82_FR_18303 82 FR 18230 - Pyroxasulfone; Pesticide Tolerances

82 FR 18230 - Pyroxasulfone; Pesticide Tolerances

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 73 (April 18, 2017)

Page Range18230-18235
FR Document2017-07819

This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of pyroxasulfone in or on multiple commodities which are identified and discussed later in this document. Interregional Research Project Number 4 (IR-4) and K-I Chemical requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 73 (Tuesday, April 18, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 73 (Tuesday, April 18, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18230-18235]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-07819]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 180

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2016-0171; FRL-9959-25]


Pyroxasulfone; Pesticide Tolerances

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of 
pyroxasulfone in or on multiple commodities which are identified and 
discussed later in this document. Interregional Research Project Number 
4 (IR-4) and K-I Chemical requested these tolerances under the Federal 
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

DATES: This regulation is effective April 18, 2017. Objections and 
requests for hearings must be received on or before June 19, 2017, and 
must be filed in accordance with the instructions provided in 40 CFR 
part 178 (see also Unit I.C. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION).

ADDRESSES: The docket for this action, identified by docket 
identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2016-0171, is available at http://www.regulations.gov or at the Office of Pesticide Programs Regulatory 
Public Docket (OPP Docket) in the Environmental Protection Agency 
Docket Center (EPA/DC), West William Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 3334, 
1301 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001. The Public 
Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public 
Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the OPP 
Docket is (703) 305-5805. Please review the visitor instructions and 
additional information about the docket available at http://www.epa.gov/dockets.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. General Information

A. Does this action apply to me?

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

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

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

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

    Under FFDCA section 408(g), 21 U.S.C. 346a, any person may file an 
objection to any aspect of this regulation and may also request a 
hearing on those objections. You must file your objection or request a 
hearing on this regulation in accordance with the instructions provided 
in 40 CFR part 178. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, you must identify 
docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2016-0171 in the subject line on the first 
page of your submission. All objections and requests for a hearing must 
be in writing, and must be received by the Hearing Clerk on or before 
June 19, 2017. Addresses for mail and hand delivery of objections and 
hearing requests are provided in 40 CFR 178.25(b).
    In addition to filing an objection or hearing request with the 
Hearing Clerk as described in 40 CFR part 178, please submit a copy of 
the filing (excluding any Confidential Business Information (CBI)) for 
inclusion in the public docket. Information not marked confidential 
pursuant to 40 CFR part 2 may be disclosed publicly by EPA without 
prior notice. Submit the non-CBI copy of your objection or hearing 
request, identified by docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2016-0171, by one of 
the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Do not submit 
electronically any information you consider to be CBI or other 
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
     Mail: OPP Docket, Environmental Protection Agency Docket 
Center (EPA/DC), (28221T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 
20460-0001.
     Hand Delivery: To make special arrangements for hand 
delivery or delivery of boxed information, please follow the 
instructions at http://www.epa.gov/dockets/contacts.html. Additional 
instructions on commenting or visiting the docket, along with more 
information about dockets generally, is available at http://www.epa.gov/dockets.

II. Summary of Petitioned-For Tolerances

    In the Federal Register of May 19, 2016 (81 FR 31581) (FRL-9946-
02), EPA issued a document pursuant to FFDCA section 408(d)(3), 21 
U.S.C.

[[Page 18231]]

346a(d)(3), announcing the filing of a pesticide petition (PP 6E8454) 
by IR-4, Rutgers University, 500 College Rd. East, Suite 201 W, 
Princeton, NJ 08540. The petition requested that 40 CFR part 180 be 
amended by establishing tolerances for residues of pyroxasulfone (3-
[[[5-(difluoromethoxy)-1-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-
yl]methyl]sulfonyl]-4,5-dihydro-5,5-dimethylisoxazole) and its 
metabolites (5-(difluoromethoxy)-1-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-
pyrazol-4- carboxylic acid (M-3); 5-(difluoromethoxy)-3-
(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl]methanesulfonic acid (M-25); 3-[1-
carboxy-2-(5,5-dimethyl-4,5-dihydroisoxazol-3-ylthio)ethylamino]-3-
oxopropanoic acid (M-28); and 5-(difluoromethoxy)-1-methyl-3-
(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl]methanesulfonic acid (M-1)) 
calculated as the stoichiometric equivalent of pyroxasulfone in or on 
the raw agricultural commodity sunflower subgroup 20B at 0.2 parts per 
million. That document referenced a summary of the petition prepared by 
K-I Chemical U.S.A. Inc., the registrant, which is available in the 
docket, http://www.regulations.gov. A comment supporting IR-4's 
petition requesting this tolerance was received in response to the 
notice of filing.
    In the Federal Register of December 20, 2016 (81 FR 92758) (FRL-
9956-04), EPA issued a document pursuant to FFDCA section 408(d)(3), 21 
U.S.C. 346a(d)(3), announcing the filing of a pesticide petition (PP 
5F8417) by K-I Chemical USA. Inc., 11 Martine Ave., Suite 970, White 
Plains, NY 10606. The petition requested that 40 CFR part 180 be 
amended by establishing tolerances for residues of the herbicide, 
pyroxasulfone (3-[(5-(difluoromethoxy)-1-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl) 
pyrazole-4-ylmethylsulfonyl]-4,5-dihydro-5,5-dimethyl-1,2-oxazole) and 
its metabolites in or on dried shelled peas and beans (crop subgroup 
6C) at 0.15 ppm, pea hay at 0.40 ppm, pea vines at 0.20 ppm, cowpea hay 
at 0.07 ppm, cowpea forage at 3.0 ppm, flax at 0.07 ppm, peanut at 0.20 
ppm, peanut hay at 3.0 ppm, peanut meal at 0.40 ppm, and vegetable, 
foliage of legume, except soybean, subgroup 7A at 3.0 ppm. That 
document referenced a summary of the petition prepared by K-I Chemical 
U.S.A. Inc., the registrant, which is available in docket number EPA-
HQ-OPP-2015-0787, http://www.regulations.gov.
    The December 20, 2016 notice of filing supersedes a notice of 
filing published in the Federal Register of June 22, 2016 (81 FR 40594) 
(FRL-9947-32), which was based on an earlier version of the same 
petition (5F8417). Following that June 2016 publication, K-1 amended 
its petition to include additional crops and adjust the tolerance 
levels requested. The December 20, 2016 document provided notice of 
that updated petition. Although no comments were received in response 
to the December 20, 2016 notice of filing, one comment was received in 
response to the June 22, 2016 notice. EPA is carrying that earlier 
comment forward as a comment on the petition noticed in December 2016 
and provides a response to that comment in Unit IV.C.
    Based upon review of the data supporting the petition, EPA has 
modified the levels at which some of the tolerances are being 
established and also modified some of the crop definitions. The reasons 
for these changes are explained in Unit IV.D.

III. Aggregate Risk Assessment and Determination of Safety

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

A. Toxicological Profile

    EPA has evaluated the available toxicity data and considered its 
validity, completeness, and reliability as well as the relationship of 
the results of the studies to human risk. EPA has also considered 
available information concerning the variability of the sensitivities 
of major identifiable subgroups of consumers, including infants and 
children.
    Subchronic and chronic toxicity testing of pyroxasulfone in mice, 
rats and dogs produced a variety of adverse effects in several target 
organs, but the most sensitive effect is neurotoxicity in dogs. Effects 
seen in animal studies ranged from cardiac toxicity (increased 
cardiomyopathy in mice and rats), liver toxicity (centrilobular 
hepatocellular hypertrophy, histopathological and/or clinical 
pathological indicators), neurotoxicity characterized by axonal/myelin 
degeneration in the sciatic nerve (dog, mouse and rat) and spinal cord 
sections (dog), skeletal muscle myopathy, kidney toxicity (increased 
incidence of chronic progressive nephropathy in dogs and retrograde 
nephropathy in mice), urinary bladder mucosal hyperplasia, 
inflammation, and urinary bladder transitional cell papillomas (rats). 
Decreased body weight and enzyme changes were noted in some studies. 
Toxic adverse effects (impaired hind limb function, ataxia, hind limb 
twitching and tremors; increased creatine kinase, aspartate 
aminotransferase; axonal/myelin degeneration of the sciatic nerve and 
spinal cord sections) in dogs occurred at >=10 mg/kg/day doses while in 
the mouse toxic adverse effects (degeneration of sciatic and trigeminal 
nerve axons and their associated myelin sheaths and chronic progressive 
nephropathy, renal tubular adenomas) occurred at higher doses (131 mg/
kg/day and above).
    Comparing effects by route of administration, pyroxasulfone was 
moderately toxic to rats following a 4-week dermal exposure producing 
local inflammation and systemic effects of minimal to mild cardiac 
myofiber degeneration at the limit dose of 1,000 mg/kg/day with a NOAEL 
of 100 mg/kg/day. No adverse effects were noted in an inhalation study 
following exposure for 28 days at 200 mg/m\3\/day (equivalent to 52.2 
mg/kg/day oral dose), the highest dose tested of an aerosol dust.
    In cancer studies in mice and rats, renal tubular adenomas were 
observed in male mice at a dietary dose of 0.6 and 255 mg/kg/day (but 
not at an intermediate dose of 18 mg/kg/day) and urinary bladder 
transitional cell papillomas were observed in male rats at 42 and 84 
mg/kg/day. Based on available information, the Agency concluded that 
the kidney adenomas in male mice were not treatment-related.

