83_FR_54876 83 FR 54665 - Termination of Listing of Color Additive Exempt From Certification; Lead Acetate

83 FR 54665 - Termination of Listing of Color Additive Exempt From Certification; Lead Acetate

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 211 (October 31, 2018)

Page Range54665-54674
FR Document2018-23725

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is amending the color additive regulations to no longer provide for the use of lead acetate in cosmetics intended for coloring hair on the scalp because new data available since lead acetate was permanently listed demonstrate that there is no longer a reasonable certainty of no harm from the use of this color additive. This action is in response to a color additive petition filed by the Environmental Defense Fund, Earthjustice, Environmental Working Group, Center for Environmental Health, Healthy Homes Collaborative, Health Justice Project of Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Breast Cancer Fund, Improving Kids' Environment, Consumers Union, Natural Resources Defense Council, Consumer Federation of America, Learning Disabilities Association, Maricel Maffini, and Howard Mielke.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 211 (Wednesday, October 31, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 211 (Wednesday, October 31, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54665-54674]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-23725]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

21 CFR Part 73

[Docket No. FDA-2017-C-1951]


Termination of Listing of Color Additive Exempt From 
Certification; Lead Acetate

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is amending the 
color additive regulations to no longer provide for the use of lead 
acetate in cosmetics intended for coloring hair on the scalp because 
new data available since lead acetate was permanently listed 
demonstrate that there is no longer a reasonable certainty of no harm 
from the use of this color additive. This action is in response to a 
color additive petition filed by the Environmental Defense Fund, 
Earthjustice, Environmental Working Group, Center for Environmental 
Health, Healthy Homes Collaborative, Health Justice Project of Loyola 
University Chicago School of Law, Breast Cancer Fund, Improving Kids' 
Environment, Consumers Union, Natural Resources Defense Council, 
Consumer Federation of America, Learning Disabilities Association, 
Maricel Maffini, and Howard Mielke.

DATES: This rule is effective December 3, 2018. See section XIII for 
further information on the filing of objections. Submit either 
electronic or written objections and requests for a hearing on the 
final rule by November 30, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may submit objections and requests for a hearing as 
follows. Please note that late, untimely filed objections will not be 
considered. Electronic objections must be submitted on or before 
November 30, 2018. The https://www.regulations.gov electronic filing 
system will accept comments until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time at the end of 
November 30, 2018. Objections received by mail/hand delivery/courier 
(for written/paper submissions) will be considered timely if they are 
postmarked or the delivery service acceptance receipt is on or before 
that date.

Electronic Submissions

    Submit electronic objections in the following way:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments. Objections submitted 
electronically, including attachments, to https://www.regulations.gov 
will be posted to the docket unchanged. Because your objection will be 
made public, you are solely responsible for ensuring that your 
objection does not include any confidential information that you or a 
third party may not wish to be posted, such as medical information, 
your or anyone else's Social Security number, or confidential business 
information, such as a manufacturing process. Please note that if you 
include your name, contact information, or other information that 
identifies you in the body of your objection, that information will be 
posted on https://www.regulations.gov.
     If you want to submit an objection with confidential 
information that you do not wish to be made available to the

[[Page 54666]]

public, submit the objection as a written/paper submission and in the 
manner detailed (see ``Written/Paper Submissions'' and 
``Instructions'').

Written/Paper Submissions

    Submit written/paper submissions as follows:
     Mail/Hand delivery/Courier (for written/paper 
submissions): Dockets Management Staff (HFA-305), Food and Drug 
Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, Rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852.
     For written/paper objections submitted to the Dockets 
Management Staff, FDA will post your objection, as well as any 
attachments, except for information submitted, marked and identified, 
as confidential, if submitted as detailed in ``Instructions.''
    Instructions: All submissions received must include the Docket No. 
FDA-2017-C-1951 for ``Termination of Listing of Color Additive Exempt 
From Certification; Lead Acetate.'' Received objections, those filed in 
a timely manner (see ADDRESSES), will be placed in the docket and, 
except for those submitted as ``Confidential Submissions,'' publicly 
viewable at https://www.regulations.gov or at the Dockets Management 
Staff between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
     Confidential Submissions--To submit an objection with 
confidential information that you do not wish to be made publicly 
available, submit your objections only as a written/paper submission. 
You should submit two copies total. One copy will include the 
information you claim to be confidential with a heading or cover note 
that states ``THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.'' We 
will review this copy, including the claimed confidential information, 
in our consideration of comments. The second copy, which will have the 
claimed confidential information redacted/blacked out, will be 
available for public viewing and posted on https://www.regulations.gov. 
Submit both copies to the Dockets Management Staff. If you do not wish 
your name and contact information to be made publicly available, you 
can provide this information on the cover sheet and not in the body of 
your comments and you must identify this information as 
``confidential.'' Any information marked as ``confidential'' will not 
be disclosed except in accordance with 21 CFR 10.20 and other 
applicable disclosure law. For more information about FDA's posting of 
comments to public dockets, see 80 FR 56469, September 18, 2015, or 
access the information at: https://www.thefederalregister.org/fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-09-18/pdf/2015-23389.pdf.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
the electronic and written/paper comments received, go to https://www.regulations.gov and insert the docket number, found in brackets in 
the heading of this document, into the ``Search'' box and follow the 
prompts and/or go to the Dockets Management Staff, 5630 Fishers Lane, 
Rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Molly A. Harry, Center for Food Safety 
and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, 5001 Campus Dr., 
College Park, MD 20740-3835, 240-402-1075.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Introduction

    In the Federal Register of April 4, 2017 (82 FR 16321), FDA 
announced that we filed a color additive petition (CAP 7C0309) (the 
petition) submitted by the Environmental Defense Fund, Earthjustice, 
Environmental Working Group, Center for Environmental Health, Healthy 
Homes Collaborative, Health Justice Project of Loyola University 
Chicago School of Law, Breast Cancer Fund, Improving Kids' Environment, 
Consumers Union, Natural Resources Defense Council, Consumer Federation 
of America, Learning Disabilities Association, Maricel Maffini, and 
Howard Mielke (petitioners), c/o Mr. Tom Neltner, 1875 Connecticut Ave. 
NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20009. The petition requested that we 
repeal the regulation at Sec.  73.2396 (21 CFR 73.2396) to no longer 
provide for the safe use of lead acetate in cosmetics intended for 
coloring hair on the scalp. The notice of petition gave interested 
parties until June 5, 2017, to submit comments on the filed color 
additive petition.

II. Background and Regulatory History of Lead Acetate as a Color 
Additive

    The color additive lead acetate (the trihydrate of lead (2+) salt 
of acetic acid; CAS No. 6080-56-4) has been in use in cosmetic hair 
dyes for many years. Under the provisions of the Color Additive 
Amendments of 1960 to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C 
Act), FDA published a notice on December 10, 1963 (28 FR 13374), 
stating that metallic salts (including lead acetate) used as hair 
colorings are color additives within the meaning of the FD&C Act. 
Because metallic salts, including lead acetate, were in use as color 
components in hair dye prior to the Color Additive Amendments of 1960, 
they were provisionally listed for this use on an interim basis under 
the transitional provisions of the Color Additive Amendments (38 FR 
7006, March 15, 1973). Subsequently, FDA gave interested persons until 
July 30, 1973, to submit petitions proposing appropriate permanent 
listings of any metallic salts as coloring components of hair dye not 
presently listed for such use (38 FR 2996, January 31, 1973). On May 
18, 1973, FDA received a color additive petition (CAP 3C0107) from the 
Committee of the Progressive Hair Dye Industry requesting the permanent 
listing of lead acetate as a color additive in cosmetic hair dyes. FDA 
published a notice of filing of the petition in the Federal Register of 
June 29, 1973 (38 FR 17260). While the petition was under review, FDA 
added lead acetate to the codified provisional list for use as a color 
component in hair dye on March 13, 1974 (39 FR 9657), with a closing 
date of December 31, 1974. The closing date for the provisional listing 
of lead acetate was postponed periodically pending the performance, 
completion, and evaluation of toxicological and absorption studies. A 
final rule in the Federal Register of March 3, 1978 (43 FR 8790), 
details each postponement up to that time, and subsequent postponements 
of the closing date for the provisional listing of lead acetate were 
published in the Federal Register on January 2, 1979 (44 FR 45), March 
6, 1979 (44 FR 12169), August 31, 1979 (44 FR 51216), February 22, 1980 
(45 FR 11799), June 24, 1980 (45 FR 42255), and December 30, 1980 (45 
FR 85725).
    In evaluating the scientific data submitted in CAP 3C0107, FDA 
determined that the following issues required resolution to enable FDA 
to evaluate the petition and determine the conditions of safe use of 
lead acetate: (1) Whether absorption and systemic distribution of lead 
acetate from hair dyes would occur, because the available scientific 
data did not establish conclusively that lead acetate from hair dyes 
was transdermally absorbed through the scalp; (2) whether lead acetate 
is carcinogenic in humans, because it had been established through 
animal feeding studies that lead is a carcinogen in rats and mice; (3) 
whether the human epidemiological data available are equivocal; and (4) 
which of the ``Delaney'' anticancer clauses in section 721(b)(5)(B) of 
the FD&C Act (21 U.S.C. 379e(b)(5)(B)) is applicable to this use of 
lead acetate (45 FR 72112, October 31, 1980).
    To resolve the issue of whether lead acetate would be transdermally 
absorbed through the scalp, FDA requested that the petitioner perform a

[[Page 54667]]

definitive percutaneous absorption study (42 FR 62497 at 62499, 
December 13, 1977). Results from a 1978 radioactive tracer skin lead 
absorption study, using human volunteers, was submitted by the 
petitioner of CAP 3C0107 for FDA review and later published by Moore et 
al. (Ref. 1). The results of the percutaneous absorption study showed 
that lead acetate in hair dye is absorbed through human skin and that 
users who apply the hair dye as often as twice per week have an 
estimated average daily lead absorption of 0.3 microgram ([micro]g). 
FDA considered the absorbed amount of lead acetate from hair dye to be 
``miniscule'' when compared to the average person's blood lead level 
from background sources and concluded that the resulting increase in 
exposure would have no discernible increase on the steady-state blood 
lead level reported to be approximately 17 [micro]g per deciliter 
([micro]g/dL) (45 FR 72112 at 72114).
    FDA also considered the applicability of the Delaney Clause 
(section 721(b)(5)(B) of the FD&C Act) in determining whether lead 
acetate could be permanently listed, considering the evidence that lead 
was shown to be a carcinogen in animal feeding studies. The Delaney 
Clause consists of two parts. The first part (section 721(b)(5)(B)(i) 
of the FD&C Act) pertains specifically to ingested color additives. The 
second part (section 721(b)(5)(B)(ii) of the FD&C Act) applies to non-
ingested color additives. FDA explained in the 1980 final rule that 
because the first part of the Delaney Clause (section 721(b)(5)(B)(i) 
of the FD&C Act) is limited to uses that will or may result in 
ingestion, it does not apply to the use of lead acetate in hair dye 
applied on the scalp. FDA then considered the applicability of the non-
ingestion clause, which states that a color additive shall be deemed 
unsafe, and shall not be listed, for any use that will not result in 
ingestion or any part of such additive, if evaluation of the safety of 
additives for such use or after other relevant exposure of man or 
animal to such additive, it is found by the Secretary of Health and 
Human Services (Secretary) to induce cancer in man or animal. After 
evaluation of the available relevant scientific evidence, FDA concluded 
that the available animal feeding studies were not relevant to the use 
of lead acetate in hair dye. FDA also concluded that the scientific 
data submitted were not sufficient to substantiate a direct correlation 
between dermal exposure to lead and human carcinogenicity. 
Additionally, FDA considered two carcinogenicity risk assessments based 
on the percutaneous absorption data submitted in the CAP, one prepared 
by Dr. Richard Wilson of Harvard University (on behalf of the 
petitioner of CAP 3C0107) and the other prepared by FDA personnel, 
which concluded a 1:18 million and 1:12 million chance of developing 
cancer, respectively, by using lead acetate containing hair dye. FDA 
determined that these assessments supported the conclusion that any 
carcinogenic risk likely to result from use of lead acetate-containing 
hair dye could not be considered significant in terms of public health 
protection (45 FR 72112 at 72116).
    Based on the evaluation of the available data, FDA concluded that 
lead acetate was safe for use in hair dyes intended for use on the 
scalp. On October 31, 1980, FDA approved the petition and permanently 
listed lead acetate in Sec.  73.2396 as a color additive for the safe 
use in cosmetics for coloring hair on the scalp at levels up to 0.6 
percent (weight to volume) lead, subject to certain restrictions and 
labeling requirements (45 FR 72112). As a condition of safe use, the 
regulation in Sec.  73.2396 specifies that lead acetate hair dye must 
contain a cautionary statement.

III. Regulation of Color Additives

    The FD&C Act provides a process through which any person who wishes 
to use a color additive in or on food, drugs, devices, or cosmetics, 
may submit a petition proposing the issuance of a color additive 
regulation listing such use with supporting information. A color 
additive petition also may be submitted to propose the amendment or 
repeal of any existing color additive regulation (see section 
721(b)(5)(C) and (d) of the FD&C Act). In response to a color additive 
petition, FDA may issue a regulation listing a color additive for use 
in or on food, drugs, devices, or cosmetics only if it determines that 
the additive is suitable and safe for such use (see section 
721(b)(2)(A) of the FD&C Act). FDA's determination that a color 
additive is safe means that there is convincing evidence that 
establishes with reasonable certainty that no harm will result from the 
intended condition of use of the color additive (21 CFR 170.3(i)). This 
is referred to as the ``general safety clause'' for color additives. In 
addition, the Delaney Clause, under section 721(b)(5)(B)(i) of the FD&C 
Act, states that a color additive shall be deemed unsafe for any use 
that will or may result in ingestion of all or part of such additive, 
if the additive is found by the Secretary to induce cancer when 
ingested by man or animal, or if it is found by the Secretary, after 
tests that are appropriate for the evaluation of the safety of 
additives for use in food, to induce cancer in man or animal. To 
determine whether a color additive is safe under the general safety 
clause, the FD&C Act requires FDA to consider, among other relevant 
factors: (1) Probable consumption of, or other relevant exposure from, 
the additive and of any substance formed in or on food, drugs or 
devices, or cosmetics because of the use of the additive; (2) 
cumulative effect, if any, of such additive ``in the diet of man or 
animals,'' taking into account the same or any chemically or 
pharmacologically related substance or substances in such diet; and (3) 
safety factors recognized by experts ``as appropriate for the use of 
animal experimentation data'' (see section 721(b)(5)(A) of the FD&C 
Act). For FDA to grant a petition that seeks repeal of a color additive 
regulation based upon new data concerning the safety of the color 
additive, such data must be adequate for FDA to conclude that there is 
no longer a reasonable certainty of no harm for the intended use of the 
color additive or that it must be deemed unsafe under the Delaney 
Clause.

IV. Petitioners' Argument for Repeal of Sec.  73.2396

    In accordance with the procedure in section 721(d) of the FD&C Act 
for the issuance, amendment or repeal of regulations, the current color 
additive petition (CAP 7C0309) requests that FDA repeal the regulation 
for lead acetate in Sec.  73.2396. The petitioners assert the following 
in support of their proposal (the petition, at pages 5 through 15):
    1. ``Toxicological evidence since 1980 shows there is no safe level 
of exposure to lead compounds,'' and the ``scientific evidence 
substantiating a direct correlation between lead exposure and human 
carcinogenicity is now sufficiently strong for FDA to conclude that 
lead acetate is unsafe pursuant to the Delaney Clause in 21 U.S.C. 
379e(b)(5)(B).''
    2. ``FDA's 1980 decision rested primarily on a single industry 
study'' that had ``serious flaws.''
    3. ``Exposure evidence since 1980 shows that skin absorption of 
lead acetate may be more significant than FDA considered.''
    4. ``Overall exposure to lead in the United States has dropped 
since 1980 so FDA's conclusion that the exposure was insignificant is 
no longer valid.''
    5. ``Post-1980 evidence indicates that lead acetate is likely to be 
ingested from typical use.''

[[Page 54668]]

    6. ``Canada and Europe found the use of lead acetate as a color 
additive to be unsafe.''
    Based on these arguments, the petitioners assert that the evidence 
available since lead acetate's permanent listing in 1980 demonstrates 
that there is no longer a reasonable certainty that no harm would 
result from the use of lead acetate in hair dyes, and, therefore, the 
regulation authorizing this use as a color additive should be repealed. 
The petitioners submitted in vitro and in vivo nonclinical and clinical 
peer-reviewed publications, monographs, and general reports from 
associations and government agencies to support their assertions.
    In section V that follows, FDA provides assessments of the 
petitioners' assertions and their supporting information. FDA's review, 
assessment, and evaluation of the petition are detailed in our two 
review memoranda (Refs. 2 and 3). In FDA's review of the petition, we 
considered relevant studies and publications on lead and lead 
compounds, including lead acetate.

