not conduct or sponsor, and a person is               2000). This action relates to toxic
                                                        Additional information about these                    not required to respond to, a collection              chemical reporting under EPCRA
                                                      statutes and Executive Orders can be                    of information unless it displays a                   section 313, which primarily affects
                                                      found at http://www2.epa.gov/laws-                      currently valid OMB control number.                   private sector facilities. Thus, Executive
                                                      regulations/laws-and-executive-orders.                  The OMB control numbers relevant to                   Order 13175 does not apply to this
                                                                                                              EPA’s regulations are listed in 40 CFR                action.
                                                      A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory
                                                      Planning and Review and Executive                       part 9 or 48 CFR chapter 15, and                      G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of
                                                      Order 13563: Improving Regulation and                   displayed on the information collection               Children From Environmental Health
                                                      Regulatory Review                                       instruments (e.g., forms, instructions).              Risks and Safety Risks
                                                        This action is not a significant                      C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)                     EPA interprets Executive Order 13045
                                                      regulatory action and was therefore not                                                                       (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997) as
                                                      submitted to the Office of Management                      I certify that this action will not have           applying only to those regulatory
                                                      and Budget (OMB) for review under                       a significant economic impact on a                    actions that concern environmental
                                                      Executive Orders 12866 (58 FR 51735,                    substantial number of small entities                  health or safety risks that EPA has
                                                      October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821,                 under the RFA, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq. The               reason to believe may
                                                      January 21, 2011).                                      small entities subject to the                         disproportionately affect children, per
                                                                                                              requirements of this action are small                 the definition of ‘‘covered regulatory
                                                      B. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)                        manufacturing facilities. The Agency                  action’’ in section 2–202 of the
                                                        This action does not contain any new                  has determined that of the 178 entities               Executive Order. This action is not
                                                      information collection requirements that                estimated to be impacted by this action,              subject to Executive Order 13045
                                                      require additional approval by OMB                      161 are small businesses; no small                    because it does not concern an
                                                      under the PRA, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.                   governments or small organizations are                environmental health risk or safety risk.
                                                      OMB has previously approved the                         expected to be affected by this action.
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                      information collection activities                       All 161 small businesses affected by this             H. Executive Order 13211: Actions
                                                      contained in the existing regulations                   action are estimated to incur annualized              Concerning Regulations That
                                                      and has assigned OMB control numbers                    cost impacts of less than 1%. Thus, this              Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
                                                      2025–0009 and 2050–0078. Currently,                     action is not expected to have a                      Distribution, or Use
                                                      the facilities subject to the reporting                 significant adverse economic impact on                  This action is not subject to Executive
                                                      requirements under EPCRA section 313                    a substantial number of small entities. A             Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22,
                                                      and PPA section 6607 may use either                     more detailed analysis of the impacts on              2001), because it is not a significant
                                                      EPA Toxic Chemicals Release Inventory                   small entities is located in EPA’s                    regulatory action under Executive Order
                                                      Form R (EPA Form 1B9350–1), or EPA                      economic analysis (Ref. 50).                          12866.


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                                                                        Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 221 / Wednesday, November 16, 2016 / Proposed Rules                                                80629

                                                      I. National Technology Transfer and                     the list of toxic chemicals subject to                  Dated: November 2, 2016.
                                                      Advancement Act (NTTAA)                                 reporting under section 313 of EPCRA,                 Gina McCarthy,
                                                                                                              EPA would be providing communities                    Administrator.
                                                        This rulemaking does not involve                      across the United States (including
                                                      technical standards and is therefore not                minority populations and low income                     Therefore, it is proposed that 40 CFR
                                                      subject to considerations under section                 populations) with access to data which                chapter I be amended as follows:
                                                      12(d) of NTTAA, 15 U.S.C. 272 note.                     they may use to seek lower exposures
                                                      J. Executive Order 12898: Federal                       and consequently reductions in                        PART 372—[AMENDED]
                                                      Actions To Address Environmental                        chemical risks for themselves and their
                                                      Justice in Minority Populations and                     children. This information can also be                ■ 1. The authority citation for part 372
                                                      Low-Income Populations                                  used by government agencies and others                continues to read as follows:
                                                                                                              to identify potential problems, set
                                                        EPA has determined that this action                                                                             Authority: 42 U.S.C. 11023 and 11048.
                                                                                                              priorities, and take appropriate steps to
                                                      will not have disproportionately high                   reduce any potential risks to human                   ■  2. In § 372.65, paragraph (c) is
                                                      and adverse human health or                             health and the environment. Therefore,                amended by adding alphabetically an
                                                      environmental effects on minority or                    the informational benefits of the action              entry for ‘‘Nonylphenol Ethoxylates
                                                      low-income populations as specified in                  would have positive human health and
                                                      Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629,                                                                            (This category includes only those
                                                                                                              environmental impacts on minority                     chemicals covered by the CAS numbers
                                                      February 16, 1994). This action does not                populations, low-income populations,
                                                      address any human health or                                                                                   listed here)’’ to the table to read as
                                                                                                              and children.
                                                      environmental risks and does not affect                                                                       follows:
                                                      the level of protection provided to                     List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 372
                                                                                                                                                                    § 372.65 Chemicals and chemical
                                                      human health or the environment. This                     Environmental protection,                           categories to which this part applies.
                                                      action adds an additional chemical to                   Community right-to-know, Reporting
                                                      the EPCRA section 313 reporting                         and recordkeeping requirements, and                   *       *    *        *   *
                                                      requirements. By adding a chemical to                   Toxic chemicals.                                          (c) * * *