[[Page 18232]]

The Agency considered the transitional cell bladder tumors in male rats 
to be treatment-related based on statistically significant trends for 
urinary bladder transitional cell papillomas and combined papillomas 
and carcinomas, the occurrence of preneoplastic lesions at 42 and 84 
mg/kg/day and the rare occurrence of bladder transitional cell tumors. 
The Agency concluded that the mode of action for bladder tumors has 
been adequately established based on submitted data that support both a 
dose-response and temporal concordance of the key events and bladder 
tumors. The available data indicate that the formation of urinary 
bladder calculi is the prerequisite for subsequent hyperplasia and 
neoplasia and that tumors do not develop at doses too low to produce 
calculi. The Agency has determined that the quantification of risk 
using a non-linear approach (i.e., RfD) will adequately account for all 
chronic toxicity, including carcinogenicity, that could result from 
exposure to pyroxasulfone. There is a clear threshold of 1,000 ppm 
(42.55 mg/kg/day) for tumorigenesis. A point of departure (POD) of 50 
ppm (2.0 mg/kg/day) is not expected to result in urinary bladder 
calculi formation which is a prerequisite for subsequent hyperplasia 
and neoplasia.
    Pyroxasulfone did not exhibit developmental toxicity in the rat 
developmental toxicity study at the limit dose of 1,000 mg/kg/day and 
it exhibited slight developmental toxicity in rabbits (reduced fetal 
weight and resorptions) at the limit dose of 1,000 mg/kg/day. However, 
developmental effects were noted in post-natal day (PND) 21 offspring 
at 300 mg/kg/day in the rat developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) study 
characterized as decreased brain weight and morphometric changes. 
Developmental effects in the rabbit developmental study and DNT study 
occurred in the absence of maternal toxicity, indicating potential 
increased quantitative susceptibility of offspring. In a reproductive 
toxicity in rats reduced pup weight and body weight gains during 
lactation occurred at similar doses causing pronounced maternal 
toxicity (reduced body weight, body weight gain and food consumption 
and increased kidney weight, cardiomyopathy and urinary bladder mucosal 
hyperplasia with inflammation).
    Pyroxasulfone did not produce immunotoxic effects in mice following 
dietary feeding for 28 days up to 4,000 ppm (633/791 mg/kg/day, M/F) or 
in rats at dietary concentrations of 7,500 ppm (529/570 mg/kg/day in M/
F).
    Specific information on the studies received and the nature of the 
adverse effects caused by pyroxasulfone as well as the no-observed-
adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) and the lowest-observed-adverse-effect-
level (LOAEL) from the toxicity studies can be found at http://www.regulations.gov in the document title ``Pyroxasulfone Human Health 
Risk Assessment for the Section 3 New Uses of Pyroxasulfone on Crop 
Subgroup 6C, Sunflower Subgroup 20B, Flax, and Peanut'' on page 44 in 
docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2016-0171.

B. Toxicological Points of Departure/Levels of Concern

    Once a pesticide's toxicological profile is determined, EPA 
identifies toxicological points of departure (POD) and levels of 
concern to use in evaluating the risk posed by human exposure to the 
pesticide. For hazards that have a threshold below which there is no 
appreciable risk, the toxicological POD is used as the basis for 
derivation of reference values for risk assessment. PODs are developed 
based on a careful analysis of the doses in each toxicological study to 
determine the dose at which no adverse effects are observed (the NOAEL) 
and the lowest dose at which adverse effects of concern are identified 
(the LOAEL). Uncertainty/safety factors are used in conjunction with 
the POD to calculate a safe exposure level--generally referred to as a 
population-adjusted dose (PAD) or a reference dose (RfD)--and a safe 
margin of exposure (MOE). For non-threshold risks, the Agency assumes 
that any amount of exposure will lead to some degree of risk. Thus, the 
Agency estimates risk in terms of the probability of an occurrence of 
the adverse effect expected in a lifetime. For more information on the 
general principles EPA uses in risk characterization and a complete 
description of the risk assessment process, see http://www2.epa.gov/pesticide-science-and-assessing-pesticide-risks/assessing-human-health-risk-pesticides.
    A summary of the toxicological endpoints for pyroxasulfone used for 
human risk assessment is shown in Table 1 of this unit.

 Table 1--Summary of Toxicological Doses and Endpoints for Pyroxasulfone for Use in Human Health Risk Assessment
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                                    Point of departure
        Exposure/scenario            and uncertainty/     RfD, PAD, LOC for     Study and toxicological effects
                                      safety factors       risk assessment
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acute dietary (General population  NOAEL = 100 mg/kg/    Acute RfD = 1.0 mg/  Developmental neurotoxicity study
 including infants and children).   day.                  kg/day.              (DNT) in rats.
                                   UFA = 10x...........  aPAD = 1.0 mg/kg/    The LOAEL of 300 mg/kg/day is
                                   UFH = 10x...........   day.                 based on decreased brain weight
                                   FQPA SF = 1x........                        in both sexes, reduced thickness
                                                                               of the hippocampus, corpus
                                                                               callosum and cerebellum in PND 21
                                                                               female offspring.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chronic dietary (All populations)  NOAEL = 2 mg/kg/day.  Chronic RfD = 0.02   One- year chronic dog study.
                                   UFA = 10x...........   mg/kg/day.          The LOAEL of 10 mg/kg/day is based
                                   UFH = 10x...........  cPAD = 0.02 mg/kg/    on impaired hind limb function,
                                   FQPA SF = 1x........   day.                 ataxia, hind limb twitching and
                                                                               tremors; clinical pathology:
                                                                               Increased creatine kinase,
                                                                               aspartate aminotransferase;
                                                                               axonal/myelin degeneration of the
                                                                               sciatic nerve and spinal cord
                                                                               sections.
                                  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cancer (Oral, dermal, inhalation)      ``Not Likely to be Carcinogenic to Humans'' at doses that do not cause
                                     crystals with subsequent calculi formation resulting in cellular damage of
                                        the urinary tract. Risk is quantified using a non-linear (i.e., RfD)
                                                                      approach.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FQPA SF = Food Quality Protection Act Safety Factor. LOAEL = lowest-observed-adverse-effect-level. LOC = level
  of concern. mg/kg/day = milligram/kilogram/day. MOE = margin of exposure. NOAEL = no-observed-adverse-effect-
  level. PAD = population adjusted dose (a = acute, c = chronic). RfD = reference dose. UF = uncertainty factor.
  UFA = extrapolation from animal to human (interspecies). UFH = potential variation in sensitivity among
  members of the human population (intraspecies).


[[Page 18233]]

C. Exposure Assessment

    1. Dietary exposure from food and feed uses. In evaluating dietary 
exposure to pyroxasulfone, EPA considered exposure under the 
petitioned-for tolerances as well as all existing pyroxasulfone 
tolerances in 40 CFR 180.659. EPA assessed dietary exposures from 
pyroxasulfone in food as follows:
    i. Acute exposure. Quantitative acute dietary exposure and risk 
assessments are performed for a food-use pesticide, if a toxicological 
study has indicated the possibility of an effect of concern occurring 
as a result of a 1-day or single exposure.
    Such effects were identified for pyroxasulfone. In estimating acute 
dietary exposure, EPA used food consumption information from the United 
States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) 2003-2008 National Health and 
Nutrition Survey/What We Eat in America (NHANES/WWEIA). As to residue 
levels in food, EPA assumed 100 percent crop treated (PCT) and 
tolerance level residues adjusted for metabolites which are not in the 
tolerance expression.
    ii. Chronic exposure. In conducting the chronic dietary exposure 
assessment EPA used the food consumption data from USDA's 2003-2008 
NHANES/WWEIA. As to residue levels in food, EPA assumed 100 PCT and 
tolerance level residues adjusted for metabolites which are not in the 
tolerance expression.
    iii. Cancer. Based on the data summarized in Unit III.A., EPA has 
concluded that a nonlinear RfD approach is appropriate for assessing 
cancer risk to pyroxasulfone. Cancer risk was assessed using the same 
exposure estimates as discussed in Unit III.C.1.ii., chronic exposure.
    iv. Anticipated residue and percent crop treated (PCT) information. 
EPA did not use anticipated residue or PCT information in the dietary 
assessment for pyroxasulfone. Tolerance level residues and 100 PCT were 
assumed for all food commodities.
    2. Dietary exposure from drinking water. The Agency used screening 
level water exposure models in the dietary exposure analysis and risk 
assessment for pyroxasulfone in drinking water. These simulation models 
take into account data on the physical, chemical, and fate/transport 
characteristics of pyroxasulfone. Further information regarding EPA 
drinking water models used in pesticide exposure assessment can be 
found at http://www2.epa.gov/pesticide-science-and-assessing-pesticide-risks/about-water-exposure-models-used-pesticide.
    Based on the Pesticide Root Zone Model/Exposure Analysis Modeling 
System (PRZM/EXAMS) and Pesticide Root Zone Model Ground Water (PRZM 
GW), the estimated drinking water concentrations (EDWCs) of 
pyroxasulfone for acute exposures are estimated to be 16.7 parts per 
billion (ppb) for surface water and 210 ppb for ground water. EDWCs of 
pyroxasulfone for chronic exposures for non-cancer assessments are 
estimated to be 4.5 ppb for surface water and 174 ppb for ground water.
    Modeled estimates of drinking water concentrations were directly 
entered into the dietary exposure model. For the acute dietary risk 
assessment, the water concentration value of 210 ppb was used to assess 
the contribution to drinking water. For the chronic dietary risk 
assessment, the water concentration value of 174 ppb was used to assess 
the contribution to drinking water.
    3. From non-dietary exposure. The term ``residential exposure'' is 
used in this document to refer to non-occupational, non-dietary 
exposure (e.g., for lawn and garden pest control, indoor pest control, 
termiticides, and flea and tick control on pets).
    Pyroxasulfone is not registered for any specific use patterns that 
would result in residential exposure.
    4. Cumulative effects from substances with a common mechanism of 
toxicity. Section 408(b)(2)(D)(v) of FFDCA requires that, when 
considering whether to establish, modify, or revoke a tolerance, the 
Agency consider ``available information'' concerning the cumulative 
effects of a particular pesticide's residues and ``other substances 
that have a common mechanism of toxicity.''
    EPA has not found pyroxasulfone to share a common mechanism of 
toxicity with any other substances, and pyroxasulfone does not appear 
to produce a toxic metabolite produced by other substances. For the 
purposes of this tolerance action, therefore, EPA has assumed that 
pyroxasulfone does not have a common mechanism of toxicity with other 
substances. For information regarding EPA's efforts to determine which 
chemicals have a common mechanism of toxicity and to evaluate the 
cumulative effects of such chemicals, see EPA's Web site at http://www2.epa.gov/pesticide-science-and-assessing-pesticide-risks/cumulative-assessment-risk-pesticides.