V. Review of the Petition

A. Petitioners' Assertion No. 1

    ``Toxicological evidence since 1980 shows there is no safe level of 
exposure to lead compounds,'' and ``scientific evidence substantiating 
a direct correlation between lead exposure and human carcinogenicity is 
now sufficiently strong for FDA to conclude that lead acetate is unsafe 
pursuant to the Delaney Clause in 21 U.S.C. 379e(b)(5)(B).'' To support 
this assertion, the petition cites ``evidence with respect to lead 
acetate as a carcinogen,'' including that the National Toxicology 
Program (NTP) has designated lead and lead compounds to be ``reasonably 
anticipated to be a human carcinogen'' based on ``limited evidence in 
humans, and sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental 
animals.'' The petition also cites ``evidence of health effects other 
than cancer,'' specifically that lead (as elemental lead and lead 
compounds, including lead acetate) ``has other adverse effects across 
multiple systems at low levels,'' ``is a potent neurotoxin with no safe 
level of exposure for children,'' and ``is particularly harmful to 
pregnant women.'' The petition also provides toxicological monographs, 
profiles, and reports on lead and lead compounds available since 1980 
to support their view that lead acetate applied to the scalp is not 
safe.
    The information provided in the petition to support their assertion 
that there is no safe level of exposure to lead and its compounds 
includes reports and publications by government agencies and 
professional organizations, including an NTP monograph on Health 
Effects of Low-Level Lead (2012), Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC) reports on lead (2009, 2015), Agency for Toxic 
Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) toxicology profile for lead 
(2007), an article on the Prevention of Childhood Lead Toxicity from 
the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Environmental Health 
(2016), Environmental Protection Agency's Integrated Risk Information 
System Chemical Assessment Summary on lead and lead compounds, and an 
abstract of the risk assessment of lead acetate conducted by Health 
Canada (2008). The petitioners also provide abstracts to published in 
vivo and in vitro animal and human studies, and links to the 2014 NTP 
report on carcinogenicity from exposure to lead and its compounds, 
including lead acetate.
    FDA Assessment: FDA reviewed the peer-reviewed publications and 
monographs provided in the petition and other relevant information in 
our evaluation of the safety of the use of lead acetate in hair dyes 
(Ref. 2) and agrees with the petitioners that there is no evidence 
available at this time to determine a safe level of exposure to lead or 
lead compounds intentionally used as a color additive in hair dyes.
    The toxicologic effects of lead exposure have been well-documented, 
and FDA has taken several actions to protect the public from exposure 
to lead in FDA regulated products, including prohibiting the use of 
tin-coated lead foil capsules on wine bottles (61 FR 4816, February 8, 
1996 (now codified at 21 CFR 189.301)) and prohibiting the use of lead-
soldering in food cans (60 FR 33106, June 27, 1995 (now codified at 21 
CFR 189.240)) (see also 58 FR 33860 at 33864 through 33866, June 21, 
1993 (discussing the health effects of adult exposure to lead); and see 
generally https://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodborneIllnessContaminants/Metals/ucm2006791.htm and https://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/ProductsIngredients/PotentialContaminants/ucm388820.htm (identifying other actions by FDA's 
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition concerning both childhood 
and adult exposure to lead in food, food containers, and cosmetics)).
    The risks of lead exposure are particularly high in utero, infancy, 
and in early childhood; CDC has stated that there is no safe blood lead 
level in children, and that even low levels of lead in blood have been 
shown to affect IQ, ability to pay attention, and academic achievement 
(Ref. 4). As part of its program to prevent childhood lead poisoning, 
CDC has recommended 5[micro]g/dL as the reference blood lead level to 
identify children who have been exposed to lead and who require case 
management (Ref. 4).
    Lead exposure also poses significant health risks to adults (Refs. 
5 and 6). These risks include hypertension, peripheral nerve 
dysfunction, and red blood cell protoporphyrin elevation (see 58 FR 
33860 at 33864). A growing body of evidence indicates that adults, like 
children, may experience adverse health impacts from exposure to levels 
of lead lower than those previously believed to be harmful. For 
example, in 2012, the NTP provided evidence of adverse effects of 
exposure to low levels of lead (less than 10 [micro]g/dL) in adult 
humans based on epidemiological evidence. The NTP concluded that there 
is sufficient evidence for decreased glomerular filtration rate (in the 
kidney) in adults and reduced fetal growth in pregnant women at blood 
lead levels less than 5 [micro]g/dL; increased blood pressure, 
hypertension, and essential tremor in adults at blood lead levels less 
than 10 [micro]g/dL; and adverse changes in sperm parameters in men, as 
well as increased time to achieve pregnancy, at blood lead levels 
greater than or equal to 15-20 [micro]g/dL (Ref. 2). In 2011, the Joint 
Food and Agriculture/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) Expert 
Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) withdrew the previously established 
Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) for lead and concluded that 
it was not possible to establish a new PTWI that would be considered 
health protective (Ref. 7). Additionally, the U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency has set the maximum contaminant level goal for lead 
in drinking water at zero (Ref. 8). Regarding the information provided 
in the petition on the carcinogenicity of lead, we discuss the 
relevance of this information to FDA's decision on this petition in 
section VII.

B. Petitioners' Assertion No. 2

    ``FDA's 1980 decision rested primarily on a single industry study'' 
by Moore et al. (Ref. 1) that had ``serious flaws.'' The petitioners 
contended that results from test conditions with higher absorption 
values, e.g., scratched skin, were excluded in the final analysis, 
while those from test conditions that resulted in lower absorption 
values e.g., ``wet'' and ``cream'' applications, were all included. The 
petitioners also noted that Moore et al. excluded all the results of 
the 24-hour ``whole body'' count and relied only on the 12-hour data 
after deciding that the increased absorption

[[Page 54669]]

from the 12 to 24 hours' measurements reflected ``mechanical damage'' 
from washing the test substance from the skin after 12 hours. The 
petitioners stated that the 24-hour ``non-scratch'' average absorption 
was two times greater than the 12-hour average. Additionally, the 
petitioners stated that Moore et al. may have only measured a 
proportion of the lead absorbed because in calculating the ``whole-
body'' count they assumed that the transport and distribution of lead 
acetate through the skin is the same path as an intravenous solution of 
a known quantity of lead chloride used to establish the relationship 
between radioactivity in the calf region and the whole body, which the 
petitioners claim is an assumption that more recent studies call into 
question. The petitioners also questioned some assumptions made by 
Moore et al., claiming no references were cited to support these 
assumptions (e.g., that 6 milliliters (ml) of the lead acetate 
formulation is normally applied, of which 0.18 ml would reach the 
scalp, and 612 [micro]g of lead would reach the scalp per hair dye 
application). The petitioners noted that instructions for use included 
in lead acetate hair dye packages do not typically specify amount to be 
applied to hair and that the amount applied would vary depending on the 
amount of hair.
    FDA Assessment: We considered the deficiencies claimed by the 
petitioners with the percutaneous absorption study conducted by Moore 
et al. and conducted our own re-evaluation of that study (details in 
Ref. 2). We agree with the petitioners that the study conducted by 
Moore et al. may not have fully accounted for all the lead that may 
have been absorbed and localized in extracellular fluid compartments, 
such as saliva and sweat. Although the approach of estimating whole 
body uptake of lead based on measured activity in the calf region may 
have partially captured lead in these extracellular fluids, newer data 
suggest that looking at blood lead levels alone underestimates exposure 
to lead that would have localized in other compartments (Ref. 2).
    Regarding the assertion that Moore et al. did not use the ``worst-
case scenario'' by excluding in its final analysis results from whole-
body monitoring collected from 12 to 24 hours, results from the 24-hour 
``non-scratch'' whole-body monitoring data, and results from the 
scratched skin scenario, and including results from test conditions 
that resulted in lower absorption values (e.g., ``wet'' and ``cream'' 
applications), we agree that this may have resulted in limiting the 
average absorption values. Regarding the assertion that some 
assumptions made by Moore et al. are unsupported (e.g., that 6 ml of 
the lead acetate formulation is normally applied, of which 0.18 ml 
would reach the scalp, and 612 [micro]g of lead would reach the scalp 
per hair dye application), we note that although these assumptions may 
not reflect a worst-case use scenario, there is a study that was 
submitted in support of the petition for permanently listing lead 
acetate (CAP 3C0107) that evaluated the amount of lead acetate that 
reached the scalp on human subjects from application of a known volume 
of the hair dye that was characterized in the study as a typical 
application volume. Results from that study showed that the average 
amount of lead acetate that reaches the scalp from application of 7 ml 
of hair dye is approximately 3 percent of the amount applied.
    As stated, we also conducted our own re-evaluation of the study by 
Moore et al. and identified the following deficiencies that we believe 
may have resulted in underestimation of lead exposure (Ref. 2):
    (1) The study was conducted with formulations containing 6 
millimole per liter (mmol/L) or 9 mmol/L lead acetate (equivalent to 
0.12 or 0.18 percent lead), respectively, which are three to five times 
lower than the approved maximum use level (0.6 percent lead) in hair 
dyes.
    (2) The ages of the eight male test subjects ranged from 20 to 35 
years. FDA notes that most people who use lead acetate-containing hair 
dye products would typically be age 50 years or older. The subjects 
were therefore not considered representative of the targeted older 
population. This is important because the skin in older people is 
different from the skin in younger people.
    (3) The test formulation was applied to the skin on the forehead of 
subjects, whereas lead acetate-containing hair dye is intended to be 
applied to hair on the scalp. FDA notes that there are well documented 
differences in the composition and functionality of skin tissue from 
the scalp and skin tissue from other regions of the body, including the 
forehead (Ref. 2). For example, scalp skin tissue is thicker and 
carries more blood than other skin tissue. Thus, applying the test 
substance to the forehead and non-scalp skin, like the forehead, to 
assess percutaneous absorption, may not mimic absorption through the 
scalp.
    (4) The test formulation(s) were reportedly applied to a skin 
surface area of 8 to 10 square centimeters (cm\2\) on the forehead. FDA 
notes that lead acetate-containing hair dye is intended to be applied 
to the full scalp that has a skin surface area of approximately 580 
cm\2\. Applying the test formulation to a surface area substantially 
less than 580 cm\2\ is not representative of the intended condition of 
use. Therefore, using a surface area of 8 to 10 cm\2\ likely yielded 
results that underestimated the percentage of lead acetate that was 
transdermally absorbed. Additionally, test results obtained from 
applying the formulation to a small surface area on the forehead would 
also affect the accuracy of extrapolation to account for the entire 
surface area of the scalp.
    (5) The test formulations applied to the forehead were removed by 
washing with soap 12 hours after application. FDA notes that the 12-
hour application period in the Moore et al. study may be too short to 
assess the full extent of percutaneous absorption of lead acetate under 
the intended conditions of use, which in some cases could remain on the 
scalp for 24 hours or longer thereby increasing the amount of lead 
percutaneously absorbed.

C. Petitioners' Assertion No. 3

    ``Exposure evidence since 1980 shows that skin absorption of lead 
acetate may be more significant than FDA considered.'' To support this 
assertion, the petitioners provide several peer-reviewed studies 
published since 1980, which they claim demonstrate that the capacity of 
the skin to absorb lead is more significant than FDA estimated in 1980. 
The studies included a wide-ranging collection of occupational 
exposures to in vivo (human and animal) and in vitro (using human or 
animal skin) testing.
    FDA Assessment: The petitioners did not provide data on dermal 
absorption of lead acetate generated under the intended use conditions 
for hair dye products and did not provide an updated estimated exposure 
that would result from typical chronic use of lead acetate-containing 
hair dyes. However, to support their assertion that skin absorption of 
lead acetate may be greater than FDA previously estimated, the 
petitioners provided information that raised valid scientific questions 
about the adequacy of the study that FDA relied on to support the 
listing of lead acetate in Sec.  73.2396. The petition cited peer-
reviewed publications describing nonclinical (in vitro and in vivo) and 
clinical studies to demonstrate dermal absorption of lead and lead 
compounds, including lead acetate. FDA reviewed these publications and 
other available pertinent publications and information on the dermal 
absorption of lead and lead acetate (Ref. 2). Following the

[[Page 54670]]

review, FDA concluded that the submitted publications demonstrate that 
dermally applied lead acetate and other lead-containing compounds 
penetrate human and animal skin, and report absorption of dermally 
applied lead and lead compounds ranging from 0.018 to 29 percent (the 
latter being under conditions of occlusion). In addition, some of the 
studies show that dermally absorbed lead distributes to extracellular 
fluid compartments including sweat and saliva, which the petitioners 
argued may contribute to an increase in lead exposure that was not 
previously accounted for in the Moore et al. publication (Ref. 2). 
However, we note that not all studies evaluated lead acetate, and not 
all the study designs were adequate. For example, the number of test 
subjects used in some studies was not adequate to ensure sufficient 
statistical power of the study, while in many studies, the surface 
area, location of application of the test substance, and the amount 
applied did not appropriately reflect the intended conditions of use of 
lead acetate to color hair on the scalp. These limitations made 
interpretation of the combined results from these studies difficult, 
and FDA was unable to reconcile all the reported findings related to 
absorption percentages and the lead levels claimed to be present in 
sweat and saliva (Ref. 2).
    Given the deficiencies identified by FDA in the study by Moore et 
al. that may have resulted in underestimation of the amount of lead 
acetate that is transdermally absorbed, FDA chose to conduct further 
research on potential absorption from this use. FDA used in silico 
modeling (ConsExpo, Netherlands (Ref. 9)) to predict the percentage of 
dermal absorption of lead that may result from application of lead 
acetate hair dye to hair on the full human scalp based on empirically 
derived diffusion coefficients. Contrary to the 0 to 0.3 percent lead 
absorption reported by Moore et al. (Ref. 1), the results from our in 
silico modeling predicted higher levels of lead absorption from dermal 
application of lead acetate hair dyes containing 0.6 percent lead to 
the entire scalp under the intended conditions of use (Ref. 2).
    To calculate the maximum amount of lead that could be absorbed, FDA 
utilized its modeled percent absorption values and the estimated levels 
previously reported in CAP 3C0107 (0.18 ml of hair dye reaching the 
scalp), considering an application of 6 ml of hair dye containing the 
maximum permitted 0.6 percent lead to the surface area of the full 
human scalp (580 cm\2\)--rather than only the 10 cm\2\ area on the 
forehead--for 24 hours. Assuming that the hair dye would be applied two 
times per week, FDA estimated that the daily exposure to lead would be 
significantly higher than what was previously thought in 1980 (see 
details in Ref. 3).

D. Petitioners' Assertion No. 4

    ``Overall exposure to lead in the United States has dropped since 
1980 so FDA's conclusion that the exposure was insignificant is no 
longer valid.'' The petitioners argue that, since 1980, ``both 
exposures and blood lead levels have dropped dramatically as a result 
of Congressional action to limit lead in consumer products and reduce 
exposure to the legacy of lead uses.'' The petitioners provide 
information to demonstrate that the average blood lead level of an 
adult in the United States has decreased dramatically since 1980.
    FDA Assessment: In the 1980 final rule on lead acetate, FDA stated 
that the average U.S. adult steady-state blood lead level was 
approximately 17 [micro]g/dL. This amount was retained from the initial 
35 [micro]g of lead that was absorbed and internalized per day 
following normal human daily lead intakes of 100 to 500 [micro]g from 
all food and environmental sources (45 FR 72112 at 72113). Based on the 
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) results for 
2015-2016, the geometric mean and 50th percentile (median) blood lead 
levels for U.S. adults 20 years and older were reported to be 0.920 
[micro]g/dL (95 percent confidence interval of 0.862-0.982 [micro]g/dL) 
and 0.880 [micro]g/dL (95 percent confidence interval of 0.810-0.960 
[micro]g/dL), respectively (Ref. 10). Therefore, we agree with the 
petitioners that the average adult blood lead level in the United 
States has decreased significantly since 1980 and our conclusion in 
1980 that exposure to lead from the listed use of lead acetate hair dye 
is insignificant is no longer valid.

