82_FR_57371 82 FR 57140 - Prometryn; Pesticide Tolerances

82 FR 57140 - Prometryn; Pesticide Tolerances

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 231 (December 4, 2017)

Page Range57140-57144
FR Document2017-26083

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

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 231 (Monday, December 4, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 231 (Monday, December 4, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57140-57144]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-26083]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 180

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2016-0495; FRL-9970-01]


Prometryn; Pesticide Tolerances

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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

DATES: This regulation is effective December 4, 2017. Objections and 
requests for hearings must be received on or before February 2, 2018, 
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-2016-0495, 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-2016-0495 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 
February 2, 2018. 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-2016-0495, 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 November 30, 2016 (81 FR 86312) (FRL-
9954-06), 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 
6E8492) by IR-4 Project Headquarters, Rutgers, The State University of 
NJ, 500 College Road East, Suite 201 W, Princeton, NJ 08540. The 
petition requested that 40 CFR part 180 be amended by establishing 
tolerances for residues of prometryn in or on the raw agricultural 
commodity lettuce at 0.5 parts per million (ppm); cottonseed subgroup 
20C at 0.25 ppm; fennel, Florence at 0.5 ppm; leaf petiole vegetable 
subgroup 22B at 0.5 ppm;

[[Page 57141]]

sesame, oil at 0.12 ppm; sesame, seed at 0.05 ppm; and Swiss chard at 
0.5 ppm.
    In the Federal Register of April 10, 2017 (82 FR 17175) (FRL-9959-
61), 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 
6E8492) by IR-4 Project Headquarters, Rutgers, The State University of 
NJ, 500 College Road East, Suite 201 W, Princeton, NJ 08540. The 
petition requested that 40 CFR part 180 be amended by establishing 
tolerances for residues of prometryn in or on the raw agricultural 
commodity celtuce at 0.5 ppm. This notice of filing corrected the 
November 30, 2016 notice of filing which incorrectly listed the 
commodity as ``lettuce'' not ``celtuce.''
    The documents referenced a summary of the petition prepared by 
Syngenta Crop Protection, the registrant, which is available in the 
docket, http://www.regulations.gov. There were no comments received in 
response to either notice of filing.
    Based upon review of the data supporting the petition, EPA has 
corrected the number of significant figures used, modified one of the 
commodity definitions, and determined that the sesame oil tolerance was 
not necessary. The reason for these changes are explained in Unit IV.C.

III. Aggregate Risk Assessment and Determination of Safety

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

A. Toxicological Profile

    EPA has evaluated the available toxicity data and considered its 
validity, completeness, and reliability as well as the relationship of 
the results of the studies to human risk. EPA has also considered 
available information concerning the variability of the sensitivities 
of major identifiable subgroups of consumers, including infants and 
children.
    Following subchronic and chronic oral exposures to rabbits, mice, 
dogs and rats, the most consistent effects observed in the database 
were decreases in body weight and food consumption. Following chronic 
exposure, effects in the dog included degenerative hepatic changes, 
renal tubule degeneration, and bone marrow atrophy. In rats following 
chronic exposure, renal toxicity (mineralized concentrations) was 
observed. No adverse effects were seen in rabbits following dermal 
exposures up to the limit dose.
    There was evidence of increased pre- and post-natal quantitative 
susceptibility for prometryn. While there was no evidence of 
susceptibility in the developmental toxicity studies in rabbits and 
rats, there was evidence of quantitative susceptibility in the two-
generation reproduction study in rats, with offspring effects 
(decreased pup body weight) occurring at lower doses than those that 
resulted in parental effects (decreased absolute bodyweight and food 
consumption).
    There was no evidence of neurotoxicity in the acute or subchronic 
neurotoxicity studies. In an immunotoxicity study in rats, there was a 
decreased humoral immune response using the sheep red blood cell assay, 
but only at a dose above the limit dose (1045 mg/kg/day).
    Prometryn has been classified by EPA as ``Group E:--Evidence of 
non-carcinogenicity for humans'' based on the lack of oncogenic effects 
at any dose in both rats and mice. Prometryn was determined to be non-
mutagenic and non-clastogenic in in vitro and in vivo genotoxicity 
assays.
    Specific information on the studies received and the nature of the 
adverse effects caused by prometryn as well as the no-observed-adverse-
effect-level (NOAEL) and the lowest-observed-adverse-effect-level 
(LOAEL) from the toxicity studies can be found at http://www.regulations.gov in the document titled ``Prometryn--Preliminary 
Human Health Risk Assessment for Registration Review and the Risk 
Assessment for the Section 3 Registration Request for a New Use on 
Sesame and Crop-Group Conversions'' on pages 46-49 in docket ID number 
EPA-HQ-OPP-2016-0495.

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 prometryn used for 
human risk assessment is shown in Table 1 of this unit.

[[Page 57142]]



                       Table 1--Summary of Toxicological Doses and Endpoints for Prometryn
                                     for Use in Human Health Risk Assessment
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Point of departure
        Exposure/scenario            and uncertainty/     RfD, PAD, LOC for     Study and toxicological effects
                                      safety factors       risk assessment
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acute dietary (Females 13-50       Endpoint not selected as there are no adverse developmental, offspring or
 years of age).                     reproductive effects seen in the toxicological database which are
                                    attributable to a single dose.
Acute dietary (General population     Endpoint not selected as there are no adverse single dose effects in the
 including infants and children).     database which occur at levels relevant for human health risk assessment.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chronic dietary (All populations)  NOAEL= 4 mg/kg/day..  Chronic RfD = 0.04   Chronic Toxicity--Dog:
                                   UFA = 10x...........   mg/kg/day.          LOAEL = 37.5 mg/kg/day based on
                                   UFH = 10x...........  cPAD = 0.04 mg/kg/    degenerative hepatic changes,
                                   FQPA SF = 1x........   day.                 renal tubule degeneration and
                                                                               bone marrow atrophy.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cancer (Oral, dermal, inhalation)     Classification: ``Group E: Evidence of non-carcinogenicity for humans.''
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FQPA SF = Food Quality Protection Act Safety Factor. LOAEL = lowest-observed-adverse-effect-level. mg/kg/day =
  milligram/kilogram/day. NOAEL = no-observed-adverse-effect-level. PAD = population adjusted dose (a = acute, c
  = chronic). RfD = reference dose. UF = uncertainty factor. UFA = extrapolation from animal to human
  (interspecies). UFH = potential variation in sensitivity among members of the human population (intraspecies).

C. Exposure Assessment

    1. Dietary exposure from food and feed uses. In evaluating dietary 
exposure to prometryn, EPA considered exposure under the petitioned-for 
tolerances as well as all existing prometryn tolerances in 40 CFR 
180.222. EPA assessed dietary exposures from prometryn 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.
    No such effects were identified in the toxicological studies for 
prometryn; therefore, a quantitative acute dietary exposure assessment 
is unnecessary.
    ii. Chronic exposure. In conducting the chronic dietary exposure 
assessment EPA used 2003-2008 food consumption data from the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) National Health and Nutrition 
Examination Survey, What We Eat in America (NHANES/WWEIA). As to 
residue levels in food, EPA assumed 100 percent crop treated (PCT) and 
tolerance-level residues.
    iii. Cancer. Based on the data summarized in Unit III.A., EPA has 
concluded that prometryn does not pose a cancer risk to humans. 
Therefore, a dietary exposure assessment for the purpose of assessing 
cancer risk is unnecessary.
    iv. Anticipated residue and PCT information. EPA did not use 
anticipated residue or PCT information in the dietary assessment for 
prometryn. Tolerance level residues and 100 PCT were assumed for all 
food commodities.
    2. Dietary exposure from drinking water. The Agency used screening 
level water exposure models in the dietary exposure analysis and risk 
assessment for prometryn in drinking water. These simulation models 
take into account data on the physical, chemical, and fate/transport 
characteristics of prometryn. Further information regarding EPA 
drinking water models used in pesticide exposure assessment can be 
found at http://www2.epa.gov/pesticide-science-and-assessing-pesticide-risks/about-water-exposure-models-used-pesticide.
    Based on the Pesticide in Water Calculator (PWC) and Pesticide Root 
Zone Model Ground Water (PRZM GW) model, the estimated drinking water 
concentrations (EDWCs) of prometryn for chronic exposures are estimated 
to be 127 parts per billion (ppb) for surface water and 433 ppb for 
ground water.
    Modeled estimates of drinking water concentrations were directly 
entered into the dietary exposure model. For the chronic dietary risk 
assessment, the water concentration of value 433 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).
    Prometryn is not registered for any specific use patterns that 
would result in residential exposure.
    4. Cumulative effects from substances with a common mechanism of 
toxicity. Section 408(b)(2)(D)(v) of FFDCA requires that, when 
considering whether to establish, modify, or revoke a tolerance, the 
Agency consider ``available information'' concerning the cumulative 
effects of a particular pesticide's residues and ``other substances 
that have a common mechanism of toxicity.''
    EPA has not found prometryn to share a common mechanism of toxicity 
with any other substances, and prometryn does not appear to produce a 
toxic metabolite produced by other substances. For the purposes of this 
tolerance action, therefore, EPA has assumed that prometryn does not 
have a common mechanism of toxicity with other substances. For 
information regarding EPA's efforts to determine which chemicals have a 
common mechanism of toxicity and to evaluate the cumulative effects of 
such chemicals, see EPA's Web site at http://www2.epa.gov/pesticide-science-and-assessing-pesticide-risks/cumulative-assessment-risk-pesticides.

D. Safety Factor for Infants and Children

    1. In general. Section 408(b)(2)(C) of FFDCA provides that EPA 
shall apply an additional tenfold (10X) margin of safety for infants 
and children in the case of threshold effects to account for prenatal 
and postnatal toxicity and the completeness of the database on toxicity 
and exposure unless EPA determines based on reliable data that a 
different margin of safety will be safe for infants and children. This 
additional margin of safety is commonly referred to as the FQPA Safety 
Factor (SF). In applying this provision, EPA either retains the default 
value of 10x, or uses a different additional safety factor when 
reliable data available to EPA support the choice of a different 
factor.
    2. Prenatal and postnatal sensitivity. There was evidence of 
increased pre- and post-natal quantitative

[[Page 57143]]

susceptibility for prometryn. While there was no evidence of 
susceptibility in the developmental toxicity studies in rabbits and 
rats, there was evidence of quantitative susceptibility in the two-
generation reproduction study in rats, with offspring effects 
(decreased pup body weight) occurring at lower doses than those that 
resulted in parental effects (decreased absolute bodyweight and food 
consumption).
    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 prometryn is complete.
    ii. There is no indication that prometryn is a neurotoxic chemical 
and there is no need for a developmental neurotoxicity study or 
additional UFs to account for neurotoxicity.
    iii. There was no evidence of increased quantitative or qualitative 
susceptibility in the developmental toxicity studies in rabbits or 
rats. However, there was evidence of increased quantitative 
susceptibility in the two-generation reproduction study. In the two-
generation reproduction study, the offspring effects (decreased 
absolute pup bodyweight in the F1 generation) were observed 
at doses below parental toxicity (decreases in absolute bodyweight, 
bodyweight gain and food consumption in the F1 generation). 
Concern is low since the effects are characterized by clear NOAEL and 
LOAEL values and the selected endpoints are protective of the observed 
effects.
    iv. There are no residual uncertainties identified in the exposure 
databases. The dietary food exposure assessments were performed based 
on 100 PCT and tolerance-level residues. EPA made conservative 
(protective) assumptions in the ground and surface water modeling used 
to assess exposure to prometryn in drinking water. These assessments 
will not underestimate the exposure and risks posed by prometryn.

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. An acute aggregate risk assessment takes into 
account acute exposure estimates from dietary consumption of food and 
drinking water. No adverse effect resulting from a single oral exposure 
was identified and no acute dietary endpoint was selected. Therefore, 
prometryn is not expected to pose an acute risk.
    2. Chronic risk. Using the exposure assumptions described in this 
unit for chronic exposure, EPA has concluded that chronic exposure to 
prometryn from food and water will utilize 60% of the cPAD for all 
infants less than 1-year old, the population group receiving the 
greatest exposure. There are no residential uses for prometryn.
    3. Short- and Intermediate-term risk. Short- and intermediate-term 
aggregate exposure takes into account short- and intermediate-term 
residential exposure plus chronic exposure to food and water 
(considered to be a background exposure level).
    Short- and intermediate-term adverse effects were identified; 
however, prometryn is not registered for any use patterns that would 
result in either short- or intermediate-term residential exposure. 
Short- and intermediate-term risk is assessed based on short-and 
intermediate-term residential exposure plus chronic dietary exposure. 
Because there is no short- or intermediate-term residential exposure 
and chronic dietary exposure has already been assessed under the 
appropriately protective cPAD (which is at least as protective as the 
POD used to assess short- or intermediate-term risk), no further 
assessment of either short- or intermediate-term risk is necessary, and 
EPA relies on the chronic dietary risk assessment for evaluating short- 
and intermediate-term risk for prometryn.
    4. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S. population. Based on the lack of 
evidence of carcinogenicity in two adequate rodent carcinogenicity 
studies, prometryn is not expected to pose a cancer risk to humans.
    5. Determination of safety. Based on these risk assessments, EPA 
concludes that there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result 
to the general population, or to infants and children from aggregate 
exposure to prometryn residues.

IV. Other Considerations

A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology

    Adequate enforcement methodology is available to enforce the 
established and proposed tolerances. Prometryn is completely recovered 
(>80% recovery) using the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) 
Multiresidue Section 302. In addition, both Ciba-Geigy Method AG-559 
(gas chromatography (GC)/flame-photometric detector (FPD)/S) and Method 
AG-673 (GC/nitrogen-phosphorous detector (NPD) method) are considered 
adequate for enforcement purposes.
    The method may be requested from: Chief, Analytical Chemistry 
Branch, Environmental Science Center, 701 Mapes Rd., Ft. Meade, MD 
20755-5350; telephone number: (410) 305-2905; email address: 
[email protected].

B. International Residue Limits

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

C. Revisions To Petitioned-For Tolerances

    EPA modified the tolerance levels to reflect the correct number of 
significant figures and to be consistent with Agency policy. Also, the 
commodity definition for Florence fennel was modified to read ``Fennel, 
Florence, fresh leaves and stalk'' to be consistent with Agency 
nomenclature. Lastly, the petitioner recommended a tolerance for 
residues of prometryn in/on sesame, oil at 0.12 ppm. Residues in oil at 
a 5x application rate were 0.1076 which when extrapolated to 1x would 
be 0.02 ppm. As this value is well below the proposed raw agricultural 
commodity (RAC) tolerance, an oil tolerance is not necessary.

V. Conclusion

    Therefore, tolerances are established for residues of prometryn, 
including its metabolites and degradates, in or on

[[Page 57144]]

celtuce at 0.50 ppm; cottonseed subgroup 20C at 0.25 ppm; fennel, 
Florence, fresh leaves and stalk at 0.50 ppm; leaf petiole vegetable 
subgroup 22B at 0.50 ppm; sesame, seed at 0.05 ppm; and Swiss chard at 
0.50 ppm. Additionally, the existing tolerances for the leaf petioles 
subgroup 4B and cotton, undelinted seed are removed as unnecessary, 
since they are superseded by the new tolerances.

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); Executive Order 13045, entitled 
``Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety 
Risks'' (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997); or Executive Order 13771, 
entitled ``Reducing Regulations and Controlling Regulatory Costs'' (82 
FR 9339, February 3, 2017). 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: November 15, 2017.
Michael L. Goodis,
Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.
    Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is amended as follows:

PART 180--[AMENDED]

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

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

0
2. In Sec.  180.222:
0
i. Remove the entries from the table in paragraph (a) for ``Cotton, 
undelinted seed'' and ``Leaf petioles subgroup 4B''.
0
ii. Add alphabetically entries to the table in paragraph (a) for 
``Celtuce''; ``Cottonseed subgroup 20C''; ``Fennel, Florence, fresh 
leaves and stalk''; ``Leaf petiole vegetable subgroup 22B''; ``Sesame, 
seed''; and ``Swiss chard''.
    The additions read as follows:


Sec.  180.222  Prometryn; tolerances for residues.

    (a) * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Parts per
                         Commodity                             million
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Celtuce....................................................         0.50
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cottonseed subgroup 20C....................................         0.25
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fennel, Florence, fresh leaves and stalk...................         0.50
Leaf petiole vegetable subgroup 22B........................         0.50
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sesame, seed...............................................         0.05
Swiss chard................................................         0.50
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2017-26083 Filed 12-1-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P



                                             57140            Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 231 / Monday, December 4, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                             publication of the rule in the Federal                  ADDRESSES:    The docket for this action,             or request a hearing on this regulation
                                             Register. This action is not a ‘‘major                  identified by docket identification (ID)              in accordance with the instructions
                                             rule’’ as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).                   number EPA–HQ–OPP–2016–0495, is                       provided in 40 CFR part 178. To ensure
                                                                                                     available at http://www.regulations.gov               proper receipt by EPA, you must
                                             List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 174
                                                                                                     or at the Office of Pesticide Programs                identify docket ID number EPA–HQ–
                                               Environmental protection,                             Regulatory Public Docket (OPP Docket)                 OPP–2016–0495 in the subject line on
                                             Administrative practice and procedure,                  in the Environmental Protection Agency                the first page of your submission. All
                                             Agricultural commodities, Pesticides                    Docket Center (EPA/DC), West William                  objections and requests for a hearing
                                             and pests, Reporting and recordkeeping                  Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 3334, 1301               must be in writing, and must be
                                             requirements.                                           Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC                 received by the Hearing Clerk on or
                                               Dated: November 13, 2017.                             20460–0001. The Public Reading Room                   before February 2, 2018. Addresses for
                                             Richard P. Keigwin, Jr.,                                is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,                  mail and hand delivery of objections
                                                                                                     Monday through Friday, excluding legal                and hearing requests are provided in 40
                                             Director, Office of Pesticide Programs.
                                                                                                     holidays. The telephone number for the                CFR 178.25(b).
                                               Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is                        Public Reading Room is (202) 566–1744,                  In addition to filing an objection or
                                             amended as follows:                                     and the telephone number for the OPP                  hearing request with the Hearing Clerk
                                                                                                     Docket is (703) 305–5805. Please review               as described in 40 CFR part 178, please
                                             PART 174—[AMENDED]                                      the visitor instructions and additional               submit a copy of the filing (excluding
                                                                                                     information about the docket available                any Confidential Business Information
                                             ■ 1. The authority citation for part 174                                                                      (CBI)) for inclusion in the public docket.
                                             continues to read as follows:                           at http://www.epa.gov/dockets.
                                                                                                     FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                                                                                                                           Information not marked confidential
                                                 Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.
                                                                                                     Michael Goodis, Registration Division                 pursuant to 40 CFR part 2 may be
                                             ■ 2. Add § 174.537 to subpart W to read                 (7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs,                disclosed publicly by EPA without prior
                                             as follows:                                             Environmental Protection Agency, 1200                 notice. Submit the non-CBI copy of your
                                                                                                     Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington,                    objection or hearing request, identified
                                             § 174.537 HPPD–4 protein; exemption from
                                                                                                     DC 20460–0001; main telephone                         by docket ID number EPA–HQ–OPP–
                                             the requirement of a tolerance.                                                                               2016–0495, by one of the following
                                                                                                     number: (703) 305–7090; email address:
                                                Residues of the HPPD–4 protein,                      RDFRNotices@epa.gov.                                  methods:
                                             which is a modified protein derived                                                                             • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://
                                                                                                     SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                            www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
                                             from the 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate
                                             dioxygenase enzyme of Pseudomonas                       I. General Information                                instructions for submitting comments.
                                             fluorescens, in or on all food                                                                                Do not submit electronically any
                                                                                                     A. Does this action apply to me?                      information you consider to be CBI or
                                             commodities are exempt from the
                                             requirement of a tolerance, when the                       You may be potentially affected by                 other information whose disclosure is
                                             HPPD–4 protein is used as a plant-                      this action if you are an agricultural                restricted by statute.
                                             incorporated protectant inert ingredient.               producer, food manufacturer, or                         • Mail: OPP Docket, Environmental
                                             [FR Doc. 2017–26086 Filed 12–1–17; 8:45 am]             pesticide manufacturer. The following                 Protection Agency Docket Center (EPA/
                                                                                                     list of North American Industrial                     DC), (28221T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave.
                                             BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
                                                                                                     Classification System (NAICS) codes is                NW., Washington, DC 20460–0001.
                                                                                                     not intended to be exhaustive, but rather               • Hand Delivery: To make special
                                                                                                     provides a guide to help readers                      arrangements for hand delivery or
                                             ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
                                                                                                     determine whether this document                       delivery of boxed information, please
                                             AGENCY
                                                                                                     applies to them. Potentially affected                 follow the instructions at http://
                                             40 CFR Part 180                                         entities may include:                                 www.epa.gov/dockets/contacts.html.
                                                                                                        • Crop production (NAICS code 111).                  Additional instructions on
                                             [EPA–HQ–OPP–2016–0495; FRL–9970–01]                        • Animal production (NAICS code                    commenting or visiting the docket,
                                                                                                     112).                                                 along with more information about
                                             Prometryn; Pesticide Tolerances                            • Food manufacturing (NAICS code                   dockets generally, is available at http://
                                                                                                     311).                                                 www.epa.gov/dockets.
                                             AGENCY:  Environmental Protection                          • Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS
                                             Agency (EPA).                                                                                                 II. Summary of Petitioned-For
                                                                                                     code 32532).                                          Tolerance
                                             ACTION: Final rule.
                                                                                                     B. How can I get electronic access to                    In the Federal Register of November
                                             SUMMARY:   This regulation establishes                  other related information?                            30, 2016 (81 FR 86312) (FRL–9954–06),
                                             tolerances for residues of prometryn in                    You may access a frequently updated                EPA issued a document pursuant to
                                             or on multiple commodities which are                    electronic version of EPA’s tolerance                 FFDCA section 408(d)(3), 21 U.S.C.
                                             identified and discussed later in this                  regulations at 40 CFR part 180 through                346a(d)(3), announcing the filing of a
                                             document. Interregional Research                        the Government Printing Office’s e-CFR                pesticide petition (PP 6E8492) by IR–4
                                             Project Number 4 (IR–4) requested these                 site at http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-             Project Headquarters, Rutgers, The State
                                             tolerances under the Federal Food,                      idx?&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title40/                  University of NJ, 500 College Road East,
                                             Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).                         40tab_02.tpl.                                         Suite 201 W, Princeton, NJ 08540. The
                                             DATES: This regulation is effective                                                                           petition requested that 40 CFR part 180
                                                                                                     C. How can I file an objection or hearing             be amended by establishing tolerances
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                                             December 4, 2017. Objections and
                                             requests for hearings must be received                  request?                                              for residues of prometryn in or on the
                                             on or before February 2, 2018, and must                   Under FFDCA section 408(g), 21                      raw agricultural commodity lettuce at
                                             be filed in accordance with the                         U.S.C. 346a, any person may file an                   0.5 parts per million (ppm); cottonseed
                                             instructions provided in 40 CFR part                    objection to any aspect of this regulation            subgroup 20C at 0.25 ppm; fennel,
                                             178 (see also Unit I.C. of the                          and may also request a hearing on those               Florence at 0.5 ppm; leaf petiole
                                             SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION).                             objections. You must file your objection              vegetable subgroup 22B at 0.5 ppm;


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                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 231 / Monday, December 4, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                         57141

                                             sesame, oil at 0.12 ppm; sesame, seed at                FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(D), EPA has                   non-clastogenic in in vitro and in vivo
                                             0.05 ppm; and Swiss chard at 0.5 ppm.                   reviewed the available scientific data                genotoxicity assays.
                                                In the Federal Register of April 10,                 and other relevant information in                        Specific information on the studies
                                             2017 (82 FR 17175) (FRL–9959–61),                       support of this action. EPA has                       received and the nature of the adverse
                                             EPA issued a document pursuant to                       sufficient data to assess the hazards of
                                             FFDCA section 408(d)(3), 21 U.S.C.                                                                            effects caused by prometryn as well as
                                                                                                     and to make a determination on
                                             346a(d)(3), announcing the filing of a                                                                        the no-observed-adverse-effect-level
                                                                                                     aggregate exposure for prometryn
                                             pesticide petition (PP 6E8492) by IR–4                  including exposure resulting from the                 (NOAEL) and the lowest-observed-
                                             Project Headquarters, Rutgers, The State                tolerances established by this action.                adverse-effect-level (LOAEL) from the
                                             University of NJ, 500 College Road East,                EPA’s assessment of exposures and risks               toxicity studies can be found at http://
                                             Suite 201 W, Princeton, NJ 08540. The                   associated with prometryn follows.                    www.regulations.gov in the document
                                             petition requested that 40 CFR part 180                                                                       titled ‘‘Prometryn—Preliminary Human
                                             be amended by establishing tolerances                   A. Toxicological Profile                              Health Risk Assessment for Registration
                                             for residues of prometryn in or on the                     EPA has evaluated the available                    Review and the Risk Assessment for the
                                             raw agricultural commodity celtuce at                   toxicity data and considered its validity,            Section 3 Registration Request for a New
                                             0.5 ppm. This notice of filing corrected                completeness, and reliability as well as              Use on Sesame and Crop-Group
                                             the November 30, 2016 notice of filing                  the relationship of the results of the                Conversions’’ on pages 46–49 in docket
                                             which incorrectly listed the commodity                  studies to human risk. EPA has also                   ID number EPA–HQ–OPP–2016–0495.
                                             as ‘‘lettuce’’ not ‘‘celtuce.’’                         considered available information
                                                The documents referenced a summary                   concerning the variability of the                     B. Toxicological Points of Departure/
                                             of the petition prepared by Syngenta                    sensitivities of major identifiable                   Levels of Concern
                                             Crop Protection, the registrant, which is               subgroups of consumers, including
                                             available in the docket, http://                        infants and children.                                    Once a pesticide’s toxicological
                                             www.regulations.gov. There were no                         Following subchronic and chronic                   profile is determined, EPA identifies
                                             comments received in response to either                 oral exposures to rabbits, mice, dogs and             toxicological points of departure (POD)
                                             notice of filing.                                       rats, the most consistent effects                     and levels of concern to use in
                                                Based upon review of the data                        observed in the database were decreases               evaluating the risk posed by human
                                             supporting the petition, EPA has                        in body weight and food consumption.                  exposure to the pesticide. For hazards
                                             corrected the number of significant                     Following chronic exposure, effects in                that have a threshold below which there
                                             figures used, modified one of the                       the dog included degenerative hepatic                 is no appreciable risk, the toxicological
                                             commodity definitions, and determined                   changes, renal tubule degeneration, and               POD is used as the basis for derivation
                                             that the sesame oil tolerance was not                   bone marrow atrophy. In rats following                of reference values for risk assessment.
                                             necessary. The reason for these changes                 chronic exposure, renal toxicity                      PODs are developed based on a careful
                                             are explained in Unit IV.C.                             (mineralized concentrations) was                      analysis of the doses in each
                                                                                                     observed. No adverse effects were seen                toxicological study to determine the
                                             III. Aggregate Risk Assessment and
                                                                                                     in rabbits following dermal exposures                 dose at which no adverse effects are
                                             Determination of Safety
                                                                                                     up to the limit dose.                                 observed (the NOAEL) and the lowest
                                                Section 408(b)(2)(A)(i) of FFDCA                        There was evidence of increased pre-
                                             allows EPA to establish a tolerance (the                and post-natal quantitative                           dose at which adverse effects of concern
                                             legal limit for a pesticide chemical                    susceptibility for prometryn. While                   are identified (the LOAEL). Uncertainty/
                                             residue in or on a food) only if EPA                    there was no evidence of susceptibility               safety factors are used in conjunction
                                             determines that the tolerance is ‘‘safe.’’              in the developmental toxicity studies in              with the POD to calculate a safe
                                             Section 408(b)(2)(A)(ii) of FFDCA                       rabbits and rats, there was evidence of               exposure level—generally referred to as
                                             defines ‘‘safe’’ to mean that ‘‘there is a              quantitative susceptibility in the two-               a population-adjusted dose (PAD) or a
                                             reasonable certainty that no harm will                  generation reproduction study in rats,                reference dose (RfD)—and a safe margin
                                             result from aggregate exposure to the                   with offspring effects (decreased pup                 of exposure (MOE). For non-threshold
                                             pesticide chemical residue, including                   body weight) occurring at lower doses                 risks, the Agency assumes that any
                                             all anticipated dietary exposures and all               than those that resulted in parental                  amount of exposure will lead to some
                                             other exposures for which there is                      effects (decreased absolute bodyweight                degree of risk. Thus, the Agency
                                             reliable information.’’ This includes                   and food consumption).                                estimates risk in terms of the probability
                                             exposure through drinking water and in                     There was no evidence of                           of an occurrence of the adverse effect
                                             residential settings, but does not include              neurotoxicity in the acute or subchronic              expected in a lifetime. For more
                                             occupational exposure. Section                          neurotoxicity studies. In an                          information on the general principles
                                             408(b)(2)(C) of FFDCA requires EPA to                   immunotoxicity study in rats, there was               EPA uses in risk characterization and a
                                             give special consideration to exposure                  a decreased humoral immune response                   complete description of the risk
                                             of infants and children to the pesticide                using the sheep red blood cell assay, but             assessment process, see http://
                                             chemical residue in establishing a                      only at a dose above the limit dose                   www2.epa.gov/pesticide-science-and-
                                             tolerance and to ‘‘ensure that there is a               (1045 mg/kg/day).
                                                                                                        Prometryn has been classified by EPA               assessing-pesticide-risks/assessing-
                                             reasonable certainty that no harm will
                                                                                                     as ‘‘Group E:—Evidence of non-                        human-health-risk-pesticides.
                                             result to infants and children from
                                             aggregate exposure to the pesticide                     carcinogenicity for humans’’ based on                    A summary of the toxicological
                                             chemical residue. . . .’’                               the lack of oncogenic effects at any dose             endpoints for prometryn used for
                                                Consistent with FFDCA section                        in both rats and mice. Prometryn was                  human risk assessment is shown in
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                                             408(b)(2)(D), and the factors specified in              determined to be non-mutagenic and                    Table 1 of this unit.




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                                             57142            Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 231 / Monday, December 4, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                                                       TABLE 1—SUMMARY OF TOXICOLOGICAL DOSES AND ENDPOINTS FOR PROMETRYN
                                                                                    FOR USE IN HUMAN HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT

                                                                                                Point of departure      RfD, PAD, LOC for
                                                         Exposure/scenario                       and uncertainty/                                             Study and toxicological effects
                                                                                                                         risk assessment
                                                                                                  safety factors

                                             Acute dietary (Females 13–50 years of              Endpoint not selected as there are no adverse developmental, offspring or reproductive effects seen
                                               age).                                            in the toxicological database which are attributable to a single dose.
                                             Acute dietary (General population in-               Endpoint not selected as there are no adverse single dose effects in the database which occur at lev-
                                               cluding infants and children).                                                els relevant for human health risk assessment.

                                             Chronic dietary (All populations) ............     NOAEL= 4 mg/kg/         Chronic RfD = 0.04       Chronic Toxicity—Dog:
                                                                                                 day.                     mg/kg/day.             LOAEL = 37.5 mg/kg/day based on degenerative hepatic
                                                                                                UFA = 10x               cPAD = 0.04 mg/            changes, renal tubule degeneration and bone marrow
                                                                                                UFH = 10x                 kg/day.                  atrophy.
                                                                                                FQPA SF = 1x

                                             Cancer (Oral, dermal, inhalation) ...........                      Classification: ‘‘Group E: Evidence of non-carcinogenicity for humans.’’
                                                FQPA SF = Food Quality Protection Act Safety Factor. LOAEL = lowest-observed-adverse-effect-level. mg/kg/day = milligram/kilogram/day.
                                             NOAEL = no-observed-adverse-effect-level. PAD = population adjusted dose (a = acute, c = chronic). RfD = reference dose. UF = uncertainty
                                             factor. UFA = extrapolation from animal to human (interspecies). UFH = potential variation in sensitivity among members of the human population
                                             (intraspecies).


                                             C. Exposure Assessment                                      2. Dietary exposure from drinking                  cumulative effects of a particular
                                                                                                      water. The Agency used screening level                pesticide’s residues and ‘‘other
                                                1. Dietary exposure from food and                     water exposure models in the dietary                  substances that have a common
                                             feed uses. In evaluating dietary                         exposure analysis and risk assessment                 mechanism of toxicity.’’
                                             exposure to prometryn, EPA considered                    for prometryn in drinking water. These                  EPA has not found prometryn to share
                                             exposure under the petitioned-for                        simulation models take into account                   a common mechanism of toxicity with
                                             tolerances as well as all existing                       data on the physical, chemical, and fate/             any other substances, and prometryn
                                             prometryn tolerances in 40 CFR                           transport characteristics of prometryn.               does not appear to produce a toxic
                                             180.222. EPA assessed dietary                            Further information regarding EPA                     metabolite produced by other
                                             exposures from prometryn in food as                      drinking water models used in pesticide               substances. For the purposes of this
                                             follows:                                                 exposure assessment can be found at                   tolerance action, therefore, EPA has
                                                i. Acute exposure. Quantitative acute                 http://www2.epa.gov/pesticide-science-                assumed that prometryn does not have
                                             dietary exposure and risk assessments                    and-assessing-pesticide-risks/about-                  a common mechanism of toxicity with
                                             are performed for a food-use pesticide,                  water-exposure-models-used-pesticide.                 other substances. For information
                                             if a toxicological study has indicated the                  Based on the Pesticide in Water                    regarding EPA’s efforts to determine
                                             possibility of an effect of concern                      Calculator (PWC) and Pesticide Root                   which chemicals have a common
                                             occurring as a result of a 1-day or single               Zone Model Ground Water (PRZM GW)                     mechanism of toxicity and to evaluate
                                             exposure.                                                model, the estimated drinking water                   the cumulative effects of such
                                                No such effects were identified in the                concentrations (EDWCs) of prometryn                   chemicals, see EPA’s Web site at http://
                                             toxicological studies for prometryn;                     for chronic exposures are estimated to                www2.epa.gov/pesticide-science-and-
                                             therefore, a quantitative acute dietary                  be 127 parts per billion (ppb) for surface            assessing-pesticide-risks/cumulative-
                                             exposure assessment is unnecessary.                      water and 433 ppb for ground water.                   assessment-risk-pesticides.
                                                ii. Chronic exposure. In conducting                      Modeled estimates of drinking water
                                                                                                      concentrations were directly entered                  D. Safety Factor for Infants and
                                             the chronic dietary exposure assessment                                                                        Children
                                             EPA used 2003–2008 food consumption                      into the dietary exposure model. For the
                                                                                                      chronic dietary risk assessment, the                    1. In general. Section 408(b)(2)(C) of
                                             data from the U.S. Department of
                                                                                                      water concentration of value 433 ppb                  FFDCA provides that EPA shall apply
                                             Agriculture’s (USDA’s) National Health
                                                                                                      was used to assess the contribution to                an additional tenfold (10X) margin of
                                             and Nutrition Examination Survey,
                                                                                                      drinking water.                                       safety for infants and children in the
                                             What We Eat in America (NHANES/
                                                                                                         3. From non-dietary exposure. The                  case of threshold effects to account for
                                             WWEIA). As to residue levels in food,
                                                                                                      term ‘‘residential exposure’’ is used in              prenatal and postnatal toxicity and the
                                             EPA assumed 100 percent crop treated                                                                           completeness of the database on toxicity
                                                                                                      this document to refer to non-
                                             (PCT) and tolerance-level residues.                                                                            and exposure unless EPA determines
                                                                                                      occupational, non-dietary exposure
                                                iii. Cancer. Based on the data                        (e.g., for lawn and garden pest control,              based on reliable data that a different
                                             summarized in Unit III.A., EPA has                       indoor pest control, termiticides, and                margin of safety will be safe for infants
                                             concluded that prometryn does not pose                   flea and tick control on pets).                       and children. This additional margin of
                                             a cancer risk to humans. Therefore, a                       Prometryn is not registered for any                safety is commonly referred to as the
                                             dietary exposure assessment for the                      specific use patterns that would result               FQPA Safety Factor (SF). In applying
                                             purpose of assessing cancer risk is                      in residential exposure.                              this provision, EPA either retains the
                                             unnecessary.                                                4. Cumulative effects from substances
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                                                                                                                                                            default value of 10x, or uses a different
                                                iv. Anticipated residue and PCT                       with a common mechanism of toxicity.                  additional safety factor when reliable
                                             information. EPA did not use                             Section 408(b)(2)(D)(v) of FFDCA                      data available to EPA support the choice
                                             anticipated residue or PCT information                   requires that, when considering whether               of a different factor.
                                             in the dietary assessment for prometryn.                 to establish, modify, or revoke a                       2. Prenatal and postnatal sensitivity.
                                             Tolerance level residues and 100 PCT                     tolerance, the Agency consider                        There was evidence of increased pre-
                                             were assumed for all food commodities.                   ‘‘available information’’ concerning the              and post-natal quantitative


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                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 231 / Monday, December 4, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                        57143

                                             susceptibility for prometryn. While                     PODs to ensure that an adequate MOE                   using the Food and Drug
                                             there was no evidence of susceptibility                 exists.                                               Administration’s (FDA’s) Multiresidue
                                             in the developmental toxicity studies in                   1. Acute risk. An acute aggregate risk             Section 302. In addition, both Ciba-
                                             rabbits and rats, there was evidence of                 assessment takes into account acute                   Geigy Method AG–559 (gas
                                             quantitative susceptibility in the two-                 exposure estimates from dietary                       chromatography (GC)/flame-
                                             generation reproduction study in rats,                  consumption of food and drinking                      photometric detector (FPD)/S) and
                                             with offspring effects (decreased pup                   water. No adverse effect resulting from               Method AG–673 (GC/nitrogen-
                                             body weight) occurring at lower doses                   a single oral exposure was identified                 phosphorous detector (NPD) method)
                                             than those that resulted in parental                    and no acute dietary endpoint was                     are considered adequate for enforcement
                                             effects (decreased absolute bodyweight                  selected. Therefore, prometryn is not                 purposes.
                                             and food consumption).                                  expected to pose an acute risk.                          The method may be requested from:
                                                3. Conclusion. EPA has determined                       2. Chronic risk. Using the exposure                Chief, Analytical Chemistry Branch,
                                             that reliable data show the safety of                   assumptions described in this unit for                Environmental Science Center, 701
                                             infants and children would be                           chronic exposure, EPA has concluded                   Mapes Rd., Ft. Meade, MD 20755–5350;
                                             adequately protected if the FQPA SF                     that chronic exposure to prometryn                    telephone number: (410) 305–2905;
                                             were reduced to 1x. That decision is                    from food and water will utilize 60% of               email address: residuemethods@
                                             based on the following findings:                        the cPAD for all infants less than 1-year             epa.gov.
                                                i. The toxicity database for prometryn               old, the population group receiving the
                                             is complete.                                                                                                  B. International Residue Limits
                                                                                                     greatest exposure. There are no
                                                ii. There is no indication that                      residential uses for prometryn.                          In making its tolerance decisions, EPA
                                             prometryn is a neurotoxic chemical and                     3. Short- and Intermediate-term risk.              seeks to harmonize U.S. tolerances with
                                             there is no need for a developmental                    Short- and intermediate-term aggregate                international standards whenever
                                             neurotoxicity study or additional UFs to                exposure takes into account short- and                possible, consistent with U.S. food
                                             account for neurotoxicity.                              intermediate-term residential exposure                safety standards and agricultural
                                                iii. There was no evidence of                        plus chronic exposure to food and water               practices. EPA considers the
                                             increased quantitative or qualitative                   (considered to be a background                        international maximum residue limits
                                             susceptibility in the developmental                     exposure level).                                      (MRLs) established by the Codex
                                             toxicity studies in rabbits or rats.                       Short- and intermediate-term adverse               Alimentarius Commission (Codex), as
                                             However, there was evidence of                          effects were identified; however,                     required by FFDCA section 408(b)(4).
                                             increased quantitative susceptibility in                prometryn is not registered for any use               The Codex Alimentarius is a joint
                                             the two-generation reproduction study.                  patterns that would result in either                  United Nations Food and Agriculture
                                             In the two-generation reproduction                      short- or intermediate-term residential               Organization/World Health
                                             study, the offspring effects (decreased                 exposure. Short- and intermediate-term                Organization food standards program,
                                             absolute pup bodyweight in the F1                       risk is assessed based on short-and                   and it is recognized as an international
                                             generation) were observed at doses                      intermediate-term residential exposure                food safety standards-setting
                                             below parental toxicity (decreases in                   plus chronic dietary exposure. Because                organization in trade agreements to
                                             absolute bodyweight, bodyweight gain                    there is no short- or intermediate-term               which the United States is a party. EPA
                                             and food consumption in the F1                          residential exposure and chronic dietary              may establish a tolerance that is
                                             generation). Concern is low since the                   exposure has already been assessed                    different from a Codex MRL; however,
                                             effects are characterized by clear                      under the appropriately protective                    FFDCA section 408(b)(4) requires that
                                             NOAEL and LOAEL values and the                          cPAD (which is at least as protective as              EPA explain the reasons for departing
                                             selected endpoints are protective of the                the POD used to assess short- or                      from the Codex level.
                                             observed effects.                                       intermediate-term risk), no further                      The Codex has not established any
                                                iv. There are no residual uncertainties                                                                    MRLs for prometryn.
                                                                                                     assessment of either short- or
                                             identified in the exposure databases.
                                                                                                     intermediate-term risk is necessary, and              C. Revisions To Petitioned-For
                                             The dietary food exposure assessments
                                                                                                     EPA relies on the chronic dietary risk                Tolerances
                                             were performed based on 100 PCT and
                                                                                                     assessment for evaluating short- and
                                             tolerance-level residues. EPA made                                                                               EPA modified the tolerance levels to
                                                                                                     intermediate-term risk for prometryn.
                                             conservative (protective) assumptions in                                                                      reflect the correct number of significant
                                                                                                        4. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S.
                                             the ground and surface water modeling                                                                         figures and to be consistent with Agency
                                                                                                     population. Based on the lack of
                                             used to assess exposure to prometryn in                                                                       policy. Also, the commodity definition
                                                                                                     evidence of carcinogenicity in two
                                             drinking water. These assessments will                                                                        for Florence fennel was modified to read
                                                                                                     adequate rodent carcinogenicity studies,
                                             not underestimate the exposure and                                                                            ‘‘Fennel, Florence, fresh leaves and
                                                                                                     prometryn is not expected to pose a
                                             risks posed by prometryn.                                                                                     stalk’’ to be consistent with Agency
                                                                                                     cancer risk to humans.
                                                                                                        5. Determination of safety. Based on               nomenclature. Lastly, the petitioner
                                             E. Aggregate Risks and Determination of
                                                                                                     these risk assessments, EPA concludes                 recommended a tolerance for residues of
                                             Safety
                                                                                                     that there is a reasonable certainty that             prometryn in/on sesame, oil at 0.12
                                                EPA determines whether acute and                                                                           ppm. Residues in oil at a 5x application
                                             chronic dietary pesticide exposures are                 no harm will result to the general
                                                                                                     population, or to infants and children                rate were 0.1076 which when
                                             safe by comparing aggregate exposure                                                                          extrapolated to 1x would be 0.02 ppm.
                                             estimates to the acute PAD (aPAD) and                   from aggregate exposure to prometryn
                                                                                                     residues.                                             As this value is well below the proposed
                                             chronic PAD (cPAD). For linear cancer                                                                         raw agricultural commodity (RAC)
                                             risks, EPA calculates the lifetime
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                                                                                                     IV. Other Considerations                              tolerance, an oil tolerance is not
                                             probability of acquiring cancer given the                                                                     necessary.
                                             estimated aggregate exposure. Short-,                   A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
                                             intermediate-, and chronic-term risks                      Adequate enforcement methodology                   V. Conclusion
                                             are evaluated by comparing the                          is available to enforce the established                 Therefore, tolerances are established
                                             estimated aggregate food, water, and                    and proposed tolerances. Prometryn is                 for residues of prometryn, including its
                                             residential exposure to the appropriate                 completely recovered (≤80% recovery)                  metabolites and degradates, in or on


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                                             57144            Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 231 / Monday, December 4, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                             celtuce at 0.50 ppm; cottonseed                         governments, or on the distribution of                § 180.222 Prometryn; tolerances for
                                             subgroup 20C at 0.25 ppm; fennel,                       power and responsibilities among the                  residues.
                                             Florence, fresh leaves and stalk at 0.50                various levels of government or between                   (a) * * *
                                             ppm; leaf petiole vegetable subgroup                    the Federal Government and Indian
                                             22B at 0.50 ppm; sesame, seed at 0.05                   tribes. Thus, the Agency has determined                                                                    Parts per
                                                                                                                                                                         Commodity
                                             ppm; and Swiss chard at 0.50 ppm.                       that Executive Order 13132, entitled                                                                        million
                                             Additionally, the existing tolerances for               ‘‘Federalism’’ (64 FR 43255, August 10,
                                             the leaf petioles subgroup 4B and                       1999) and Executive Order 13175,                          *             *             *                *         *
                                             cotton, undelinted seed are removed as                  entitled ‘‘Consultation and Coordination
                                             unnecessary, since they are superseded                  with Indian Tribal Governments’’ (65 FR               Celtuce ......................................             0.50
                                             by the new tolerances.                                  67249, November 9, 2000) do not apply
                                             VI. Statutory and Executive Order                       to this action. In addition, this action
                                                                                                     does not impose any enforceable duty or                   *             *             *                *         *
                                             Reviews
                                                                                                     contain any unfunded mandate as                       Cottonseed subgroup 20C .......                            0.25
                                                This action establishes tolerances                   described under Title II of the Unfunded
                                             under FFDCA section 408(d) in                           Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) (2 U.S.C.
                                             response to a petition submitted to the                 1501 et seq.).                                            *             *             *                *         *
                                             Agency. The Office of Management and
                                                                                                        This action does not involve any
                                             Budget (OMB) has exempted these types                                                                         Fennel, Florence, fresh leaves
                                             of actions from review under Executive                  technical standards that would require                  and stalk ................................               0.50
                                             Order 12866, entitled ‘‘Regulatory                      Agency consideration of voluntary                     Leaf petiole vegetable sub-
                                             Planning and Review’’ (58 FR 51735,                     consensus standards pursuant to section                 group 22B .............................                  0.50
                                             October 4, 1993). Because this action                   12(d) of the National Technology
                                             has been exempted from review under                     Transfer and Advancement Act
                                                                                                     (NTTAA) (15 U.S.C. 272 note).                             *             *             *                *         *
                                             Executive Order 12866, this action is
                                             not subject to Executive Order 13211,                   VII. Congressional Review Act                         Sesame, seed ...........................                   0.05
                                             entitled ‘‘Actions Concerning                                                                                 Swiss chard ..............................                 0.50
                                             Regulations That Significantly Affect                     Pursuant to the Congressional Review
                                             Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use’’ (66               Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), EPA will                  *        *        *        *        *
                                             FR 28355, May 22, 2001); Executive                      submit a report containing this rule and              [FR Doc. 2017–26083 Filed 12–1–17; 8:45 am]
                                             Order 13045, entitled ‘‘Protection of                   other required information to the U.S.                BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
                                             Children from Environmental Health                      Senate, the U.S. House of
                                             Risks and Safety Risks’’ (62 FR 19885,                  Representatives, and the Comptroller
                                             April 23, 1997); or Executive Order                     General of the United States prior to                 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
                                             13771, entitled ‘‘Reducing Regulations                  publication of the rule in the Federal                AGENCY
                                             and Controlling Regulatory Costs’’ (82                  Register. This action is not a ‘‘major
                                             FR 9339, February 3, 2017). This action                 rule’’ as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).                 40 CFR Part 180
                                             does not contain any information                        List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180                   [EPA–HQ–OPP–2016–0384; FRL–9970–05]
                                             collections subject to OMB approval
                                             under the Paperwork Reduction Act                         Environmental protection,                           Quinclorac; Pesticide Tolerances
                                             (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), nor does                Administrative practice and procedure,
                                             it require any special considerations                   Agricultural commodities, Pesticides                  AGENCY:  Environmental Protection
                                             under Executive Order 12898, entitled                   and pests, Reporting and recordkeeping                Agency (EPA).
                                             ‘‘Federal Actions to Address                            requirements.                                         ACTION: Final rule.
                                             Environmental Justice in Minority                         Dated: November 15, 2017.                           SUMMARY:   This regulation establishes
                                             Populations and Low-Income                              Michael L. Goodis,                                    tolerances for residues of quinclorac in
                                             Populations’’ (59 FR 7629, February 16,                                                                       or on the bushberry subgroup 13–07B,
                                                                                                     Director, Registration Division, Office of
                                             1994).                                                  Pesticide Programs.                                   the caneberry subgroup 13–07A, and
                                                Since tolerances and exemptions that
                                                                                                       Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is                      asparagus. Interregional Research
                                             are established on the basis of a petition
                                                                                                     amended as follows:                                   Project Number 4 (IR–4) requested these
                                             under FFDCA section 408(d), such as
                                                                                                                                                           tolerances under the Federal Food,
                                             the tolerance in this final rule, do not
                                                                                                     PART 180—[AMENDED]                                    Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
                                             require the issuance of a proposed rule,
                                             the requirements of the Regulatory                                                                            DATES: This regulation is effective
                                             Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601 et                  ■ 1. The authority citation for part 180              December 4, 2017. Objections and
                                             seq.), do not apply.                                    continues to read as follows:                         requests for hearings must be received
                                                This action directly regulates growers,                  Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.        on or before February 2, 2018, and must
                                             food processors, food handlers, and food                                                                      be filed in accordance with the
                                                                                                     ■  2. In § 180.222:                                   instructions provided in 40 CFR part
                                             retailers, not States or tribes, nor does
                                             this action alter the relationships or                  ■  i. Remove the entries from the table in            178 (see also Unit I.C. of the
                                             distribution of power and                               paragraph (a) for ‘‘Cotton, undelinted                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION).
                                             responsibilities established by Congress                seed’’ and ‘‘Leaf petioles subgroup 4B’’.             ADDRESSES: The docket for this action,
                                             in the preemption provisions of FFDCA                   ■ ii. Add alphabetically entries to the               identified by docket identification (ID)
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                                             section 408(n)(4). As such, the Agency                  table in paragraph (a) for ‘‘Celtuce’’;               number EPA–HQ–OPP–2016–0384, is
                                             has determined that this action will not                ‘‘Cottonseed subgroup 20C’’; ‘‘Fennel,                available at http://www.regulations.gov
                                             have a substantial direct effect on States              Florence, fresh leaves and stalk’’; ‘‘Leaf            or at the Office of Pesticide Programs
                                             or tribal governments, on the                           petiole vegetable subgroup 22B’’;                     Regulatory Public Docket (OPP Docket)
                                             relationship between the national                       ‘‘Sesame, seed’’; and ‘‘Swiss chard’’.                in the Environmental Protection Agency
                                             government and the States or tribal                        The additions read as follows:                     Docket Center (EPA/DC), West William


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Document Created: 2017-12-02 00:41:21
Document Modified: 2017-12-02 00:41:21
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 December 4, 2017. Objections and requests for hearings must be received on or before February 2, 2018, 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 57140 
CFR AssociatedEnvironmental Protection; Administrative Practice and Procedure; Agricultural Commodities; Pesticides and Pests and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements

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