D. Safety Factor for Infants and Children

    1. In general. Section 408(b)(2)(C) of FFDCA provides that EPA 
shall apply an additional tenfold (10X) margin of safety for infants 
and children in the case of threshold effects to account for prenatal 
and postnatal toxicity and the completeness of the database on toxicity 
and exposure unless EPA determines based on reliable data that a 
different margin of safety will be safe for infants and children. This 
additional margin of safety is commonly referred to as the FQPA Safety 
Factor (SF). In applying this provision, EPA either retains the default 
value of 10X, or uses a different additional safety factor when 
reliable data available to EPA support the choice of a different 
factor.
    2. Prenatal and postnatal sensitivity. Pyroxasulfone did not 
exhibit developmental toxicity in the rat guideline study at the limit 
dose of 1,000 mg/kg/day and it exhibited slight developmental toxicity 
in rabbits (reduced fetal weight and resorptions) at the limit dose of 
1,000 mg/kg/day. However, developmental effects were noted in PND 21 
offspring at 300 mg/kg/day in the rat developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) 
study characterized as decreased brain weight and morphometric changes. 
Developmental effects in the rabbit developmental study and DNT study 
occurred in the absence of maternal toxicity, indicating potential 
increased quantitative susceptibility of offspring. In a rat 
reproductive toxicity study, reduced pup weight and body weight gains 
during lactation occurred at similar doses causing pronounced maternal 
toxicity (reduced body weight, body weight gain and food consumption 
and increased kidney weight, cardiomyopathy and urinary bladder mucosal 
hyperplasia with inflammation).
    3. Conclusion. EPA has determined that reliable data show the 
safety of infants and children would be adequately protected if the 
FQPA SF were reduced to 1x. That decision is based on the following 
findings:
    i. The toxicity database for pyroxasulfone is complete.
    ii. Available data indicates that pyroxasulfone produces neurotoxic 
effects in rats. The toxicity database includes specific acute and 
subchronic neurotoxicity tests, as well as a developmental 
neurotoxicity study (DNT). Although the DNT indicated offspring are 
more sensitive to neurotoxic effects of pyroxasulfone, the dose-
response is well characterized for neurotoxicity and a NOAEL is

[[Page 18234]]

identified; therefore, there is no residual uncertainty with regard to 
neurotoxic effects for which a 10X must be retained.
    iii. As discussed in Unit III.D.2., there is evidence of increased 
quantitative susceptibility of fetuses and offspring following in utero 
or post-natal exposure to pyroxasulfone (based on a DNT study in rats 
and a developmental study in rabbits). In rabbits, developmental 
toxicity was only seen at the limit dose of 1000 mg/kg/day as reduced 
fetal weight and increased fetal resorptions with a NOAEL of 500 mg/kg/
day for these effects, compared to no maternal toxicity at these doses. 
In a DNT study in rats, offspring toxicity was seen at 300 mg/kg/day 
compared to no maternal toxicity at 900 mg/kg/day. Notwithstanding, the 
Agency concludes that there is no residual uncertainty concerning these 
effects. The available studies show clear NOAELs and LOAELs for these 
effects, which are occurring only at doses much higher than the 
endpoints on which the Agency is regulating.
    iv. There are no residual uncertainties identified in the exposure 
databases. The dietary food exposure assessments were performed based 
on 100 PCT and tolerance-level residues. EPA made conservative 
(protective) assumptions in the ground and surface water modeling used 
to assess exposure to pyroxasulfone in drinking water. These 
assessments will not underestimate the exposure and risks posed by 
pyroxasulfone.

E. Aggregate Risks and Determination of Safety

    EPA determines whether acute and chronic dietary pesticide 
exposures are safe by comparing aggregate exposure estimates to the 
acute PAD (aPAD) and chronic PAD (cPAD). For linear cancer risks, EPA 
calculates the lifetime probability of acquiring cancer given the 
estimated aggregate exposure. Short-, intermediate-, and chronic-term 
risks are evaluated by comparing the estimated aggregate food, water, 
and residential exposure to the appropriate PODs to ensure that an 
adequate MOE exists.
    1. Acute risk. Using the exposure assumptions discussed in this 
unit for acute exposure, the acute dietary exposure from food and water 
to pyroxasulfone will occupy 3.7% of the aPAD for all infants less than 
1-year-old, the population group receiving the greatest exposure.
    2. Chronic risk. Using the exposure assumptions described in this 
unit for chronic exposure, EPA has concluded that chronic exposure to 
pyroxasulfone from food and water will utilize 49% of the cPAD for all 
infants less than 1-year-old, the population group receiving the 
greatest exposure. There are no residential uses for pyroxasulfone.
    3. Short- and intermediate-term risk. Short- and intermediate-term 
aggregate exposure takes into account short-term residential exposure 
plus chronic exposure to food and water (considered to be a background 
exposure level).
    Short- and intermediate-term adverse effects were identified; 
however, pyroxasulfone is not registered for any use patterns that 
would result in short- or intermediate-term residential exposure. 
Short- and intermediate-term risk is assessed based on short- and 
intermediate-term residential exposure plus chronic dietary exposure. 
Because there is no short- or intermediate-term residential exposure 
and chronic dietary exposure has already been assessed under the 
appropriately protective cPAD (which is at least as protective as the 
POD used to assess short-term risk), no further assessment of short- or 
intermediate-term risk is necessary, and EPA relies on the chronic 
dietary risk assessment for evaluating short- and intermediate-term 
risk for pyroxasulfone.
    4. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S. population. As explained in Unit 
III.A., the Agency has determined that the quantification of risk using 
a non-linear (i.e., RfD) approach will adequately account for all 
chronic toxicity, including carcinogenicity, that could result from 
exposure to pyroxasulfone. Therefore, based on the results of the 
chronic risk assessment discussed in Unit III.E.2., pyroxasulfone is 
not expected to pose a cancer risk to humans.
    5. Determination of safety. Based on these risk assessments, EPA 
concludes that there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result 
to the general population, or to infants and children from aggregate 
exposure to pyroxasulfone residues.

IV. Other Considerations

A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology

    Adequate enforcement methodology (high performance liquid 
chromatography/triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS)) is 
available to enforce the tolerance expression.
    The method may be requested from: Chief, Analytical Chemistry 
Branch, Environmental Science Center, 701 Mapes Rd., Ft. Meade, MD 
20755-5350; telephone number: (410) 305-2905; email address: 
[email protected].

B. International Residue Limits

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

C. Response to Comments

    One comment was received in response to the June 22, 2016 Notice of 
Filing (81 FR 40594) (FRL-9947-32). The comment stated in part that 
most Americans ``don't need or want more toxic chemicals'' and that EPA 
should deny this submission. The Agency recognizes that some 
individuals believe that pesticides should be banned on agricultural 
crops. However, the existing legal framework provided by section 408 of 
the FFDCA states that tolerances may be set when persons seeking such 
tolerances or exemptions have demonstrated that the pesticide meets the 
safety standard imposed by that statute. The citizen's comment does not 
provide any information upon which the Agency could base a decision 
deny the petition.

D. Revisions to Petitioned-For Tolerances

    The sunflower subgroup 20B tolerance is being established at 0.30 
ppm instead of the proposed level of 0.2 ppm. This is because the 
petitioner did not convert the metabolites to parent equivalents and 
when those total residues are put into the tolerance calculator the 
correct value is 0.30 ppm. Also, based on the Agency's review of the 
residue data, the tolerances for peanut and peanut hay are being 
established at 0.30 ppm and 4.0 ppm, respectively. In addition, 
separate tolerances are not being established on field pea hay and 
vines and cowpea hay

[[Page 18235]]

and forage because they will be covered by the tolerance being 
established on ``vegetable, foliage of legume, except soybean, subgroup 
7A.''

V. Conclusion

    Therefore, tolerances are established for residues of 
pyroxasulfone, including its metabolites and degradates, in or on: 
Flax, seed at 0.07 ppm; pea and bean, dried shelled, except soybean, 
subgroup 6C at 0.15 ppm; peanut at 0.30 ppm; peanut, hay at 4.0 ppm; 
peanut, meal at 0.40 ppm; sunflower subgroup 20B at 0.30 ppm; and 
vegetable, foliage of legume, except soybean, subgroup 7A at 3.0 ppm.

VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

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

VII. Congressional Review Act

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

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180

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

    Dated: February 24, 2017,
Meredith F. Laws,
Acting Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.
    Therefore, 40 CFR part 180 is amended as follows:

PART 180--[AMENDED]

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

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

0
2. In Sec.  180.659, add paragraph (a)(5) to read as follows:


Sec.  180.659  Pyroxasulfone; tolerances for residues.