E. Petitioners' Assertion No. 5

    ``Post-1980 evidence indicates that lead acetate is likely to be 
ingested from typical use.'' The petitioners provide publications by 
Mielke et al. (1997) (Ref. 11) and Deeb et al. (2014) (Ref. 12) to 
support their assertion that lead acetate in hair dye is likely to be 
ingested from typical use of lead acetate-containing hair dye, by both 
users of the dye and non-users (including children), from hand-to-mouth 
activity after contacting objects such as a faucet and comb 
contaminated with the hair dye or from touching a user's hair.
    FDA Assessment: The study by Mielke et al. measured the lead 
content of hair dyes and lead residues on hands and on other surfaces, 
including combs, hair dye containers, hair drier handles, faucets, and 
telephone receivers, by users after applying lead acetate hair dye to 
their hair. Mielke et al. reported a wide range of residual lead levels 
on hands and surfaces touched by the hair dye user. FDA notes that the 
study results show a potential for lead from the lead acetate-
containing hair dye product to transfer to other surfaces from the 
hands that have been in contact with the lead acetate-containing hair 
dye. However, the study by Mielke et al. did not evaluate ingestion of 
lead from these contaminated surfaces. Therefore, this study does not 
demonstrate that lead acetate is likely to be ingested from its use in 
hair dye. Deeb et al. reported on a case of a 52-year old male patient 
who presented with adverse effects attributed to repeated application 
of lead acetate-containing hair dye on his beard. We note that this is 
a report on one person that applied the hair dye to facial hair 
contrary to the required cautionary statement on the product. The color 
additive lead acetate is not approved for use in coloring facial hair 
and this would be considered a misuse of the product.
    Therefore, FDA concludes that the information provided by the 
petitioners is not sufficient to support their assertion that ingestion 
is likely to occur from the approved use of lead acetate in hair dye 
(Ref. 2). Furthermore, FDA has not identified any other relevant 
scientific publications that demonstrate ingestion resulting from the 
regulated use of lead acetate in cosmetics intended for coloring hair 
on the scalp.

F. Petitioners' Assertion No. 6.

    ``Canada and Europe found the use of lead acetate as a color 
additive to be unsafe.'' The petitioners make this assertion based on 
the decision of Health Canada and the European Union (EU) Scientific 
Committee on Cosmetic Products and Non-Food Products (SCCNFP) to 
prohibit the use of lead acetate in cosmetic products sold in Canada 
and the EU, respectively.
    FDA Assessment: FDA has made its own determination on this petition 
based on our authority under the FD&C Act, independent of the actions 
taken by Canada and Europe regarding the use of lead acetate in hair 
dyes. However, we acknowledge that in 2004, the EU's SCCNFP evaluated 
and issued an opinion on the use of lead acetate as a cosmetic 
ingredient, concluding that lead acetate is classified as ``toxic to 
reproduction,'' ``may cause harm to the unborn child,'' and that lead 
acetate should not be intentionally added to

[[Page 54671]]

cosmetic products marketed in the EU. Based on this opinion, the EU 
prohibited the use of lead acetate in cosmetic products in 2004 (Ref. 
13).
    FDA also acknowledges that Health Canada found that lead exposure 
resulting from regular use of lead acetate hair dyes when combined with 
other sources of lead exposure would result in an increasing cumulative 
exposure for lead that would potentially have adverse effects, 
particularly in sensitive populations. In 2005, based on data 
indicating skin absorption and possible links to carcinogenicity and 
reproductive toxicity, Health Canada prohibited the use of lead acetate 
in cosmetic products. Lead acetate-containing hair dyes have not been 
sold in the Canadian market since 2008 (Ref. 2).

VI. Updated Evaluation of Safety

    During FDA's review of the petition, we evaluated the information 
provided by the petitioners and other information that has become 
available since 1980 when we listed lead acetate for use in hair dye to 
determine if there is still a reasonable certainty of no harm from the 
use of this color additive. FDA's basis for listing lead acetate in 
1980, as previously stated, was that the absorbed amount of lead from 
hair dye containing lead acetate was ``miniscule'' when compared to the 
average person's background blood lead level and that the resulting 
increase in exposure from lead acetate-containing hair dye would have 
no discernible effect on the steady-state blood lead level. Our most 
recent review of the published literature (Ref. 2), combined with the 
flaws identified in the Moore study (see section V.B.), suggest that 
exposure to lead from the use of lead acetate-containing hair dyes is 
likely to be higher than was estimated in 1980. Considering all the 
information currently available, the data do not support the safe use 
of lead acetate as a color additive in cosmetics intended for coloring 
hair on the scalp.
    In the 1980 final rule on lead acetate, FDA stated that the average 
person had a steady-state blood lead level of approximately 17 
[micro]g/dL (45 FR 72112 at 72113). This amount was retained from the 
initial 35 [micro]g of lead that was absorbed and internalized per day 
following normal human lead intakes of 100 to 500 [micro]g from all 
food and environmental sources. As discussed previously, the median 
blood lead level for U.S. adults 20 years and older based on 2015-2016 
NHANES survey data was 0.88 [micro]g/dL (Ref. 10). The NHANES data on 
blood lead levels indicates that lead exposure has decreased 
significantly in the U.S. general population. As a result, any increase 
in exposure to lead resulting from use of lead acetate-containing hair 
dye can no longer be considered insignificant in terms of public 
health.
    Considering: (1) The lack of evidence of a safe level of exposure 
for lead; (2) the reported adverse effects associated with low levels 
of lead exposure reported by NTP (discussed in section V.A.); (3) the 
statements and current recommendations by CDC and JECFA on lead 
exposure (discussed in section V.A.); (4) the deficiencies of the 
percutaneous absorption study by Moore et al. that may have resulted in 
an underestimate of exposure to lead from the use of lead-acetate 
containing hair dye (discussed in section V.B.); and (5) the 
significant reduction in median blood lead levels since 1980 (discussed 
in section V.D.), FDA concludes that the original basis for listing 
lead acetate is no longer valid and that there is no longer a 
reasonable certainty that no harm would result from the use of lead 
acetate as a color additive in cosmetics intended to color hair on the 
scalp.

VII. Applicability of the Delaney Clause

    The Delaney Clause consists of two parts. The first part (section 
721(b)(5)(B)(i) of the FD&C Act) pertains specifically to ingested 
color additives. The second part (section 721(b)(5)(B)(ii) of the FD&C 
Act) pertains to non-ingested color additives. In the 1980 final rule, 
FDA explained that because the first part of the Delaney Clause 
(section 721(b)(5)(B)(i) of the FD&C Act) is limited to uses that will 
or may result in ingestion, it does not apply to the use of lead 
acetate in hair dye used on the scalp (45 FR 72112 at 72115). In the 
final rule, FDA also determined, after evaluating scientific evidence 
relevant to the carcinogenic effects in experimental animals from 
feeding studies, that these studies are neither ``appropriate'' nor 
``relevant'' to lead acetate used in hair dye, and therefore there was 
no basis to find the use of lead acetate in hair dye used on the scalp 
to be unsafe pursuant to the second part of the Delaney Clause (section 
721(b)(5)(B)(ii) of the FD&C Act).
    The petitioners argue that the 2004 NTP report designating lead and 
lead compounds (including lead acetate) as ``reasonably anticipated to 
be human carcinogens based on limited evidence of carcinogenicity from 
studies in humans and sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity from 
studies in experimental animals,'' other published in vitro studies, 
and occupational exposure studies submitted in the petition are 
sufficient to make the conclusion that lead acetate is unsafe and that 
section 721(b)(5)(B) of the FD&C Act should apply (Ref. 2). The 
petitioners argue that the first part of the Delaney Clause should 
apply based on their assertion that lead acetate in hair dye is likely 
to be ingested from typical use of lead acetate-containing hair dye for 
both users of the dye and non-users (including children), from hand-to-
mouth activity after contacting objects such as a faucet contaminated 
with the hair dye or a user's hair with the dye--in other words, that 
there is incidental ingestion resulting from the intended use of the 
lead acetate in hair dye. To support this assertion, the petitioners 
submit publications by Mielke et al. and Deeb et al. (discussed in 
section V.E.). FDA concluded that the petition does not provide 
sufficient scientific evidence to support the petitioners' assertion of 
incidental ingestion resulting from typical use of lead acetate-
containing hair dye. Because FDA has determined that the petition does 
not provide sufficient scientific evidence to support the assertions of 
ingestion from the use of lead acetate-containing hair dye, FDA has not 
found it necessary as part of its petition response to determine 
whether the first part of the Delaney Clause would apply to incidental 
ingestion of lead acetate from its use in hair dye.
    The petitioner did not submit any information demonstrating 
carcinogenicity via dermal exposure, and FDA is not aware of any such 
information; FDA continues to find that the available animal feeding 
studies are not applicable or relevant to dermally applied lead acetate 
hair dyes under section 721(b)(5)(B)(ii) of the FD&C Act.

VIII. Comments on the Notice of Petition

    We provided 60 days for comments on the notice of petition. A total 
of 220 individual comments were submitted to the docket after the 
notice of petition published. One group submitted a comment on behalf 
of 61 organizations, and another group submitted a comment supported by 
26,198 signatures that they collected that were all in support of the 
petition. Overall, most of the comments did not contain any substantive 
new data or information that could inform FDA's evaluation of the 
petition. The overwhelming majority of the individual comments 
expressed support for granting the petition based on reported adverse 
health effects of lead and urged FDA to repeal the regulation.
    (Comment 1) One comment, submitted by Combe, Inc. (Combe) urged FDA 
to deny the petition. Combe states that, in the 1970s, it marketed a 
cream-based hair dye product

[[Page 54672]]

containing 0.6 percent lead acetate trihydrate (0.34 percent lead) and 
a liquid formula containing 0.4 percent lead acetate trihydrate (0.23 
percent lead). In 1998, Combe reformulated its liquid and foam lead 
acetate hair dye products to reduce the lead content. Combe states that 
the reformulated liquid product contains 0.28 percent lead acetate 
trihydrate (0.153 percent lead) and the foam product contains 0.25 
percent lead acetate trihydrate (0.138 percent lead), thereby reducing 
the amount of lead absorbed daily to a level lower than the amount FDA 
considered to be safe in 1980. In its comment, Combe provides exposure 
estimates based on these reformulation levels.
    Combe funded the 1978 radioactive tracer skin lead absorption study 
that was required by FDA (published by Moore et al. in 1980 (Ref. 1)), 
and emphasized that this study remains the only human skin lead 
absorption study using a hair dye formulation. Combe maintains that the 
amount of lead resulting from the use of its lead acetate hair dyes is 
trivial and considers the exposure to be essentially zero. Combe 
considers the studies submitted by the petitioners to be either 
inadequate or not pertinent to evaluating the safety of lead acetate 
under the intended conditions of use of the hair dye.
    (Response) FDA agrees with Combe that some of the studies submitted 
in the petition had deficiencies in their designs, and the study 
results were inconsistent and difficult to interpret. FDA also agrees 
with Combe that the 1978 radioactive tracer skin lead absorption study 
(published in 1980 by Moore et al. (Ref. 1)) is applicable for studying 
human skin lead absorption. However, as discussed in section V, FDA 
identified several significant deficiencies in the Moore et al. study. 
In particular, Moore et al. applied the formulation to an 8 to 10 cm\2\ 
surface area on the forehead, which is not consistent with the intended 
conditions of use for the hair dye product, this may have resulted in 
lowering absorption and underestimating the exposure to lead.
    We acknowledge that the reformulation of Combe's hair dye products 
likely reduces exposure to lead as compared to use at the maximum 
permitted level. However, the regulation allows for use up to 0.6 
percent lead in hair dyes; therefore, FDA must evaluate the safety of 
this maximum permitted use level. FDA also notes that Combe's updated 
estimated exposures for the reformulated products still relied on the 
dermal absorption results from the 1978 study that applied the test 
substance to a small surface area on the forehead. Based on newer 
information available, application of formulations containing lead 
acetate to small skin surface area significantly limits the percentage 
of absorption, likely resulting in underestimating the exposure.
    (Comment 2) Combe discusses the petitioners' reliance on the 
regulatory decisions by the EU and Canada to ban lead acetate. Combe 
refers to these decisions as grounded in the``precautionary 
principle,'' and states that the decisions were nonscientific 
resolutions of controversial issues that resulted in regulatory 
actions. Combe argues that such an approach is not permitted under the 
risk-based science standards required by the FD&C Act.
    (Response) FDA is not relying on the decisions made by regulatory 
bodies of other governments in this action. Rather, FDA's determination 
is based on whether the available scientific evidence shows that there 
is a reasonable certainty of no harm from the use of this color 
additive.
    (Comment 3) Combe states that since the 1960 Color Additive 
Amendments, FDA has issued several color additive (and food additive) 
regulations and that many of these regulations include specification 
limits for lead content that FDA considers to be ``safe.'' Combe urges 
that, in its administrative and enforcement actions, FDA must be 
consistent in implementing the FD&C Act with respect to similar 
matters. Combe also asserts that the 10 parts per million (ppm) maximum 
lead level that FDA recommended for lead as an impurity in cosmetic lip 
products and externally applied cosmetics products in the draft 
guidance document entitled ``Lead in Cosmetic Lip Products and 
Externally Applied Cosmetics: Recommended Maximum Level Guidance for 
Industry'' is an ``approval'' and means that the exposure from its 
reformulated products should be considered safe. Specifically, Combe 
asserts that the ``0.24 [micro]g per day lead exposure that FDA 
determined is safe for adults from lipstick is 5 times more than the 
0.046 [micro]g per day lead exposure for adults from lead acetate in 
the current post-1998 Grecian Formula product.''
    (Response) FDA acknowledges that, since 1960, we have issued 
several color additive and food additive regulations that include 
maximum specification limits for lead (and other contaminants) that 
manufacturers are unable to avoid through good manufacturing practices 
and might be present as an impurity in the finished additives. However, 
we note that, unlike hair dyes, in which lead acetate is intentionally 
added as an ingredient to achieve a coloring effect, these 
specification limits are for lead that may be present as an impurity in 
an approved additive. We also note that the specification limits for 
lead impurities in the finished additives are significantly lower than 
the 0.6 percent lead level (equivalent to 6,000 ppm) approved in Sec.  
73.2936 for use in hair dye products and the levels in Combe's 
reformulated hair dye products of 0.153 percent lead (equivalent to 
1,530 ppm lead) and 0.138 percent lead (equivalent to 1,380 ppm lead). 
Typically, the levels specified for lead impurities in finished color 
additives and food additives are 20 ppm or lower. Such impurities might 
result during the manufacture of the additive (e.g., from impurities in 
starting materials) or occur naturally and is not the additive itself. 
FDA generally sets such specifications because it can be difficult to 
completely eliminate the presence of impurities such as lead.
    The FDA draft guidance that Combe refers to recommends 10 ppm as 
the maximum level for lead as an impurity (not as an ingredient) in 
cosmetic lip products and externally applied cosmetics that are 
marketed in the United States. The estimated exposure of 0.24 [micro]g/
d to lead from cosmetic lip products that Combe refers to was a maximum 
exposure estimated by FDA based on incidental ingestion of lipstick 
containing lead at 10 ppm. However, contrary to Combe's assertions, our 
draft guidance is not an approval of this use, nor is it a safety 
determination. FDA considers the recommended maximum lead level of 10 
ppm to be an achievable impurity level, with good manufacturing 
practices, for a wide range of cosmetics products. Unlike hair dyes 
where lead acetate is intentionally added as an ingredient to achieve a 
coloring effect, this recommended maximum level is for lead that may be 
present as an impurity in certain cosmetics.
    FDA disagrees that it is being inconsistent in implementing the 
FD&C Act if it repeals the regulation regarding the use of lead acetate 
in hair dye under our color additive authority, while also establishing 
specifications for lead as an impurity in certain additives and 
providing a recommended maximum level for lead as an impurity in 
certain cosmetics. These actions are consistent with FDA's authority 
for color additives, food additives, and cosmetics, as well as our 
public health goal of reducing consumer exposure to lead to the 
greatest extent that is technically feasible.

[[Page 54673]]

IX. Conclusion

    Following a full evaluation of the data submitted in support of CAP 
7C0309 and other pertinent data and information, FDA has concluded that 
the data currently available no longer demonstrate that there is a 
reasonable certainty of no harm from the use of lead acetate as a color 
additive in hair dyes authorized under Sec.  73.2396. This conclusion 
is based on the recognition of the current consensus that there is no 
safe exposure level for lead, deficiencies identified from our re-
evaluation of the 1980 skin absorption study by Moore et al. that may 
have resulted in an underestimate of exposure to lead from its use in 
hair dye, and the fact that blood lead levels in the United States have 
dropped significantly since 1980, so we no longer can conclude that 
exposure to lead from lead acetate-containing hair dye has no 
discernible effect on the steady-state blood lead level. Therefore, to 
protect the public health, we are amending 21 CFR part 73 as set forth 
in this document. Upon the effective date (see DATES), use of lead 
acetate as a color additive in cosmetics intended for coloring hair on 
the scalp is no longer authorized.
    FDA is exercising enforcement discretion for a period of 12 months 
from the effective date of the final rule regarding marketed hair dye 
products that contain the color additive lead acetate to provide an 
opportunity for industry to deplete the current stock of hair dye 
products with lead acetate and reformulate products prior to enforcing 
the requirements of this final rule. Such products must comply with the 
requirements of Sec.  73.2396, including the specifications, uses and 
restrictions, and labeling requirements. This period of enforcement 
discretion takes into consideration the fact that bismuth citrate, 
which is listed in 21 CFR 73.2110 for use in cosmetic hair dye products 
at a level up to 2.0 percent weight/volume, is already being used as an 
alternative for lead acetate in hair dye products marketed both in the 
United States and other countries.