                                                                                                                                                                                                      Effective
                                                                                                                      Category name                                                                     date


                                                              *                    *                    *                   *                  *                   *                                   *
                                                      Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (This category includes only those chemicals covered by the CAS numbers listed here)                                           1/1/18
                                                            7311–27–5 Ethanol, 2-[2-[2-[2-(4-nonylphenoxy)ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]-
                                                            9016–45–9 Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), a-(nonylphenyl)-w-hydroxy-
                                                           20427–84–3 Ethanol, 2-[2-(4-nonylphenoxy)ethoxy]-
                                                           26027–38–3 Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), a-(4-nonylphenyl)-w-hydroxy-
                                                           26571–11–9 3,6,9,12,15,18,21,24-Octaoxahexacosan-1-ol, 26-(nonylphenoxy)-
                                                           27176–93–8 Ethanol, 2-[2-(nonylphenoxy)ethoxy]-
                                                           27177–05–5 3,6,9,12,15,18,21-Heptaoxatricosan-1-ol, 23-(nonylphenoxy)-
                                                           27177–08–8 3,6,9,12,15,18,21,24,27-Nonaoxanonacosan-1-ol, 29-(nonylphenoxy)-
                                                           27986–36–3 Ethanol, 2-(nonylphenoxy)-
                                                           37205–87–1 Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), a-(isononylphenyl)-w-hydroxy-
                                                           51938–25–1 Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), a-(2-nonylphenyl)-w-hydroxy-
                                                           68412–54–4 Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), a-(nonylphenyl)-w-hydroxy-, branched
                                                         127087–87–0 Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), a-(4-nonylphenyl)-w-hydroxy-, branched

                                                                *                       *                       *                      *                       *                      *                *



                                                      [FR Doc. 2016–27547 Filed 11–15–16; 8:45 am]            Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),                    provide the public with additional time
                                                      BILLING CODE 6560–50–P                                  Commerce.                                             to submit information and to comment
                                                                                                                                                                    on this proposed rule.
                                                                                                              ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of
                                                                                                              public comment period.                                DATES: Written comments on this
                                                      DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE                                                                                        proposed rule must be received by
                                                                                                              SUMMARY:   We, the National Marine                    December 1, 2016. Comments received
                                                      National Oceanic and Atmospheric                                                                              between the close of the first comment
                                                                                                              Fisheries Service (NMFS), are reopening
                                                      Administration                                                                                                period on October 23, 2016, and the
                                                                                                              the public comment period on the
                                                                                                              proposed rule under the Marine                        reopening of the comment period
                                                      50 CFR Part 216                                                                                               November 16, 2016 will be considered
                                                                                                              Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) to
                                                      [Docket No. 080302361–6677–01]                          prohibit swimming with and                            timely received.
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                                                                              approaching a Hawaiian spinner                        ADDRESSES: You may submit comments,
                                                      RIN 0648–AU02                                           dolphin within 50 yards (45.7 m) (for                 information, or data on the proposed
                                                                                                              persons, vessels, and objects), including             rule, identified by NOAA–2005–0226,
                                                      Protective Regulations for Hawaiian
                                                                                                              approach by interception. The comment                 and on the Draft Environmental Impact
                                                      Spinner Dolphins Under the Marine
                                                                                                              period for the proposed rule that                     Statement (DEIS) by either of the
                                                      Mammal Protection Act; Reopening of
                                                                                                              published on August 24, 2016 (81 FR                   following methods:
                                                      Public Comment Period
                                                                                                              57854) closed on October 23, 2016.                      Electronic Submission: Submit all
                                                      AGENCY:  National Marine Fisheries                      NMFS is reopening the public comment                  electronic comments via the Federal
                                                      Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and                    period for an additional 15 days to                   eRulemaking Portal. Go to


                                                 VerDate Sep<11>2014   16:17 Nov 15, 2016   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00018   Fmt 4702   Sfmt 4702   E:\FR\FM\16NOP1.SGM   16NOP1



Document Created: 2016-11-16 00:58:00
Document Modified: 2016-11-16 00:58:00
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionProposed Rules
ActionProposed rule.
DatesComments must be received on or before January 17, 2017.
ContactFor technical information contact: Daniel R. Bushman, Toxics Release Inventory Program Division (7410M), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: (202) 566-0743; email: [email protected]
FR Citation81 FR 80624 
RIN Number2070-AK15
CFR AssociatedEnvironmental Protection; Community Right-To-Know; Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements and Toxic Chemicals

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