    (a) * * *
    (5) Tolerances are established for residues of the herbicide 
pyroxasulfone, including its metabolites and degradates, in or on the 
commodities in the table below. Compliance with the tolerance levels 
specified below is to be determined by measuring only the sum of 
pyroxasulfone (3-[(5-difluoromethoxy-1-methyl-3-
(trifluoromethyl)pyrazol-4-ylmethylsulfonyl]-4,5-dihydro-5,5-dimethyl-
1,2-oxazole), and its metabolites, M-1 (5-difluoromethoxy-1-methyl-3-
trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl) methanesulfonic acid), M-3 (5-
difluoromethoxy-1-methyl-3-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-carboxylic 
acid), M-25 (5-difluoromethoxy-3-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-
yl)methanesulfonic acid) and M-28 (3-[1-carboxy-2-(5,5-dimethyl-4,5-
dihydroisoxazol-3-ylthio)ethylamino]-3-oxopropanoic acid) calculated as 
the stoichiometric equivalent of pyroxasulfone, in or on the following 
commodities:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Parts per
                         Commodity                             million
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flax, seed.................................................         0.07
Pea and bean, dried shelled, except soybean, subgroup 6C...         0.15
Peanut.....................................................         0.30
Peanut, hay................................................         4.0
Peanut, meal...............................................         0.40
Sunflower subgroup 20B.....................................         0.30
Vegetable, foliage of legume, except soybean, subgroup 7A..         3.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2017-07819 Filed 4-17-17; 8:45 am]
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                                             18230               Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 73 / Tuesday, April 18, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                             submit a report containing this rule and                document. Interregional Research                      regulations at 40 CFR part 180 through
                                             other required information to the U.S.                  Project Number 4 (IR–4) and K–I                       the Government Printing Office’s e-CFR
                                             Senate, the U.S. House of                               Chemical requested these tolerances                   site at http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-
                                             Representatives, and the Comptroller                    under the Federal Food, Drug, and                     idx?&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title40/
                                             General of the United States prior to                   Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).                                 40tab_02.tpl.
                                             publication of the rule in the Federal                  DATES: This regulation is effective April             C. How can I file an objection or hearing
                                             Register. This action is not a ‘‘major                  18, 2017. Objections and requests for                 request?
                                             rule’’ as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).                   hearings must be received on or before
                                                                                                     June 19, 2017, and must be filed in                     Under FFDCA section 408(g), 21
                                             List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 174                                                                           U.S.C. 346a, any person may file an
                                                                                                     accordance with the instructions
                                               Environmental protection,                             provided in 40 CFR part 178 (see also                 objection to any aspect of this regulation
                                             Administrative practice and procedure,                  Unit I.C. of the SUPPLEMENTARY                        and may also request a hearing on those
                                             Agricultural commodities, Pesticides                    INFORMATION).                                         objections. You must file your objection
                                             and pests, Reporting and recordkeeping                                                                        or request a hearing on this regulation
                                                                                                     ADDRESSES: The docket for this action,
                                             requirements.                                                                                                 in accordance with the instructions
                                                                                                     identified by docket identification (ID)              provided in 40 CFR part 178. To ensure
                                               Dated: January 10, 2017.                              number EPA–HQ–OPP–2016–0171, is
                                             Robert McNally,
                                                                                                                                                           proper receipt by EPA, you must
                                                                                                     available at http://www.regulations.gov               identify docket ID number EPA–HQ–
                                             Division Director, Biopesticides and Pollution          or at the Office of Pesticide Programs                OPP–2016–0171 in the subject line on
                                             Prevention Division, Office of Pesticide                Regulatory Public Docket (OPP Docket)
                                             Programs.                                                                                                     the first page of your submission. All
                                                                                                     in the Environmental Protection Agency                objections and requests for a hearing
                                               Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is                        Docket Center (EPA/DC), West William
                                                                                                                                                           must be in writing, and must be
                                             amended as follows:                                     Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 3334, 1301
                                                                                                                                                           received by the Hearing Clerk on or
                                                                                                     Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC
                                             PART 174—AMENDED                                                                                              before June 19, 2017. Addresses for mail
                                                                                                     20460–0001. The Public Reading Room
                                                                                                                                                           and hand delivery of objections and
                                                                                                     is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,
                                             ■ 1. The authority citation for part 174                                                                      hearing requests are provided in 40 CFR
                                                                                                     Monday through Friday, excluding legal
                                             continues to read as follows:                                                                                 178.25(b).
                                                                                                     holidays. The telephone number for the                  In addition to filing an objection or
                                                 Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.          Public Reading Room is (202) 566–1744,                hearing request with the Hearing Clerk
                                             ■ 2. Add § 174.536 to subpart W to read                 and the telephone number for the OPP                  as described in 40 CFR part 178, please
                                             as follows:                                             Docket is (703) 305–5805. Please review               submit a copy of the filing (excluding
                                                                                                     the visitor instructions and additional               any Confidential Business Information
                                             § 174.536 Bacillus thuringiensis                        information about the docket available
                                             mCry51Aa2 protein in cotton; temporary                                                                        (CBI)) for inclusion in the public docket.
                                                                                                     at http://www.epa.gov/dockets.                        Information not marked confidential
                                             exemption from the requirement of a
                                             tolerance.                                              FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                      pursuant to 40 CFR part 2 may be
                                                                                                     Michael Goodis, Registration Division                 disclosed publicly by EPA without prior
                                               Residues of the protein mCry51Aa2 in
                                                                                                     (7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs,                notice. Submit the non-CBI copy of your
                                             or on the food and feed commodities of
                                                                                                     Environmental Protection Agency, 1200                 objection or hearing request, identified
                                             cotton: Cotton, undelinted seed; cotton,
                                                                                                     Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington,                    by docket ID number EPA–HQ–OPP–
                                             gin byproducts; cotton, forage; cotton,
                                                                                                     DC 20460–0001; main telephone                         2016–0171, by one of the following
                                             hay; cotton, hulls; cotton, meal; and
                                                                                                     number: (703) 305–7090; email address:                methods:
                                             cotton, refined oil are temporarily
                                             exempt from the requirement of a
                                                                                                     RDFRNotices@epa.gov.                                    • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://
                                             tolerance when used as a plant-                         SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                            www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
                                             incorporated protectant in cotton plants                I. General Information                                instructions for submitting comments.
                                             in accordance with the terms of                                                                               Do not submit electronically any
                                             Experimental Use Permit No. 524–EUP–                    A. Does this action apply to me?                      information you consider to be CBI or
                                             108. This temporary exemption from the                     You may be potentially affected by                 other information whose disclosure is
                                             requirement of a tolerance expires on                   this action if you are an agricultural                restricted by statute.
                                             February 28, 2019.                                      producer, food manufacturer, or                         • Mail: OPP Docket, Environmental
                                                                                                     pesticide manufacturer. The following                 Protection Agency Docket Center (EPA/
                                             [FR Doc. 2017–07804 Filed 4–17–17; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                     list of North American Industrial                     DC), (28221T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave.
                                             BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
                                                                                                     Classification System (NAICS) codes is                NW., Washington, DC 20460–0001.
                                                                                                     not intended to be exhaustive, but rather               • Hand Delivery: To make special
                                                                                                     provides a guide to help readers                      arrangements for hand delivery or
                                             ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
                                                                                                     determine whether this document                       delivery of boxed information, please
                                             AGENCY
                                                                                                     applies to them. Potentially affected                 follow the instructions at http://
                                             40 CFR Part 180                                         entities may include:                                 www.epa.gov/dockets/contacts.html.
                                                                                                        • Crop production (NAICS code 111).                Additional instructions on commenting
                                             [EPA–HQ–OPP–2016–0171; FRL–9959–25]
                                                                                                        • Animal production (NAICS code                    or visiting the docket, along with more
                                                                                                     112).                                                 information about dockets generally, is
                                             Pyroxasulfone; Pesticide Tolerances
                                                                                                        • Food manufacturing (NAICS code                   available at http://www.epa.gov/
                                             AGENCY:  Environmental Protection                       311).                                                 dockets.
                                                                                                        • Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS
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                                             Agency (EPA).                                                                                                 II. Summary of Petitioned-For
                                             ACTION: Final rule.                                     code 32532).
                                                                                                                                                           Tolerances
                                             SUMMARY:   This regulation establishes                  B. How can I get electronic access to                    In the Federal Register of May 19,
                                             tolerances for residues of pyroxasulfone                other related information?                            2016 (81 FR 31581) (FRL–9946–02),
                                             in or on multiple commodities which                       You may access a frequently updated                 EPA issued a document pursuant to
                                             are identified and discussed later in this              electronic version of EPA’s tolerance                 FFDCA section 408(d)(3), 21 U.S.C.