X. Public Disclosure

    In accordance with Sec.  71.15 (21 CFR 71.15), the petition and the 
documents that we considered and relied upon in reaching our decision 
to approve the petition will be made available for public disclosure 
(see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). As provided in Sec.  71.15, we 
will delete from the documents any materials that are not available for 
public disclosure.

XI. Analysis of Environmental Impact

    We previously considered the environmental effects of this rule, as 
stated in the April 4, 2017, Federal Register notice of petition for 
CAP 7C0309. We stated that we had determined, under 21 CFR 25.32(m), 
that this action is of a type that does not individually or 
cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment such 
that neither an environmental assessment nor an environmental impact 
statement is required. We have not received any new information that 
would affect our previous determination.

XII. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

    This final rule contains no collection of information. Therefore, 
clearance by the Office of Management and Budget under the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 is not required.

XIII. Objections

    This rule is effective as shown in the ``DATES'' section, except as 
to any provisions that may be stayed by the filing of proper 
objections. If you will be adversely affected by one or more provisions 
of this regulation, you may file with the Dockets Management Staff (see 
ADDRESSES) either electronic or written objections. You must separately 
number each objection, and within each numbered objection you must 
specify with particularity the provision(s) to which you object, and 
the grounds for your objection. Within each numbered objection, you 
must specifically state whether you are requesting a hearing on the 
particular provision that you specify in that numbered objection. If 
you do not request a hearing for any particular objection, you waive 
the right to a hearing on that objection. If you request a hearing, 
your objection must include a detailed description and analysis of the 
specific factual information you intend to present in support of the 
objection in the event that a hearing is held. If you do not include 
such a description and analysis for any particular objection, you waive 
the right to a hearing on the objection.
    Any objections received in response to the regulation may be seen 
in the Dockets Management Staff office between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, and will be posted to the docket at https://www.regulations.gov. We will publish notice of the objections that we 
have received or lack thereof in the Federal Register.

XIV. References

    The following references marked with an asterisk (*) are on display 
at the Dockets Management Staff (see ADDRESSES) and are available for 
viewing by interested persons between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through 
Friday; they also are available electronically at https://www.regulations.gov. References without asterisks are not on public 
display at https://www.regulations.gov because they have copyright 
restriction. Some may be available at the website address, if listed. 
References without asterisks are available for viewing only at the 
Dockets Management Staff. FDA has verified the website addresses, as of 
the date this document publishes in the Federal Register, but websites 
are subject to change over time.

1. Moore, M.R., P.A. Meredith, W.S. Watson, et al., ``The 
Percutaneous Absorption of Lead-203 in Humans From Cosmetic 
Preparations Containing Lead Acetate, as Assessed by Whole-Body 
Counting and Other Techniques,'' Food and Cosmetics Toxicology, 
18:399-405, 1980.
*2. Memorandum from M. K. Wyatt, Cosmetics Division, OCAC, CFSAN, 
FDA to M. Harry, Division of Petition Review, OFAS, CFSAN, FDA, 
September 18, 2018.
*3. Memorandum from H. Lee, Division of Petition Review, OFAS, 
CFSAN, FDA to M. Harry, Division of Petition Review, OFAS, CFSAN, 
FDA, September 19, 2018.
*4. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, ``What Do Parents 
Need to Know to Protect Their Children?'' https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/acclpp/blood_lead_levels.htm.
*5. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), 
``Toxicological Profile for Lead,'' August 2007. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/TP.asp?id=96&tid=22.
*6. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National 
Toxicology Program, ``NTP Monograph on Health Effects of Low-Level 
Lead.'' https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/ohat/lead/final/monographhealtheffectslowlevellead_newissn_508.pdf.
7. ``Evaluation of Certain Food Additives and Contaminants: Seventy-
Third Report of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food 
Additives,'' WHO Tech Report Series No. 960. 2011. http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/44515/1/WHO_TRS_960_eng.pdf.
*8. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ``Basic Information about 
Lead in Drinking Water. Health Effects of Exposures to Lead in 
Drinking Water. Is there a Safe Level of Lead in Drinking Water?'' 
https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water.
9. Delmaar, J.E., M.V. Park, and J.G. van Engelen, ``ConsExpo-
Consumer Exposure and Uptake Models,'' RIVM report no. 320104004, 
http://www.rivm.nl/en/Topics/C/ConsExpo.
*10. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for 
Disease Control and

[[Page 54674]]

Prevention, ``Fourth National Report on Human Exposure to 
Environmental Chemicals, Updated Tables, March 2018, Volume One.'' 
https://www.cdc.gov/exposurereport/pdf/FourthReport_UpdatedTables_Volume1_Mar2018.pdf.
11. Mielke, H.W., M.D. Taylor, C.R. Gonzales, et al., ``Lead-Based 
Hair Coloring Products: Too Hazardous for Household Use,'' Journal 
of the American Pharmaceutical Association, NS37:85-89, 1997b.
12. Deeb, W., D. Cachia, C. Quinn, et al., ``Peripheral Neuropathy 
After Hair Dye Exposure: A Case Report,'' Journal of Clinical 
Neuromuscular Disease, 15:161-163, 2014.
*13. The Scientific Committee on Cosmetic Products and Non-Food 
Products Intended for Consumers. Opinion Concerning Lead Acetate, 
SCCNFP/0832/04, July 1, 2004. http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/committees/sccp/documents/out286_en.pdf.

List of Subjects in 21 CFR Part 73

    Color additives, Cosmetics, Drugs, Medical devices.

    Therefore, under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and under 
authority delegated to the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, 21 CFR part 
73 is amended as follows:

PART 73--LISTING OF COLOR ADDITIVES EXEMPT FROM CERTIFICATION

0
1. The authority citation for part 73 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  21 U.S.C. 321, 341, 342, 343, 348, 351, 352, 355, 
361, 362, 371, 379e.


Sec.  73.2396  [Removed]

0
2. Remove Sec.  73.2396.

    Dated: October 25, 2018.
Leslie Kux,
Associate Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2018-23725 Filed 10-30-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4164-01-P



                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 211 / Wednesday, October 31, 2018 / Rules and Regulations                                      54665

                                           (a) Effective Date                                       of the local flight standards district office/        data available since lead acetate was
                                              This AD is effective December 5, 2018.                certificate holding district office.                  permanently listed demonstrate that
                                                                                                    (i) Related Information                               there is no longer a reasonable certainty
                                           (b) Affected ADs
                                                                                                       For more information about this AD,                of no harm from the use of this color
                                              None.                                                                                                       additive. This action is in response to a
                                                                                                    contact Jo-Ann Theriault, Aerospace
                                           (c) Applicability                                        Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District              color additive petition filed by the
                                             This AD applies to all Pratt & Whitney                 Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781–             Environmental Defense Fund,
                                           Division (PW) PW4074D, PW4077D,                          238–7105; fax: 781–238–7199; email: jo-               Earthjustice, Environmental Working
                                           PW4084D, PW4090, and PW4090–3 turbofan                   ann.theriault@faa.gov.                                Group, Center for Environmental
                                           engines with low-pressure compressor (LPC)               (j) Material Incorporated by Reference                Health, Healthy Homes Collaborative,
                                           fan hub, part number (P/N) 51B821 or P/N
                                                                                                       (1) The Director of the Federal Register           Health Justice Project of Loyola
                                           52B521, installed.                                       approved the incorporation by reference               University Chicago School of Law,
                                           (d) Subject                                              (IBR) of the service information listed in this       Breast Cancer Fund, Improving Kids’
                                                                                                    paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR             Environment, Consumers Union,
                                             Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)
                                           Code 7230, Turbine Engine Compressor
                                                                                                    part 51.                                              Natural Resources Defense Council,
                                                                                                       (2) You must use this service information          Consumer Federation of America,
                                           Section.                                                 as applicable to do the actions required by           Learning Disabilities Association,
                                           (e) Unsafe Condition                                     this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.           Maricel Maffini, and Howard Mielke.
                                                                                                       (i) Pratt & Whitney Division Alert Service
                                              This AD was prompted by low-cycle                                                                           DATES: This rule is effective December 3,
                                                                                                    Bulletin PW4G–112–A72–351, dated
                                           fatigue analysis techniques, updated by the                                                                    2018. See section XIII for further
                                                                                                    February 22, 2018.
                                           engine manufacturer, which indicated certain
                                                                                                       (ii) [Reserved.]                                   information on the filing of objections.
                                           LPC fan hubs could crack before their                       (3) For service information identified in
                                           published life limit. We are issuing this AD
                                                                                                                                                          Submit either electronic or written
                                                                                                    this AD, contact Pratt & Whitney Division,            objections and requests for a hearing on
                                           to prevent failure of the LPC fan hub. The               400 Main St., East Hartford, CT 06118;
                                           unsafe condition, if not addressed, could                                                                      the final rule by November 30, 2018.
                                                                                                    phone: 800–565–0140; fax: 860–565–5442.
                                           result in uncontained hub release, damage to                (4) You may view this service information          ADDRESSES: You may submit objections
                                           the engine, and damage to the airplane.                  at FAA, Engine and Propeller Standards                and requests for a hearing as follows.
                                           (f) Compliance                                           Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington,             Please note that late, untimely filed
                                              Comply with this AD within the
                                                                                                    MA 01803. For information on the                      objections will not be considered.
                                                                                                    availability of this material at the FAA, call        Electronic objections must be submitted
                                           compliance times specified, unless already               781–238–7759.
                                           done.                                                                                                          on or before November 30, 2018. The
                                                                                                       (5) You may view this service information
                                                                                                                                                          https://www.regulations.gov electronic
                                           (g) Required Actions                                     that is incorporated by reference at the
                                                                                                    National Archives and Records                         filing system will accept comments
                                              (1) After the effective date of this AD,                                                                    until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time at the end
                                                                                                    Administration (NARA). For information on
                                           perform a fluorescent penetrant inspection                                                                     of November 30, 2018. Objections
                                                                                                    the availability of this material at NARA, call
                                           (FPI) and an eddy current inspection (ECI) of                                                                  received by mail/hand delivery/courier
                                                                                                    202–741–6030, or go to: http://
                                           the LPC fan hub the next time the engine is
                                           separated at the M-flange and the LPC fan
                                                                                                    www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-            (for written/paper submissions) will be
                                                                                                    locations.html.                                       considered timely if they are
                                           hub has accumulated 2,000 or more flight
                                           cycles since the last FPI and ECI.                         Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on             postmarked or the delivery service
                                              (2) Thereafter, perform an FPI and an ECI             October 25, 2018.                                     acceptance receipt is on or before that
                                           of the LPC fan hub every time the engine is              Robert J. Ganley,                                     date.
                                           separated at the M-flange and the LPC fan                Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards
                                           hub has accumulated 2,000 or more flight                                                                       Electronic Submissions
                                                                                                    Branch, Aircraft Certification Service.
                                           cycles since the last LPC fan hub ECI and                                                                        Submit electronic objections in the
                                           FPI.                                                     [FR Doc. 2018–23712 Filed 10–30–18; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                                                                          following way:
                                              (3) Use the Accomplishment Instructions,              BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
                                                                                                                                                            • Federal eRulemaking Portal:
                                           Step No. 11, in PW Alert Service Bulletin
                                                                                                                                                          https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
                                           PW4G–112–A72–351, dated February 22,
                                           2018, to do the ECI.                                                                                           instructions for submitting comments.
                                                                                                    DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND                              Objections submitted electronically,
                                              (4) If a crack is found during the                    HUMAN SERVICES
                                           inspections required by paragraphs (g)(1) or                                                                   including attachments, to https://
                                           (2) of this AD, remove the LPC fan hub from                                                                    www.regulations.gov will be posted to
                                                                                                    Food and Drug Administration
                                           service before further flight and replace with                                                                 the docket unchanged. Because your
                                           a part eligible for installation.                                                                              objection will be made public, you are
                                                                                                    21 CFR Part 73
                                           (h) Alternative Methods of Compliance                                                                          solely responsible for ensuring that your
                                           (AMOCs)                                                  [Docket No. FDA–2017–C–1951]                          objection does not include any
                                              (1) The Manager, ECO Branch, FAA, has                                                                       confidential information that you or a
                                                                                                    Termination of Listing of Color                       third party may not wish to be posted,
                                           the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD,
                                                                                                    Additive Exempt From Certification;                   such as medical information, your or
                                           if requested using the procedures found in 14
                                           CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19,              Lead Acetate                                          anyone else’s Social Security number, or
                                           send your request to your principal inspector            AGENCY:    Food and Drug Administration,              confidential business information, such
                                           or local flight standards district office, as            HHS.                                                  as a manufacturing process. Please note
                                           appropriate. If sending information directly                                                                   that if you include your name, contact
                                           to the manager of the certification office,              ACTION:   Final rule.
                                                                                                                                                          information, or other information that
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES




                                           send it to the attention of the person
                                                                                                    SUMMARY:   The Food and Drug                          identifies you in the body of your
                                           identified in paragraph (i) of this AD. You
                                           may email your request to: ANE-AD-AMOC@                  Administration (FDA or we) is                         objection, that information will be
                                           faa.gov.                                                 amending the color additive regulations               posted on https://www.regulations.gov.
                                              (2) Before using any approved AMOC,                   to no longer provide for the use of lead                • If you want to submit an objection
                                           notify your appropriate principal inspector,             acetate in cosmetics intended for                     with confidential information that you
                                           or lacking a principal inspector, the manager            coloring hair on the scalp because new                do not wish to be made available to the


                                      VerDate Sep<11>2014    16:24 Oct 30, 2018   Jkt 247001   PO 00000   Frm 00003   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\31OCR1.SGM   31OCR1


                                           54666            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 211 / Wednesday, October 31, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

