82_FR_32616 82 FR 32482 - Difenoconazole; Pesticide Tolerances

82 FR 32482 - Difenoconazole; Pesticide Tolerances

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 134 (July 14, 2017)

Page Range32482-32488
FR Document2017-14105

This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of difenoconazole in or on cottonseed subgroup 20C; rice, grain; and rice, wild, grain. It also amends the existing tolerance for cotton, gin byproducts, and removes the tolerance for cotton, undelinted seed. Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 134 (Friday, July 14, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 134 (Friday, July 14, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32482-32488]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-14105]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 180

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2016-0254; FRL-9962-05]


Difenoconazole; Pesticide Tolerances

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of 
difenoconazole in or on cottonseed subgroup 20C; rice, grain; and rice, 
wild, grain. It also amends the existing tolerance for cotton, gin 
byproducts, and removes the tolerance for cotton, undelinted seed. 
Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC requested these

[[Page 32483]]

tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

DATES: This regulation is effective July 14, 2017. Objections and 
requests for hearings must be received on or before September 12, 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-2016-0254, 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-2016-0254 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 
September 12, 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-2016-0254, 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 Tolerance

    In the Federal Register of February 7, 2017 (82 FR 9555) (FRL-9956-
86), 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 
6F8445) by Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC, P.O. Box 18300, Greensboro, 
NC 27419. The petition requested that 40 CFR 180.475 be amended by 
establishing tolerances for residues of the fungicide difenoconazole, 
1-[2-[2-chloro-4-(4-chlorophenoxy)phenyl]-4-methyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-
ylmethyl]-1H-1,2,4-triazole, in or on cottonseed subgroup 20C at 0.40 
parts per million (ppm); rice, grain at 7 ppm; and rice, wild, grain at 
7 ppm. In addition, the petition requested that the existing tolerance 
for cotton, gin byproducts be increased from 0.05 ppm to 15 ppm; and 
requested the tolerance in/on cotton, undelinted seed at 0.05 ppm as a 
seed treatment be removed from 40 CFR 180.475 because the proposed new 
tolerance in/on cottonseed subgroup 20C reflecting foliar uses will be 
adequate to support the seed treatment uses. That document referenced a 
summary of the petition prepared by Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC, the 
registrant, which is available in the docket, http://www.regulations.gov. There were no comments received in response to the 
notice of filing.

III. Aggregate Risk Assessment and Determination of Safety

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

[[Page 32484]]

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 studies with difenoconazole in mice and rats 
showed decreased body weights, decreased body weight gains and effects 
on the liver (e.g. hepatocellular hypertrophy, liver necrosis, fatty 
changes in the liver). No systemic toxicity was observed at the limit 
dose in the most recently submitted rat dermal toxicity study.
    The available toxicity studies indicated no increased 
susceptibility of rats or rabbits from in utero or postnatal exposure 
to difenoconazole. In prenatal developmental toxicity studies in rats 
and rabbits and in the 2-generation reproduction study in rats, fetal 
and offspring toxicity, when observed, occurred at equivalent or higher 
doses than in the maternal and parental animals.
    In a rat developmental toxicity study, developmental effects were 
observed at doses higher than those which caused maternal toxicity. 
Developmental effects in the rat included increased incidence of 
ossification of the thoracic vertebrae and thyroid, decreased number of 
sternal centers of ossification, increased number of ribs and thoracic 
vertebrae, and decreased number of lumbar vertebrae. In the rabbit 
study, developmental effects (increases in post-implantation loss and 
resorptions and decreases in fetal body weight) were also seen at 
maternally toxic doses (decreased body weight gain and food 
consumption). Since the developmental effects are more severe than the 
maternal effects, qualitative susceptibility is indicated in the rabbit 
developmental study; however, the selected POD is protective of this 
effect. In the 2-generation reproduction study in rats, toxicity to the 
fetuses and offspring, when observed, occurred at equivalent or higher 
doses than in the maternal and parental animals.
    In an acute neurotoxicity study in rats, reduced fore-limb grip 
strength was observed on day one in males at the lowest-observed-
adverse-effect-level (LOAEL), and clinical signs of neurotoxicity were 
observed in females only at the highest dose tested. In a subchronic 
neurotoxicity study in rats, decreased hind limb strength was observed 
in males only at the mid- and high-doses. The effects observed in acute 
and subchronic neurotoxicity studies were considered transient.
    Although there is some evidence that difenoconazole affects 
antibody levels at doses that cause systemic toxicity, there are no 
indications in the available studies that organs associated with immune 
function, such as the thymus and spleen, are affected by 
difenoconazole.
    Difenoconazole is not mutagenic, and no evidence of carcinogenicity 
was seen in rats. Evidence for carcinogenicity was seen in mice (liver 
tumors), but statistically significant carcinoma tumors were only 
induced at excessively-high doses. Adenomas (benign tumors) and liver 
necrosis only were seen at 300 ppm (46 and 58 milligram/kilogram/day 
(mg/kg/day) in males and females, respectively); the NOAEL in that 
study was 30 ppm. EPA has concluded that the chronic point of departure 
(POD) for assessing chronic risk (0.96 mg/kg/day) will be protective of 
any cancer effects for the following reasons: (1) Tumors were seen in 
only one species; (2) carcinoma tumors were observed only at the two 
highest doses (2,500 and 4,500 ppm) in the mouse carcinogenicity study; 
(3) benign tumors and necrosis were observed at the mid-dose (300 ppm) 
; (4) the absence of tumors at the study's lower doses (30 ppm); (5) 
the absence of genotoxic or mutagenic effects. The cRfD of 0.96 mg/kg/
day is well below the no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) of the 
mouse carcinogenicity study of 30 ppm (4.7 and 5.6 mg/kg/day in males 
and females, respectively), at which no effects on the biological 
endpoints relevant to tumor development (i.e., hepatocellular 
hypertrophy, liver necrosis, fatty changes in the liver and bile 
stasis) were seen. As a result, EPA has concluded that a nonlinear RfD 
approach is appropriate for assessing cancer risk to difenoconazole and 
a separate quantitative cancer exposure assessment is unnecessary.
    Specific information on the studies received and the nature of the 
adverse effects caused by difenoconazole 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 document ``Difenoconazole: Human Health Risk 
Assessment for Proposed New Foliar Uses on Cotton, Rice and Wild Rice'' 
at pp. 20-21 in docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2016-0254.

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 difenoconazole used 
for human risk assessment is discussed in Unit III.B. of the final rule 
published in the Federal Register of April 2, 2015 (80 FR 17697) (FRL-
9923-82).

C. Exposure Assessment

    1. Dietary exposure from food and feed uses. In evaluating dietary 
exposure to difenoconazole, EPA considered exposure under the 
petitioned-for tolerances as well as all existing difenoconazole 
tolerances in 40 CFR 180.475. EPA assessed dietary exposures from 
difenoconazole 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 difenoconazole. In estimating 
acute dietary exposure, EPA used food consumption information from the 
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Health and 
Nutrition

[[Page 32485]]

Examination Survey, What We Eat in America, (NHANES/WWEIA). This 
dietary survey was conducted from 2003 to 2008. As to residue levels in 
food, EPA assumed tolerance-level residues, 100 percent crop treated 
(PCT), and available empirical or DEEM (ver. 7.81) default processing 
factors.
    ii. Chronic exposure. In conducting the chronic dietary exposure 
assessment EPA used the food consumption data from the USDA National 
Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, What We Eat in America, 
(NHANES/WWEIA). This dietary survey was conducted from 2003 to 2008. As 
to residue levels in food, EPA used tolerance-level residues for some 
commodities, average field trial residues and USDA Pesticide Data 
Program monitoring samples for the remaining commodities, available 
empirical or DEEM (ver.7.81) default processing factors, and average 
PCT assumptions for some commodities.
    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 difenoconazole. Therefore, a separate quantitative 
cancer exposure assessment is unnecessary since the chronic dietary 
risk estimate will be protective of potential cancer risk.
    iv. Anticipated residue and percent crop treated (PCT) information. 
Section 408(b)(2)(E) of FFDCA authorizes EPA to use available data and 
information on the anticipated residue levels of pesticide residues in 
food and the actual levels of pesticide residues that have been 
measured in food. If EPA relies on such information, EPA must require 
pursuant to FFDCA section 408(f)(1) that data be provided 5 years after 
the tolerance is established, modified, or left in effect, 
demonstrating that the levels in food are not above the levels 
anticipated. For the present action, EPA will issue such data call-ins 
as are required by FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(E) and authorized under 
FFDCA section 408(f)(1). Data will be required to be submitted no later 
than 5 years from the date of issuance of these tolerances.
    Section 408(b)(2)(F) of FFDCA states that the Agency may use data 
on the actual percent of food treated for assessing chronic dietary 
risk only if:
     Condition a: The data used are reliable and provide a 
valid basis to show what percentage of the food derived from such crop 
is likely to contain the pesticide residue.
     Condition b: The exposure estimate does not underestimate 
exposure for any significant subpopulation group.
     Condition c: Data are available on pesticide use and food 
consumption in a particular area, the exposure estimate does not 
understate exposure for the population in such area.
    In addition, the Agency must provide for periodic evaluation of any 
estimates used. To provide for the periodic evaluation of the estimate 
of PCT as required by FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(F), EPA may require 
registrants to submit data on PCT.
    For the chronic dietary exposure assessment, the Agency used 
average PCT estimates for existing uses as follows: Almond 10%, apple 
20%, apricot 10%, broccoli 2.5%, Brussels sprouts 2.5%, cabbage 5%, 
cantaloupe 2.5%, carrot 5%, cauliflower 2.5%, cherry 2.5%, cucumber 5%, 
garlic 5%, grape 10%, grapefruit 2.5%, hazelnut 1%, nectarine 2.5%, 
onions 5%, orange 2.5%, peach 2.5%, pear 10%, pecan 2.5%, pepper 5%, 
pistachio 5%, plum/prune 10%, potato 20%, pumpkin 2.5%, soybean 2.5%, 
squash 5%, strawberry 2.5%, sugar beet 15%, tangerine 2.5%, tomato 25%, 
walnut 1%, watermelon 5%, and wheat (seed treatment) 10%.
    In most cases, EPA uses available data from United States 
Department of Agriculture/National Agricultural Statistics Service 
(USDA/NASS), proprietary market surveys, and the National Pesticide Use 
Database for the chemical/crop combination for the most recent 6-7 
years. EPA uses an average PCT value for chronic dietary risk analysis. 
The average PCT value for each existing use is derived by combining 
available public and private market survey data for that use and 
averaged across all observations and is rounded up to the nearest 
multiple of 5%, for use in the analysis unless the average PCT value is 
estimated at less than 2.5% or 1%, in which case the Agency uses 2.5% 
or 1%, respectively, as the average PCT value in the analysis. EPA uses 
a maximum PCT value for acute dietary risk analysis. The maximum PCT 
value is the highest observed maximum value reported within the recent 
6 years of available public and private market survey data for the 
existing use and rounded up to the nearest multiple of 5% for use in 
the analysis, unless the maximum PCT value is estimated at less than 
2.5%, in which case the Agency uses 2.5% as the maximum PCT value in 
the analysis.
    The Agency believes that the three conditions discussed in Unit 
III.C.1.iv. have been met. With respect to Condition a, PCT estimates 
are derived from Federal and private market survey data, which are 
reliable and have a valid basis. The Agency is reasonably certain that 
the percentage of the food treated is not likely to be an 
underestimation. As to Conditions b and c, regional consumption 
information and consumption information for significant subpopulations 
is taken into account through EPA's computer-based model for evaluating 
the exposure of significant subpopulations including several regional 
groups. Use of this consumption information in EPA's risk assessment 
process ensures that EPA's exposure estimate does not understate 
exposure for any significant subpopulation group and allows the Agency 
to be reasonably certain that no regional population is exposed to 
residue levels higher than those estimated by the Agency. Other than 
the data available through national food consumption surveys, EPA does 
not have available reliable information on the regional consumption of 
food to which difenoconazole may be applied in a particular area.
    2. Dietary exposure from drinking water. The drinking water 
assessment was performed using a total toxic residue method, which 
considers both parent difenoconazole and its major metabolite, CGA 
205375, in surface and groundwater. Therefore, the Agency used 
screening-level water exposure models in the dietary exposure analysis 
and risk assessment for difenoconazole and its major metabolite in 
drinking water. These simulation models take into account data on the 
physical, chemical, and fate/transport characteristics of 
difenoconazole and CGA 205375. Further information regarding EPA 
drinking water models used in pesticide exposure assessment can be 
found at http://www2.epa.gov/pesticide-science-and-assessing-pesticide-risks/about-water-exposure-models-used-pesticide.
    Based on the Tier II Pesticide in Water Calculator, the Revised 
Tier 1 Rice Model, the Surface Water Concentration Calculator, and 
Pesticide Root Zone Model Ground Water (PRZM GW), the estimated 
drinking water concentrations (EDWCs) of total toxic residues of 
difenoconazole for acute exposures are estimated to be 33.4 parts per 
billion (ppb) for surface water and 2.0 ppb for ground water. For 
chronic exposures estimated drinking water concentrations (EDWCs) of 
total toxic residues of difenoconazole for non-cancer assessments are 
estimated to be 27.8 ppb for surface water and 0.60 ppb for ground 
water.
    Modeled estimates of drinking water concentrations were directly 
entered into the dietary exposure model. For acute dietary risk 
assessment, the water concentration value of 33.4 ppb was used to 
assess the contribution to drinking water. For chronic dietary risk 
assessment, the water concentration of

[[Page 32486]]

value 27.8 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).
    Difenoconazole is currently registered for the following uses that 
could result in residential exposures: Treatment of ornamental plants 
in commercial and residential landscapes and interior plantscapes. EPA 
assessed residential exposure using the following assumptions: For 
residential handlers, adult short-term dermal and inhalation exposure 
is expected from mixing, loading, and applying difenoconazole on 
ornamentals (gardens and trees). For residential post-application 
exposures, short-term dermal exposure is expected for both adults and 
children from post-application activities in treated residential 
landscapes.
    The scenarios used in the aggregate assessment were those that 
resulted in the highest exposures. The highest exposures consist of the 
short-term dermal exposure to adults from post-application activities 
in treated gardens and short-term dermal exposure to children 6 to 11 
years old from post-application activities in treated gardens. Further 
information regarding EPA standard assumptions and generic inputs for 
residential exposures may be found at http://www2.epa.gov/pesticide-science-and-assessing-pesticide-risks/standard-operating-procedures-residential-pesticide.
    4. Cumulative effects from substances with a common mechanism of 
toxicity. Section 408(b)(2)(D)(v) of FFDCA requires that, when 
considering whether to establish, modify, or revoke a tolerance, the 
Agency consider ``available information'' concerning the cumulative 
effects of a particular pesticide's residues and ``other substances 
that have a common mechanism of toxicity.''
    Difenoconazole is a member of the conazole class of fungicides 
containing the 1,2,4-triazole moiety. Although conazoles act similarly 
in plants (fungi) by inhibiting ergosterol biosynthesis, there is not 
necessarily a relationship between their pesticidal activity and their 
mechanism of toxicity in mammals. Structural similarities do not 
constitute a common mechanism of toxicity. Evidence is needed to 
establish that the chemicals operate by the same, or essentially the 
same, sequence of major biochemical events (EPA, 2002).
    In the case of conazoles, however, a variable pattern of 
toxicological responses is found; some are hepatotoxic and 
hepatocarcinogenic in mice. Some induce thyroid tumors in rats. Some 
induce developmental, reproductive, and neurological effects in 
rodents. Furthermore, the conazoles produce a diverse range of 
biochemical events including altered cholesterol levels, stress 
responses, and altered DNA methylation. It is not clearly understood 
whether these biochemical events are directly connected to their 
toxicological outcomes. Thus, there is currently no evidence to 
indicate that difenoconazole shares a common mechanism of toxicity with 
any other conazole pesticide, and EPA is not following a cumulative 
risk approach for this tolerance action. For information regarding 
EPA's procedures for cumulating effects from substances found to have a 
common mechanism of toxicity, see EPA's Web site at http://www2.epa.gov/pesticide-science-and-assessing-pesticide-risks/cumulative-assessment-risk-pesticides.
    This class of compounds can form the common metabolite 1,2,4-
triazole and two triazole conjugates (triazolylalanine and 
triazolylacetic acid). To support existing tolerances and to establish 
new tolerances for triazole-containing pesticides, including 
difenoconazole, EPA conducted a human health risk assessment for 
exposure to 1,2,4-triazole, triazolylalanine, and triazolylacetic acid 
resulting from the use of all current and pending uses of any triazole-
containing fungicide. The risk assessment is a highly conservative, 
screening-level evaluation in terms of hazards associated with common 
metabolites (e.g., use of a maximum combination of uncertainty factors) 
and potential dietary and non-dietary exposures (i.e., high end 
estimates of both dietary and non-dietary exposures). The Agency 
retained a 3X for the LOAEL to NOAEL safety factor when the 
reproduction study was used. In addition, the Agency retained a 10X for 
the lack of studies including a developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) 
study. The assessment includes evaluations of risks for various 
subgroups, including those comprised of infants and children. The 
Agency's complete risk assessment is found in the propiconazole 
reregistration docket at http://www.regulations.gov, Docket ID Number 
EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0497.
    The Agency's latest updated aggregate risk assessment for the 
triazole-containing metabolites was finalized on November 15, 2016 and 
includes the new uses in this rule. It is titled, ``Common Triazole 
Metabolites: Updated Aggregate Human Health Risk Assessment to Address 
the New Section 3 Registrations for Use of Difenoconazole on Rice and 
Cotton.'' Aggregate risk estimates associated with 1,2,4-triazole (T) 
and the conjugated triazole metabolites (i.e., combined residues of 
triazolylalanine (TA) and triazolylacetic acid (TAA)), are below the 
Agency's level of concern. There are no human health risk issues for 
these metabolites that would preclude the new uses of difenoconazole. 
The assessment may be found at http://www.regulations.gov in document 
in docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2016-0254.

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. The prenatal and postnatal 
toxicology database for difenoconazole includes rat and rabbit prenatal 
developmental toxicity studies and a 2-generation reproduction toxicity 
study in rats. The available Agency guideline studies indicated no 
increased qualitative or quantitative susceptibility of rats to in 
utero and/or postnatal exposure to difenoconazole. In the prenatal 
developmental toxicity studies in rats and rabbits and the 2-generation 
reproduction study in rats, toxicity to the fetuses/offspring, when 
observed, occurred at equivalent or higher doses than in the maternal/
parental animals. In a rat developmental toxicity study developmental 
effects were observed at doses higher than those which caused maternal 
toxicity. In the rabbit study, developmental effects (increases in 
post-implantation loss and resorptions and decreases in fetal body 
weight) were also seen at maternally toxic doses (decreased body weight 
gain and food consumption). Since the developmental effects are more 
severe than the maternal effects, qualitative susceptibility is 
indicated in the rabbit developmental study; however, the selected POD 
is protective of this effect. In the 2-generation reproduction study

[[Page 32487]]

in rats, toxicity to the fetuses/offspring, when observed, occurred at 
equivalent or higher doses than in the maternal/parental animals.
    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 difenoconazole is complete.
    ii. There are no clear signs of neurotoxicity following acute, 
subchronic or chronic dosing in multiple species in the difenoconazole 
database. The effects observed in acute and subchronic neurotoxicity 
studies are transient and showed in one sex (males as reduced fore-limb 
grip strength with no histologic findings), and the selected endpoints 
of toxicity for risk assessment are protective of any potential 
neurotoxicity. Based on the toxicity profile, and lack of concern for 
neurotoxicity, there is no need for a developmental neurotoxicity study 
or additional uncertainty factors (UFs) to account for neurotoxicity.
    iii. There is no evidence that difenoconazole results in increased 
susceptibility in in utero rats or rabbits in the prenatal 
developmental studies or in young rats in the 2-generation reproduction 
study. The qualitative susceptibility seen in the rabbit developmental 
study is adequately protected by the selected POD.
    iv. There are no residual uncertainties identified in the exposure 
databases. The dietary risk assessment utilized tolerance-level 
residues and 100 PCT for the acute assessment; the chronic assessment 
was refined by using USDA PDP monitoring data, average field-trial 
residues for some commodities, tolerance-level residues for remaining 
commodities, and average PCT for some commodities. These assumptions 
will not underestimate dietary exposure to difenoconazole. EPA made 
conservative (protective) assumptions in the ground and surface water 
modeling used to assess exposure to difenoconazole in drinking water. 
EPA used similarly conservative assumptions to assess postapplication 
exposure of children. These assessments will not underestimate the 
exposure and risks posed by difenoconazole.

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 difenoconazole will occupy 53% 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 
difenoconazole from food and water will utilize 50% of the cPAD for all 
infants less than 1 year old the population group receiving the 
greatest exposure. Based on the explanation in Unit III.C.3., regarding 
residential use patterns, chronic residential exposure to residues of 
difenoconazole is not expected.
    3. Short-term risk. Short-term aggregate exposure takes into 
account short-term residential exposure plus chronic exposure to food 
and water (considered to be a background exposure level). 
Difenoconazole is currently registered for uses that could result in 
short-term residential exposure, and the Agency has determined that it 
is appropriate to aggregate chronic exposure through food and water 
with short-term residential exposures to difenoconazole.
    Using the exposure assumptions described in this unit for short-
term exposures, EPA has concluded the combined short-term food, water, 
and residential exposures result in aggregate MOEs of 250 for children 
and 180 for adults. Because EPA's level of concern for difenoconazole 
is a MOE of 100 or below, these MOEs are not of concern.
    4. Intermediate-term risk. Intermediate-term aggregate exposure 
takes into account intermediate-term residential exposure plus chronic 
exposure to food and water (considered to be a background exposure 
level). An intermediate-term adverse effect was identified; however, 
difenoconazole is not registered for any use patterns that would result 
in intermediate-term residential exposure. Intermediate-term risk is 
assessed based on intermediate-term residential exposure plus chronic 
dietary exposure. Because there is no intermediate-term residential 
exposure and chronic dietary exposure has already been assessed under 
the appropriately protective cPAD (which is at least as protective as 
the POD used to assess intermediate-term risk), no further assessment 
of intermediate-term risk is necessary, and EPA relies on the chronic 
dietary risk assessment for evaluating intermediate-term risk for 
difenoconazole.
    5. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S. population. Based on the data 
summarized in Unit III.A., the chronic dietary risk assessment is 
protective of any potential cancer effects. Based on the results of 
that assessment, EPA concludes that difenoconazole is not expected to 
pose a cancer risk to humans.
    6. Determination of safety. Based on these risk assessments, EPA 
concludes that there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result 
to the general population, or to infants and children from aggregate 
exposure to difenoconazole residues.

IV. Other Considerations

A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology

    Adequate enforcement methodology (gas chromatography with nitrogen 
phosphorus detection (GC/NPD) method AG-575B) is available for the 
determination of residues of difenoconazole in or on plant commodities. 
Liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method 
REM 147.07b is available for the determination of residues of 
difenoconazole and CGA-205375 in livestock commodities. Adequate 
confirmatory methods are also available.
    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,

[[Page 32488]]

FFDCA section 408(b)(4) requires that EPA explain the reasons for 
departing from the Codex level.
    The Codex has not established a MRL for difenoconazole in or on 
cottonseed subgroup 20C; cotton gin byproducts; rice, grain; and rice, 
wild, grain.

V. Conclusion

    Therefore, tolerances are established for residues of 
difenoconazole, 1-[2-[2-chloro-4-(4-chlorophenoxy)phenyl]-4-methyl-1,3-
dioxolan-2-ylmethyl]-1H-1,2,4-triazole, in or on cottonseed subgroup 
20C at 0.40 ppm; rice, grain at 7.0 ppm; and rice, wild, grain at 7.0 
ppm. Additionally, this regulation amends the current tolerance for 
cotton, gin byproducts from 0.05 ppm to 15 ppm. Finally, EPA is 
removing the established tolerance for residues of difenoconazole in or 
on cotton, undelinted seed at 0.05 ppm because residues on cotton, 
undelinted seed are covered by the new tolerance for cottonseed 
subgroup 20C.

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: June 1, 2017.
Michael L. Goodis,
Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.

0
Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is amended as follows:

PART 180--[AMENDED]

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

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


0
2. In Sec.  180.475:
0
i. Remove the entry ``Cotton, undelinted seed'';
0
ii. Revise the entry for ``Cotton, gin byproducts''; and
0
iii. Add alphabetically the entries ``Cottonseed subgroup 20C'', 
``Rice, grain'', and ``Rice, wild, grain'' to the table in paragraph 
(a)(1) to read as follows:


Sec.  180.475   Difenoconazole; tolerances for residues.

    (a) * * * (1) * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Parts per
                        Commodity                             million
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cotton, gin byproducts..................................              15
Cottonseed subgroup 20C.................................            0.40
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rice, grain.............................................             7.0
Rice, wild, grain.......................................             7.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

[FR Doc. 2017-14105 Filed 7-13-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P



                                                32482                       Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 134 / Friday, July 14, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                                report containing this action and other                             enforce its requirements. (See section                             Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
                                                required information to the U.S. Senate,                            307(b)(2).)
                                                the U.S. House of Representatives, and                                                                                             Subpart U—Maine
                                                                                                                    List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
                                                the Comptroller General of the United
                                                States prior to publication of the rule in                            Environmental protection, Air                                ■  2. In § 52.1020:
                                                the Federal Register. A major rule                                  pollution control, Carbon monoxide,                            ■  a. In paragraph (c), the table titled
                                                cannot take effect until 60 days after it                           Incorporation by reference,
                                                                                                                                                                                   ‘‘EPA-Approved Maine Regulations’’ is
                                                                                                                    Intergovernmental relations, Lead,
                                                is published in the Federal Register.                                                                                              amended by revising the entry for
                                                                                                                    Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Particulate
                                                This action is not a ‘‘major rule’’ as                                                                                             ‘‘Chapter 118.’’
                                                                                                                    matter, Reporting and recordkeeping
                                                defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).                                                                                                        ■ b. In paragraph (e), the table titled
                                                                                                                    requirements, Sulfur oxides, Volatile
                                                   Under section 307(b)(1) of the Clean                             organic compounds.                                             ‘‘Maine Non Regulatory’’ is amended by
                                                Air Act, petitions for judicial review of                             Dated: June 26, 2017.                                        adding an entry for ‘‘Demonstration of
                                                this action must be filed in the United                                                                                            Compliance with the Comparable
                                                                                                                    Deborah A. Szaro,
                                                States Court of Appeals for the                                                                                                    Measures Requirement of CAA section
                                                                                                                    Acting Regional Administrator, EPA New
                                                appropriate circuit by September 12,                                England.                                                       184(b)(2)’’ at the end of the table.
                                                2017. Filing a petition for
                                                                                                                      Part 52 of chapter I, title 40 of the                           The revision and addition read as
                                                reconsideration by the Administrator of
                                                                                                                    Code of Federal Regulations is amended                         follows:
                                                this final rule does not affect the finality
                                                of this action for the purposes of judicial                         as follows:
                                                                                                                                                                                   § 52.1020    Identification of plan.
                                                review nor does it extend the time                                  PART 52—APPROVAL AND                                           *       *    *       *      *
                                                within which a petition for judicial                                PROMULGATION OF
                                                review may be filed, and shall not                                                                                                     (c) * * *
                                                                                                                    IMPLEMENTATION PLANS
                                                postpone the effectiveness of such rule
                                                or action. This action may not be                                   ■ 1. The authority citation for part 52
                                                challenged later in proceedings to                                  continues to read as follows:

                                                                                                                     EPA-APPROVED MAINE REGULATIONS
                                                                                                                                     State effective          EPA approval date EPA
                                                               State citation                           Title/subject                                                                                       Explanations
                                                                                                                                          date               approval date and citation 1


                                                         *                            *                  *                                       *                          *                        *                   *
                                                Chapter 118 ......................... Gasoline Dispensing Facili-                           1/1/2012         7/14/2017, [Insert Federal        Includes decommissioning of Stage
                                                                                        ties Vapor Control.                                                    Register citation].               II vapor recovery systems.

                                                                *                            *                           *                          *                         *                     *                      *
                                                    1 In
                                                     order to determine the EPA effective date for a specific provision listed in this table, consult the Federal Register notice cited in this col-
                                                umn for the particular provision.


                                                *          *        *       *       *                                    (e) * * *

                                                                                                                                 MAINE NON REGULATORY
                                                                                                                                     State submittal
                                                 Name of non regulatory SIP                      Applicable geographic or             date/effective                EPA approved date 3                     Explanations
                                                         provision                                 nonattainment area                     date


                                                        *                  *                   *                                                 *                          *                       *                    *
                                                Demonstration of Compli-     York, Cumberland, and                                         4/13/2016         7/14/2017, [Insert Federal        Emission calculations and narrative
                                                  ance with the Comparable     Sagadahoc Counties.                                                             Register citation].              associated with Stage II Decom-
                                                  Measures Requirement of                                                                                                                       missioning SIP revision.
                                                  CAA section 184(b)(2).
                                                  3 In order to determine the EPA effective date for a specific provision listed in this table, consult the Federal Register notice cited in this col-
                                                umn for the particular provision.


                                                [FR Doc. 2017–14735 Filed 7–13–17; 8:45 am]                         ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION                                       ACTION:   Final rule.
                                                BILLING CODE 6560–50–P                                              AGENCY
                                                                                                                                                                                   SUMMARY:   This regulation establishes
                                                                                                                    40 CFR Part 180                                                tolerances for residues of
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with RULES




                                                                                                                                                                                   difenoconazole in or on cottonseed
                                                                                                                    [EPA–HQ–OPP–2016–0254; FRL–9962–05]                            subgroup 20C; rice, grain; and rice,
                                                                                                                                                                                   wild, grain. It also amends the existing
                                                                                                                    Difenoconazole; Pesticide Tolerances                           tolerance for cotton, gin byproducts, and
                                                                                                                                                                                   removes the tolerance for cotton,
                                                                                                                    AGENCY: Environmental Protection                               undelinted seed. Syngenta Crop
                                                                                                                    Agency (EPA).                                                  Protection, LLC requested these


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                                                                     Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 134 / Friday, July 14, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                         32483

                                                tolerances under the Federal Food,                       site at http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-             Protection, LLC, P.O. Box 18300,
                                                Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).                          idx?&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title40/                  Greensboro, NC 27419. The petition
                                                DATES: This regulation is effective July                 40tab_02.tpl.                                         requested that 40 CFR 180.475 be
                                                14, 2017. Objections and requests for                                                                          amended by establishing tolerances for
                                                                                                         C. How can I file an objection or hearing
                                                hearings must be received on or before                                                                         residues of the fungicide
                                                                                                         request?
                                                September 12, 2017, and must be filed                                                                          difenoconazole, 1-[2-[2-chloro-4-(4-
                                                in accordance with the instructions                        Under FFDCA section 408(g), 21                      chlorophenoxy)phenyl]-4-methyl-1,3-
                                                provided in 40 CFR part 178 (see also                    U.S.C. 346a, any person may file an                   dioxolan-2-ylmethyl]-1H-1,2,4-triazole,
                                                Unit I.C. of the SUPPLEMENTARY                           objection to any aspect of this regulation            in or on cottonseed subgroup 20C at
                                                INFORMATION).
                                                                                                         and may also request a hearing on those               0.40 parts per million (ppm); rice, grain
                                                                                                         objections. You must file your objection              at 7 ppm; and rice, wild, grain at 7 ppm.
                                                ADDRESSES:    The docket for this action,                or request a hearing on this regulation               In addition, the petition requested that
                                                identified by docket identification (ID)                 in accordance with the instructions                   the existing tolerance for cotton, gin
                                                number EPA–HQ–OPP–2016–0254, is                          provided in 40 CFR part 178. To ensure                byproducts be increased from 0.05 ppm
                                                available at http://www.regulations.gov                  proper receipt by EPA, you must                       to 15 ppm; and requested the tolerance
                                                or at the Office of Pesticide Programs                   identify docket ID number EPA–HQ–                     in/on cotton, undelinted seed at 0.05
                                                Regulatory Public Docket (OPP Docket)                    OPP–2016–0254 in the subject line on                  ppm as a seed treatment be removed
                                                in the Environmental Protection Agency                   the first page of your submission. All                from 40 CFR 180.475 because the
                                                Docket Center (EPA/DC), West William                     objections and requests for a hearing                 proposed new tolerance in/on
                                                Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 3334, 1301                  must be in writing, and must be                       cottonseed subgroup 20C reflecting
                                                Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC                    received by the Hearing Clerk on or                   foliar uses will be adequate to support
                                                20460–0001. The Public Reading Room                      before September 12, 2017. Addresses                  the seed treatment uses. That document
                                                is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,                     for mail and hand delivery of objections              referenced a summary of the petition
                                                Monday through Friday, excluding legal                   and hearing requests are provided in 40               prepared by Syngenta Crop Protection,
                                                holidays. The telephone number for the                   CFR 178.25(b).                                        LLC, the registrant, which is available in
                                                Public Reading Room is (202) 566–1744,                     In addition to filing an objection or               the docket, http://www.regulations.gov.
                                                and the telephone number for the OPP                     hearing request with the Hearing Clerk                There were no comments received in
                                                Docket is (703) 305–5805. Please review                  as described in 40 CFR part 178, please               response to the notice of filing.
                                                the visitor instructions and additional                  submit a copy of the filing (excluding
                                                information about the docket available                                                                         III. Aggregate Risk Assessment and
                                                                                                         any Confidential Business Information
                                                at http://www.epa.gov/dockets.                                                                                 Determination of Safety
                                                                                                         (CBI)) for inclusion in the public docket.
                                                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                         Information not marked confidential                      Section 408(b)(2)(A)(i) of FFDCA
                                                Michael Goodis, Registration Division                    pursuant to 40 CFR part 2 may be                      allows EPA to establish a tolerance (the
                                                (7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs,                   disclosed publicly by EPA without prior               legal limit for a pesticide chemical
                                                Environmental Protection Agency, 1200                    notice. Submit the non-CBI copy of your               residue in or on a food) only if EPA
                                                Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington,                       objection or hearing request, identified              determines that the tolerance is ‘‘safe.’’
                                                DC 20460–0001; main telephone                            by docket ID number EPA–HQ–OPP–                       Section 408(b)(2)(A)(ii) of FFDCA
                                                number: (703) 305–7090; email address:                   2016–0254, by one of the following                    defines ‘‘safe’’ to mean that ‘‘there is a
                                                RDFRNotices@epa.gov.                                     methods:                                              reasonable certainty that no harm will
                                                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                                 • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://               result from aggregate exposure to the
                                                                                                         www.regulations.gov. Follow the online                pesticide chemical residue, including
                                                I. General Information                                   instructions for submitting comments.                 all anticipated dietary exposures and all
                                                                                                         Do not submit electronically any                      other exposures for which there is
                                                A. Does this action apply to me?                                                                               reliable information.’’ This includes
                                                                                                         information you consider to be CBI or
                                                   You may be potentially affected by                    other information whose disclosure is                 exposure through drinking water and in
                                                this action if you are an agricultural                   restricted by statute.                                residential settings, but does not include
                                                producer, food manufacturer, or                            • Mail: OPP Docket, Environmental                   occupational exposure. Section
                                                pesticide manufacturer. The following                    Protection Agency Docket Center (EPA/                 408(b)(2)(C) of FFDCA requires EPA to
                                                list of North American Industrial                        DC), (28221T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave.                 give special consideration to exposure
                                                Classification System (NAICS) codes is                   NW., Washington, DC 20460–0001.                       of infants and children to the pesticide
                                                not intended to be exhaustive, but rather                  • Hand Delivery: To make special                    chemical residue in establishing a
                                                provides a guide to help readers                         arrangements for hand delivery or                     tolerance and to ‘‘ensure that there is a
                                                determine whether this document                          delivery of boxed information, please                 reasonable certainty that no harm will
                                                applies to them. Potentially affected                    follow the instructions at http://                    result to infants and children from
                                                entities may include:                                    www.epa.gov/dockets/contacts.html.                    aggregate exposure to the pesticide
                                                   • Crop production (NAICS code 111).                     Additional instructions on                          chemical residue. . . .’’
                                                   • Animal production (NAICS code                       commenting or visiting the docket,                       Consistent with FFDCA section
                                                112).                                                    along with more information about                     408(b)(2)(D), and the factors specified in
                                                   • Food manufacturing (NAICS code                      dockets generally, is available at http://            FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(D), EPA has
                                                311).                                                    www.epa.gov/dockets.                                  reviewed the available scientific data
                                                   • Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS                                                                            and other relevant information in
                                                code 32532).                                             II. Summary of Petitioned-For                         support of this action. EPA has
                                                                                                         Tolerance
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                                                                                                                                                               sufficient data to assess the hazards of
                                                B. How can I get electronic access to                       In the Federal Register of February 7,             and to make a determination on
                                                other related information?                               2017 (82 FR 9555) (FRL–9956–86), EPA                  aggregate exposure for difenoconazole
                                                  You may access a frequently updated                    issued a document pursuant to FFDCA                   including exposure resulting from the
                                                electronic version of EPA’s tolerance                    section 408(d)(3), 21 U.S.C. 346a(d)(3),              tolerances established by this action.
                                                regulations at 40 CFR part 180 through                   announcing the filing of a pesticide                  EPA’s assessment of exposures and risks
                                                the Government Printing Office’s e-CFR                   petition (PP 6F8445) by Syngenta Crop                 associated with difenoconazole follows.


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                                                32484                Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 134 / Friday, July 14, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                                A. Toxicological Profile                                 high-doses. The effects observed in                   B. Toxicological Points of Departure/
                                                   EPA has evaluated the available                       acute and subchronic neurotoxicity                    Levels of Concern
                                                toxicity data and considered its validity,               studies were considered transient.                       Once a pesticide’s toxicological
                                                completeness, and reliability as well as                    Although there is some evidence that               profile is determined, EPA identifies
                                                the relationship of the results of the                   difenoconazole affects antibody levels at             toxicological points of departure (POD)
                                                studies to human risk. EPA has also                      doses that cause systemic toxicity, there             and levels of concern to use in
                                                considered available information                         are no indications in the available                   evaluating the risk posed by human
                                                concerning the variability of the                        studies that organs associated with                   exposure to the pesticide. For hazards
                                                sensitivities of major identifiable                      immune function, such as the thymus                   that have a threshold below which there
                                                subgroups of consumers, including                        and spleen, are affected by                           is no appreciable risk, the toxicological
                                                infants and children.                                    difenoconazole.                                       POD is used as the basis for derivation
                                                   Subchronic and chronic studies with                                                                         of reference values for risk assessment.
                                                difenoconazole in mice and rats showed                      Difenoconazole is not mutagenic, and               PODs are developed based on a careful
                                                decreased body weights, decreased body                   no evidence of carcinogenicity was seen               analysis of the doses in each
                                                weight gains and effects on the liver                    in rats. Evidence for carcinogenicity was             toxicological study to determine the
                                                (e.g. hepatocellular hypertrophy, liver                  seen in mice (liver tumors), but                      dose at which no adverse effects are
                                                necrosis, fatty changes in the liver). No                statistically significant carcinoma                   observed (the NOAEL) and the lowest
                                                systemic toxicity was observed at the                    tumors were only induced at                           dose at which adverse effects of concern
                                                limit dose in the most recently                          excessively-high doses. Adenomas                      are identified (the LOAEL). Uncertainty/
                                                submitted rat dermal toxicity study.                     (benign tumors) and liver necrosis only               safety factors are used in conjunction
                                                   The available toxicity studies                        were seen at 300 ppm (46 and 58                       with the POD to calculate a safe
                                                indicated no increased susceptibility of                 milligram/kilogram/day (mg/kg/day) in                 exposure level—generally referred to as
                                                rats or rabbits from in utero or postnatal               males and females, respectively); the                 a population-adjusted dose (PAD) or a
                                                exposure to difenoconazole. In prenatal                  NOAEL in that study was 30 ppm. EPA                   reference dose (RfD)—and a safe margin
                                                developmental toxicity studies in rats                   has concluded that the chronic point of               of exposure (MOE). For non-threshold
                                                and rabbits and in the 2-generation                      departure (POD) for assessing chronic                 risks, the Agency assumes that any
                                                reproduction study in rats, fetal and                    risk (0.96 mg/kg/day) will be protective              amount of exposure will lead to some
                                                offspring toxicity, when observed,                       of any cancer effects for the following               degree of risk. Thus, the Agency
                                                occurred at equivalent or higher doses                   reasons: (1) Tumors were seen in only                 estimates risk in terms of the probability
                                                than in the maternal and parental                        one species; (2) carcinoma tumors were                of an occurrence of the adverse effect
                                                animals.                                                 observed only at the two highest doses                expected in a lifetime. For more
                                                   In a rat developmental toxicity study,                                                                      information on the general principles
                                                                                                         (2,500 and 4,500 ppm) in the mouse
                                                developmental effects were observed at                                                                         EPA uses in risk characterization and a
                                                doses higher than those which caused                     carcinogenicity study; (3) benign tumors
                                                                                                                                                               complete description of the risk
                                                maternal toxicity. Developmental effects                 and necrosis were observed at the mid-
                                                                                                                                                               assessment process, see http://
                                                in the rat included increased incidence                  dose (300 ppm) ; (4) the absence of
                                                                                                                                                               www2.epa.gov/pesticide-science-and-
                                                of ossification of the thoracic vertebrae                tumors at the study’s lower doses (30
                                                                                                                                                               assessing-pesticide-risks/assessing-
                                                and thyroid, decreased number of                         ppm); (5) the absence of genotoxic or                 human-health-risk-pesticides.
                                                sternal centers of ossification, increased               mutagenic effects. The cRfD of 0.96 mg/                  A summary of the toxicological
                                                number of ribs and thoracic vertebrae,                   kg/day is well below the no-observed-                 endpoints for difenoconazole used for
                                                and decreased number of lumbar                           adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) of the                   human risk assessment is discussed in
                                                vertebrae. In the rabbit study,                          mouse carcinogenicity study of 30 ppm                 Unit III.B. of the final rule published in
                                                developmental effects (increases in post-                (4.7 and 5.6 mg/kg/day in males and                   the Federal Register of April 2, 2015 (80
                                                implantation loss and resorptions and                    females, respectively), at which no                   FR 17697) (FRL–9923–82).
                                                decreases in fetal body weight) were                     effects on the biological endpoints
                                                also seen at maternally toxic doses                      relevant to tumor development (i.e.,                  C. Exposure Assessment
                                                (decreased body weight gain and food                     hepatocellular hypertrophy, liver                        1. Dietary exposure from food and
                                                consumption). Since the developmental                    necrosis, fatty changes in the liver and              feed uses. In evaluating dietary
                                                effects are more severe than the                         bile stasis) were seen. As a result, EPA              exposure to difenoconazole, EPA
                                                maternal effects, qualitative                            has concluded that a nonlinear RfD                    considered exposure under the
                                                susceptibility is indicated in the rabbit                approach is appropriate for assessing                 petitioned-for tolerances as well as all
                                                developmental study; however, the                        cancer risk to difenoconazole and a                   existing difenoconazole tolerances in 40
                                                selected POD is protective of this effect.               separate quantitative cancer exposure                 CFR 180.475. EPA assessed dietary
                                                In the 2-generation reproduction study                   assessment is unnecessary.                            exposures from difenoconazole in food
                                                in rats, toxicity to the fetuses and                                                                           as follows:
                                                offspring, when observed, occurred at                       Specific information on the studies                   i. Acute exposure. Quantitative acute
                                                equivalent or higher doses than in the                   received and the nature of the adverse                dietary exposure and risk assessments
                                                maternal and parental animals.                           effects caused by difenoconazole as well              are performed for a food-use pesticide,
                                                   In an acute neurotoxicity study in                    as the no-observed-adverse-effect-level               if a toxicological study has indicated the
                                                rats, reduced fore-limb grip strength was                (NOAEL) and the lowest-observed-                      possibility of an effect of concern
                                                observed on day one in males at the                      adverse-effect-level (LOAEL) from the                 occurring as a result of a 1-day or single
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                                                lowest-observed-adverse-effect-level                     toxicity studies can be found at http://              exposure.
                                                (LOAEL), and clinical signs of                           www.regulations.gov in document                          Such effects were identified for
                                                neurotoxicity were observed in females                   ‘‘Difenoconazole: Human Health Risk                   difenoconazole. In estimating acute
                                                only at the highest dose tested. In a                    Assessment for Proposed New Foliar                    dietary exposure, EPA used food
                                                subchronic neurotoxicity study in rats,                  Uses on Cotton, Rice and Wild Rice’’ at               consumption information from the
                                                decreased hind limb strength was                         pp. 20–21 in docket ID number EPA–                    United States Department of Agriculture
                                                observed in males only at the mid- and                   HQ–OPP–2016–0254.                                     (USDA) National Health and Nutrition


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                                                                     Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 134 / Friday, July 14, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                        32485

                                                Examination Survey, What We Eat in                       a particular area, the exposure estimate              consumption information and
                                                America, (NHANES/WWEIA). This                            does not understate exposure for the                  consumption information for significant
                                                dietary survey was conducted from 2003                   population in such area.                              subpopulations is taken into account
                                                to 2008. As to residue levels in food,                      In addition, the Agency must provide               through EPA’s computer-based model
                                                EPA assumed tolerance-level residues,                    for periodic evaluation of any estimates              for evaluating the exposure of
                                                100 percent crop treated (PCT), and                      used. To provide for the periodic                     significant subpopulations including
                                                available empirical or DEEM (ver. 7.81)                  evaluation of the estimate of PCT as                  several regional groups. Use of this
                                                default processing factors.                              required by FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(F),               consumption information in EPA’s risk
                                                   ii. Chronic exposure. In conducting                   EPA may require registrants to submit                 assessment process ensures that EPA’s
                                                the chronic dietary exposure assessment                  data on PCT.                                          exposure estimate does not understate
                                                EPA used the food consumption data                          For the chronic dietary exposure                   exposure for any significant
                                                from the USDA National Health and                        assessment, the Agency used average                   subpopulation group and allows the
                                                Nutrition Examination Survey, What We                    PCT estimates for existing uses as                    Agency to be reasonably certain that no
                                                Eat in America, (NHANES/WWEIA).                          follows: Almond 10%, apple 20%,                       regional population is exposed to
                                                This dietary survey was conducted from                   apricot 10%, broccoli 2.5%, Brussels                  residue levels higher than those
                                                2003 to 2008. As to residue levels in                    sprouts 2.5%, cabbage 5%, cantaloupe                  estimated by the Agency. Other than the
                                                food, EPA used tolerance-level residues                  2.5%, carrot 5%, cauliflower 2.5%,                    data available through national food
                                                for some commodities, average field                      cherry 2.5%, cucumber 5%, garlic 5%,                  consumption surveys, EPA does not
                                                trial residues and USDA Pesticide Data                   grape 10%, grapefruit 2.5%, hazelnut                  have available reliable information on
                                                Program monitoring samples for the                       1%, nectarine 2.5%, onions 5%, orange                 the regional consumption of food to
                                                remaining commodities, available                         2.5%, peach 2.5%, pear 10%, pecan                     which difenoconazole may be applied
                                                empirical or DEEM (ver.7.81) default                     2.5%, pepper 5%, pistachio 5%, plum/                  in a particular area.
                                                processing factors, and average PCT                      prune 10%, potato 20%, pumpkin 2.5%,                    2. Dietary exposure from drinking
                                                assumptions for some commodities.                        soybean 2.5%, squash 5%, strawberry                   water. The drinking water assessment
                                                   iii. Cancer. Based on the data                        2.5%, sugar beet 15%, tangerine 2.5%,                 was performed using a total toxic
                                                summarized in Unit III.A., EPA has                       tomato 25%, walnut 1%, watermelon                     residue method, which considers both
                                                concluded that a nonlinear RfD                           5%, and wheat (seed treatment) 10%.                   parent difenoconazole and its major
                                                approach is appropriate for assessing                       In most cases, EPA uses available data             metabolite, CGA 205375, in surface and
                                                cancer risk to difenoconazole.                           from United States Department of                      groundwater. Therefore, the Agency
                                                Therefore, a separate quantitative cancer                Agriculture/National Agricultural                     used screening-level water exposure
                                                exposure assessment is unnecessary                       Statistics Service (USDA/NASS),                       models in the dietary exposure analysis
                                                since the chronic dietary risk estimate                  proprietary market surveys, and the                   and risk assessment for difenoconazole
                                                will be protective of potential cancer                   National Pesticide Use Database for the               and its major metabolite in drinking
                                                risk.                                                    chemical/crop combination for the most                water. These simulation models take
                                                   iv. Anticipated residue and percent                   recent 6–7 years. EPA uses an average                 into account data on the physical,
                                                crop treated (PCT) information. Section                  PCT value for chronic dietary risk                    chemical, and fate/transport
                                                408(b)(2)(E) of FFDCA authorizes EPA                     analysis. The average PCT value for                   characteristics of difenoconazole and
                                                to use available data and information on                 each existing use is derived by                       CGA 205375. Further information
                                                the anticipated residue levels of                        combining available public and private                regarding EPA drinking water models
                                                pesticide residues in food and the actual                market survey data for that use and                   used in pesticide exposure assessment
                                                levels of pesticide residues that have                   averaged across all observations and is               can be found at http://www2.epa.gov/
                                                been measured in food. If EPA relies on                  rounded up to the nearest multiple of                 pesticide-science-and-assessing-
                                                such information, EPA must require                       5%, for use in the analysis unless the                pesticide-risks/about-water-exposure-
                                                pursuant to FFDCA section 408(f)(1)                      average PCT value is estimated at less                models-used-pesticide.
                                                that data be provided 5 years after the                  than 2.5% or 1%, in which case the                      Based on the Tier II Pesticide in Water
                                                tolerance is established, modified, or                   Agency uses 2.5% or 1%, respectively,                 Calculator, the Revised Tier 1 Rice
                                                left in effect, demonstrating that the                   as the average PCT value in the analysis.             Model, the Surface Water Concentration
                                                levels in food are not above the levels                  EPA uses a maximum PCT value for                      Calculator, and Pesticide Root Zone
                                                anticipated. For the present action, EPA                 acute dietary risk analysis. The                      Model Ground Water (PRZM GW), the
                                                will issue such data call-ins as are                     maximum PCT value is the highest                      estimated drinking water concentrations
                                                required by FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(E)                   observed maximum value reported                       (EDWCs) of total toxic residues of
                                                and authorized under FFDCA section                       within the recent 6 years of available                difenoconazole for acute exposures are
                                                408(f)(1). Data will be required to be                   public and private market survey data                 estimated to be 33.4 parts per billion
                                                submitted no later than 5 years from the                 for the existing use and rounded up to                (ppb) for surface water and 2.0 ppb for
                                                date of issuance of these tolerances.                    the nearest multiple of 5% for use in the             ground water. For chronic exposures
                                                   Section 408(b)(2)(F) of FFDCA states                  analysis, unless the maximum PCT                      estimated drinking water concentrations
                                                that the Agency may use data on the                      value is estimated at less than 2.5%, in              (EDWCs) of total toxic residues of
                                                actual percent of food treated for                       which case the Agency uses 2.5% as the                difenoconazole for non-cancer
                                                assessing chronic dietary risk only if:                  maximum PCT value in the analysis.                    assessments are estimated to be 27.8
                                                   • Condition a: The data used are                         The Agency believes that the three                 ppb for surface water and 0.60 ppb for
                                                reliable and provide a valid basis to                    conditions discussed in Unit III.C.1.iv.              ground water.
                                                show what percentage of the food                         have been met. With respect to                          Modeled estimates of drinking water
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                                                derived from such crop is likely to                      Condition a, PCT estimates are derived                concentrations were directly entered
                                                contain the pesticide residue.                           from Federal and private market survey                into the dietary exposure model. For
                                                   • Condition b: The exposure estimate                  data, which are reliable and have a valid             acute dietary risk assessment, the water
                                                does not underestimate exposure for any                  basis. The Agency is reasonably certain               concentration value of 33.4 ppb was
                                                significant subpopulation group.                         that the percentage of the food treated               used to assess the contribution to
                                                   • Condition c: Data are available on                  is not likely to be an underestimation.               drinking water. For chronic dietary risk
                                                pesticide use and food consumption in                    As to Conditions b and c, regional                    assessment, the water concentration of


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                                                32486                Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 134 / Friday, July 14, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                                value 27.8 ppb was used to assess the                    responses is found; some are                          3 Registrations for Use of
                                                contribution to drinking water.                          hepatotoxic and hepatocarcinogenic in                 Difenoconazole on Rice and Cotton.’’
                                                   3. From non-dietary exposure. The                     mice. Some induce thyroid tumors in                   Aggregate risk estimates associated with
                                                term ‘‘residential exposure’’ is used in                 rats. Some induce developmental,                      1,2,4-triazole (T) and the conjugated
                                                this document to refer to non-                           reproductive, and neurological effects in             triazole metabolites (i.e., combined
                                                occupational, non-dietary exposure                       rodents. Furthermore, the conazoles                   residues of triazolylalanine (TA) and
                                                (e.g., for lawn and garden pest control,                 produce a diverse range of biochemical                triazolylacetic acid (TAA)), are below
                                                indoor pest control, termiticides, and                   events including altered cholesterol                  the Agency’s level of concern. There are
                                                flea and tick control on pets).                          levels, stress responses, and altered                 no human health risk issues for these
                                                   Difenoconazole is currently registered                DNA methylation. It is not clearly                    metabolites that would preclude the
                                                for the following uses that could result                 understood whether these biochemical                  new uses of difenoconazole. The
                                                in residential exposures: Treatment of                   events are directly connected to their                assessment may be found at http://
                                                ornamental plants in commercial and                      toxicological outcomes. Thus, there is                www.regulations.gov in document in
                                                residential landscapes and interior                      currently no evidence to indicate that                docket ID number EPA–HQ–OPP–2016–
                                                plantscapes. EPA assessed residential                    difenoconazole shares a common                        0254.
                                                exposure using the following                             mechanism of toxicity with any other
                                                assumptions: For residential handlers,                                                                         D. Safety Factor for Infants and
                                                                                                         conazole pesticide, and EPA is not
                                                adult short-term dermal and inhalation                                                                         Children
                                                                                                         following a cumulative risk approach
                                                exposure is expected from mixing,                        for this tolerance action. For                           1. In general. Section 408(b)(2)(C) of
                                                loading, and applying difenoconazole                     information regarding EPA’s procedures                FFDCA provides that EPA shall apply
                                                on ornamentals (gardens and trees). For                  for cumulating effects from substances                an additional tenfold (10X) margin of
                                                residential post-application exposures,                  found to have a common mechanism of                   safety for infants and children in the
                                                short-term dermal exposure is expected                   toxicity, see EPA’s Web site at http://               case of threshold effects to account for
                                                for both adults and children from post-                  www2.epa.gov/pesticide-science-and-                   prenatal and postnatal toxicity and the
                                                application activities in treated                        assessing-pesticide-risks/cumulative-                 completeness of the database on toxicity
                                                residential landscapes.                                  assessment-risk-pesticides.                           and exposure unless EPA determines
                                                   The scenarios used in the aggregate                      This class of compounds can form the               based on reliable data that a different
                                                assessment were those that resulted in                   common metabolite 1,2,4-triazole and                  margin of safety will be safe for infants
                                                the highest exposures. The highest                       two triazole conjugates (triazolylalanine             and children. This additional margin of
                                                exposures consist of the short-term                      and triazolylacetic acid). To support                 safety is commonly referred to as the
                                                dermal exposure to adults from post-                     existing tolerances and to establish new              FQPA Safety Factor (SF). In applying
                                                application activities in treated gardens                tolerances for triazole-containing                    this provision, EPA either retains the
                                                and short-term dermal exposure to                        pesticides, including difenoconazole,                 default value of 10X, or uses a different
                                                children 6 to 11 years old from post-                    EPA conducted a human health risk                     additional safety factor when reliable
                                                application activities in treated gardens.               assessment for exposure to 1,2,4-                     data available to EPA support the choice
                                                Further information regarding EPA                        triazole, triazolylalanine, and                       of a different factor.
                                                standard assumptions and generic                         triazolylacetic acid resulting from the                  2. Prenatal and postnatal sensitivity.
                                                inputs for residential exposures may be                  use of all current and pending uses of                The prenatal and postnatal toxicology
                                                found at http://www2.epa.gov/pesticide-                  any triazole-containing fungicide. The                database for difenoconazole includes rat
                                                science-and-assessing-pesticide-risks/                   risk assessment is a highly conservative,             and rabbit prenatal developmental
                                                standard-operating-procedures-                           screening-level evaluation in terms of                toxicity studies and a 2-generation
                                                residential-pesticide.                                   hazards associated with common                        reproduction toxicity study in rats. The
                                                   4. Cumulative effects from substances                 metabolites (e.g., use of a maximum                   available Agency guideline studies
                                                with a common mechanism of toxicity.                     combination of uncertainty factors) and               indicated no increased qualitative or
                                                Section 408(b)(2)(D)(v) of FFDCA                         potential dietary and non-dietary                     quantitative susceptibility of rats to in
                                                requires that, when considering whether                  exposures (i.e., high end estimates of                utero and/or postnatal exposure to
                                                to establish, modify, or revoke a                        both dietary and non-dietary exposures).              difenoconazole. In the prenatal
                                                tolerance, the Agency consider                           The Agency retained a 3X for the                      developmental toxicity studies in rats
                                                ‘‘available information’’ concerning the                 LOAEL to NOAEL safety factor when                     and rabbits and the 2-generation
                                                cumulative effects of a particular                       the reproduction study was used. In                   reproduction study in rats, toxicity to
                                                pesticide’s residues and ‘‘other                         addition, the Agency retained a 10X for               the fetuses/offspring, when observed,
                                                substances that have a common                            the lack of studies including a                       occurred at equivalent or higher doses
                                                mechanism of toxicity.’’                                 developmental neurotoxicity (DNT)                     than in the maternal/parental animals.
                                                   Difenoconazole is a member of the                     study. The assessment includes                        In a rat developmental toxicity study
                                                conazole class of fungicides containing                  evaluations of risks for various                      developmental effects were observed at
                                                the 1,2,4-triazole moiety. Although                      subgroups, including those comprised                  doses higher than those which caused
                                                conazoles act similarly in plants (fungi)                of infants and children. The Agency’s                 maternal toxicity. In the rabbit study,
                                                by inhibiting ergosterol biosynthesis,                   complete risk assessment is found in the              developmental effects (increases in post-
                                                there is not necessarily a relationship                  propiconazole reregistration docket at                implantation loss and resorptions and
                                                between their pesticidal activity and                    http://www.regulations.gov, Docket ID                 decreases in fetal body weight) were
                                                their mechanism of toxicity in                           Number EPA–HQ–OPP–2005–0497.                          also seen at maternally toxic doses
                                                mammals. Structural similarities do not                     The Agency’s latest updated aggregate              (decreased body weight gain and food
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                                                constitute a common mechanism of                         risk assessment for the triazole-                     consumption). Since the developmental
                                                toxicity. Evidence is needed to establish                containing metabolites was finalized on               effects are more severe than the
                                                that the chemicals operate by the same,                  November 15, 2016 and includes the                    maternal effects, qualitative
                                                or essentially the same, sequence of                     new uses in this rule. It is titled,                  susceptibility is indicated in the rabbit
                                                major biochemical events (EPA, 2002).                    ‘‘Common Triazole Metabolites:                        developmental study; however, the
                                                   In the case of conazoles, however, a                  Updated Aggregate Human Health Risk                   selected POD is protective of this effect.
                                                variable pattern of toxicological                        Assessment to Address the New Section                 In the 2-generation reproduction study


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                                                                     Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 134 / Friday, July 14, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                         32487

                                                in rats, toxicity to the fetuses/offspring,              probability of acquiring cancer given the             assess intermediate-term risk), no
                                                when observed, occurred at equivalent                    estimated aggregate exposure. Short-,                 further assessment of intermediate-term
                                                or higher doses than in the maternal/                    intermediate-, and chronic-term risks                 risk is necessary, and EPA relies on the
                                                parental animals.                                        are evaluated by comparing the                        chronic dietary risk assessment for
                                                   3. Conclusion. EPA has determined                     estimated aggregate food, water, and                  evaluating intermediate-term risk for
                                                that reliable data show the safety of                    residential exposure to the appropriate               difenoconazole.
                                                infants and children would be                            PODs to ensure that an adequate MOE                      5. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S.
                                                adequately protected if the FQPA SF                      exists.                                               population. Based on the data
                                                were reduced to 1X. That decision is                        1. Acute risk. Using the exposure                  summarized in Unit III.A., the chronic
                                                based on the following findings:                         assumptions discussed in this unit for                dietary risk assessment is protective of
                                                   i. The toxicity database for                          acute exposure, the acute dietary                     any potential cancer effects. Based on
                                                difenoconazole is complete.                              exposure from food and water to                       the results of that assessment, EPA
                                                   ii. There are no clear signs of                       difenoconazole will occupy 53% of the                 concludes that difenoconazole is not
                                                neurotoxicity following acute,                           aPAD for all infants less than 1 year old,            expected to pose a cancer risk to
                                                subchronic or chronic dosing in                          the population group receiving the                    humans.
                                                multiple species in the difenoconazole                   greatest exposure.                                       6. Determination of safety. Based on
                                                database. The effects observed in acute                     2. Chronic risk. Using the exposure                these risk assessments, EPA concludes
                                                and subchronic neurotoxicity studies                     assumptions described in this unit for                that there is a reasonable certainty that
                                                are transient and showed in one sex                      chronic exposure, EPA has concluded                   no harm will result to the general
                                                (males as reduced fore-limb grip                         that chronic exposure to difenoconazole               population, or to infants and children
                                                strength with no histologic findings),                   from food and water will utilize 50% of               from aggregate exposure to
                                                and the selected endpoints of toxicity                   the cPAD for all infants less than 1 year             difenoconazole residues.
                                                for risk assessment are protective of any                old the population group receiving the
                                                potential neurotoxicity. Based on the                    greatest exposure. Based on the                       IV. Other Considerations
                                                toxicity profile, and lack of concern for                explanation in Unit III.C.3., regarding               A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
                                                neurotoxicity, there is no need for a                    residential use patterns, chronic
                                                developmental neurotoxicity study or                     residential exposure to residues of                      Adequate enforcement methodology
                                                additional uncertainty factors (UFs) to                  difenoconazole is not expected.                       (gas chromatography with nitrogen
                                                account for neurotoxicity.                                  3. Short-term risk. Short-term                     phosphorus detection (GC/NPD) method
                                                   iii. There is no evidence that                        aggregate exposure takes into account                 AG–575B) is available for the
                                                difenoconazole results in increased                      short-term residential exposure plus                  determination of residues of
                                                susceptibility in in utero rats or rabbits               chronic exposure to food and water                    difenoconazole in or on plant
                                                in the prenatal developmental studies or                 (considered to be a background                        commodities. Liquid chromatography
                                                in young rats in the 2-generation                        exposure level). Difenoconazole is                    with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/
                                                reproduction study. The qualitative                      currently registered for uses that could              MS/MS) method REM 147.07b is
                                                susceptibility seen in the rabbit                        result in short-term residential                      available for the determination of
                                                developmental study is adequately                        exposure, and the Agency has                          residues of difenoconazole and CGA–
                                                protected by the selected POD.                           determined that it is appropriate to                  205375 in livestock commodities.
                                                   iv. There are no residual uncertainties               aggregate chronic exposure through food               Adequate confirmatory methods are also
                                                identified in the exposure databases.                    and water with short-term residential                 available.
                                                The dietary risk assessment utilized                     exposures to difenoconazole.                             The method may be requested from:
                                                tolerance-level residues and 100 PCT for                    Using the exposure assumptions                     Chief, Analytical Chemistry Branch,
                                                the acute assessment; the chronic                        described in this unit for short-term                 Environmental Science Center, 701
                                                assessment was refined by using USDA                     exposures, EPA has concluded the                      Mapes Rd., Ft. Meade, MD 20755–5350;
                                                PDP monitoring data, average field-trial                 combined short-term food, water, and                  telephone number: (410) 305–2905;
                                                residues for some commodities,                           residential exposures result in aggregate             email address: residuemethods@
                                                tolerance-level residues for remaining                   MOEs of 250 for children and 180 for                  epa.gov.
                                                commodities, and average PCT for some                    adults. Because EPA’s level of concern
                                                                                                                                                               B. International Residue Limits
                                                commodities. These assumptions will                      for difenoconazole is a MOE of 100 or
                                                not underestimate dietary exposure to                    below, these MOEs are not of concern.                   In making its tolerance decisions, EPA
                                                difenoconazole. EPA made conservative                       4. Intermediate-term risk.                         seeks to harmonize U.S. tolerances with
                                                (protective) assumptions in the ground                   Intermediate-term aggregate exposure                  international standards whenever
                                                and surface water modeling used to                       takes into account intermediate-term                  possible, consistent with U.S. food
                                                assess exposure to difenoconazole in                     residential exposure plus chronic                     safety standards and agricultural
                                                drinking water. EPA used similarly                       exposure to food and water (considered                practices. EPA considers the
                                                conservative assumptions to assess                       to be a background exposure level). An                international maximum residue limits
                                                postapplication exposure of children.                    intermediate-term adverse effect was                  (MRLs) established by the Codex
                                                These assessments will not                               identified; however, difenoconazole is                Alimentarius Commission (Codex), as
                                                underestimate the exposure and risks                     not registered for any use patterns that              required by FFDCA section 408(b)(4).
                                                posed by difenoconazole.                                 would result in intermediate-term                     The Codex Alimentarius is a joint
                                                                                                         residential exposure. Intermediate-term               United Nations Food and Agriculture
                                                E. Aggregate Risks and Determination of                  risk is assessed based on intermediate-               Organization/World Health
                                                Safety
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                                                                                                         term residential exposure plus chronic                Organization food standards program,
                                                   EPA determines whether acute and                      dietary exposure. Because there is no                 and it is recognized as an international
                                                chronic dietary pesticide exposures are                  intermediate-term residential exposure                food safety standards-setting
                                                safe by comparing aggregate exposure                     and chronic dietary exposure has                      organization in trade agreements to
                                                estimates to the acute PAD (aPAD) and                    already been assessed under the                       which the United States is a party. EPA
                                                chronic PAD (cPAD). For linear cancer                    appropriately protective cPAD (which is               may establish a tolerance that is
                                                risks, EPA calculates the lifetime                       at least as protective as the POD used to             different from a Codex MRL; however,


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                                                32488                Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 134 / Friday, July 14, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                                FFDCA section 408(b)(4) requires that                       This action directly regulates growers,             ■  2. In § 180.475:
                                                EPA explain the reasons for departing                    food processors, food handlers, and food               ■  i. Remove the entry ‘‘Cotton,
                                                from the Codex level.                                    retailers, not States or tribes, nor does              undelinted seed’’;
                                                   The Codex has not established a MRL                   this action alter the relationships or                 ■ ii. Revise the entry for ‘‘Cotton, gin
                                                for difenoconazole in or on cottonseed                   distribution of power and                              byproducts’’; and
                                                subgroup 20C; cotton gin byproducts;                     responsibilities established by Congress               ■ iii. Add alphabetically the entries
                                                rice, grain; and rice, wild, grain.                      in the preemption provisions of FFDCA                  ‘‘Cottonseed subgroup 20C’’, ‘‘Rice,
                                                                                                         section 408(n)(4). As such, the Agency                 grain’’, and ‘‘Rice, wild, grain’’ to the
                                                V. Conclusion                                            has determined that this action will not               table in paragraph (a)(1) to read as
                                                  Therefore, tolerances are established                  have a substantial direct effect on States             follows:
                                                for residues of difenoconazole, 1-[2-[2-                 or tribal governments, on the
                                                                                                                                                                § 180.475 Difenoconazole; tolerances for
                                                chloro-4-(4-chlorophenoxy)phenyl]-4-                     relationship between the national                      residues.
                                                methyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-ylmethyl]-1H–                      government and the States or tribal
                                                                                                                                                                    (a) * * * (1) * * *
                                                1,2,4-triazole, in or on cottonseed                      governments, or on the distribution of
                                                subgroup 20C at 0.40 ppm; rice, grain at                 power and responsibilities among the                                                                  Parts per
                                                7.0 ppm; and rice, wild, grain at 7.0                    various levels of government or between                            Commodity                           million
                                                ppm. Additionally, this regulation                       the Federal Government and Indian
                                                amends the current tolerance for cotton,                 tribes. Thus, the Agency has determined
                                                gin byproducts from 0.05 ppm to 15                       that Executive Order 13132, entitled                       *            *             *           *          *
                                                ppm. Finally, EPA is removing the                        ‘‘Federalism’’ (64 FR 43255, August 10,
                                                                                                                                                                Cotton, gin byproducts .........                        15
                                                established tolerance for residues of                    1999) and Executive Order 13175,
                                                                                                                                                                Cottonseed subgroup 20C ...                           0.40
                                                difenoconazole in or on cotton,                          entitled ‘‘Consultation and Coordination
                                                undelinted seed at 0.05 ppm because                      with Indian Tribal Governments’’ (65 FR
                                                residues on cotton, undelinted seed are                  67249, November 9, 2000) do not apply                      *            *             *           *          *
                                                covered by the new tolerance for                         to this action. In addition, this action
                                                cottonseed subgroup 20C.                                 does not impose any enforceable duty or                Rice, grain ............................                  7.0
                                                                                                         contain any unfunded mandate as                        Rice, wild, grain ....................                    7.0
                                                VI. Statutory and Executive Order                        described under Title II of the Unfunded
                                                Reviews                                                  Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) (2 U.S.C.                       *            *             *           *          *
                                                   This action establishes tolerances                    1501 et seq.).
                                                under FFDCA section 408(d) in                               This action does not involve any                    *       *        *       *         *
                                                response to a petition submitted to the                  technical standards that would require
                                                                                                                                                                [FR Doc. 2017–14105 Filed 7–13–17; 8:45 am]
                                                Agency. The Office of Management and                     Agency consideration of voluntary
                                                                                                                                                                BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
                                                Budget (OMB) has exempted these types                    consensus standards pursuant to section
                                                of actions from review under Executive                   12(d) of the National Technology
                                                Order 12866, entitled ‘‘Regulatory                       Transfer and Advancement Act
                                                Planning and Review’’ (58 FR 51735,                      (NTTAA) (15 U.S.C. 272 note).                          DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
                                                October 4, 1993). Because this action                                                                           SECURITY
                                                                                                         VII. Congressional Review Act
                                                has been exempted from review under                                                                             Coast Guard
                                                Executive Order 12866, this action is                      Pursuant to the Congressional Review
                                                not subject to Executive Order 13211,                    Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), EPA will
                                                                                                         submit a report containing this rule and               46 CFR Chapter I
                                                entitled ‘‘Actions Concerning
                                                Regulations That Significantly Affect                    other required information to the U.S.                 [Docket No. USCG–2016–0669]
                                                Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use’’ (66                Senate, the U.S. House of
                                                FR 28355, May 22, 2001) or Executive                     Representatives, and the Comptroller                   Marine Safety Manual, Volume III, Parts
                                                Order 13045, entitled ‘‘Protection of                    General of the United States prior to                  B and C, Change–2
                                                Children from Environmental Health                       publication of the rule in the Federal                 AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
                                                Risks and Safety Risks’’ (62 FR 19885,                   Register. This action is not a ‘‘major
                                                                                                                                                                ACTION: Availability of updated Marine
                                                April 23, 1997). This action does not                    rule’’ as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
                                                                                                                                                                Safety Manual.
                                                contain any information collections                      List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180
                                                subject to OMB approval under the                                                                               SUMMARY:   The Coast Guard announces
                                                Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44                          Environmental protection,                            the availability of Change–2 to the
                                                U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), nor does it require                Administrative practice and procedure,                 Marine Safety Manual (MSM), Volume
                                                any special considerations under                         Agricultural commodities, Pesticides                   III, Marine Industry Personnel, and the
                                                Executive Order 12898, entitled                          and pests, Reporting and recordkeeping                 corresponding Commandant Change
                                                ‘‘Federal Actions to Address                             requirements.                                          Notice that highlights the changes made
                                                Environmental Justice in Minority                          Dated: June 1, 2017.                                 to that manual. MSM Volume III
                                                Populations and Low-Income                               Michael L. Goodis,                                     provides information and
                                                Populations’’ (59 FR 7629, February 16,                  Director, Registration Division, Office of             interpretations on international
                                                1994).                                                   Pesticide Programs.                                    conventions and U.S. statutory and
                                                   Since tolerances and exemptions that                  ■Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is                        regulatory issues relating to marine
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with RULES




                                                are established on the basis of a petition               amended as follows:                                    industry personnel. This Commandant
                                                under FFDCA section 408(d), such as                                                                             Change Notice discusses the substantive
                                                the tolerance in this final rule, do not                 PART 180—[AMENDED]                                     changes to Parts B and C of MSM
                                                require the issuance of a proposed rule,                                                                        Volume III. All changes are underlined
                                                the requirements of the Regulatory                       ■ 1. The authority citation for part 180               in the final version and each changed
                                                Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601 et                   continues to read as follows:                          page is annotated with CH–2 in the
                                                seq.), do not apply.                                          Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.        footer. The date of each change since


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Document Created: 2018-10-24 11:16:12
Document Modified: 2018-10-24 11:16:12
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 July 14, 2017. Objections and requests for hearings must be received on or before September 12, 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 32482 
CFR AssociatedEnvironmental Protection; Administrative Practice and Procedure; Agricultural Commodities; Pesticides and Pests and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements

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