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                                                                 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 73 / Tuesday, April 18, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                       18231

                                             346a(d)(3), announcing the filing of a                  version of the same petition (5F8417).                the relationship of the results of the
                                             pesticide petition (PP 6E8454) by IR–4,                 Following that June 2016 publication,                 studies to human risk. EPA has also
                                             Rutgers University, 500 College Rd.                     K–1 amended its petition to include                   considered available information
                                             East, Suite 201 W, Princeton, NJ 08540.                 additional crops and adjust the                       concerning the variability of the
                                             The petition requested that 40 CFR part                 tolerance levels requested. The                       sensitivities of major identifiable
                                             180 be amended by establishing                          December 20, 2016 document provided                   subgroups of consumers, including
                                             tolerances for residues of pyroxasulfone                notice of that updated petition.                      infants and children.
                                             (3-[[[5-(difluoromethoxy)-1-methyl-3-                   Although no comments were received in                    Subchronic and chronic toxicity
                                             (trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-                         response to the December 20, 2016                     testing of pyroxasulfone in mice, rats
                                             yl]methyl]sulfonyl]-4,5-dihydro-5,5-                    notice of filing, one comment was                     and dogs produced a variety of adverse
                                             dimethylisoxazole) and its metabolites                  received in response to the June 22,                  effects in several target organs, but the
                                             (5-(difluoromethoxy)-1-methyl-3-                        2016 notice. EPA is carrying that earlier             most sensitive effect is neurotoxicity in
                                             (trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-                         comment forward as a comment on the                   dogs. Effects seen in animal studies
                                             carboxylic acid (M–3); 5-                               petition noticed in December 2016 and                 ranged from cardiac toxicity (increased
                                             (difluoromethoxy)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-                  provides a response to that comment in                cardiomyopathy in mice and rats), liver
                                             1H-pyrazol-4-yl]methanesulfonic acid                    Unit IV.C.                                            toxicity (centrilobular hepatocellular
                                             (M–25); 3-[1-carboxy-2-(5,5-dimethyl-                     Based upon review of the data                       hypertrophy, histopathological and/or
                                             4,5-dihydroisoxazol-3-                                  supporting the petition, EPA has                      clinical pathological indicators),
                                             ylthio)ethylamino]-3-oxopropanoic acid                  modified the levels at which some of the              neurotoxicity characterized by axonal/
                                             (M–28); and 5-(difluoromethoxy)-1-                      tolerances are being established and also             myelin degeneration in the sciatic nerve
                                             methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-                  modified some of the crop definitions.                (dog, mouse and rat) and spinal cord
                                             4-yl]methanesulfonic acid (M–1))                        The reasons for these changes are                     sections (dog), skeletal muscle
                                             calculated as the stoichiometric                        explained in Unit IV.D.                               myopathy, kidney toxicity (increased
                                             equivalent of pyroxasulfone in or on the                                                                      incidence of chronic progressive
                                                                                                     III. Aggregate Risk Assessment and
                                             raw agricultural commodity sunflower                                                                          nephropathy in dogs and retrograde
                                                                                                     Determination of Safety
                                             subgroup 20B at 0.2 parts per million.                                                                        nephropathy in mice), urinary bladder
                                             That document referenced a summary of                      Section 408(b)(2)(A)(i) of FFDCA                   mucosal hyperplasia, inflammation, and
                                             the petition prepared by K–I Chemical                   allows EPA to establish a tolerance (the              urinary bladder transitional cell
                                             U.S.A. Inc., the registrant, which is                   legal limit for a pesticide chemical                  papillomas (rats). Decreased body
                                             available in the docket, http://                        residue in or on a food) only if EPA                  weight and enzyme changes were noted
                                             www.regulations.gov. A comment                          determines that the tolerance is ‘‘safe.’’            in some studies. Toxic adverse effects
                                             supporting IR–4’s petition requesting                   Section 408(b)(2)(A)(ii) of FFDCA                     (impaired hind limb function, ataxia,
                                             this tolerance was received in response                 defines ‘‘safe’’ to mean that ‘‘there is a            hind limb twitching and tremors;
                                             to the notice of filing.                                reasonable certainty that no harm will                increased creatine kinase, aspartate
                                                In the Federal Register of December                  result from aggregate exposure to the                 aminotransferase; axonal/myelin
                                             20, 2016 (81 FR 92758) (FRL–9956–04),                   pesticide chemical residue, including                 degeneration of the sciatic nerve and
                                             EPA issued a document pursuant to                       all anticipated dietary exposures and all             spinal cord sections) in dogs occurred at
                                             FFDCA section 408(d)(3), 21 U.S.C.                      other exposures for which there is                    ≥10 mg/kg/day doses while in the
                                             346a(d)(3), announcing the filing of a                  reliable information.’’ This includes                 mouse toxic adverse effects
                                             pesticide petition (PP 5F8417) by K–I                   exposure through drinking water and in                (degeneration of sciatic and trigeminal
                                             Chemical USA. Inc., 11 Martine Ave.,                    residential settings, but does not include            nerve axons and their associated myelin
                                             Suite 970, White Plains, NY 10606. The                  occupational exposure. Section                        sheaths and chronic progressive
                                             petition requested that 40 CFR part 180                 408(b)(2)(C) of FFDCA requires EPA to                 nephropathy, renal tubular adenomas)
                                             be amended by establishing tolerances                   give special consideration to exposure                occurred at higher doses (131 mg/kg/day
                                             for residues of the herbicide,                          of infants and children to the pesticide              and above).
                                             pyroxasulfone (3-[(5-(difluoromethoxy)-                 chemical residue in establishing a                       Comparing effects by route of
                                             1-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl) pyrazole-4-                tolerance and to ‘‘ensure that there is a             administration, pyroxasulfone was
                                             ylmethylsulfonyl]-4,5-dihydro-5,5-                      reasonable certainty that no harm will                moderately toxic to rats following a
                                             dimethyl-1,2-oxazole) and its                           result to infants and children from                   4-week dermal exposure producing
                                             metabolites in or on dried shelled peas                 aggregate exposure to the pesticide                   local inflammation and systemic effects
                                             and beans (crop subgroup 6C) at 0.15                    chemical residue. . . .’’                             of minimal to mild cardiac myofiber
                                             ppm, pea hay at 0.40 ppm, pea vines at                     Consistent with FFDCA section                      degeneration at the limit dose of 1,000
                                             0.20 ppm, cowpea hay at 0.07 ppm,                       408(b)(2)(D), and the factors specified in            mg/kg/day with a NOAEL of 100 mg/kg/
                                             cowpea forage at 3.0 ppm, flax at 0.07                  FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(D), EPA has                   day. No adverse effects were noted in an
                                             ppm, peanut at 0.20 ppm, peanut hay at                  reviewed the available scientific data                inhalation study following exposure for
                                             3.0 ppm, peanut meal at 0.40 ppm, and                   and other relevant information in                     28 days at 200 mg/m3/day (equivalent to
                                             vegetable, foliage of legume, except                    support of this action. EPA has                       52.2 mg/kg/day oral dose), the highest
                                             soybean, subgroup 7A at 3.0 ppm. That                   sufficient data to assess the hazards of              dose tested of an aerosol dust.
                                             document referenced a summary of the                    and to make a determination on                           In cancer studies in mice and rats,
                                             petition prepared by K–I Chemical                       aggregate exposure for pyroxasulfone                  renal tubular adenomas were observed
                                             U.S.A. Inc., the registrant, which is                   including exposure resulting from the                 in male mice at a dietary dose of 0.6 and
                                             available in docket number EPA–HQ–                      tolerances established by this action.                255 mg/kg/day (but not at an
                                                                                                                                                           intermediate dose of 18 mg/kg/day) and
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                                             OPP–2015–0787, http://                                  EPA’s assessment of exposures and risks
                                             www.regulations.gov.                                    associated with pyroxasulfone follows.                urinary bladder transitional cell
                                                The December 20, 2016 notice of                                                                            papillomas were observed in male rats
                                             filing supersedes a notice of filing                    A. Toxicological Profile                              at 42 and 84 mg/kg/day. Based on
                                             published in the Federal Register of                      EPA has evaluated the available                     available information, the Agency
                                             June 22, 2016 (81 FR 40594) (FRL–                       toxicity data and considered its validity,            concluded that the kidney adenomas in
                                             9947–32), which was based on an earlier                 completeness, and reliability as well as              male mice were not treatment-related.