                                           public, submit the objection as a                        fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-09-18/pdf/2015-                     1960, they were provisionally listed for
                                           written/paper submission and in the                      23389.pdf.                                            this use on an interim basis under the
                                           manner detailed (see ‘‘Written/Paper                        Docket: For access to the docket to                transitional provisions of the Color
                                           Submissions’’ and ‘‘Instructions’’).                     read background documents or the                      Additive Amendments (38 FR 7006,
                                                                                                    electronic and written/paper comments                 March 15, 1973). Subsequently, FDA
                                           Written/Paper Submissions                                                                                      gave interested persons until July 30,
                                                                                                    received, go to https://
                                              Submit written/paper submissions as                   www.regulations.gov and insert the                    1973, to submit petitions proposing
                                           follows:                                                 docket number, found in brackets in the               appropriate permanent listings of any
                                              • Mail/Hand delivery/Courier (for                     heading of this document, into the                    metallic salts as coloring components of
                                           written/paper submissions): Dockets                      ‘‘Search’’ box and follow the prompts                 hair dye not presently listed for such
                                           Management Staff (HFA–305), Food and                     and/or go to the Dockets Management                   use (38 FR 2996, January 31, 1973). On
                                           Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers                        Staff, 5630 Fishers Lane, Rm. 1061,                   May 18, 1973, FDA received a color
                                           Lane, Rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852.                     Rockville, MD 20852.                                  additive petition (CAP 3C0107) from the
                                              • For written/paper objections                        FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                      Committee of the Progressive Hair Dye
                                           submitted to the Dockets Management                      Molly A. Harry, Center for Food Safety                Industry requesting the permanent
                                           Staff, FDA will post your objection, as                  and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug                  listing of lead acetate as a color additive
                                           well as any attachments, except for                      Administration, 5001 Campus Dr.,                      in cosmetic hair dyes. FDA published a
                                           information submitted, marked and                        College Park, MD 20740–3835, 240–                     notice of filing of the petition in the
                                           identified, as confidential, if submitted                402–1075.                                             Federal Register of June 29, 1973 (38 FR
                                           as detailed in ‘‘Instructions.’’                                                                               17260). While the petition was under
                                                                                                    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                              Instructions: All submissions received                                                                      review, FDA added lead acetate to the
                                           must include the Docket No. FDA–                         I. Introduction                                       codified provisional list for use as a
                                           2017–C–1951 for ‘‘Termination of                                                                               color component in hair dye on March
                                                                                                       In the Federal Register of April 4,
                                           Listing of Color Additive Exempt From                                                                          13, 1974 (39 FR 9657), with a closing
                                                                                                    2017 (82 FR 16321), FDA announced
                                           Certification; Lead Acetate.’’ Received                                                                        date of December 31, 1974. The closing
                                                                                                    that we filed a color additive petition               date for the provisional listing of lead
                                           objections, those filed in a timely                      (CAP 7C0309) (the petition) submitted
                                           manner (see ADDRESSES), will be placed                                                                         acetate was postponed periodically
                                                                                                    by the Environmental Defense Fund,                    pending the performance, completion,
                                           in the docket and, except for those                      Earthjustice, Environmental Working
                                           submitted as ‘‘Confidential                                                                                    and evaluation of toxicological and
                                                                                                    Group, Center for Environmental                       absorption studies. A final rule in the
                                           Submissions,’’ publicly viewable at                      Health, Healthy Homes Collaborative,
                                           https://www.regulations.gov or at the                                                                          Federal Register of March 3, 1978 (43
                                                                                                    Health Justice Project of Loyola                      FR 8790), details each postponement up
                                           Dockets Management Staff between 9                       University Chicago School of Law,                     to that time, and subsequent
                                           a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through                          Breast Cancer Fund, Improving Kids’                   postponements of the closing date for
                                           Friday.                                                  Environment, Consumers Union,                         the provisional listing of lead acetate
                                              • Confidential Submissions—To                         Natural Resources Defense Council,                    were published in the Federal Register
                                           submit an objection with confidential                    Consumer Federation of America,                       on January 2, 1979 (44 FR 45), March 6,
                                           information that you do not wish to be                   Learning Disabilities Association,                    1979 (44 FR 12169), August 31, 1979 (44
                                           made publicly available, submit your                     Maricel Maffini, and Howard Mielke                    FR 51216), February 22, 1980 (45 FR
                                           objections only as a written/paper                       (petitioners), c/o Mr. Tom Neltner, 1875              11799), June 24, 1980 (45 FR 42255),
                                           submission. You should submit two                        Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 600,                       and December 30, 1980 (45 FR 85725).
                                           copies total. One copy will include the                  Washington, DC 20009. The petition                       In evaluating the scientific data
                                           information you claim to be confidential                 requested that we repeal the regulation               submitted in CAP 3C0107, FDA
                                           with a heading or cover note that states                 at § 73.2396 (21 CFR 73.2396) to no                   determined that the following issues
                                           ‘‘THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS                                 longer provide for the safe use of lead               required resolution to enable FDA to
                                           CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.’’ We                           acetate in cosmetics intended for                     evaluate the petition and determine the
                                           will review this copy, including the                     coloring hair on the scalp. The notice of             conditions of safe use of lead acetate: (1)
                                           claimed confidential information, in our                 petition gave interested parties until                Whether absorption and systemic
                                           consideration of comments. The second                    June 5, 2017, to submit comments on                   distribution of lead acetate from hair
                                           copy, which will have the claimed                        the filed color additive petition.                    dyes would occur, because the available
                                           confidential information redacted/                                                                             scientific data did not establish
                                           blacked out, will be available for public                II. Background and Regulatory History
                                                                                                    of Lead Acetate as a Color Additive                   conclusively that lead acetate from hair
                                           viewing and posted on https://                                                                                 dyes was transdermally absorbed
                                           www.regulations.gov. Submit both                            The color additive lead acetate (the               through the scalp; (2) whether lead
                                           copies to the Dockets Management Staff.                  trihydrate of lead (2+) salt of acetic acid;          acetate is carcinogenic in humans,
                                           If you do not wish your name and                         CAS No. 6080–56–4) has been in use in                 because it had been established through
                                           contact information to be made publicly                  cosmetic hair dyes for many years.                    animal feeding studies that lead is a
                                           available, you can provide this                          Under the provisions of the Color                     carcinogen in rats and mice; (3) whether
                                           information on the cover sheet and not                   Additive Amendments of 1960 to the                    the human epidemiological data
                                           in the body of your comments and you                     Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act                  available are equivocal; and (4) which of
                                           must identify this information as                        (FD&C Act), FDA published a notice on                 the ‘‘Delaney’’ anticancer clauses in
                                           ‘‘confidential.’’ Any information marked                 December 10, 1963 (28 FR 13374),                      section 721(b)(5)(B) of the FD&C Act (21
                                           as ‘‘confidential’’ will not be disclosed                stating that metallic salts (including                U.S.C. 379e(b)(5)(B)) is applicable to
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES




                                           except in accordance with 21 CFR 10.20                   lead acetate) used as hair colorings are              this use of lead acetate (45 FR 72112,
                                           and other applicable disclosure law. For                 color additives within the meaning of                 October 31, 1980).
                                           more information about FDA’s posting                     the FD&C Act. Because metallic salts,                    To resolve the issue of whether lead
                                           of comments to public dockets, see 80                    including lead acetate, were in use as                acetate would be transdermally
                                           FR 56469, September 18, 2015, or access                  color components in hair dye prior to                 absorbed through the scalp, FDA
                                           the information at: https://www.gpo.gov/                 the Color Additive Amendments of                      requested that the petitioner perform a


                                      VerDate Sep<11>2014    16:24 Oct 30, 2018   Jkt 247001   PO 00000   Frm 00004   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\31OCR1.SGM   31OCR1


                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 211 / Wednesday, October 31, 2018 / Rules and Regulations                                       54667

                                           definitive percutaneous absorption                       on the percutaneous absorption data                   after tests that are appropriate for the
                                           study (42 FR 62497 at 62499, December                    submitted in the CAP, one prepared by                 evaluation of the safety of additives for
                                           13, 1977). Results from a 1978                           Dr. Richard Wilson of Harvard                         use in food, to induce cancer in man or
                                           radioactive tracer skin lead absorption                  University (on behalf of the petitioner of            animal. To determine whether a color
                                           study, using human volunteers, was                       CAP 3C0107) and the other prepared by                 additive is safe under the general safety
                                           submitted by the petitioner of CAP                       FDA personnel, which concluded a 1:18                 clause, the FD&C Act requires FDA to
                                           3C0107 for FDA review and later                          million and 1:12 million chance of                    consider, among other relevant factors:
                                           published by Moore et al. (Ref. 1). The                  developing cancer, respectively, by                   (1) Probable consumption of, or other
                                           results of the percutaneous absorption                   using lead acetate containing hair dye.               relevant exposure from, the additive and
                                           study showed that lead acetate in hair                   FDA determined that these assessments                 of any substance formed in or on food,
                                           dye is absorbed through human skin                       supported the conclusion that any                     drugs or devices, or cosmetics because
                                           and that users who apply the hair dye                    carcinogenic risk likely to result from               of the use of the additive; (2) cumulative
                                           as often as twice per week have an                       use of lead acetate-containing hair dye               effect, if any, of such additive ‘‘in the
                                           estimated average daily lead absorption                  could not be considered significant in                diet of man or animals,’’ taking into
                                           of 0.3 microgram (mg). FDA considered                    terms of public health protection (45 FR              account the same or any chemically or
                                           the absorbed amount of lead acetate                      72112 at 72116).                                      pharmacologically related substance or
                                           from hair dye to be ‘‘miniscule’’ when                     Based on the evaluation of the                      substances in such diet; and (3) safety
                                           compared to the average person’s blood                   available data, FDA concluded that lead               factors recognized by experts ‘‘as
                                           lead level from background sources and                   acetate was safe for use in hair dyes                 appropriate for the use of animal
                                           concluded that the resulting increase in                 intended for use on the scalp. On                     experimentation data’’ (see section
                                           exposure would have no discernible                       October 31, 1980, FDA approved the                    721(b)(5)(A) of the FD&C Act). For FDA
                                           increase on the steady-state blood lead                  petition and permanently listed lead                  to grant a petition that seeks repeal of
                                           level reported to be approximately 17 mg                 acetate in § 73.2396 as a color additive              a color additive regulation based upon
                                           per deciliter (mg/dL) (45 FR 72112 at                    for the safe use in cosmetics for coloring            new data concerning the safety of the
                                           72114).                                                  hair on the scalp at levels up to 0.6                 color additive, such data must be
                                                                                                    percent (weight to volume) lead, subject              adequate for FDA to conclude that there
                                              FDA also considered the applicability
                                                                                                    to certain restrictions and labeling                  is no longer a reasonable certainty of no
                                           of the Delaney Clause (section
                                                                                                    requirements (45 FR 72112). As a                      harm for the intended use of the color
                                           721(b)(5)(B) of the FD&C Act) in                         condition of safe use, the regulation in
                                           determining whether lead acetate could                                                                         additive or that it must be deemed
                                                                                                    § 73.2396 specifies that lead acetate hair            unsafe under the Delaney Clause.
                                           be permanently listed, considering the                   dye must contain a cautionary
                                           evidence that lead was shown to be a                     statement.                                            IV. Petitioners’ Argument for Repeal of
                                           carcinogen in animal feeding studies.                                                                          § 73.2396
                                           The Delaney Clause consists of two                       III. Regulation of Color Additives
                                           parts. The first part (section                              The FD&C Act provides a process                       In accordance with the procedure in
                                           721(b)(5)(B)(i) of the FD&C Act) pertains                through which any person who wishes                   section 721(d) of the FD&C Act for the
                                           specifically to ingested color additives.                to use a color additive in or on food,                issuance, amendment or repeal of
                                           The second part (section 721(b)(5)(B)(ii)                drugs, devices, or cosmetics, may                     regulations, the current color additive
                                           of the FD&C Act) applies to non-                         submit a petition proposing the issuance              petition (CAP 7C0309) requests that
                                           ingested color additives. FDA explained                  of a color additive regulation listing                FDA repeal the regulation for lead
                                           in the 1980 final rule that because the                  such use with supporting information.                 acetate in § 73.2396. The petitioners
                                           first part of the Delaney Clause (section                A color additive petition also may be                 assert the following in support of their
                                           721(b)(5)(B)(i) of the FD&C Act) is                      submitted to propose the amendment or                 proposal (the petition, at pages 5
                                           limited to uses that will or may result                  repeal of any existing color additive                 through 15):
                                           in ingestion, it does not apply to the use               regulation (see section 721(b)(5)(C) and                 1. ‘‘Toxicological evidence since 1980
                                           of lead acetate in hair dye applied on                   (d) of the FD&C Act). In response to a                shows there is no safe level of exposure
                                           the scalp. FDA then considered the                       color additive petition, FDA may issue                to lead compounds,’’ and the ‘‘scientific
                                           applicability of the non-ingestion                       a regulation listing a color additive for             evidence substantiating a direct
                                           clause, which states that a color additive               use in or on food, drugs, devices, or                 correlation between lead exposure and
                                           shall be deemed unsafe, and shall not be                 cosmetics only if it determines that the              human carcinogenicity is now
                                           listed, for any use that will not result in              additive is suitable and safe for such use            sufficiently strong for FDA to conclude
                                           ingestion or any part of such additive,                  (see section 721(b)(2)(A) of the FD&C                 that lead acetate is unsafe pursuant to
                                           if evaluation of the safety of additives                 Act). FDA’s determination that a color                the Delaney Clause in 21 U.S.C.
                                           for such use or after other relevant                     additive is safe means that there is                  379e(b)(5)(B).’’
                                           exposure of man or animal to such                        convincing evidence that establishes                     2. ‘‘FDA’s 1980 decision rested
                                           additive, it is found by the Secretary of                with reasonable certainty that no harm                primarily on a single industry study’’
                                           Health and Human Services (Secretary)                    will result from the intended condition               that had ‘‘serious flaws.’’
                                           to induce cancer in man or animal. After                 of use of the color additive (21 CFR
                                           evaluation of the available relevant                     170.3(i)). This is referred to as the                    3. ‘‘Exposure evidence since 1980
                                           scientific evidence, FDA concluded that                  ‘‘general safety clause’’ for color                   shows that skin absorption of lead
                                           the available animal feeding studies                     additives. In addition, the Delaney                   acetate may be more significant than
                                           were not relevant to the use of lead                     Clause, under section 721(b)(5)(B)(i) of              FDA considered.’’
                                           acetate in hair dye. FDA also concluded                  the FD&C Act, states that a color                        4. ‘‘Overall exposure to lead in the
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES




                                           that the scientific data submitted were                  additive shall be deemed unsafe for any               United States has dropped since 1980 so
                                           not sufficient to substantiate a direct                  use that will or may result in ingestion              FDA’s conclusion that the exposure was
                                           correlation between dermal exposure to                   of all or part of such additive, if the               insignificant is no longer valid.’’
                                           lead and human carcinogenicity.                          additive is found by the Secretary to                    5. ‘‘Post-1980 evidence indicates that
                                           Additionally, FDA considered two                         induce cancer when ingested by man or                 lead acetate is likely to be ingested from
                                           carcinogenicity risk assessments based                   animal, or if it is found by the Secretary,           typical use.’’


                                      VerDate Sep<11>2014    16:24 Oct 30, 2018   Jkt 247001   PO 00000   Frm 00005   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\31OCR1.SGM   31OCR1


                                           54668            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 211 / Wednesday, October 31, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

                                              6. ‘‘Canada and Europe found the use                  and its compounds includes reports and                academic achievement (Ref. 4). As part
                                           of lead acetate as a color additive to be                publications by government agencies                   of its program to prevent childhood lead
                                           unsafe.’’                                                and professional organizations,                       poisoning, CDC has recommended 5mg/
                                              Based on these arguments, the                         including an NTP monograph on Health                  dL as the reference blood lead level to
                                           petitioners assert that the evidence                     Effects of Low-Level Lead (2012),                     identify children who have been
                                           available since lead acetate’s permanent                 Centers for Disease Control and                       exposed to lead and who require case
                                           listing in 1980 demonstrates that there                  Prevention (CDC) reports on lead (2009,               management (Ref. 4).
                                           is no longer a reasonable certainty that                 2015), Agency for Toxic Substances and                   Lead exposure also poses significant
                                           no harm would result from the use of                     Disease Registry (ATSDR) toxicology                   health risks to adults (Refs. 5 and 6).
                                           lead acetate in hair dyes, and, therefore,               profile for lead (2007), an article on the            These risks include hypertension,
                                           the regulation authorizing this use as a                 Prevention of Childhood Lead Toxicity                 peripheral nerve dysfunction, and red
                                           color additive should be repealed. The                   from the American Academy of                          blood cell protoporphyrin elevation (see
                                           petitioners submitted in vitro and in                    Pediatrics Council on Environmental                   58 FR 33860 at 33864). A growing body
                                           vivo nonclinical and clinical peer-                      Health (2016), Environmental Protection               of evidence indicates that adults, like
                                           reviewed publications, monographs,                       Agency’s Integrated Risk Information                  children, may experience adverse health
                                           and general reports from associations                    System Chemical Assessment Summary                    impacts from exposure to levels of lead
                                           and government agencies to support                       on lead and lead compounds, and an                    lower than those previously believed to
                                           their assertions.                                        abstract of the risk assessment of lead               be harmful. For example, in 2012, the
                                              In section V that follows, FDA                        acetate conducted by Health Canada                    NTP provided evidence of adverse
                                           provides assessments of the petitioners’                 (2008). The petitioners also provide                  effects of exposure to low levels of lead
                                           assertions and their supporting                          abstracts to published in vivo and in                 (less than 10 mg/dL) in adult humans
                                           information. FDA’s review, assessment,                   vitro animal and human studies, and                   based on epidemiological evidence. The
                                           and evaluation of the petition are                       links to the 2014 NTP report on                       NTP concluded that there is sufficient
                                           detailed in our two review memoranda                     carcinogenicity from exposure to lead                 evidence for decreased glomerular
                                           (Refs. 2 and 3). In FDA’s review of the                  and its compounds, including lead                     filtration rate (in the kidney) in adults
                                           petition, we considered relevant studies                 acetate.                                              and reduced fetal growth in pregnant
                                           and publications on lead and lead                           FDA Assessment: FDA reviewed the                   women at blood lead levels less than 5
                                           compounds, including lead acetate.                       peer-reviewed publications and                        mg/dL; increased blood pressure,
                                                                                                    monographs provided in the petition                   hypertension, and essential tremor in
                                           V. Review of the Petition                                and other relevant information in our                 adults at blood lead levels less than 10
                                           A. Petitioners’ Assertion No. 1                          evaluation of the safety of the use of                mg/dL; and adverse changes in sperm
                                                                                                    lead acetate in hair dyes (Ref. 2) and                parameters in men, as well as increased
                                              ‘‘Toxicological evidence since 1980                   agrees with the petitioners that there is             time to achieve pregnancy, at blood lead
                                           shows there is no safe level of exposure                 no evidence available at this time to                 levels greater than or equal to 15–20 mg/
                                           to lead compounds,’’ and ‘‘scientific                    determine a safe level of exposure to                 dL (Ref. 2). In 2011, the Joint Food and
                                           evidence substantiating a direct                         lead or lead compounds intentionally                  Agriculture/World Health Organization
                                           correlation between lead exposure and                    used as a color additive in hair dyes.                (FAO/WHO) Expert Committee on Food
                                           human carcinogenicity is now                                The toxicologic effects of lead                    Additives (JECFA) withdrew the
                                           sufficiently strong for FDA to conclude                  exposure have been well-documented,                   previously established Provisional
                                           that lead acetate is unsafe pursuant to                  and FDA has taken several actions to                  Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) for lead
                                           the Delaney Clause in 21 U.S.C.                          protect the public from exposure to lead              and concluded that it was not possible
                                           379e(b)(5)(B).’’ To support this                         in FDA regulated products, including                  to establish a new PTWI that would be
                                           assertion, the petition cites ‘‘evidence                 prohibiting the use of tin-coated lead                considered health protective (Ref. 7).
                                           with respect to lead acetate as a                        foil capsules on wine bottles (61 FR                  Additionally, the U.S. Environmental
                                           carcinogen,’’ including that the National                4816, February 8, 1996 (now codified at               Protection Agency has set the maximum
                                           Toxicology Program (NTP) has                             21 CFR 189.301)) and prohibiting the                  contaminant level goal for lead in
                                           designated lead and lead compounds to                    use of lead-soldering in food cans (60                drinking water at zero (Ref. 8).
                                           be ‘‘reasonably anticipated to be a                      FR 33106, June 27, 1995 (now codified                 Regarding the information provided in
                                           human carcinogen’’ based on ‘‘limited                    at 21 CFR 189.240)) (see also 58 FR                   the petition on the carcinogenicity of
                                           evidence in humans, and sufficient                       33860 at 33864 through 33866, June 21,                lead, we discuss the relevance of this
                                           evidence of carcinogenicity in                           1993 (discussing the health effects of                information to FDA’s decision on this
                                           experimental animals.’’ The petition                     adult exposure to lead); and see                      petition in section VII.
                                           also cites ‘‘evidence of health effects                  generally https://www.fda.gov/Food/
                                           other than cancer,’’ specifically that lead              FoodborneIllnessContaminants/Metals/                  B. Petitioners’ Assertion No. 2
                                           (as elemental lead and lead compounds,                   ucm2006791.htm and https://                              ‘‘FDA’s 1980 decision rested
                                           including lead acetate) ‘‘has other                      www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/Products                        primarily on a single industry study’’ by
                                           adverse effects across multiple systems                  Ingredients/PotentialContaminants/                    Moore et al. (Ref. 1) that had ‘‘serious
                                           at low levels,’’ ‘‘is a potent neurotoxin                ucm388820.htm (identifying other                      flaws.’’ The petitioners contended that
                                           with no safe level of exposure for                       actions by FDA’s Center for Food Safety               results from test conditions with higher
                                           children,’’ and ‘‘is particularly harmful                and Applied Nutrition concerning both                 absorption values, e.g., scratched skin,
                                           to pregnant women.’’ The petition also                   childhood and adult exposure to lead in               were excluded in the final analysis,
                                           provides toxicological monographs,                       food, food containers, and cosmetics)).               while those from test conditions that
                                           profiles, and reports on lead and lead                      The risks of lead exposure are                     resulted in lower absorption values e.g.,
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES




                                           compounds available since 1980 to                        particularly high in utero, infancy, and              ‘‘wet’’ and ‘‘cream’’ applications, were
                                           support their view that lead acetate                     in early childhood; CDC has stated that               all included. The petitioners also noted
                                           applied to the scalp is not safe.                        there is no safe blood lead level in                  that Moore et al. excluded all the results
                                              The information provided in the                       children, and that even low levels of                 of the 24-hour ‘‘whole body’’ count and
                                           petition to support their assertion that                 lead in blood have been shown to affect               relied only on the 12-hour data after
                                           there is no safe level of exposure to lead               IQ, ability to pay attention, and                     deciding that the increased absorption


                                      VerDate Sep<11>2014    16:24 Oct 30, 2018   Jkt 247001   PO 00000   Frm 00006   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\31OCR1.SGM   31OCR1


                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 211 / Wednesday, October 31, 2018 / Rules and Regulations                                       54669

                                           from the 12 to 24 hours’ measurements                    Regarding the assertion that some                     acetate-containing hair dye is intended
                                           reflected ‘‘mechanical damage’’ from                     assumptions made by Moore et al. are                  to be applied to the full scalp that has
                                           washing the test substance from the skin                 unsupported (e.g., that 6 ml of the lead              a skin surface area of approximately 580
                                           after 12 hours. The petitioners stated                   acetate formulation is normally applied,              cm2. Applying the test formulation to a
                                           that the 24-hour ‘‘non-scratch’’ average                 of which 0.18 ml would reach the scalp,               surface area substantially less than 580
                                           absorption was two times greater than                    and 612 mg of lead would reach the                    cm2 is not representative of the
                                           the 12-hour average. Additionally, the                   scalp per hair dye application), we note              intended condition of use. Therefore,
                                           petitioners stated that Moore et al. may                 that although these assumptions may                   using a surface area of 8 to 10 cm2 likely
                                           have only measured a proportion of the                   not reflect a worst-case use scenario,                yielded results that underestimated the
                                           lead absorbed because in calculating the                 there is a study that was submitted in                percentage of lead acetate that was
                                           ‘‘whole-body’’ count they assumed that                   support of the petition for permanently               transdermally absorbed. Additionally,
                                           the transport and distribution of lead                   listing lead acetate (CAP 3C0107) that                test results obtained from applying the
                                           acetate through the skin is the same                     evaluated the amount of lead acetate                  formulation to a small surface area on
                                           path as an intravenous solution of a                     that reached the scalp on human                       the forehead would also affect the
                                           known quantity of lead chloride used to                  subjects from application of a known                  accuracy of extrapolation to account for
                                           establish the relationship between                       volume of the hair dye that was                       the entire surface area of the scalp.
                                           radioactivity in the calf region and the                 characterized in the study as a typical                  (5) The test formulations applied to
                                           whole body, which the petitioners claim                  application volume. Results from that                 the forehead were removed by washing
                                           is an assumption that more recent                        study showed that the average amount                  with soap 12 hours after application.
                                           studies call into question. The                          of lead acetate that reaches the scalp                FDA notes that the 12-hour application
                                           petitioners also questioned some                         from application of 7 ml of hair dye is               period in the Moore et al. study may be
                                           assumptions made by Moore et al.,                        approximately 3 percent of the amount                 too short to assess the full extent of
                                           claiming no references were cited to                     applied.                                              percutaneous absorption of lead acetate
                                           support these assumptions (e.g., that 6                     As stated, we also conducted our own               under the intended conditions of use,
                                           milliliters (ml) of the lead acetate                     re-evaluation of the study by Moore et                which in some cases could remain on
                                           formulation is normally applied, of                      al. and identified the following                      the scalp for 24 hours or longer thereby
                                           which 0.18 ml would reach the scalp,                     deficiencies that we believe may have                 increasing the amount of lead
                                           and 612 mg of lead would reach the                       resulted in underestimation of lead                   percutaneously absorbed.
                                           scalp per hair dye application). The                     exposure (Ref. 2):
                                                                                                       (1) The study was conducted with                   C. Petitioners’ Assertion No. 3
                                           petitioners noted that instructions for
                                           use included in lead acetate hair dye                    formulations containing 6 millimole per                  ‘‘Exposure evidence since 1980 shows
                                           packages do not typically specify                        liter (mmol/L) or 9 mmol/L lead acetate               that skin absorption of lead acetate may
                                           amount to be applied to hair and that                    (equivalent to 0.12 or 0.18 percent lead),            be more significant than FDA
                                           the amount applied would vary                            respectively, which are three to five                 considered.’’ To support this assertion,
                                           depending on the amount of hair.                         times lower than the approved                         the petitioners provide several peer-
                                              FDA Assessment: We considered the                     maximum use level (0.6 percent lead) in               reviewed studies published since 1980,
                                           deficiencies claimed by the petitioners                  hair dyes.                                            which they claim demonstrate that the
                                           with the percutaneous absorption study                      (2) The ages of the eight male test                capacity of the skin to absorb lead is
                                           conducted by Moore et al. and                            subjects ranged from 20 to 35 years.                  more significant than FDA estimated in
                                           conducted our own re-evaluation of that                  FDA notes that most people who use                    1980. The studies included a wide-
                                           study (details in Ref. 2). We agree with                 lead acetate-containing hair dye                      ranging collection of occupational
                                           the petitioners that the study conducted                 products would typically be age 50                    exposures to in vivo (human and
                                           by Moore et al. may not have fully                       years or older. The subjects were                     animal) and in vitro (using human or
                                           accounted for all the lead that may have                 therefore not considered representative               animal skin) testing.
                                           been absorbed and localized in                           of the targeted older population. This is                FDA Assessment: The petitioners did
                                           extracellular fluid compartments, such                   important because the skin in older                   not provide data on dermal absorption
                                           as saliva and sweat. Although the                        people is different from the skin in                  of lead acetate generated under the
                                           approach of estimating whole body                        younger people.                                       intended use conditions for hair dye
                                           uptake of lead based on measured                            (3) The test formulation was applied               products and did not provide an
                                           activity in the calf region may have                     to the skin on the forehead of subjects,              updated estimated exposure that would
                                           partially captured lead in these                         whereas lead acetate-containing hair                  result from typical chronic use of lead
                                           extracellular fluids, newer data suggest                 dye is intended to be applied to hair on              acetate-containing hair dyes. However,
                                           that looking at blood lead levels alone                  the scalp. FDA notes that there are well              to support their assertion that skin
                                           underestimates exposure to lead that                     documented differences in the                         absorption of lead acetate may be greater
                                           would have localized in other                            composition and functionality of skin                 than FDA previously estimated, the
                                           compartments (Ref. 2).                                   tissue from the scalp and skin tissue                 petitioners provided information that
                                              Regarding the assertion that Moore et                 from other regions of the body,                       raised valid scientific questions about
                                           al. did not use the ‘‘worst-case scenario’’              including the forehead (Ref. 2). For                  the adequacy of the study that FDA
                                           by excluding in its final analysis results               example, scalp skin tissue is thicker and             relied on to support the listing of lead
                                           from whole-body monitoring collected                     carries more blood than other skin                    acetate in § 73.2396. The petition cited
                                           from 12 to 24 hours, results from the 24-                tissue. Thus, applying the test substance             peer-reviewed publications describing
                                           hour ‘‘non-scratch’’ whole-body                          to the forehead and non-scalp skin, like              nonclinical (in vitro and in vivo) and
                                           monitoring data, and results from the                    the forehead, to assess percutaneous                  clinical studies to demonstrate dermal
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES




                                           scratched skin scenario, and including                   absorption, may not mimic absorption                  absorption of lead and lead compounds,
                                           results from test conditions that resulted               through the scalp.                                    including lead acetate. FDA reviewed
                                           in lower absorption values (e.g., ‘‘wet’’                   (4) The test formulation(s) were                   these publications and other available
                                           and ‘‘cream’’ applications), we agree                    reportedly applied to a skin surface area             pertinent publications and information
                                           that this may have resulted in limiting                  of 8 to 10 square centimeters (cm2) on                on the dermal absorption of lead and
                                           the average absorption values.                           the forehead. FDA notes that lead                     lead acetate (Ref. 2). Following the


                                      VerDate Sep<11>2014    16:24 Oct 30, 2018   Jkt 247001   PO 00000   Frm 00007   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\31OCR1.SGM   31OCR1


                                           54670            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 211 / Wednesday, October 31, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

                                           review, FDA concluded that the                           forehead—for 24 hours. Assuming that                  and on other surfaces, including combs,
                                           submitted publications demonstrate that                  the hair dye would be applied two times               hair dye containers, hair drier handles,
                                           dermally applied lead acetate and other                  per week, FDA estimated that the daily                faucets, and telephone receivers, by
                                           lead-containing compounds penetrate                      exposure to lead would be significantly               users after applying lead acetate hair
                                           human and animal skin, and report                        higher than what was previously                       dye to their hair. Mielke et al. reported
                                           absorption of dermally applied lead and                  thought in 1980 (see details in Ref. 3).              a wide range of residual lead levels on
                                           lead compounds ranging from 0.018 to                                                                           hands and surfaces touched by the hair
                                                                                                    D. Petitioners’ Assertion No. 4
                                           29 percent (the latter being under                                                                             dye user. FDA notes that the study
                                           conditions of occlusion). In addition,                      ‘‘Overall exposure to lead in the                  results show a potential for lead from
                                           some of the studies show that dermally                   United States has dropped since 1980 so               the lead acetate-containing hair dye
                                           absorbed lead distributes to                             FDA’s conclusion that the exposure was                product to transfer to other surfaces
                                           extracellular fluid compartments                         insignificant is no longer valid.’’ The               from the hands that have been in
                                           including sweat and saliva, which the                    petitioners argue that, since 1980, ‘‘both            contact with the lead acetate-containing
                                           petitioners argued may contribute to an                  exposures and blood lead levels have                  hair dye. However, the study by Mielke
                                           increase in lead exposure that was not                   dropped dramatically as a result of                   et al. did not evaluate ingestion of lead
                                           previously accounted for in the Moore                    Congressional action to limit lead in                 from these contaminated surfaces.
                                           et al. publication (Ref. 2). However, we                 consumer products and reduce exposure                 Therefore, this study does not
                                           note that not all studies evaluated lead                 to the legacy of lead uses.’’ The                     demonstrate that lead acetate is likely to
                                           acetate, and not all the study designs                   petitioners provide information to                    be ingested from its use in hair dye.
                                           were adequate. For example, the                          demonstrate that the average blood lead               Deeb et al. reported on a case of a 52-
                                           number of test subjects used in some                     level of an adult in the United States has            year old male patient who presented
                                           studies was not adequate to ensure                       decreased dramatically since 1980.                    with adverse effects attributed to
                                           sufficient statistical power of the study,                  FDA Assessment: In the 1980 final                  repeated application of lead acetate-
                                           while in many studies, the surface area,                 rule on lead acetate, FDA stated that the             containing hair dye on his beard. We
                                           location of application of the test                      average U.S. adult steady-state blood                 note that this is a report on one person
                                           substance, and the amount applied did                    lead level was approximately 17 mg/dL.                that applied the hair dye to facial hair
                                           not appropriately reflect the intended                   This amount was retained from the                     contrary to the required cautionary
                                           conditions of use of lead acetate to color               initial 35 mg of lead that was absorbed               statement on the product. The color
                                           hair on the scalp. These limitations                     and internalized per day following                    additive lead acetate is not approved for
                                           made interpretation of the combined                      normal human daily lead intakes of 100                use in coloring facial hair and this
                                           results from these studies difficult, and                to 500 mg from all food and                           would be considered a misuse of the
                                           FDA was unable to reconcile all the                      environmental sources (45 FR 72112 at                 product.
                                           reported findings related to absorption                  72113). Based on the National Health                     Therefore, FDA concludes that the
                                           percentages and the lead levels claimed                  and Nutrition Examination Survey                      information provided by the petitioners
                                           to be present in sweat and saliva (Ref.                  (NHANES) results for 2015–2016, the                   is not sufficient to support their
                                           2).                                                      geometric mean and 50th percentile                    assertion that ingestion is likely to occur
                                              Given the deficiencies identified by                  (median) blood lead levels for U.S.                   from the approved use of lead acetate in
                                           FDA in the study by Moore et al. that                    adults 20 years and older were reported               hair dye (Ref. 2). Furthermore, FDA has
                                           may have resulted in underestimation of                  to be 0.920 mg/dL (95 percent                         not identified any other relevant
                                           the amount of lead acetate that is                       confidence interval of 0.862–0.982 mg/                scientific publications that demonstrate
                                           transdermally absorbed, FDA chose to                     dL) and 0.880 mg/dL (95 percent                       ingestion resulting from the regulated
                                           conduct further research on potential                    confidence interval of 0.810–0.960 mg/                use of lead acetate in cosmetics
                                           absorption from this use. FDA used in                    dL), respectively (Ref. 10). Therefore, we            intended for coloring hair on the scalp.
                                           silico modeling (ConsExpo, Netherlands                   agree with the petitioners that the
                                                                                                                                                          F. Petitioners’ Assertion No. 6.
                                           (Ref. 9)) to predict the percentage of                   average adult blood lead level in the
                                           dermal absorption of lead that may                       United States has decreased                             ‘‘Canada and Europe found the use of
                                           result from application of lead acetate                  significantly since 1980 and our                      lead acetate as a color additive to be
                                           hair dye to hair on the full human scalp                 conclusion in 1980 that exposure to lead              unsafe.’’ The petitioners make this
                                           based on empirically derived diffusion                   from the listed use of lead acetate hair              assertion based on the decision of
                                           coefficients. Contrary to the 0 to 0.3                   dye is insignificant is no longer valid.              Health Canada and the European Union
                                           percent lead absorption reported by                                                                            (EU) Scientific Committee on Cosmetic
                                                                                                    E. Petitioners’ Assertion No. 5                       Products and Non-Food Products
                                           Moore et al. (Ref. 1), the results from our
                                           in silico modeling predicted higher                        ‘‘Post-1980 evidence indicates that                 (SCCNFP) to prohibit the use of lead
                                           levels of lead absorption from dermal                    lead acetate is likely to be ingested from            acetate in cosmetic products sold in
                                           application of lead acetate hair dyes                    typical use.’’ The petitioners provide                Canada and the EU, respectively.
                                           containing 0.6 percent lead to the entire                publications by Mielke et al. (1997) (Ref.              FDA Assessment: FDA has made its
                                           scalp under the intended conditions of                   11) and Deeb et al. (2014) (Ref. 12) to               own determination on this petition
                                           use (Ref. 2).                                            support their assertion that lead acetate             based on our authority under the FD&C
                                              To calculate the maximum amount of                    in hair dye is likely to be ingested from             Act, independent of the actions taken by
                                           lead that could be absorbed, FDA                         typical use of lead acetate-containing                Canada and Europe regarding the use of
                                           utilized its modeled percent absorption                  hair dye, by both users of the dye and                lead acetate in hair dyes. However, we
                                           values and the estimated levels                          non-users (including children), from                  acknowledge that in 2004, the EU’s
                                           previously reported in CAP 3C0107                        hand-to-mouth activity after contacting               SCCNFP evaluated and issued an
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES




                                           (0.18 ml of hair dye reaching the scalp),                objects such as a faucet and comb                     opinion on the use of lead acetate as a
                                           considering an application of 6 ml of                    contaminated with the hair dye or from                cosmetic ingredient, concluding that
                                           hair dye containing the maximum                          touching a user’s hair.                               lead acetate is classified as ‘‘toxic to
                                           permitted 0.6 percent lead to the surface                  FDA Assessment: The study by                        reproduction,’’ ‘‘may cause harm to the
                                           area of the full human scalp (580 cm2)—                  Mielke et al. measured the lead content               unborn child,’’ and that lead acetate
                                           rather than only the 10 cm2 area on the                  of hair dyes and lead residues on hands               should not be intentionally added to


                                      VerDate Sep<11>2014    16:24 Oct 30, 2018   Jkt 247001   PO 00000   Frm 00008   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\31OCR1.SGM   31OCR1


                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 211 / Wednesday, October 31, 2018 / Rules and Regulations                                         54671

                                           cosmetic products marketed in the EU.                    any increase in exposure to lead                      and that section 721(b)(5)(B) of the
                                           Based on this opinion, the EU                            resulting from use of lead acetate-                   FD&C Act should apply (Ref. 2). The
                                           prohibited the use of lead acetate in                    containing hair dye can no longer be                  petitioners argue that the first part of the
                                           cosmetic products in 2004 (Ref. 13).                     considered insignificant in terms of                  Delaney Clause should apply based on
                                              FDA also acknowledges that Health                     public health.                                        their assertion that lead acetate in hair
                                           Canada found that lead exposure                            Considering: (1) The lack of evidence               dye is likely to be ingested from typical
                                           resulting from regular use of lead acetate               of a safe level of exposure for lead; (2)             use of lead acetate-containing hair dye
                                           hair dyes when combined with other                       the reported adverse effects associated               for both users of the dye and non-users
                                           sources of lead exposure would result in                 with low levels of lead exposure                      (including children), from hand-to-
                                           an increasing cumulative exposure for                    reported by NTP (discussed in section                 mouth activity after contacting objects
                                           lead that would potentially have                         V.A.); (3) the statements and current                 such as a faucet contaminated with the
                                           adverse effects, particularly in sensitive               recommendations by CDC and JECFA on                   hair dye or a user’s hair with the dye—
                                           populations. In 2005, based on data                      lead exposure (discussed in section                   in other words, that there is incidental
                                           indicating skin absorption and possible                  V.A.); (4) the deficiencies of the                    ingestion resulting from the intended
                                           links to carcinogenicity and                             percutaneous absorption study by                      use of the lead acetate in hair dye. To
                                           reproductive toxicity, Health Canada                     Moore et al. that may have resulted in                support this assertion, the petitioners
                                           prohibited the use of lead acetate in                    an underestimate of exposure to lead                  submit publications by Mielke et al. and
                                           cosmetic products. Lead acetate-                         from the use of lead-acetate containing               Deeb et al. (discussed in section V.E.).
                                           containing hair dyes have not been sold                  hair dye (discussed in section V.B.); and             FDA concluded that the petition does
                                           in the Canadian market since 2008 (Ref.                  (5) the significant reduction in median               not provide sufficient scientific
                                           2).                                                      blood lead levels since 1980 (discussed               evidence to support the petitioners’
                                                                                                    in section V.D.), FDA concludes that the              assertion of incidental ingestion
                                           VI. Updated Evaluation of Safety
                                                                                                    original basis for listing lead acetate is            resulting from typical use of lead
                                              During FDA’s review of the petition,                  no longer valid and that there is no                  acetate-containing hair dye. Because
                                           we evaluated the information provided                    longer a reasonable certainty that no                 FDA has determined that the petition
                                           by the petitioners and other information                 harm would result from the use of lead                does not provide sufficient scientific
                                           that has become available since 1980                     acetate as a color additive in cosmetics              evidence to support the assertions of
                                           when we listed lead acetate for use in                   intended to color hair on the scalp.                  ingestion from the use of lead acetate-
                                           hair dye to determine if there is still a                                                                      containing hair dye, FDA has not found
                                           reasonable certainty of no harm from the                 VII. Applicability of the Delaney Clause
                                                                                                                                                          it necessary as part of its petition
                                           use of this color additive. FDA’s basis                     The Delaney Clause consists of two                 response to determine whether the first
                                           for listing lead acetate in 1980, as                     parts. The first part (section                        part of the Delaney Clause would apply
                                           previously stated, was that the absorbed                 721(b)(5)(B)(i) of the FD&C Act) pertains             to incidental ingestion of lead acetate
                                           amount of lead from hair dye containing                  specifically to ingested color additives.             from its use in hair dye.
                                           lead acetate was ‘‘miniscule’’ when                      The second part (section 721(b)(5)(B)(ii)                The petitioner did not submit any
                                           compared to the average person’s                         of the FD&C Act) pertains to non-                     information demonstrating
                                           background blood lead level and that                     ingested color additives. In the 1980                 carcinogenicity via dermal exposure,
                                           the resulting increase in exposure from                  final rule, FDA explained that because                and FDA is not aware of any such
                                           lead acetate-containing hair dye would                   the first part of the Delaney Clause                  information; FDA continues to find that
                                           have no discernible effect on the steady-                (section 721(b)(5)(B)(i) of the FD&C Act)             the available animal feeding studies are
                                           state blood lead level. Our most recent                  is limited to uses that will or may result            not applicable or relevant to dermally
                                           review of the published literature (Ref.                 in ingestion, it does not apply to the use            applied lead acetate hair dyes under
                                           2), combined with the flaws identified                   of lead acetate in hair dye used on the               section 721(b)(5)(B)(ii) of the FD&C Act.
                                           in the Moore study (see section V.B.),                   scalp (45 FR 72112 at 72115). In the
                                           suggest that exposure to lead from the                   final rule, FDA also determined, after                VIII. Comments on the Notice of
                                           use of lead acetate-containing hair dyes                 evaluating scientific evidence relevant               Petition
                                           is likely to be higher than was estimated                to the carcinogenic effects in                          We provided 60 days for comments
                                           in 1980. Considering all the information                 experimental animals from feeding                     on the notice of petition. A total of 220
                                           currently available, the data do not                     studies, that these studies are neither               individual comments were submitted to
                                           support the safe use of lead acetate as                  ‘‘appropriate’’ nor ‘‘relevant’’ to lead              the docket after the notice of petition
                                           a color additive in cosmetics intended                   acetate used in hair dye, and therefore               published. One group submitted a
                                           for coloring hair on the scalp.                          there was no basis to find the use of lead            comment on behalf of 61 organizations,
                                              In the 1980 final rule on lead acetate,               acetate in hair dye used on the scalp to              and another group submitted a comment
                                           FDA stated that the average person had                   be unsafe pursuant to the second part of              supported by 26,198 signatures that they
                                           a steady-state blood lead level of                       the Delaney Clause (section                           collected that were all in support of the
                                           approximately 17 mg/dL (45 FR 72112 at                   721(b)(5)(B)(ii) of the FD&C Act).                    petition. Overall, most of the comments
                                           72113). This amount was retained from                       The petitioners argue that the 2004                did not contain any substantive new
                                           the initial 35 mg of lead that was                       NTP report designating lead and lead                  data or information that could inform
                                           absorbed and internalized per day                        compounds (including lead acetate) as                 FDA’s evaluation of the petition. The
                                           following normal human lead intakes of                   ‘‘reasonably anticipated to be human                  overwhelming majority of the
                                           100 to 500 mg from all food and                          carcinogens based on limited evidence                 individual comments expressed support
                                           environmental sources. As discussed                      of carcinogenicity from studies in                    for granting the petition based on
                                           previously, the median blood lead level                  humans and sufficient evidence of                     reported adverse health effects of lead
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES




                                           for U.S. adults 20 years and older based                 carcinogenicity from studies in                       and urged FDA to repeal the regulation.
                                           on 2015–2016 NHANES survey data was                      experimental animals,’’ other published                 (Comment 1) One comment,
                                           0.88 mg/dL (Ref. 10). The NHANES data                    in vitro studies, and occupational                    submitted by Combe, Inc. (Combe)
                                           on blood lead levels indicates that lead                 exposure studies submitted in the                     urged FDA to deny the petition. Combe
                                           exposure has decreased significantly in                  petition are sufficient to make the                   states that, in the 1970s, it marketed a
                                           the U.S. general population. As a result,                conclusion that lead acetate is unsafe                cream-based hair dye product


                                      VerDate Sep<11>2014    16:24 Oct 30, 2018   Jkt 247001   PO 00000   Frm 00009   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\31OCR1.SGM   31OCR1


                                           54672            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 211 / Wednesday, October 31, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

                                           containing 0.6 percent lead acetate                      a small surface area on the forehead.                 ingredient to achieve a coloring effect,
                                           trihydrate (0.34 percent lead) and a                     Based on newer information available,                 these specification limits are for lead
                                           liquid formula containing 0.4 percent                    application of formulations containing                that may be present as an impurity in an
                                           lead acetate trihydrate (0.23 percent                    lead acetate to small skin surface area               approved additive. We also note that the
                                           lead). In 1998, Combe reformulated its                   significantly limits the percentage of                specification limits for lead impurities
                                           liquid and foam lead acetate hair dye                    absorption, likely resulting in                       in the finished additives are
                                           products to reduce the lead content.                     underestimating the exposure.                         significantly lower than the 0.6 percent
                                           Combe states that the reformulated                          (Comment 2) Combe discusses the                    lead level (equivalent to 6,000 ppm)
                                           liquid product contains 0.28 percent                     petitioners’ reliance on the regulatory               approved in § 73.2936 for use in hair
                                           lead acetate trihydrate (0.153 percent                   decisions by the EU and Canada to ban                 dye products and the levels in Combe’s
                                           lead) and the foam product contains                      lead acetate. Combe refers to these
                                                                                                                                                          reformulated hair dye products of 0.153
                                           0.25 percent lead acetate trihydrate                     decisions as grounded in
                                                                                                                                                          percent lead (equivalent to 1,530 ppm
                                           (0.138 percent lead), thereby reducing                   the‘‘precautionary principle,’’ and states
                                                                                                    that the decisions were nonscientific                 lead) and 0.138 percent lead (equivalent
                                           the amount of lead absorbed daily to a
                                                                                                    resolutions of controversial issues that              to 1,380 ppm lead). Typically, the levels
                                           level lower than the amount FDA
                                           considered to be safe in 1980. In its                    resulted in regulatory actions. Combe                 specified for lead impurities in finished
                                           comment, Combe provides exposure                         argues that such an approach is not                   color additives and food additives are
                                           estimates based on these reformulation                   permitted under the risk-based science                20 ppm or lower. Such impurities might
                                           levels.                                                  standards required by the FD&C Act.                   result during the manufacture of the
                                              Combe funded the 1978 radioactive                        (Response) FDA is not relying on the               additive (e.g., from impurities in starting
                                           tracer skin lead absorption study that                   decisions made by regulatory bodies of                materials) or occur naturally and is not
                                           was required by FDA (published by                        other governments in this action.                     the additive itself. FDA generally sets
                                           Moore et al. in 1980 (Ref. 1)), and                      Rather, FDA’s determination is based on               such specifications because it can be
                                           emphasized that this study remains the                   whether the available scientific                      difficult to completely eliminate the
                                           only human skin lead absorption study                    evidence shows that there is a                        presence of impurities such as lead.
                                           using a hair dye formulation. Combe                      reasonable certainty of no harm from the                The FDA draft guidance that Combe
                                           maintains that the amount of lead                        use of this color additive.                           refers to recommends 10 ppm as the
                                           resulting from the use of its lead acetate                  (Comment 3) Combe states that since
                                                                                                                                                          maximum level for lead as an impurity
                                           hair dyes is trivial and considers the                   the 1960 Color Additive Amendments,
                                                                                                    FDA has issued several color additive                 (not as an ingredient) in cosmetic lip
                                           exposure to be essentially zero. Combe
                                                                                                    (and food additive) regulations and that              products and externally applied
                                           considers the studies submitted by the
                                                                                                    many of these regulations include                     cosmetics that are marketed in the
                                           petitioners to be either inadequate or
                                           not pertinent to evaluating the safety of                specification limits for lead content that            United States. The estimated exposure
                                           lead acetate under the intended                          FDA considers to be ‘‘safe.’’ Combe                   of 0.24 mg/d to lead from cosmetic lip
                                           conditions of use of the hair dye.                       urges that, in its administrative and                 products that Combe refers to was a
                                              (Response) FDA agrees with Combe                      enforcement actions, FDA must be                      maximum exposure estimated by FDA
                                           that some of the studies submitted in                    consistent in implementing the FD&C                   based on incidental ingestion of lipstick
                                           the petition had deficiencies in their                   Act with respect to similar matters.                  containing lead at 10 ppm. However,
                                           designs, and the study results were                      Combe also asserts that the 10 parts per              contrary to Combe’s assertions, our draft
                                           inconsistent and difficult to interpret.                 million (ppm) maximum lead level that                 guidance is not an approval of this use,
                                           FDA also agrees with Combe that the                      FDA recommended for lead as an                        nor is it a safety determination. FDA
                                           1978 radioactive tracer skin lead                        impurity in cosmetic lip products and                 considers the recommended maximum
                                           absorption study (published in 1980 by                   externally applied cosmetics products                 lead level of 10 ppm to be an achievable
                                           Moore et al. (Ref. 1)) is applicable for                 in the draft guidance document entitled               impurity level, with good
                                           studying human skin lead absorption.                     ‘‘Lead in Cosmetic Lip Products and                   manufacturing practices, for a wide
                                           However, as discussed in section V,                      Externally Applied Cosmetics:                         range of cosmetics products. Unlike hair
                                           FDA identified several significant                       Recommended Maximum Level                             dyes where lead acetate is intentionally
                                           deficiencies in the Moore et al. study. In               Guidance for Industry’’ is an ‘‘approval’’            added as an ingredient to achieve a
                                           particular, Moore et al. applied the                     and means that the exposure from its                  coloring effect, this recommended
                                           formulation to an 8 to 10 cm2 surface                    reformulated products should be                       maximum level is for lead that may be
                                           area on the forehead, which is not                       considered safe. Specifically, Combe                  present as an impurity in certain
                                           consistent with the intended conditions                  asserts that the ‘‘0.24 mg per day lead               cosmetics.
                                           of use for the hair dye product, this may                exposure that FDA determined is safe
                                                                                                    for adults from lipstick is 5 times more                FDA disagrees that it is being
                                           have resulted in lowering absorption
                                           and underestimating the exposure to                      than the 0.046 mg per day lead exposure               inconsistent in implementing the FD&C
                                           lead.                                                    for adults from lead acetate in the                   Act if it repeals the regulation regarding
                                              We acknowledge that the                               current post-1998 Grecian Formula                     the use of lead acetate in hair dye under
                                           reformulation of Combe’s hair dye                        product.’’                                            our color additive authority, while also
                                           products likely reduces exposure to lead                    (Response) FDA acknowledges that,                  establishing specifications for lead as an
                                           as compared to use at the maximum                        since 1960, we have issued several color              impurity in certain additives and
                                           permitted level. However, the regulation                 additive and food additive regulations                providing a recommended maximum
                                           allows for use up to 0.6 percent lead in                 that include maximum specification                    level for lead as an impurity in certain
                                           hair dyes; therefore, FDA must evaluate                  limits for lead (and other contaminants)              cosmetics. These actions are consistent
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES




                                           the safety of this maximum permitted                     that manufacturers are unable to avoid                with FDA’s authority for color additives,
                                           use level. FDA also notes that Combe’s                   through good manufacturing practices                  food additives, and cosmetics, as well as
                                           updated estimated exposures for the                      and might be present as an impurity in                our public health goal of reducing
                                           reformulated products still relied on the                the finished additives. However, we                   consumer exposure to lead to the
                                           dermal absorption results from the 1978                  note that, unlike hair dyes, in which                 greatest extent that is technically
                                           study that applied the test substance to                 lead acetate is intentionally added as an             feasible.