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                                             18232               Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 73 / Tuesday, April 18, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                             The Agency considered the transitional                  effects were noted in post-natal day                  B. Toxicological Points of Departure/
                                             cell bladder tumors in male rats to be                  (PND) 21 offspring at 300 mg/kg/day in                Levels of Concern
                                             treatment-related based on statistically                the rat developmental neurotoxicity                      Once a pesticide’s toxicological
                                             significant trends for urinary bladder                  (DNT) study characterized as decreased                profile is determined, EPA identifies
                                             transitional cell papillomas and                        brain weight and morphometric                         toxicological points of departure (POD)
                                             combined papillomas and carcinomas,                     changes. Developmental effects in the                 and levels of concern to use in
                                             the occurrence of preneoplastic lesions                 rabbit developmental study and DNT                    evaluating the risk posed by human
                                             at 42 and 84 mg/kg/day and the rare                     study occurred in the absence of                      exposure to the pesticide. For hazards
                                             occurrence of bladder transitional cell                 maternal toxicity, indicating potential               that have a threshold below which there
                                             tumors. The Agency concluded that the                   increased quantitative susceptibility of              is no appreciable risk, the toxicological
                                             mode of action for bladder tumors has                   offspring. In a reproductive toxicity in              POD is used as the basis for derivation
                                             been adequately established based on                    rats reduced pup weight and body                      of reference values for risk assessment.
                                             submitted data that support both a dose-                weight gains during lactation occurred                PODs are developed based on a careful
                                             response and temporal concordance of                    at similar doses causing pronounced                   analysis of the doses in each
                                             the key events and bladder tumors. The                                                                        toxicological study to determine the
                                                                                                     maternal toxicity (reduced body weight,
                                             available data indicate that the                                                                              dose at which no adverse effects are
                                                                                                     body weight gain and food consumption
                                             formation of urinary bladder calculi is                                                                       observed (the NOAEL) and the lowest
                                             the prerequisite for subsequent                         and increased kidney weight,
                                                                                                     cardiomyopathy and urinary bladder                    dose at which adverse effects of concern
                                             hyperplasia and neoplasia and that                                                                            are identified (the LOAEL). Uncertainty/
                                             tumors do not develop at doses too low                  mucosal hyperplasia with
                                                                                                     inflammation).                                        safety factors are used in conjunction
                                             to produce calculi. The Agency has                                                                            with the POD to calculate a safe
                                             determined that the quantification of                      Pyroxasulfone did not produce                      exposure level—generally referred to as
                                             risk using a non-linear approach (i.e.,                 immunotoxic effects in mice following                 a population-adjusted dose (PAD) or a
                                             RfD) will adequately account for all                    dietary feeding for 28 days up to 4,000               reference dose (RfD)—and a safe margin
                                             chronic toxicity, including                             ppm (633/791 mg/kg/day, M/F) or in                    of exposure (MOE). For non-threshold
                                             carcinogenicity, that could result from                 rats at dietary concentrations of 7,500               risks, the Agency assumes that any
                                             exposure to pyroxasulfone. There is a                   ppm (529/570 mg/kg/day in M/F).                       amount of exposure will lead to some
                                             clear threshold of 1,000 ppm (42.55 mg/                                                                       degree of risk. Thus, the Agency
                                                                                                        Specific information on the studies
                                             kg/day) for tumorigenesis. A point of                                                                         estimates risk in terms of the probability
                                             departure (POD) of 50 ppm (2.0 mg/kg/                   received and the nature of the adverse
                                                                                                     effects caused by pyroxasulfone as well               of an occurrence of the adverse effect
                                             day) is not expected to result in urinary                                                                     expected in a lifetime. For more
                                             bladder calculi formation which is a                    as the no-observed-adverse-effect-level
                                                                                                     (NOAEL) and the lowest-observed-                      information on the general principles
                                             prerequisite for subsequent hyperplasia                                                                       EPA uses in risk characterization and a
                                             and neoplasia.                                          adverse-effect-level (LOAEL) from the
                                                                                                     toxicity studies can be found at http://              complete description of the risk
                                                Pyroxasulfone did not exhibit                                                                              assessment process, see http://
                                                                                                     www.regulations.gov in the document
                                             developmental toxicity in the rat                                                                             www2.epa.gov/pesticide-science-and-
                                                                                                     title ‘‘Pyroxasulfone Human Health Risk
                                             developmental toxicity study at the                                                                           assessing-pesticide-risks/assessing-
                                             limit dose of 1,000 mg/kg/day and it                    Assessment for the Section 3 New Uses                 human-health-risk-pesticides.
                                             exhibited slight developmental toxicity                 of Pyroxasulfone on Crop Subgroup 6C,                    A summary of the toxicological
                                             in rabbits (reduced fetal weight and                    Sunflower Subgroup 20B, Flax, and                     endpoints for pyroxasulfone used for
                                             resorptions) at the limit dose of 1,000                 Peanut’’ on page 44 in docket ID                      human risk assessment is shown in
                                             mg/kg/day. However, developmental                       number EPA–HQ–OPP–2016–0171.                          Table 1 of this unit.
                                              TABLE 1—SUMMARY OF TOXICOLOGICAL DOSES AND ENDPOINTS FOR PYROXASULFONE FOR USE IN HUMAN HEALTH RISK
                                                                                         ASSESSMENT
                                                                                                Point of departure     RfD, PAD, LOC for
                                                         Exposure/scenario                       and uncertainty/                                             Study and toxicological effects
                                                                                                                        risk assessment
                                                                                                  safety factors

                                             Acute dietary (General population in-              NOAEL = 100 mg/        Acute RfD = 1.0          Developmental neurotoxicity study (DNT) in rats.
                                               cluding infants and children).                    kg/day.                 mg/kg/day.             The LOAEL of 300 mg/kg/day is based on decreased
                                                                                                UFA = 10x              aPAD = 1.0 mg/kg/          brain weight in both sexes, reduced thickness of the
                                                                                                UFH = 10x                day                      hippocampus, corpus callosum and cerebellum in PND
                                                                                                FQPA SF = 1x                                      21 female offspring.

                                             Chronic dietary (All populations) ............     NOAEL= 2 mg/kg/        Chronic RfD = 0.02       One- year chronic dog study.
                                                                                                 day.                    mg/kg/day.             The LOAEL of 10 mg/kg/day is based on impaired hind
                                                                                                UFA = 10x              cPAD = 0.02 mg/            limb function, ataxia, hind limb twitching and tremors;
                                                                                                UFH = 10x                kg/day                   clinical pathology: Increased creatine kinase, aspartate
                                                                                                FQPA SF = 1x                                      aminotransferase; axonal/myelin degeneration of the
                                                                                                                                                  sciatic nerve and spinal cord sections.
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                                             Cancer (Oral, dermal, inhalation) ...........        ‘‘Not Likely to be Carcinogenic to Humans’’ at doses that do not cause crystals with subsequent
                                                                                                calculi formation resulting in cellular damage of the urinary tract. Risk is quantified using a non-linear
                                                                                                                                           (i.e., RfD) approach.
                                               FQPA SF = Food Quality Protection Act Safety Factor. LOAEL = lowest-observed-adverse-effect-level. LOC = level of concern. mg/kg/day =
                                             milligram/kilogram/day. MOE = margin of exposure. NOAEL = no-observed-adverse-effect-level. PAD = population adjusted dose (a = acute, c =
                                             chronic). RfD = reference dose. UF = uncertainty factor. UFA = extrapolation from animal to human (interspecies). UFH = potential variation in
                                             sensitivity among members of the human population (intraspecies).



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                                                                 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 73 / Tuesday, April 18, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                         18233

                                             C. Exposure Assessment                                  pesticide-risks/about-water-exposure-                 D. Safety Factor for Infants and
                                                                                                     models-used-pesticide.                                Children
                                                1. Dietary exposure from food and
                                             feed uses. In evaluating dietary                           Based on the Pesticide Root Zone                      1. In general. Section 408(b)(2)(C) of
                                             exposure to pyroxasulfone, EPA                          Model/Exposure Analysis Modeling                      FFDCA provides that EPA shall apply
                                             considered exposure under the                           System (PRZM/EXAMS) and Pesticide                     an additional tenfold (10X) margin of
                                             petitioned-for tolerances as well as all                Root Zone Model Ground Water (PRZM                    safety for infants and children in the
                                             existing pyroxasulfone tolerances in 40                 GW), the estimated drinking water                     case of threshold effects to account for
                                             CFR 180.659. EPA assessed dietary                       concentrations (EDWCs) of                             prenatal and postnatal toxicity and the
                                             exposures from pyroxasulfone in food as                 pyroxasulfone for acute exposures are                 completeness of the database on toxicity
                                             follows:                                                estimated to be 16.7 parts per billion                and exposure unless EPA determines
                                                i. Acute exposure. Quantitative acute                (ppb) for surface water and 210 ppb for               based on reliable data that a different
                                             dietary exposure and risk assessments                   ground water. EDWCs of pyroxasulfone                  margin of safety will be safe for infants
                                             are performed for a food-use pesticide,                 for chronic exposures for non-cancer                  and children. This additional margin of
                                             if a toxicological study has indicated the              assessments are estimated to be 4.5 ppb               safety is commonly referred to as the
                                             possibility of an effect of concern                     for surface water and 174 ppb for                     FQPA Safety Factor (SF). In applying
                                             occurring as a result of a 1-day or single              ground water.                                         this provision, EPA either retains the
                                             exposure.                                                                                                     default value of 10X, or uses a different
                                                                                                        Modeled estimates of drinking water                additional safety factor when reliable
                                                Such effects were identified for                     concentrations were directly entered
                                             pyroxasulfone. In estimating acute                                                                            data available to EPA support the choice
                                                                                                     into the dietary exposure model. For the              of a different factor.
                                             dietary exposure, EPA used food                         acute dietary risk assessment, the water                 2. Prenatal and postnatal sensitivity.
                                             consumption information from the                        concentration value of 210 ppb was                    Pyroxasulfone did not exhibit
                                             United States Department of                             used to assess the contribution to                    developmental toxicity in the rat
                                             Agriculture’s (USDA) 2003–2008                          drinking water. For the chronic dietary               guideline study at the limit dose of
                                             National Health and Nutrition Survey/                   risk assessment, the water concentration              1,000 mg/kg/day and it exhibited slight
                                             What We Eat in America (NHANES/                         value of 174 ppb was used to assess the               developmental toxicity in rabbits
                                             WWEIA). As to residue levels in food,                   contribution to drinking water.                       (reduced fetal weight and resorptions) at
                                             EPA assumed 100 percent crop treated
                                                                                                        3. From non-dietary exposure. The                  the limit dose of 1,000 mg/kg/day.
                                             (PCT) and tolerance level residues
                                                                                                     term ‘‘residential exposure’’ is used in              However, developmental effects were
                                             adjusted for metabolites which are not
                                                                                                     this document to refer to non-                        noted in PND 21 offspring at 300 mg/kg/
                                             in the tolerance expression.
                                                                                                     occupational, non-dietary exposure                    day in the rat developmental
                                                ii. Chronic exposure. In conducting                                                                        neurotoxicity (DNT) study characterized
                                             the chronic dietary exposure assessment                 (e.g., for lawn and garden pest control,
                                                                                                     indoor pest control, termiticides, and                as decreased brain weight and
                                             EPA used the food consumption data                                                                            morphometric changes. Developmental
                                             from USDA’s 2003–2008 NHANES/                           flea and tick control on pets).
                                                                                                                                                           effects in the rabbit developmental
                                             WWEIA. As to residue levels in food,                       Pyroxasulfone is not registered for any            study and DNT study occurred in the
                                             EPA assumed 100 PCT and tolerance                       specific use patterns that would result               absence of maternal toxicity, indicating
                                             level residues adjusted for metabolites                 in residential exposure.                              potential increased quantitative
                                             which are not in the tolerance                                                                                susceptibility of offspring. In a rat
                                                                                                        4. Cumulative effects from substances
                                             expression.                                                                                                   reproductive toxicity study, reduced
                                                                                                     with a common mechanism of toxicity.
                                                iii. Cancer. Based on the data                       Section 408(b)(2)(D)(v) of FFDCA                      pup weight and body weight gains
                                             summarized in Unit III.A., EPA has                      requires that, when considering whether               during lactation occurred at similar
                                             concluded that a nonlinear RfD                          to establish, modify, or revoke a                     doses causing pronounced maternal
                                             approach is appropriate for assessing                   tolerance, the Agency consider                        toxicity (reduced body weight, body
                                             cancer risk to pyroxasulfone. Cancer                                                                          weight gain and food consumption and
                                                                                                     ‘‘available information’’ concerning the
                                             risk was assessed using the same                                                                              increased kidney weight,
                                                                                                     cumulative effects of a particular
                                             exposure estimates as discussed in Unit                                                                       cardiomyopathy and urinary bladder
                                                                                                     pesticide’s residues and ‘‘other
                                             III.C.1.ii., chronic exposure.                                                                                mucosal hyperplasia with
                                                                                                     substances that have a common
                                                iv. Anticipated residue and percent                  mechanism of toxicity.’’                              inflammation).
                                             crop treated (PCT) information. EPA did                                                                          3. Conclusion. EPA has determined
                                             not use anticipated residue or PCT                         EPA has not found pyroxasulfone to                 that reliable data show the safety of
                                             information in the dietary assessment                   share a common mechanism of toxicity                  infants and children would be
                                             for pyroxasulfone. Tolerance level                      with any other substances, and                        adequately protected if the FQPA SF
                                             residues and 100 PCT were assumed for                   pyroxasulfone does not appear to                      were reduced to 1x. That decision is
                                             all food commodities.                                   produce a toxic metabolite produced by                based on the following findings:
                                                2. Dietary exposure from drinking                    other substances. For the purposes of                    i. The toxicity database for
                                             water. The Agency used screening level                  this tolerance action, therefore, EPA has             pyroxasulfone is complete.
                                             water exposure models in the dietary                    assumed that pyroxasulfone does not                      ii. Available data indicates that
                                             exposure analysis and risk assessment                   have a common mechanism of toxicity                   pyroxasulfone produces neurotoxic
                                             for pyroxasulfone in drinking water.                    with other substances. For information                effects in rats. The toxicity database
                                             These simulation models take into                       regarding EPA’s efforts to determine                  includes specific acute and subchronic
                                             account data on the physical, chemical,                 which chemicals have a common                         neurotoxicity tests, as well as a
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                                             and fate/transport characteristics of                   mechanism of toxicity and to evaluate                 developmental neurotoxicity study
                                             pyroxasulfone. Further information                      the cumulative effects of such                        (DNT). Although the DNT indicated
                                             regarding EPA drinking water models                     chemicals, see EPA’s Web site at http://              offspring are more sensitive to
                                             used in pesticide exposure assessment                   www2.epa.gov/pesticide-science-and-                   neurotoxic effects of pyroxasulfone, the
                                             can be found at http://www2.epa.gov/                    assessing-pesticide-risks/cumulative-                 dose-response is well characterized for
                                             pesticide-science-and-assessing-                        assessment-risk-pesticides.                           neurotoxicity and a NOAEL is


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                                             18234               Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 73 / Tuesday, April 18, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                             identified; therefore, there is no residual             from food and water will utilize 49% of               B. International Residue Limits
                                             uncertainty with regard to neurotoxic                   the cPAD for all infants less than 1-year-               In making its tolerance decisions, EPA
                                             effects for which a 10X must be                         old, the population group receiving the               seeks to harmonize U.S. tolerances with
                                             retained.                                               greatest exposure. There are no                       international standards whenever
                                                iii. As discussed in Unit III.D.2., there            residential uses for pyroxasulfone.                   possible, consistent with U.S. food
                                             is evidence of increased quantitative                      3. Short- and intermediate-term risk.              safety standards and agricultural
                                             susceptibility of fetuses and offspring                 Short- and intermediate-term aggregate                practices. EPA considers the
                                             following in utero or post-natal                        exposure takes into account short-term                international maximum residue limits
                                             exposure to pyroxasulfone (based on a                   residential exposure plus chronic
                                             DNT study in rats and a developmental                                                                         (MRLs) established by the Codex
                                                                                                     exposure to food and water (considered                Alimentarius Commission (Codex), as
                                             study in rabbits). In rabbits,                          to be a background exposure level).
                                             developmental toxicity was only seen at                                                                       required by FFDCA section 408(b)(4).
                                                                                                        Short- and intermediate-term adverse               The Codex Alimentarius is a joint
                                             the limit dose of 1000 mg/kg/day as
                                                                                                     effects were identified; however,                     United Nations Food and Agriculture
                                             reduced fetal weight and increased fetal
                                                                                                     pyroxasulfone is not registered for any               Organization/World Health
                                             resorptions with a NOAEL of 500 mg/
                                                                                                     use patterns that would result in short-              Organization food standards program,
                                             kg/day for these effects, compared to no
                                                                                                     or intermediate-term residential                      and it is recognized as an international
                                             maternal toxicity at these doses. In a
                                                                                                     exposure. Short- and intermediate-term                food safety standards-setting
                                             DNT study in rats, offspring toxicity was
                                                                                                     risk is assessed based on short- and                  organization in trade agreements to
                                             seen at 300 mg/kg/day compared to no
                                                                                                     intermediate-term residential exposure                which the United States is a party. EPA
                                             maternal toxicity at 900 mg/kg/day.
                                                                                                     plus chronic dietary exposure. Because                may establish a tolerance that is
                                             Notwithstanding, the Agency concludes
                                             that there is no residual uncertainty                   there is no short- or intermediate-term               different from a Codex MRL; however,
                                             concerning these effects. The available                 residential exposure and chronic dietary              FFDCA section 408(b)(4) requires that
                                             studies show clear NOAELs and                           exposure has already been assessed                    EPA explain the reasons for departing
                                             LOAELs for these effects, which are                     under the appropriately protective                    from the Codex level.
                                             occurring only at doses much higher                     cPAD (which is at least as protective as                 The Codex has not established any
                                             than the endpoints on which the                         the POD used to assess short-term risk),              MRLs for residues of pyroxasulfone in
                                             Agency is regulating.                                   no further assessment of short- or                    or on any of the commodities in this
                                                iv. There are no residual uncertainties              intermediate-term risk is necessary, and              document.
                                             identified in the exposure databases.                   EPA relies on the chronic dietary risk
                                                                                                     assessment for evaluating short- and                  C. Response to Comments
                                             The dietary food exposure assessments
                                             were performed based on 100 PCT and                     intermediate-term risk for                              One comment was received in
                                             tolerance-level residues. EPA made                      pyroxasulfone.                                        response to the June 22, 2016 Notice of
                                             conservative (protective) assumptions in                   4. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S.                  Filing (81 FR 40594) (FRL–9947–32).
                                             the ground and surface water modeling                   population. As explained in Unit III.A.,              The comment stated in part that most
                                             used to assess exposure to                              the Agency has determined that the                    Americans ‘‘don’t need or want more
                                             pyroxasulfone in drinking water. These                  quantification of risk using a non-linear             toxic chemicals’’ and that EPA should
                                             assessments will not underestimate the                  (i.e., RfD) approach will adequately                  deny this submission. The Agency
                                             exposure and risks posed by                             account for all chronic toxicity,                     recognizes that some individuals believe
                                             pyroxasulfone.                                          including carcinogenicity, that could                 that pesticides should be banned on
                                                                                                     result from exposure to pyroxasulfone.                agricultural crops. However, the existing
                                             E. Aggregate Risks and Determination of                 Therefore, based on the results of the                legal framework provided by section
                                             Safety                                                  chronic risk assessment discussed in                  408 of the FFDCA states that tolerances
                                                EPA determines whether acute and                     Unit III.E.2., pyroxasulfone is not                   may be set when persons seeking such
                                             chronic dietary pesticide exposures are                 expected to pose a cancer risk to                     tolerances or exemptions have
                                             safe by comparing aggregate exposure                    humans.                                               demonstrated that the pesticide meets
                                             estimates to the acute PAD (aPAD) and                      5. Determination of safety. Based on               the safety standard imposed by that
                                             chronic PAD (cPAD). For linear cancer                   these risk assessments, EPA concludes                 statute. The citizen’s comment does not
                                             risks, EPA calculates the lifetime                      that there is a reasonable certainty that             provide any information upon which
                                             probability of acquiring cancer given the               no harm will result to the general                    the Agency could base a decision deny
                                             estimated aggregate exposure. Short-,                   population, or to infants and children                the petition.
                                             intermediate-, and chronic-term risks                   from aggregate exposure to                            D. Revisions to Petitioned-For
                                             are evaluated by comparing the                          pyroxasulfone residues.                               Tolerances
                                             estimated aggregate food, water, and
                                             residential exposure to the appropriate                 IV. Other Considerations                                 The sunflower subgroup 20B
                                             PODs to ensure that an adequate MOE                     A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology                 tolerance is being established at 0.30
                                             exists.                                                                                                       ppm instead of the proposed level of 0.2
                                                1. Acute risk. Using the exposure                       Adequate enforcement methodology                   ppm. This is because the petitioner did
                                             assumptions discussed in this unit for                  (high performance liquid                              not convert the metabolites to parent
                                             acute exposure, the acute dietary                       chromatography/triple quadrupole mass                 equivalents and when those total
                                             exposure from food and water to                         spectrometry (LC/MS/MS)) is available                 residues are put into the tolerance
                                             pyroxasulfone will occupy 3.7% of the                   to enforce the tolerance expression.                  calculator the correct value is 0.30 ppm.
                                                                                                        The method may be requested from:                  Also, based on the Agency’s review of
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                                             aPAD for all infants less than 1-year-old,
                                             the population group receiving the                      Chief, Analytical Chemistry Branch,                   the residue data, the tolerances for
                                             greatest exposure.                                      Environmental Science Center, 701                     peanut and peanut hay are being
                                                2. Chronic risk. Using the exposure                  Mapes Rd., Ft. Meade, MD 20755–5350;                  established at 0.30 ppm and 4.0 ppm,
                                             assumptions described in this unit for                  telephone number: (410) 305–2905;                     respectively. In addition, separate
                                             chronic exposure, EPA has concluded                     email address: residuemethods@                        tolerances are not being established on
                                             that chronic exposure to pyroxasulfone                  epa.gov.                                              field pea hay and vines and cowpea hay


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                                                                 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 73 / Tuesday, April 18, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                                           18235

                                             and forage because they will be covered                 or tribal governments, on the                         tolerance levels specified below is to be
                                             by the tolerance being established on                   relationship between the national                     determined by measuring only the sum
                                             ‘‘vegetable, foliage of legume, except                  government and the States or tribal                   of pyroxasulfone (3-[(5-
                                             soybean, subgroup 7A.’’                                 governments, or on the distribution of                difluoromethoxy-1-methyl-3-
                                                                                                     power and responsibilities among the                  (trifluoromethyl)pyrazol-4-
                                             V. Conclusion
                                                                                                     various levels of government or between               ylmethylsulfonyl]-4,5-dihydro-5,5-
                                                Therefore, tolerances are established                the Federal Government and Indian                     dimethyl-1,2-oxazole), and its
                                             for residues of pyroxasulfone, including                tribes. Thus, the Agency has determined               metabolites, M-1 (5-difluoromethoxy-1-
                                             its metabolites and degradates, in or on:               that Executive Order 13132, entitled                  methyl-3-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-
                                             Flax, seed at 0.07 ppm; pea and bean,                   ‘‘Federalism’’ (64 FR 43255, August 10,               yl) methanesulfonic acid), M-3 (5-
                                             dried shelled, except soybean, subgroup                 1999) and Executive Order 13175,                      difluoromethoxy-1-methyl-3-
                                             6C at 0.15 ppm; peanut at 0.30 ppm;                     entitled ‘‘Consultation and Coordination              trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-carboxylic
                                             peanut, hay at 4.0 ppm; peanut, meal at                 with Indian Tribal Governments’’ (65 FR               acid), M-25 (5-difluoromethoxy-3-
                                             0.40 ppm; sunflower subgroup 20B at                     67249, November 9, 2000) do not apply                 trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-
                                             0.30 ppm; and vegetable, foliage of                     to this action. In addition, this action              yl)methanesulfonic acid) and M-28 (3-
                                             legume, except soybean, subgroup 7A at                  does not impose any enforceable duty or               [1-carboxy-2-(5,5-dimethyl-4,5-
                                             3.0 ppm.                                                contain any unfunded mandate as                       dihydroisoxazol-3-ylthio)ethylamino]-3-
                                             VI. Statutory and Executive Order                       described under Title II of the Unfunded              oxopropanoic acid) calculated as the
                                             Reviews                                                 Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) (2 U.S.C.                  stoichiometric equivalent of
                                                                                                     1501 et seq.).                                        pyroxasulfone, in or on the following
                                                This action establishes tolerances                      This action does not involve any                   commodities:
                                             under FFDCA section 408(d) in                           technical standards that would require
                                             response to a petition submitted to the                 Agency consideration of voluntary                                                                        Parts per
                                             Agency. The Office of Management and                                                                                          Commodity
                                                                                                     consensus standards pursuant to section                                                                   million
                                             Budget (OMB) has exempted these types                   12(d) of the National Technology
                                             of actions from review under Executive                                                                         Flax, seed .................................            0.07
                                                                                                     Transfer and Advancement Act                           Pea and bean, dried shelled,
                                             Order 12866, entitled ‘‘Regulatory                      (NTTAA) (15 U.S.C. 272 note).                            except soybean, subgroup
                                             Planning and Review’’ (58 FR 51735,
                                                                                                                                                              6C ..........................................         0.15
                                             October 4, 1993). Because this action                   VII. Congressional Review Act                          Peanut ......................................           0.30
                                             has been exempted from review under                       Pursuant to the Congressional Review                 Peanut, hay ..............................              4.0
                                             Executive Order 12866, this action is                   Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), EPA will                   Peanut, meal ............................               0.40
                                             not subject to Executive Order 13211,                   submit a report containing this rule and               Sunflower subgroup 20B ..........                       0.30
                                             entitled ‘‘Actions Concerning                           other required information to the U.S.                 Vegetable, foliage of legume,
                                             Regulations That Significantly Affect                                                                            except soybean, subgroup
                                                                                                     Senate, the U.S. House of                                7A ..........................................         3.0
                                             Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use’’ (66               Representatives, and the Comptroller
                                             FR 28355, May 22, 2001) or Executive                    General of the United States prior to
                                             Order 13045, entitled ‘‘Protection of                                                                         *         *        *         *        *
                                                                                                     publication of the rule in the Federal                [FR Doc. 2017–07819 Filed 4–17–17; 8:45 am]
                                             Children from Environmental Health                      Register. This action is not a ‘‘major                BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
                                             Risks and Safety Risks’’ (62 FR 19885,                  rule’’ as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
                                             April 23, 1997). This action does not
                                             contain any information collections                     List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180
                                                                                                                                                           ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
                                             subject to OMB approval under the                         Environmental protection,                           AGENCY
                                             Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44                       Administrative practice and procedure,
                                             U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), nor does it require               Agricultural commodities, Pesticides                  40 CFR Part 180
                                             any special considerations under                        and pests, Reporting and recordkeeping
                                             Executive Order 12898, entitled                                                                               [EPA–HQ–OPP–2014–0153; FRL–9953–96]
                                                                                                     requirements.
                                             ‘‘Federal Actions to Address                               Dated: February 24, 2017,                          Pyriofenone; Pesticide Tolerances
                                             Environmental Justice in Minority                       Meredith F. Laws,
                                             Populations and Low-Income                                                                                    AGENCY:  Environmental Protection
                                                                                                     Acting Director, Registration Division, Office
                                             Populations’’ (59 FR 7629, February 16,                                                                       Agency (EPA).
                                                                                                     of Pesticide Programs.
                                             1994).                                                    Therefore, 40 CFR part 180 is                       ACTION: Final rule.
                                                Since tolerances and exemptions that
                                                                                                     amended as follows:                                   SUMMARY:   This regulation establishes
                                             are established on the basis of a petition
                                             under FFDCA section 408(d), such as                                                                           tolerances for residues of pyriofenone in
                                                                                                     PART 180—[AMENDED]
                                             the tolerance in this final rule, do not                                                                      or on the caneberry subgroup (crop
                                             require the issuance of a proposed rule,                ■ 1. The authority citation for part 180              subgroup 13–07A), the bushberry
                                             the requirements of the Regulatory                      continues to read as follows:                         subgroup (crop subgroup 13–07B), the
                                             Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601 et                                                                        small fruit vine climbing subgroup (crop
                                                                                                         Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.
                                             seq.), do not apply.                                                                                          subgroup 13–07D), the low growing
                                                                                                     ■ 2. In § 180.659, add paragraph (a)(5) to            berry subgroup except cranberry (crop
                                                This action directly regulates growers,
                                                                                                     read as follows:                                      subgroup 13–07G) and cucurbit
                                             food processors, food handlers, and food
                                             retailers, not States or tribes, nor does               § 180.659 Pyroxasulfone; tolerances for               vegetables (crop group 9). ISK
                                             this action alter the relationships or                                                                        Biosciences Corporation requested these
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                                                                                                     residues.
                                             distribution of power and                                 (a) * * *                                           tolerances under the Federal Food,
                                             responsibilities established by Congress                  (5) Tolerances are established for                  Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
                                             in the preemption provisions of FFDCA                   residues of the herbicide pyroxasulfone,              DATES: This regulation is effective April
                                             section 408(n)(4). As such, the Agency                  including its metabolites and                         18, 2017. Objections and requests for
                                             has determined that this action will not                degradates, in or on the commodities in               hearings must be received on or before
                                             have a substantial direct effect on States              the table below. Compliance with the                  June 19, 2017, and must be filed in


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Document Created: 2017-04-18 00:00:24
Document Modified: 2017-04-18 00:00:24
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionFinal rule.
DatesThis regulation is effective April 18, 2017. Objections and requests for hearings must be received on or before June 19, 2017, and must be filed in accordance with the instructions provided in 40 CFR part 178 (see also Unit I.C. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION).
ContactMichael Goodis, Registration Division (7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; main telephone
FR Citation82 FR 18230 
CFR AssociatedEnvironmental Protection; Administrative Practice and Procedure; Agricultural Commodities; Pesticides and Pests and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements

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