                                      VerDate Sep<11>2014    16:24 Oct 30, 2018   Jkt 247001   PO 00000   Frm 00010   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\31OCR1.SGM   31OCR1


                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 211 / Wednesday, October 31, 2018 / Rules and Regulations                                           54673

                                           IX. Conclusion                                           XI. Analysis of Environmental Impact                  Dockets Management Staff (see
                                                                                                      We previously considered the                        ADDRESSES)    and are available for
                                              Following a full evaluation of the data                                                                     viewing by interested persons between
                                           submitted in support of CAP 7C0309                       environmental effects of this rule, as
                                                                                                    stated in the April 4, 2017, Federal                  9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through
                                           and other pertinent data and                                                                                   Friday; they also are available
                                                                                                    Register notice of petition for CAP
                                           information, FDA has concluded that                                                                            electronically at https://
                                                                                                    7C0309. We stated that we had
                                           the data currently available no longer                                                                         www.regulations.gov. References
                                                                                                    determined, under 21 CFR 25.32(m),
                                           demonstrate that there is a reasonable                   that this action is of a type that does not           without asterisks are not on public
                                           certainty of no harm from the use of                     individually or cumulatively have a                   display at https://www.regulations.gov
                                           lead acetate as a color additive in hair                 significant effect on the human                       because they have copyright restriction.
                                           dyes authorized under § 73.2396. This                    environment such that neither an                      Some may be available at the website
                                           conclusion is based on the recognition                   environmental assessment nor an                       address, if listed. References without
                                           of the current consensus that there is no                environmental impact statement is                     asterisks are available for viewing only
                                           safe exposure level for lead, deficiencies               required. We have not received any new                at the Dockets Management Staff. FDA
                                           identified from our re-evaluation of the                 information that would affect our                     has verified the website addresses, as of
                                           1980 skin absorption study by Moore et                   previous determination.                               the date this document publishes in the
                                           al. that may have resulted in an                                                                               Federal Register, but websites are
                                           underestimate of exposure to lead from                   XII. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995                  subject to change over time.
                                           its use in hair dye, and the fact that                     This final rule contains no collection              1. Moore, M.R., P.A. Meredith, W.S. Watson,
                                           blood lead levels in the United States                   of information. Therefore, clearance by                     et al., ‘‘The Percutaneous Absorption of
                                           have dropped significantly since 1980,                   the Office of Management and Budget                         Lead-203 in Humans From Cosmetic
                                           so we no longer can conclude that                        under the Paperwork Reduction Act of                        Preparations Containing Lead Acetate, as
                                           exposure to lead from lead acetate-                      1995 is not required.                                       Assessed by Whole-Body Counting and
                                                                                                                                                                Other Techniques,’’ Food and Cosmetics
                                           containing hair dye has no discernible                   XIII. Objections                                            Toxicology, 18:399–405, 1980.
                                           effect on the steady-state blood lead                                                                          *2. Memorandum from M. K. Wyatt,
                                           level. Therefore, to protect the public                     This rule is effective as shown in the
                                                                                                    ‘‘DATES’’ section, except as to any                         Cosmetics Division, OCAC, CFSAN, FDA
                                           health, we are amending 21 CFR part 73                                                                               to M. Harry, Division of Petition Review,
                                                                                                    provisions that may be stayed by the
                                           as set forth in this document. Upon the                                                                              OFAS, CFSAN, FDA, September 18,
                                                                                                    filing of proper objections. If you will be                 2018.
                                           effective date (see DATES), use of lead
                                                                                                    adversely affected by one or more                     *3. Memorandum from H. Lee, Division of
                                           acetate as a color additive in cosmetics                 provisions of this regulation, you may                      Petition Review, OFAS, CFSAN, FDA to
                                           intended for coloring hair on the scalp                  file with the Dockets Management Staff                      M. Harry, Division of Petition Review,
                                           is no longer authorized.                                 (see ADDRESSES) either electronic or                        OFAS, CFSAN, FDA, September 19,
                                              FDA is exercising enforcement                         written objections. You must separately                     2018.
                                           discretion for a period of 12 months                     number each objection, and within each                *4. Center for Disease Control and
                                           from the effective date of the final rule                numbered objection you must specify                         Prevention, ‘‘What Do Parents Need to
                                                                                                                                                                Know to Protect Their Children?’’
                                           regarding marketed hair dye products                     with particularity the provision(s) to                      https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/acclpp/
                                           that contain the color additive lead                     which you object, and the grounds for                       blood_lead_levels.htm.
                                           acetate to provide an opportunity for                    your objection. Within each numbered                  *5. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
                                           industry to deplete the current stock of                 objection, you must specifically state                      Registry (ATSDR), ‘‘Toxicological Profile
                                           hair dye products with lead acetate and                  whether you are requesting a hearing on                     for Lead,’’ August 2007. https://
                                           reformulate products prior to enforcing                  the particular provision that you specify                   www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/TP.asp?
                                           the requirements of this final rule. Such                in that numbered objection. If you do                       id=96&tid=22.
                                                                                                    not request a hearing for any particular              *6. U.S. Department of Health and Human
                                           products must comply with the
                                                                                                    objection, you waive the right to a                         Services, National Toxicology Program,
                                           requirements of § 73.2396, including the                                                                             ‘‘NTP Monograph on Health Effects of
                                           specifications, uses and restrictions, and               hearing on that objection. If you request                   Low-Level Lead.’’ https://ntp.niehs.
                                           labeling requirements. This period of                    a hearing, your objection must include                      nih.gov/ntp/ohat/lead/final/monograph
                                           enforcement discretion takes into                        a detailed description and analysis of                      healtheffectslowlevellead_newissn_
                                           consideration the fact that bismuth                      the specific factual information you                        508.pdf.
                                           citrate, which is listed in 21 CFR                       intend to present in support of the                   7. ‘‘Evaluation of Certain Food Additives and
                                           73.2110 for use in cosmetic hair dye                     objection in the event that a hearing is                    Contaminants: Seventy-Third Report of
                                                                                                    held. If you do not include such a                          the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee
                                           products at a level up to 2.0 percent                                                                                on Food Additives,’’ WHO Tech Report
                                           weight/volume, is already being used as                  description and analysis for any
                                                                                                                                                                Series No. 960. 2011. http://
                                           an alternative for lead acetate in hair                  particular objection, you waive the right
                                                                                                                                                                apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/
                                           dye products marketed both in the                        to a hearing on the objection.                              44515/1/WHO_TRS_960_eng.pdf.
                                           United States and other countries.                          Any objections received in response                *8. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
                                                                                                    to the regulation may be seen in the                        ‘‘Basic Information about Lead in
                                           X. Public Disclosure                                     Dockets Management Staff office                             Drinking Water. Health Effects of
                                                                                                    between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday                           Exposures to Lead in Drinking Water. Is
                                             In accordance with § 71.15 (21 CFR                     through Friday, and will be posted to                       there a Safe Level of Lead in Drinking
                                           71.15), the petition and the documents                   the docket at https://                                      Water?’’ https://www.epa.gov/ground-
                                           that we considered and relied upon in                    www.regulations.gov. We will publish                        water-and-drinking-water/basic-
                                           reaching our decision to approve the                                                                                 information-about-lead-drinking-water.
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES




                                                                                                    notice of the objections that we have                 9. Delmaar, J.E., M.V. Park, and J.G. van
                                           petition will be made available for                      received or lack thereof in the Federal                     Engelen, ‘‘ConsExpo–Consumer
                                           public disclosure (see FOR FURTHER                       Register.                                                   Exposure and Uptake Models,’’ RIVM
                                           INFORMATION CONTACT). As provided in                                                                                 report no. 320104004, http://
                                           § 71.15, we will delete from the                         XIV. References
                                                                                                                                                                www.rivm.nl/en/Topics/C/ConsExpo.
                                           documents any materials that are not                       The following references marked with                *10. U.S. Department of Health and Human
                                           available for public disclosure.                         an asterisk (*) are on display at the                       Services, Centers for Disease Control and



                                      VerDate Sep<11>2014    16:24 Oct 30, 2018   Jkt 247001   PO 00000   Frm 00011   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\31OCR1.SGM   31OCR1


                                           54674            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 211 / Wednesday, October 31, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

                                               Prevention, ‘‘Fourth National Report on              ACTION:   Final rule.                                 visibility of task lights. The DAJAG
                                               Human Exposure to Environmental                                                                            (Admiralty and Maritime Law) has also
                                               Chemicals, Updated Tables, March 2018,               SUMMARY:   The Department of the Navy                 certified that the lights involved are
                                               Volume One.’’ https://www.cdc.gov/                   (DoN) is amending its certifications and
                                               exposurereport/pdf/FourthReport_
                                                                                                                                                          located in closest possible compliance
                                                                                                    exemptions under the International                    with the applicable 72 COLREGS
                                               UpdatedTables_Volume1_Mar2018.pdf.
                                                                                                    Regulations for Preventing Collisions at              requirements.
                                           11. Mielke, H.W., M.D. Taylor, C.R. Gonzales,
                                               et al., ‘‘Lead-Based Hair Coloring                   Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS), to reflect that
                                                                                                                                                            Moreover, it has been determined, in
                                               Products: Too Hazardous for Household                the Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate
                                                                                                                                                          accordance with 32 CFR parts 296 and
                                               Use,’’ Journal of the American                       General (DAJAG) (Admiralty and
                                                                                                                                                          701, that publication of this amendment
                                               Pharmaceutical Association, NS37:85–                 Maritime Law) has determined that USS
                                               89, 1997b.                                                                                                 for public comment prior to adoption is
                                                                                                    CINCINNATI (LCS 20) is a vessel of the
                                           12. Deeb, W., D. Cachia, C. Quinn, et al.,                                                                     impracticable, unnecessary, and
                                                                                                    Navy which, due to its special
                                               ‘‘Peripheral Neuropathy After Hair Dye                                                                     contrary to public interest since it is
                                                                                                    construction and purpose, cannot fully
                                               Exposure: A Case Report,’’ Journal of                                                                      based on technical findings that the
                                               Clinical Neuromuscular Disease, 15:161–              comply with certain provisions of the 72
                                                                                                                                                          placement of lights on this vessel in a
                                               163, 2014.                                           COLREGS without interfering with its
                                                                                                                                                          manner differently from that prescribed
                                           *13. The Scientific Committee on Cosmetic                special function as a naval ship. The
                                                                                                                                                          herein will adversely affect the vessel’s
                                               Products and Non-Food Products                       intended effect of this rule is to warn
                                               Intended for Consumers. Opinion
                                                                                                                                                          ability to perform its military functions.
                                                                                                    mariners in waters where 72 COLREGS
                                               Concerning Lead Acetate, SCCNFP/0832/                apply.                                                List of Subjects in 32 CFR Part 706
                                               04, July 1, 2004. http://ec.europa.eu/
                                               health/ph_risk/committees/sccp/                      DATES: This rule is effective October 31,
                                                                                                                                                              Marine safety, Navigation (water).
                                               documents/out286_en.pdf.                             2018 and is applicable beginning
                                                                                                    October 19, 2018.                                        For the reasons set forth in the
                                           List of Subjects in 21 CFR Part 73                                                                             preamble, the DoN amends part 706 of
                                                                                                    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                             Color additives, Cosmetics, Drugs,                     Lieutenant Commander Kyle Fralick,                    title 32 of the Code of Federal
                                           Medical devices.                                         JAGC, U.S. Navy, Admiralty Attorney,                  Regulations as follows:
                                             Therefore, under the Federal Food,                     (Admiralty and Maritime Law), Office of
                                           Drug, and Cosmetic Act and under                         the Judge Advocate General, Department                PART 706—CERTIFICATIONS AND
                                           authority delegated to the Commissioner                  of the Navy, 1322 Patterson Ave. SE,                  EXEMPTIONS UNDER THE
                                           of Food and Drugs, 21 CFR part 73 is                     Suite 3000, Washington Navy Yard, DC                  INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS FOR
                                           amended as follows:                                      20374–5066, telephone number: 202–                    PREVENTING COLLISIONS AT SEA,
                                                                                                    685–5040.                                             1972
                                           PART 73—LISTING OF COLOR
                                                                                                    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant
                                           ADDITIVES EXEMPT FROM                                                                                          ■ 1. The authority citation for part 706
                                                                                                    to the authority granted in 33 U.S.C.                 continues to read as follows:
                                           CERTIFICATION
                                                                                                    1605, the DoN amends 32 CFR part 706.
                                                                                                       This amendment provides notice that                    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1605.
                                           ■ 1. The authority citation for part 73
                                           continues to read as follows:                            the DAJAG (Admiralty and Maritime                     ■ 2. Section 706.2 is amended by:
                                                                                                    Law), under authority delegated by the
                                             Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321, 341, 342, 343,                                                                     ■ a. In Table One, adding, in alpha
                                           348, 351, 352, 355, 361, 362, 371, 379e.                 Secretary of the Navy, has certified that
                                                                                                                                                          numerical order, by vessel number, an
                                                                                                    USS CINCINNATI (LCS 20) is a vessel
                                                                                                                                                          entry for USS CINCINNATI (LCS 20);
                                           § 73.2396    [Removed]                                   of the Navy which, due to its special
                                                                                                    construction and purpose, cannot fully                ■ b. In Table Four, under Paragraph 15,
                                           ■   2. Remove § 73.2396.
                                                                                                    comply with the following specific                    adding, in alpha numerical order, by
                                             Dated: October 25, 2018.                                                                                     vessel number, an entry for USS
                                                                                                    provisions of 72 COLREGS without
                                           Leslie Kux,                                              interfering with its special function as a            CINCINNATI (LCS 20);
                                           Associate Commissioner for Policy.                       naval ship: Annex I, paragraph 2(a)(i),               ■ c. In Table Four, under Paragraph 16,
                                           [FR Doc. 2018–23725 Filed 10–30–18; 8:45 am]             pertaining to the height of the forward               adding, in alpha numerical order, by
                                           BILLING CODE 4164–01–P                                   masthead light above the hull; Annex I,               vessel number, an entry for USS
                                                                                                    paragraph 3(a), pertaining to the                     CINCINNATI (LCS 20);
                                                                                                    location of the forward masthead light                ■ d. In Table Four, under Paragraph 27,
                                           DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE                                    in the forward quarter of the ship and                adding, in alpha numerical order, by
                                                                                                    the horizontal distance between the                   vessel number, an entry for USS
                                           Department of the Navy                                   forward and after masthead light; Rule                CINCINNATI (LCS 20); and
                                                                                                    21(a) and Annex I, paragraph 2(f)(i),                 ■ e. In Table Five, adding, in alpha
                                           32 CFR Part 706                                          requiring the masthead lights be above                numerical order, by vessel number, an
                                                                                                    and clear of all other lights and                     entry for USS CINCINNATI (LCS 20).
                                           Certifications and Exemptions Under
                                                                                                    obstructions; Annex I, paragraph 2(f)(ii)
                                           the International Regulations for
                                                                                                    and Annex I, paragraph 3(c), pertaining               § 706.2 Certifications of the Secretary of
                                           Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972                                                                             the Navy under Executive Order 11964 and
                                                                                                    to the horizontal and vertical spacing of
                                           AGENCY:     Department of the Navy (DoN),                task lights; and Rule 27(b)(i) and Annex              33 U.S.C. 1605.
                                           DoD.                                                     I, paragraph 9(b), pertaining to the                  *        *    *     *     *
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES




                                      VerDate Sep<11>2014    16:24 Oct 30, 2018   Jkt 247001   PO 00000   Frm 00012   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\31OCR1.SGM   31OCR1



Document Created: 2018-10-31 00:33:14
Document Modified: 2018-10-31 00:33:14
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 rule is effective December 3, 2018. See section XIII for further information on the filing of objections. Submit either electronic or written objections and requests for a hearing on the final rule by November 30, 2018.
ContactMolly A. Harry, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, 5001 Campus Dr., College Park, MD 20740-3835, 240-402-1075.
FR Citation83 FR 54665 
CFR AssociatedColor Additives; Cosmetics; Drugs and Medical Devices

2024 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR