83_FR_62712 83 FR 62479 - Bixafen; Pesticide Tolerances

83 FR 62479 - Bixafen; Pesticide Tolerances

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 233 (December 4, 2018)

Page Range62479-62485
FR Document2018-26348

This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of bixafen in or on multiple commodities which are identified and discussed later in this document. FMC Corporation requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 233 (Tuesday, December 4, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 233 (Tuesday, December 4, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 62479-62485]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-26348]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 180

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2016-0538; FRL-9982-42]


Bixafen; Pesticide Tolerances

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of bixafen 
in or on multiple commodities which are identified and discussed later 
in this document. FMC Corporation requested these tolerances under the 
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

DATES: This regulation is effective December 4, 2018. Objections and 
requests for hearings must be received on or before February 4, 2019 
and must be filed in accordance with the instructions provided in 40 
CFR part 178 (see also Unit I.C. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION).

ADDRESSES: The docket for this action, identified by docket 
identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2016-0538, is available at http://www.regulations.gov or at the Office of Pesticide Programs Regulatory 
Public Docket (OPP Docket) in the Environmental Protection Agency 
Docket Center (EPA/DC), West William Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 3334, 
1301 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460-0001. The Public 
Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public 
Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the OPP

[[Page 62480]]

Docket is (703) 305-5805. Please review the visitor instructions and 
additional information about the docket available at http://www.epa.gov/dockets.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. General Information

A. Does this action apply to me?

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

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

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

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

    Under FFDCA section 408(g), 21 U.S.C. 346a, any person may file an 
objection to any aspect of this regulation and may also request a 
hearing on those objections. You must file your objection or request a 
hearing on this regulation in accordance with the instructions provided 
in 40 CFR part 178. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, you must identify 
docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2016-0538 in the subject line on the first 
page of your submission. All objections and requests for a hearing must 
be in writing and must be received by the Hearing Clerk on or before 
February 4, 2019. Addresses for mail and hand delivery of objections 
and hearing requests are provided in 40 CFR 178.25(b).
    In addition to filing an objection or hearing request with the 
Hearing Clerk as described in 40 CFR part 178, please submit a copy of 
the filing (excluding any Confidential Business Information (CBI)) for 
inclusion in the public docket. Information not marked confidential 
pursuant to 40 CFR part 2 may be disclosed publicly by EPA without 
prior notice. Submit the non-CBI copy of your objection or hearing 
request, identified by docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2016-0538, by one of 
the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Do not submit 
electronically any information you consider to be CBI or other 
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
     Mail: OPP Docket, Environmental Protection Agency Docket 
Center (EPA/DC), (28221T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 
20460-0001.
     Hand Delivery: To make special arrangements for hand 
delivery or delivery of boxed information, please follow the 
instructions at http://www.epa.gov/dockets/contacts.html. Additional 
instructions on commenting or visiting the docket, along with more 
information about dockets generally, is available at http://www.epa.gov/dockets.

II. Summary of Petitioned-For Tolerance

    In the Federal Register of November 30, 2016 (81 FR 86312) (FRL-
9954-06), EPA issued a document pursuant to FFDCA section 408(d)(3), 21 
U.S.C. 346a(d)(3), announcing the filing of a pesticide petition (PP 
6F8475) by FMC Corporation. The petition requested that 40 CFR part 180 
be amended by establishing tolerances for residues of the fungicide 
bixafen, N-(3',4'-dichloro-5-fluoro[1,1'-biphenyl]-2-yl)-3-
(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, in or on cattle, 
fat at 0.5 parts per million (ppm); cattle, kidney at 0.3 ppm; cattle, 
liver at 1.5 ppm; cattle, muscle at 0.15 ppm; grain, aspirated 
fractions at 80 ppm; grain, cereal, forage, fodder and straw, group 16 
(except rice), forage at 4.0 ppm; grain, cereal, forage, fodder and 
straw, group 16 (except rice), hay at 5.0 ppm; grain, cereal, forage, 
fodder and straw, group 16 (except rice), stover at 6.0 ppm; grain, 
cereal, forage, fodder and straw, group 16 (except rice), straw at 7.0 
ppm; grain, cereal, group 15 (except rice and sorghum) at 0.15 ppm; 
milk at 0.1 ppm; oilseed, rapeseed subgroup 20A at 0.15 ppm; peanut, 
hay at 10.0 ppm; peanut, nutmeat at 0.02 ppm; peanut, refined oil at 
0.04 ppm; poultry, eggs at 0.02 ppm; poultry, fat at 0.02 ppm; poultry, 
liver at 0.02 ppm; poultry, muscle at 0.02 ppm; sorghum, grain at 3.0 
ppm; soybean, hulls at 0.15 ppm; soybean, seed at 0.06 ppm; sugar beet, 
dried pulp at 1.0 ppm; vegetable, root subgroup 1A at 0.2 ppm and 
vegetable, tuberous and corm subgroup 1C at 0.02 ppm. That document 
referenced a summary of the petition prepared by FMC Corporation, the 
registrant, which is available in the docket, http://www.regulations.gov. There were no comments received in response to the 
notice of filing.
    Based upon review of the data supporting the petition, EPA is 
establishing tolerances that vary from those proposed. The reason for 
these changes are explained in Unit IV.D.

III. Aggregate Risk Assessment and Determination of Safety

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

A. Toxicological Profile

    EPA has evaluated the available toxicity data and considered its 
validity, completeness, and reliability as well as the relationship of 
the results of the studies to human risk. EPA has also considered 
available information concerning the variability of the sensitivities 
of major identifiable

[[Page 62481]]

subgroups of consumers, including infants and children.
    Following repeated oral administration of bixafen, the liver was 
the primary target organ in mice, rats and dogs. Increased liver 
weights and hepatocellular hypertrophy were observed in all species 
tested and were considered to reflect hepatic microsomal enzyme 
induction. Also, in several studies, there was evidence for liver 
toxicity based on clinical chemistry changes (increased serum alkaline 
phosphatase and cholesterol, decreased serum albumin) and 
histopathological changes (hepatocellular pigmentation, degeneration 
and necrosis). In mice and rats, the thyroid was an additional target 
in the subchronic and chronic studies, with effects such as increased 
thyroid weight, follicular cell hypertrophy and follicular cell 
hyperplasia observed. Thyroid toxicity was seen only in the presence of 
liver effects, either adverse effects (such as hepatocellular single-
cell degeneration/necrosis) or adaptive effects (such as increased 
liver weights with enzyme changes, hepatocellular hypertrophy). This 
correlation suggested they thyroid effects are secondary to the liver 
effects via enhanced hepatic clearance of thyroid hormones. This 
suggestion was supported by a 14-day mechanistic study in rats in which 
a marked induction of phase I and II hepatic enzymes, a slight 
reduction of thyroid hormone (T3, T4) levels and a significant increase 
of TSH levels were observed at 150 mg/kg bodyweight per day, the only 
dose tested. Since thyroid toxicity was seen in the absence of adverse 
liver effects in studies such as the subchronic and chronic rat 
studies, a primary adverse effect on the thyroid cannot be ruled out. 
However, no studies are available to address potential susceptibility 
in the young to potential thyroid toxicity. As a result, the need for a 
Comparative Thyroid Assay (CTA) was considered. However, given risk 
estimates are well below the Agency's level of concern (LOC) even when 
using conservative exposure assumptions, the Agency concluded that a 
CTA is not required at this time. This conclusion, however, may be 
revisited should the use pattern change or if updated risk estimates 
reach a point where the PODs used in the risk assessment are no longer 
protective of potential life-stage susceptibility.
    From the prenatal developmental studies, it is apparent that 
evidence of increased quantitative susceptibility in offspring was 
observed in the database. The prenatal developmental study in the rat 
showed decreased fetal body weights at a dose that produced no adverse 
effects in the dam. Similarly, the prenatal developmental study in the 
rabbit showed decreased fetal body weight in the absence of maternal 
toxicity. In the rat 2-generation reproduction study, however, parental 
toxicity (decreased body weight and increased liver weight with 
centrilobular and diffuse hypertrophy) and offspring toxicity 
(decreased F1 and F2 pup body weights) occurred 
at the same dose level.
    An acute neurotoxicity study in the adult rat indicated decreased 
motor activity in both sexes and decreased rearing counts in females at 
a high dose level (1,000 mg/kg/day). A subchronic neurotoxicity study 
was not available, and no evidence of neurotoxicity was observed in 
other studies in the database.
    Bixafen did not produce evidence of mutagenicity or clastogenicity 
in the required battery of studies. The available mouse carcinogenicity 
study produced no treatment-related tumors in the presence of other 
toxicity such as organ weight changes with histopathology in both the 
liver and thyroid. Thus, bixafen is classified as ``not likely to be 
carcinogenic to humans.''
    Bixafen has low acute oral, dermal, and inhalation toxicity. 
Bixafen is not an acute eye irritant and is neither a dermal irritant 
nor a dermal sensitizer. Specific information on the studies received 
and the nature of the adverse effects caused by bixafen as well as the 
no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) and the lowest-observed-
adverse-effect-level (LOAEL) from the toxicity studies can be found at 
http://www.regulations.gov in the document Bixafen. Human Health Risk 
Assessment for Section 3 Registration and Tolerance Requests for a New 
Active Ingredient Proposed for Use on Cereal Grains, Group 15 (Except 
Rice); Forage, Fodder and Straw of Cereal Grains, Group 16 (Except 
Rice); Peanut; Soybean; Root Vegetable Subgroup 1A; and Tuberous and 
Corm Vegetable Subgroup 1C at pages 14--23 in docket ID number EPA-HQ-
OPP-2016-0538.

B. Toxicological Points of Departure/Levels of Concern

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

    Table 1--Summary of Toxicological Doses and Endpoints for Bixafen for Use in Human Health Risk Assessment
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Point of departure
        Exposure/scenario            and uncertainty/     RfD, PAD, LOC for     Study and toxicological effects
                                      safety factors       risk assessment
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acute dietary (General population  NOAEL = 250 mg/kg/    Acute RfD = 2.5 mg/  Acute Neurotoxicity Study in rats;
 including infants and children).   day.                  kg/day.              MRID 49877279.
                                   UFA = 10x...........  aPAD = 2.5 mg/kg/    LOAEL = 1,000 mg/kg/day based on
                                   UFH = 10x...........   day.                 statistically significant
                                   FQPA SF = 1x........                        decreases in motor activity in
                                                                               both sexes and decreased rearing
                                                                               counts in females approximately 4
                                                                               hours following a single oral
                                                                               dose.

[[Page 62482]]

 
Chronic dietary (All populations)  NOAEL = 2.8 mg/kg/    Chronic RfD = 0.03   Chronic/Carcinogenicity Studies in
                                    day.                  mg/kg/day.           Rats; MRIDs 49877272, 49877273.
                                   UFA = 10x...........  cPAD = 0.03 mg/kg/   LOAEL = 17.4 mg/kg/day based on
                                   UFH = 10x...........   day.                 thyroid effects (follicular cell
                                   FQPA SF = 1x........                        hypertrophy, alteration of the
                                                                               thyroid colloid at interim and
                                                                               terminal sacrifice).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cancer (Oral, dermal, inhalation)     Classification: ``Not likely to be carcinogenic to humans'' based on an
                                     absence of tumors in the rat chronic/oncogenicity and mouse carcinogenicity
                                                                      studies.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FQPA SF = Food Quality Protection Act Safety Factor. mg/kg/day = milligram/kilogram/day. PAD = population
  adjusted dose (a = acute, c = chronic). RfD = reference dose. UF = uncertainty factor. UFA = extrapolation
  from animal to human (interspecies). UFH = potential variation in sensitivity among members of the human
  population (intraspecies).

C. Exposure Assessment

    1. Dietary exposure from food and feed uses. In evaluating dietary 
exposure to bixafen, EPA considered exposure under the petitioned-for 
tolerances. EPA assessed dietary exposures from bixafen in food as 
follows:
    i. Acute exposure. Quantitative acute dietary exposure and risk 
assessments are performed for a food-use pesticide, if a toxicological 
study has indicated the possibility of an effect of concern occurring 
as a result of a 1-day or single exposure.
    Such effects were identified for bixafen. In estimating acute 
dietary exposure, EPA used food consumption information from the United 
States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Nationwide Health and Nutrition 
Examination Survey, What We Eat in America (NHANES/WWEIA) conducted 
from 2003-2008. As to residue levels in food, the acute dietary 
analysis was obtained from the Dietary Exposure Evaluation Model using 
the Food Commodity Intake Database (DEEM-FCID; version 3.16). The 
assessment is based on tolerance-level residues and 100% crop treated 
(100 PCT) estimates for all commodities.
    ii. Chronic exposure. In conducting the chronic dietary exposure 
assessment EPA used the food consumption data from the USDA NHANES/
WWEIA conducted from 2003-2008. As to residue levels in food, the 
chronic dietary analysis was obtained from the Dietary Exposure 
Evaluation Model using the Food Commodity Intake Database (DEEM-FCID; 
version 3.16). The assessment is based on tolerance-level residues and 
100 PCT estimates for all commodities.
    iii. Cancer. Based on the data summarized in Unit III.A., EPA has 
concluded that bixafen does not pose a cancer risk to humans. 
Therefore, a dietary exposure assessment for the purpose of assessing 
cancer risk is unnecessary.
    iv. Anticipated residue and percent crop treated (PCT) information. 
EPA did not use anticipated residue and/or PCT information in the 
dietary assessment for bixafen. Tolerance-level residues and 100 PCT 
were assumed for all food commodities.
    2. Dietary exposure from drinking water. The Agency used screening-
level water exposure models in the dietary exposure analysis and risk 
assessment for bixafen in drinking water. These simulation models take 
into account data on the physical, chemical, and fate/transport 
characteristics of bixafen. Further information regarding EPA drinking 
water models used in pesticide exposure assessment can be found at 
http://www2.epa.gov/pesticide-science-and-assessing-pesticide-risks/about-water-exposure-models-used-pesticide.
    The Tier II Pesticide in Water Calculator (PWC version 1.52) and 
Tier I Pesticide Root Zone Model Ground Water (PRZM GW) was used for 
calculating surface water and ground water EDWCs respectively. The 
driver for drinking water exposure is from surface water and the EDWC 
of bixafen for acute exposure is estimated to be 16.3 parts per billion 
(ppb). For chronic exposure for non-cancer assessment, it is estimated 
to be 15.2 ppb for surface water.
    Modeled estimates of drinking water concentrations were directly 
entered into the dietary exposure model. For acute dietary risk 
assessment, the water concentration value of 16.3 ppb was used to 
assess the contribution to drinking water. For chronic dietary risk 
assessment, the water concentration of value 15.2 ppb was used to 
assess the contribution to drinking water.
    3. From non-dietary exposure. The term ``residential exposure'' is 
used in this document to refer to non-occupational, non-dietary 
exposure (e.g., for lawn and garden pest control, indoor pest control, 
termiticides, and flea and tick control on pets).
    Bixafen is not proposed nor is it registered for any specific use 
patterns that would result in residential exposure.
    4. Cumulative effects from substances with a common mechanism of 
toxicity. Section 408(b)(2)(D)(v) of FFDCA requires that, when 
considering whether to establish, modify, or revoke a tolerance, the 
Agency consider ``available information'' concerning the cumulative 
effects of a particular pesticide's residues and ``other substances 
that have a common mechanism of toxicity.''
    EPA has not found bixafen to share a common mechanism of toxicity 
with any other substances, and bixafen does not appear to produce a 
toxic metabolite produced by other substances. For the purposes of this 
tolerance action, therefore, EPA has assumed that bixafen does not have 
a common mechanism of toxicity with other substances. For information 
regarding EPA's efforts to determine which chemicals have a common 
mechanism of toxicity and to evaluate the cumulative effects of such 
chemicals, see EPA's website at http://www2.epa.gov/pesticide-science-and-assessing-pesticide-risks/cumulative-assessment-risk-pesticides.

D. Safety Factor for Infants and Children

    1. In general. Section 408(b)(2)(C) of FFDCA provides that EPA 
shall apply an additional tenfold (10X) margin of safety for infants 
and children in the case of threshold effects to account for prenatal 
and postnatal toxicity and the completeness of the database on toxicity 
and exposure unless EPA determines based on reliable data that a 
different margin of safety will be safe for infants and children. This 
additional margin of safety is commonly referred to as the

[[Page 62483]]

FQPA Safety Factor (SF). In applying this provision, EPA either retains 
the default value of 10X, or uses a different additional safety factor 
when reliable data available to EPA support the choice of a different 
factor.
    2. Prenatal and postnatal sensitivity. The prenatal developmental 
toxicity studies showed effects in the fetus (decreased body weights) 
at dose levels that were lower than that of the observed maternal 
toxicity (decreased body weights). However, concerns for potential pre- 
and postnatal susceptibility from the developmental and reproduction 
studies are low because clear NOAELs and LOAELs exist for these 
developmental effects, and the PODs and endpoints selected for risk 
assessment are protective of potential toxicity in offspring.
    3. Conclusion. EPA has determined that reliable data show the 
safety of infants and children would be adequately protected if the 
FQPA SF were reduced to 1X. That decision is based on the following 
findings:
    i. The toxicity database for bixafen is considered complete at this 
time. The following acceptable studies are available to support this 
determination: A prenatal developmental toxicity study in rabbits, a 
prenatal developmental toxicity study in rats, a two-generation 
reproduction study in rats and an acute neurotoxicity study. The 
following study waivers were accepted, and it was determined that these 
studies are not required at this time: subchronic inhalation, 
subchronic neurotoxicity, and an immunotoxicity study. As summarized in 
Unit III.A., EPA determined that the CTA study is not required at this 
time.
    ii. An acute neurotoxicity study in the adult rat indicated 
decreased motor activity in both sexes and decreased rearing counts in 
females at a high dose level (1,000 mg/kg/day). A subchronic 
neurotoxicity study was not available, and no evidence of neurotoxicity 
was observed in other studies in the database. Concern for 
neurotoxicity is low, and thus no developmental neurotoxicity study or 
FQPA 10X SF is necessary, because (1) signs of neurotoxicity in the 
database occur only at a high dose level, do not include 
neuropathology; (2) a clear and well-defined NOAEL has been 
established; and (3) the PODs used for risk assessment are protective 
of neurotoxicity seen in the database.
    iii. There is evidence of increased prenatal quantitative 
susceptibility of the developing offspring in the toxicology database 
for bixafen. Developmental toxicity (reduced fetal body weight) was 
seen at doses that caused no maternal toxicity in both rats and 
rabbits. However, clear NOAELs and LOAELs exist for these developmental 
effects, and the endpoints and PODs selected for risk assessment are 
protective of these effects. In the 2-generation reproduction toxicity 
study, toxicity in the offspring (decreased F1 and 
F2 pup body weights) occurred at the same level where 
parental toxicity (decreased body weight) was observed, and 
susceptibility was not demonstrated. The subchronic and chronic rat 
studies in the database indicate thyroid toxicity (epithelial cell 
hypertrophy) at the LOAELs, and no studies are available to address 
potential susceptibility in the young to potential thyroid toxicity. As 
a result, the need for a CTA was considered. However, given risk 
estimates are well below the Agency's level of concern even when using 
conservative exposure assumptions and that further refinement of 
exposure estimates would yield even greater margins of safety, the 
Agency concluded that a CTA is not required at this time.
    iv. There are no residual uncertainties identified in the exposure 
databases. The unrefined dietary risk assessments are based on high-end 
assumptions such as tolerance-level residues, 100PCT assumptions, and 
modeled, high-end estimates of residues in drinking water. EPA made 
conservative (protective) assumptions in the ground and surface water 
modeling used to assess exposure to bixafen in drinking water. These 
assessments will not underestimate the exposure and risks posed by 
bixafen.

E. Aggregate Risks and Determination of Safety

    EPA determines whether acute and chronic dietary pesticide 
exposures are safe by comparing aggregate exposure estimates to the 
acute PAD (aPAD) and chronic PAD (cPAD). For linear cancer risks, EPA 
calculates the lifetime probability of acquiring cancer given the 
estimated aggregate exposure. Short-, intermediate-, and chronic-term 
risks are evaluated by comparing the estimated aggregate food, water, 
and residential exposure to the appropriate PODs to ensure that an 
adequate MOE exists.
    1. Acute risk. Using the exposure assumptions discussed in this 
unit for acute exposure, the acute dietary exposure from food and water 
to bixafen will occupy <1% of the aPAD for children 1-2 years of age, 
the population group receiving the greatest exposure.
    2. Chronic risk. Using the exposure assumptions described in this 
unit for chronic exposure, EPA has concluded that chronic exposure to 
bixafen from food and water will utilize 20% of the cPAD for children 
1-2 years of age the population group receiving the greatest exposure.
    3. Short-term risk. Short-term aggregate exposure takes into 
account short-term residential exposure plus chronic exposure to food 
and water (considered to be a background exposure level). A short-term 
adverse effect was identified; however, bixafen is not proposed for any 
use patterns that would result in short-term residential exposure. 
Short-term risk is assessed based on short-term residential exposure 
plus chronic dietary exposure. Because there is no short-term 
residential exposure and chronic dietary exposure has already been 
assessed under the appropriately protective cPAD (which is at least as 
protective as the POD used to assess short-term risk), no further 
assessment of short-term risk is necessary, and EPA relies on the 
chronic dietary risk assessment for evaluating short-term risk for 
bixafen.
    4. Intermediate-term risk. Intermediate-term aggregate exposure 
takes into account intermediate-term residential exposure plus chronic 
exposure to food and water (considered to be a background exposure 
level).
    An intermediate-term adverse effect was identified; however, 
bixafen is not proposed for any use patterns that would result in 
intermediate-term residential exposure. Intermediate-term risk is 
assessed based on intermediate-term residential exposure plus chronic 
dietary exposure. Because there is no intermediate-term residential 
exposure and chronic dietary exposure has already been assessed under 
the appropriately protective cPAD (which is at least as protective as 
the POD used to assess intermediate-term risk), no further assessment 
of intermediate-term risk is necessary, and EPA relies on the chronic 
dietary risk assessment for evaluating intermediate-term risk for 
bixafen.
    5. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S. population. Based on the lack of 
evidence of carcinogenicity in two adequate rodent carcinogenicity 
studies, bixafen is not expected to pose a cancer risk to humans.
    6. Determination of safety. Based on these risk assessments, EPA 
concludes that there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result 
to the general population, or to infants and children from aggregate 
exposure to bixafen residues.

[[Page 62484]]

IV. Other Considerations

A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology

    Adequate enforcement methodology (Analytical Methods 00983 and 
01063, high- performance liquid chromatography methods with tandem mass 
spectrometry detection (LC/MS/MS)) is available as an enforcement 
method for determination of residues of bixafen and its metabolite 
bixafen-desmethyl.

B. International Residue Limits

    In making its tolerance decisions, EPA seeks to harmonize U.S. 
tolerances with international standards whenever possible, consistent 
with U.S. food safety standards and agricultural practices. EPA 
considers the international maximum residue limits (MRLs) established 
by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), as required by FFDCA 
section 408(b)(4). The Codex Alimentarius is a joint United Nations 
Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization food 
standards program, and it is recognized as an international food safety 
standards-setting organization in trade agreements to which the United 
States is a party. EPA may establish a tolerance that is different from 
a Codex MRL; however, FFDCA section 408(b)(4) requires that EPA explain 
the reasons for departing from the Codex level.
    The Codex has established MRLs for bixafen in or on barley and oats 
at 0.4 ppm; the U.S. tolerance for grain, cereal, group 15, except rice 
and grain sorghum at 0.40 ppm is harmonized with those MRLs. Codex has 
also established MRLs for rye, wheat, and wheat bran at 0.05 ppm, which 
is not harmonized with the U.S. tolerances for group 15 because use 
consistent with approved labeling could result in exceedances. Codex 
has also established MRLs for barley straw and fodder, dry at 20 ppm; 
oat straw and fodder, dry at 20 ppm; rye straw and fodder, dry at 20 
ppm; and wheat straw and fodder, dry at 20 ppm. The U.S. tolerance for 
grain, cereal, forage, fodder and straw, group 16, except rice at 20 
ppm is harmonized with those Codex MRLs.
    Additionally, the Codex has established MRLs for bixafen in or on 
cattle, fat at 2 ppm; cattle, meat byproducts at 4 ppm; cattle, muscle 
at 2 ppm; goat, fat at 2 ppm; goat, meat byproducts at 4 ppm; goat, 
muscle at 2 ppm; horse, fat at 2 ppm; horse, meat byproducts at 4 ppm; 
horse, muscle at 2 ppm; milk at 0.2 ppm; sheep, fat at 2 ppm; sheep, 
meat byproducts at 4 ppm; and sheep, muscle at 2 ppm. These MRLs are 
significantly higher than the tolerances being established for bixafen 
on the same commodities in the United States. The U.S. tolerances are 
based on calculated dietary burden that supports a lower residue level 
in fat, muscle, and meat byproducts commodities. Therefore, these 
tolerances are not harmonized because such high tolerances could mask 
instances of misuse by U.S. growers. As noted in the next section, the 
Agency is not establishing tolerances for milk fats and poultry 
commodities in harmony with Codex MRLs for milk fats, poultry, edible 
offal, poultry fats, and poultry meat because the Agency has determined 
that use consistent with the approved pesticide will not result in 
residues in milk fats and poultry commodities.

C. Revisions to Petitioned-For Tolerances

    Several proposed tolerances requested by the petitioner are 
different from those being established by EPA. For soybean seed; 
peanut; peanut, hay; vegetable, tuberous and corm (subgroup 1C); and 
vegetable, root, subgroup 1A, tolerance values were calculated using 
the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) 
tolerance calculation procedures and field trial residue data. The 
combination provided a different tolerance value than the proposed 
values. EPA is establishing a tolerance for grain, cereal, group 15, 
except rice and grain sorghum at 0.40 ppm instead of 0.15 ppm and for 
grain, cereal, forage, fodder and straw, group 16, except rice at 20 
ppm, rather than the requested tolerances for forage at 4.0 ppm, hay at 
5.0 ppm, stover at 6.0 ppm, straw at 7.0 ppm in order to harmonize with 
Codex MRLs. Since the tolerance of 20 ppm for group 16 covers the 
residues on forage, hay, stover, and straw forms of the group 16 
commodities, EPA has determined that separate tolerances are 
unnecessary.
    Additionally, while tolerances were proposed on liver and kidney 
for livestock commodities, EPA is establishing tolerances on meat 
byproducts, which are inclusive of kidney and liver. EPA is further 
establishing lower tolerances for residues in fat, muscle and meat 
byproducts in cattle, based on the calculated dietary burdens paired 
with low residue transfer rates into ruminant commodities. The 
tolerance on milk is also established at a lower level (0.04 ppm versus 
the 0.10 ppm proposed tolerance). This recommendation is also based on 
the calculated dietary burdens paired with low residue transfer rates 
into ruminant commodities.
    Under EPA's regulations (40 CFR 180.6), EPA assessed whether 
residues on raw agricultural commodities would result in possible 
residues entering the diet of man through the ingestion of milk, eggs, 
meat, and/or poultry produced by animals fed agricultural products 
bearing such residues. As a result of that assessment, EPA determined 
that quantifiable residues are expected in commodities from cattle, 
horses, goats, and sheep and is establishing tolerances for residues in 
fat, muscle and meat byproducts in horse, goat and sheep. EPA also 
determined that there is no reasonable expectation of residues in or on 
milk fats and poultry products; therefore, no tolerances on milk fats 
and poultry commodities are needed.
    Additionally, the proposed use and associated tolerance on Rapeseed 
subgroup 20A (canola) was subsequently withdrawn by the petitioner; 
therefore, the Agency is not establishing a tolerance on that subgroup 
because it is not needed.
    The Agency is not establishing a tolerance for peanut, refined oil 
as requested because the residue data indicate that anticipated 
residues in the peanut, refined oil are lower than, and will be covered 
by, the tolerance for peanut.
    Finally, the Agency is establishing a tolerance for radish, tops, 
even though it was not requested by the petitioner. Under EPA's 
regulations (40 CFR 180.40(f)(1)(i)(B)), EPA will not establish a crop 
group tolerance unless all necessary tolerances are established, 
including tolerances for raw commodities not covered by the crop group 
and derivative of commodities in the group. In this case, EPA is 
establishing a tolerance for root vegetables, subgroup 1A, which 
includes radish. Due to the presence of residues on radish tops, EPA is 
establishing a necessary tolerance on radish tops to facilitate the 
establishment of the subgroup 1A tolerance.

V. Conclusion

    Therefore, tolerances are established for residues of bixafen in or 
on beet, sugar, dried pulp at 1.0 ppm; cattle, fat at 0.08 ppm; cattle, 
meat byproducts at 0.40 ppm; cattle, muscle at 0.08 ppm; goat, fat at 
0.08 ppm; goat, meat byproducts at 0.40 ppm; goat, muscle at 0.08 ppm; 
grain, aspirated grain fractions at 80 ppm; grain, cereal, forage, 
fodder, and straw, group 16, except rice at 20 ppm; grain, cereal, 
group 15, except rice and grain sorghum at 0.40 ppm; horse, fat at 0.08 
ppm; horse, meat byproducts at 0.40 ppm; horse, muscle

[[Page 62485]]

at 0.08 ppm; milk at 0.04 ppm; peanut at 0.01 ppm; peanut, hay at 8.0 
ppm; radish, tops at 3.0 ppm; sheep, fat at 0.08 ppm; sheep, meat 
byproducts at 0.40 ppm; sheep, muscle at 0.08 ppm; sorghum, grain, 
grain at 3.0 ppm; soybean, hulls at 0.15 ppm; soybean, seed at 0.04 
ppm; vegetable, root subgroup 1A at 0.30 ppm; and vegetable, tuberous 
and corm subgroup 1C at 0.01 ppm.

VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    This action establishes tolerances under FFDCA section 408(d) in 
response to a petition submitted to the Agency. The Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) has exempted these types of actions from 
review under Executive Order 12866, entitled ``Regulatory Planning and 
Review'' (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993). Because this action has been 
exempted from review under Executive Order 12866, this action is not 
subject to Executive Order 13211, entitled ``Actions Concerning 
Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or 
Use'' (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001) or Executive Order 13045, entitled 
``Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety 
Risks'' (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997), nor is it considered a 
regulatory action under Executive Order 13771, entitled ``Reducing 
Regulations and Controlling Regulatory Costs'' (82 FR 9339, February 3, 
2017). This action does not contain any information collections subject 
to OMB approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 
et seq.), nor does it require any special considerations under 
Executive Order 12898, entitled ``Federal Actions to Address 
Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income 
Populations'' (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
    Since tolerances and exemptions that are established on the basis 
of a petition under FFDCA section 408(d), such as the tolerances in 
this final rule, do not require the issuance of a proposed rule, the 
requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601 et 
seq.), do not apply.
    This action directly regulates growers, food processors, food 
handlers, and food retailers, not States or tribes, nor does this 
action alter the relationships or distribution of power and 
responsibilities established by Congress in the preemption provisions 
of FFDCA section 408(n)(4). As such, the Agency has determined that 
this action will not have a substantial direct effect on States or 
tribal governments, on the relationship between the national government 
and the States or tribal governments, or on the distribution of power 
and responsibilities among the various levels of government or between 
the Federal Government and Indian tribes. Thus, the Agency has 
determined that Executive Order 13132, entitled ``Federalism'' (64 FR 
43255, August 10, 1999) and Executive Order 13175, entitled 
``Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments'' (65 FR 
67249, November 9, 2000) do not apply to this action. In addition, this 
action does not impose any enforceable duty or contain any unfunded 
mandate as described under Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act 
(UMRA) (2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.).
    This action does not involve any technical standards that would 
require Agency consideration of voluntary consensus standards pursuant 
to section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement 
Act (NTTAA) (15 U.S.C. 272 note).

VII. Congressional Review Act

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

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180

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

    Dated: November 13, 2018.
Donna Davis,
Acting Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.

    Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is amended as follows:

PART 180--[AMENDED]

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

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


0
2. Add Sec.  180.702 to subpart C to read as follows:


Sec.  180.702  Bixafen; tolerances for residues.

    (a) General. (1) Tolerances are established for residues of the 
fungicide bixafen, including its metabolites and degradates, in or on 
the commodities in the table below. Compliance with the tolerance 
levels specified below is to be determined by measuring only bixafen, 
N-(3,4-dichloro-5-fluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1-
methylpyrazole-4-carboxamide, in or on the commodity.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Parts per
                          Commodity                             million
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beet, sugar, dried pulp.....................................         1.0
Grain, aspirated grain fractions............................          80
Grain, cereal, forage, fodder, and straw, group 16, except            20
 rice.......................................................
Grain, cereal, group 15, except rice and grain sorghum......        0.40
Peanut......................................................        0.01
Peanut, hay.................................................         8.0
Radish, tops................................................         3.0
Sorghum, grain, grain.......................................         3.0
Soybean, hulls..............................................        0.15
Soybean, seed...............................................        0.04
Vegetable, root, subgroup 1A................................        0.30
Vegetable, tuberous and corm, subgroup 1C...................        0.01
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Tolerances are established for residues of the fungicide 
bixafen, including its metabolites and degradates, in or on the 
commodities in the table below. Compliance with the tolerance levels 
specified below is to be determined by measuring only the sum of 
bixafen, N-(3,4-dichloro-5-fluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1-
methylpyrazole-4-carboxamide, and its desmethyl metabolite, N-(3',4'-
dichloro-5-fluoro[1,1'-biphenyl]-2-yl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazole-
4-carboxamide, calculated as the stoichiometric equivalent of bixafen, 
in or on the commodity.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Parts per
                          Commodity                             million
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cattle, fat.................................................        0.08
Cattle, meat byproducts.....................................        0.40
Cattle, muscle..............................................        0.08
Goat, fat...................................................        0.08
Goat, meat byproducts.......................................        0.40
Goat, muscle................................................        0.08
Horse, fat..................................................        0.08
Horse, meat byproducts......................................        0.40
Horse, muscle...............................................        0.08
Milk........................................................        0.04
Sheep, fat..................................................        0.08
Sheep, meat byproducts......................................        0.40
Sheep, muscle...............................................        0.08
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) Section 18 emergency exemptions. [Reserved]
    (c) Tolerances with regional registrations. [Reserved]
    (d) Indirect or inadvertent residues. [Reserved]

[FR Doc. 2018-26348 Filed 12-3-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P



                       Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 233 / Tuesday, December 4, 2018 / Rules and Regulations                                                               62479

     VII. Statutory and Executive Order                          require the issuance of a proposed rule,                           VIII. Congressional Review Act
     Reviews                                                     the requirements of the Regulatory
                                                                 Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601 et                               Pursuant to the Congressional Review
        This action establishes an exemption                                                                                        Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), EPA will
     from the requirement of a tolerance                         seq.), do not apply.
                                                                    This action directly regulates growers,                         submit a report containing this rule and
     under FFDCA section 408(d) in                                                                                                  other required information to the U.S.
     response to a petition submitted to the                     food processors, food handlers, and food
                                                                 retailers, not States or tribes, nor does                          Senate, the U.S. House of
     Agency. The Office of Management and                                                                                           Representatives, and the Comptroller
     Budget (OMB) has exempted these types                       this action alter the relationships or
                                                                 distribution of power and                                          General of the United States prior to
     of actions from review under Executive
                                                                 responsibilities established by Congress                           publication of the rule in the Federal
     Order 12866, entitled ‘‘Regulatory
                                                                 in the preemption provisions of FFDCA                              Register. This action is not a ‘‘major
     Planning and Review’’ (58 FR 51735,
                                                                 section 408(n)(4). As such, the Agency                             rule’’ as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
     October 4, 1993). Because this action
     has been exempted from review under                         has determined that this action will not                           List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180
     Executive Order 12866, this action is                       have a substantial direct effect on States
     not subject to Executive Order 13211,                       or tribal governments, on the                                        Environmental protection,
     entitled ‘‘Actions Concerning                               relationship between the national                                  Administrative practice and procedure,
     Regulations That Significantly Affect                       government and the States or tribal                                Agricultural commodities, Pesticides
     Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use’’ (66                   governments, or on the distribution of                             and pests, Reporting and recordkeeping
     FR 28355, May 22, 2001) or Executive                        power and responsibilities among the                               requirements.
     Order 13045, entitled ‘‘Protection of                       various levels of government or between                               Dated: November 14, 2018.
     Children from Environmental Health                          the Federal Government and Indian                                  Donna Davis,
     Risks and Safety Risks’’ (62 FR 19885,                      tribes. Thus, the Agency has determined
                                                                                                                                    Acting Director, Registration Division, Office
     April 23, 1997), or Executive Order                         that Executive Order 13132, entitled
                                                                                                                                    of Pesticide Programs.
     13771, entitled ‘‘Reducing Regulations                      ‘‘Federalism’’ (64 FR 43255, August 10,
     and Controlling Regulatory Costs’’ (82                      1999) and Executive Order 13175,                                     Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is
     FR 9339, February 3, 2017). This action                     entitled ‘‘Consultation and Coordination                           amended as follows:
     does not contain any information                            with Indian Tribal Governments’’ (65 FR
     collections subject to OMB approval                         67249, November 9, 2000) do not apply                              PART 180—[AMENDED]
     under the Paperwork Reduction Act                           to this action. In addition, this action
     (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), nor does                    does not impose any enforceable duty or                            ■ 1. The authority citation for part 180
     it require any special considerations                       contain any unfunded mandate as                                    continues to read as follows:
     under Executive Order 12898, entitled                       described under Title II of the Unfunded                               Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.
     ‘‘Federal Actions to Address                                Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) (2 U.S.C.
     Environmental Justice in Minority                           1501 et seq.).                                                     ■ 2. In § 180.920, add alphabetically the
     Populations and Low-Income                                     This action does not involve any                                inert ingredient to the table to read as
     Populations’’ (59 FR 7629, February 16,                     technical standards that would require                             follows:
     1994).                                                      Agency consideration of voluntary
        Since tolerances and exemptions that                     consensus standards pursuant to section                            § 180.920 Inert ingredients used pre-
     are established on the basis of a petition                  12(d) of the National Technology                                   harvest; exemptions from the requirement
     under FFDCA section 408(d), such as                         Transfer and Advancement Act                                       of a tolerance.
     the exemption in this final rule, do not                    (NTTAA) (15 U.S.C. 272 note).                                      *        *        *       *    *



                                              Inert ingredients                                                         Limits                                    Uses


              *                 *                       *                                 *                                 *                             *              *
     Calcium formate (CAS Reg. No. 544–17–2) ................................................................    ........................   Carrier

                *                         *                         *                         *                            *                              *              *



     [FR Doc. 2018–26353 Filed 12–3–18; 8:45 am]                 SUMMARY:   This regulation establishes                             ADDRESSES:   The docket for this action,
     BILLING CODE 6560–50–P                                      tolerances for residues of bixafen in or                           identified by docket identification (ID)
                                                                 on multiple commodities which are                                  number EPA–HQ–OPP–2016–0538, is
                                                                 identified and discussed later in this                             available at http://www.regulations.gov
     ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION                                    document. FMC Corporation requested                                or at the Office of Pesticide Programs
     AGENCY                                                      these tolerances under the Federal Food,                           Regulatory Public Docket (OPP Docket)
                                                                 Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).                                    in the Environmental Protection Agency
     40 CFR Part 180                                                                                                                Docket Center (EPA/DC), West William
                                                                 DATES:  This regulation is effective                               Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 3334, 1301
     [EPA–HQ–OPP–2016–0538; FRL–9982–42]                         December 4, 2018. Objections and                                   Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC
                                                                 requests for hearings must be received                             20460–0001. The Public Reading Room
     Bixafen; Pesticide Tolerances                               on or before February 4, 2019 and must                             is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,
     AGENCY:  Environmental Protection                           be filed in accordance with the                                    Monday through Friday, excluding legal
     Agency (EPA).                                               instructions provided in 40 CFR part                               holidays. The telephone number for the
                                                                 178 (see also Unit I.C. of the                                     Public Reading Room is (202) 566–1744,
     ACTION: Final rule.
                                                                 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION).                                        and the telephone number for the OPP


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     62480            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 233 / Tuesday, December 4, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

     Docket is (703) 305–5805. Please review                 as described in 40 CFR part 178, please               grain at 3.0 ppm; soybean, hulls at 0.15
     the visitor instructions and additional                 submit a copy of the filing (excluding                ppm; soybean, seed at 0.06 ppm; sugar
     information about the docket available                  any Confidential Business Information                 beet, dried pulp at 1.0 ppm; vegetable,
     at http://www.epa.gov/dockets.                          (CBI)) for inclusion in the public docket.            root subgroup 1A at 0.2 ppm and
     FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                        Information not marked confidential                   vegetable, tuberous and corm subgroup
     Michael Goodis, Registration Division                   pursuant to 40 CFR part 2 may be                      1C at 0.02 ppm. That document
     (7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs,                  disclosed publicly by EPA without prior               referenced a summary of the petition
     Environmental Protection Agency, 1200                   notice. Submit the non-CBI copy of your               prepared by FMC Corporation, the
     Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC                    objection or hearing request, identified              registrant, which is available in the
     20460–0001; main telephone number:                      by docket ID number EPA–HQ–OPP–                       docket, http://www.regulations.gov.
     (703) 305–7090; email address:                          2016–0538, by one of the following                    There were no comments received in
     RDFRNotices@epa.gov.                                    methods:                                              response to the notice of filing.
                                                               • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://                 Based upon review of the data
     SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                             www.regulations.gov. Follow the online                supporting the petition, EPA is
     I. General Information                                  instructions for submitting comments.                 establishing tolerances that vary from
                                                             Do not submit electronically any                      those proposed. The reason for these
     A. Does this action apply to me?                        information you consider to be CBI or                 changes are explained in Unit IV.D.
        You may be potentially affected by                   other information whose disclosure is
     this action if you are an agricultural                  restricted by statute.                                III. Aggregate Risk Assessment and
     producer, food manufacturer, or                           • Mail: OPP Docket, Environmental                   Determination of Safety
     pesticide manufacturer. The following                   Protection Agency Docket Center (EPA/                    Section 408(b)(2)(A)(i) of FFDCA
     list of North American Industrial                       DC), (28221T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave.                 allows EPA to establish a tolerance (the
     Classification System (NAICS) codes is                  NW, Washington, DC 20460–0001.
                                                                                                                   legal limit for a pesticide chemical
     not intended to be exhaustive, but rather                 • Hand Delivery: To make special
                                                                                                                   residue in or on a food) only if EPA
     provides a guide to help readers                        arrangements for hand delivery or
                                                             delivery of boxed information, please                 determines that the tolerance is ‘‘safe.’’
     determine whether this document                                                                               Section 408(b)(2)(A)(ii) of FFDCA
     applies to them. Potentially affected                   follow the instructions at http://
                                                             www.epa.gov/dockets/contacts.html.                    defines ‘‘safe’’ to mean that ‘‘there is a
     entities may include:                                                                                         reasonable certainty that no harm will
        • Crop production (NAICS code 111).                  Additional instructions on commenting
                                                                                                                   result from aggregate exposure to the
        • Animal production (NAICS code                      or visiting the docket, along with more
                                                             information about dockets generally, is               pesticide chemical residue, including
     112).
                                                                                                                   all anticipated dietary exposures and all
        • Food manufacturing (NAICS code                     available at http://www.epa.gov/
                                                             dockets.                                              other exposures for which there is
     311).
        • Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS                                                                           reliable information.’’ This includes
                                                             II. Summary of Petitioned-For                         exposure through drinking water and in
     code 32532).                                            Tolerance                                             residential settings, but does not include
     B. How can I get electronic access to                      In the Federal Register of November                occupational exposure. Section
     other related information?                              30, 2016 (81 FR 86312) (FRL–9954–06),                 408(b)(2)(C) of FFDCA requires EPA to
        You may access a frequently updated                  EPA issued a document pursuant to                     give special consideration to exposure
     electronic version of EPA’s tolerance                   FFDCA section 408(d)(3), 21 U.S.C.                    of infants and children to the pesticide
     regulations at 40 CFR part 180 through                  346a(d)(3), announcing the filing of a                chemical residue in establishing a
     the Government Printing Office’s e-CFR                  pesticide petition (PP 6F8475) by FMC                 tolerance and to ‘‘ensure that there is a
     site at http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-               Corporation. The petition requested that              reasonable certainty that no harm will
     idx?&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title40/                    40 CFR part 180 be amended by                         result to infants and children from
     40tab_02.tpl.                                           establishing tolerances for residues of               aggregate exposure to the pesticide
                                                             the fungicide bixafen, N-(3′,4′-dichloro-             chemical residue. . . .’’
     C. How can I file an objection or hearing               5-fluoro[1,1′-biphenyl]-2-yl)-3-                         Consistent with FFDCA section
     request?                                                (difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-                408(b)(2)(D), and the factors specified in
       Under FFDCA section 408(g), 21                        4-carboxamide, in or on cattle, fat at 0.5            FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(D), EPA has
     U.S.C. 346a, any person may file an                     parts per million (ppm); cattle, kidney at            reviewed the available scientific data
     objection to any aspect of this regulation              0.3 ppm; cattle, liver at 1.5 ppm; cattle,            and other relevant information in
     and may also request a hearing on those                 muscle at 0.15 ppm; grain, aspirated                  support of this action. EPA has
     objections. You must file your objection                fractions at 80 ppm; grain, cereal, forage,           sufficient data to assess the hazards of
     or request a hearing on this regulation                 fodder and straw, group 16 (except rice),             and to make a determination on
     in accordance with the instructions                     forage at 4.0 ppm; grain, cereal, forage,             aggregate exposure for bixafen including
     provided in 40 CFR part 178. To ensure                  fodder and straw, group 16 (except rice),             exposure resulting from the tolerances
     proper receipt by EPA, you must                         hay at 5.0 ppm; grain, cereal, forage,                established by this action. EPA’s
     identify docket ID number EPA–HQ–                       fodder and straw, group 16 (except rice),             assessment of exposures and risks
     OPP–2016–0538 in the subject line on                    stover at 6.0 ppm; grain, cereal, forage,             associated with bixafen follows.
     the first page of your submission. All                  fodder and straw, group 16 (except rice),
                                                                                                                   A. Toxicological Profile
     objections and requests for a hearing                   straw at 7.0 ppm; grain, cereal, group 15
     must be in writing and must be received                 (except rice and sorghum) at 0.15 ppm;                  EPA has evaluated the available
     by the Hearing Clerk on or before                       milk at 0.1 ppm; oilseed, rapeseed                    toxicity data and considered its validity,
     February 4, 2019. Addresses for mail                    subgroup 20A at 0.15 ppm; peanut, hay                 completeness, and reliability as well as
     and hand delivery of objections and                     at 10.0 ppm; peanut, nutmeat at 0.02                  the relationship of the results of the
     hearing requests are provided in 40 CFR                 ppm; peanut, refined oil at 0.04 ppm;                 studies to human risk. EPA has also
     178.25(b).                                              poultry, eggs at 0.02 ppm; poultry, fat at            considered available information
       In addition to filing an objection or                 0.02 ppm; poultry, liver at 0.02 ppm;                 concerning the variability of the
     hearing request with the Hearing Clerk                  poultry, muscle at 0.02 ppm; sorghum,                 sensitivities of major identifiable


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                      Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 233 / Tuesday, December 4, 2018 / Rules and Regulations                                          62481

     subgroups of consumers, including                       however, may be revisited should the                  www.regulations.gov in the document
     infants and children.                                   use pattern change or if updated risk                 Bixafen. Human Health Risk
        Following repeated oral                              estimates reach a point where the PODs                Assessment for Section 3 Registration
     administration of bixafen, the liver was                used in the risk assessment are no                    and Tolerance Requests for a New
     the primary target organ in mice, rats                  longer protective of potential life-stage             Active Ingredient Proposed for Use on
     and dogs. Increased liver weights and                   susceptibility.                                       Cereal Grains, Group 15 (Except Rice);
     hepatocellular hypertrophy were                            From the prenatal developmental                    Forage, Fodder and Straw of Cereal
     observed in all species tested and were                 studies, it is apparent that evidence of              Grains, Group 16 (Except Rice); Peanut;
     considered to reflect hepatic                           increased quantitative susceptibility in              Soybean; Root Vegetable Subgroup 1A;
     microsomal enzyme induction. Also, in                   offspring was observed in the database.               and Tuberous and Corm Vegetable
     several studies, there was evidence for                 The prenatal developmental study in                   Subgroup 1C at pages 14—23 in docket
     liver toxicity based on clinical                        the rat showed decreased fetal body                   ID number EPA–HQ–OPP–2016–0538.
     chemistry changes (increased serum                      weights at a dose that produced no
     alkaline phosphatase and cholesterol,                   adverse effects in the dam. Similarly,                B. Toxicological Points of Departure/
     decreased serum albumin) and                            the prenatal developmental study in the               Levels of Concern
     histopathological changes                               rabbit showed decreased fetal body                       Once a pesticide’s toxicological
     (hepatocellular pigmentation,                           weight in the absence of maternal                     profile is determined, EPA identifies
     degeneration and necrosis). In mice and                 toxicity. In the rat 2-generation
     rats, the thyroid was an additional target                                                                    toxicological points of departure (POD)
                                                             reproduction study, however, parental                 and levels of concern to use in
     in the subchronic and chronic studies,                  toxicity (decreased body weight and
     with effects such as increased thyroid                                                                        evaluating the risk posed by human
                                                             increased liver weight with                           exposure to the pesticide. For hazards
     weight, follicular cell hypertrophy and                 centrilobular and diffuse hypertrophy)
     follicular cell hyperplasia observed.                                                                         that have a threshold below which there
                                                             and offspring toxicity (decreased F1 and              is no appreciable risk, the toxicological
     Thyroid toxicity was seen only in the                   F2 pup body weights) occurred at the
     presence of liver effects, either adverse                                                                     POD is used as the basis for derivation
                                                             same dose level.                                      of reference values for risk assessment.
     effects (such as hepatocellular single-                    An acute neurotoxicity study in the
     cell degeneration/necrosis) or adaptive                                                                       PODs are developed based on a careful
                                                             adult rat indicated decreased motor
     effects (such as increased liver weights                                                                      analysis of the doses in each
                                                             activity in both sexes and decreased
     with enzyme changes, hepatocellular                                                                           toxicological study to determine the
                                                             rearing counts in females at a high dose
     hypertrophy). This correlation suggested                                                                      dose at which no adverse effects are
                                                             level (1,000 mg/kg/day). A subchronic
     they thyroid effects are secondary to the                                                                     observed (the NOAEL) and the lowest
                                                             neurotoxicity study was not available,
     liver effects via enhanced hepatic                                                                            dose at which adverse effects of concern
                                                             and no evidence of neurotoxicity was
     clearance of thyroid hormones. This                                                                           are identified (the LOAEL). Uncertainty/
                                                             observed in other studies in the
     suggestion was supported by a 14-day                                                                          safety factors are used in conjunction
                                                             database.
     mechanistic study in rats in which a                       Bixafen did not produce evidence of                with the POD to calculate a safe
     marked induction of phase I and II                      mutagenicity or clastogenicity in the                 exposure level—generally referred to as
     hepatic enzymes, a slight reduction of                  required battery of studies. The                      a population-adjusted dose (PAD) or a
     thyroid hormone (T3, T4) levels and a                   available mouse carcinogenicity study                 reference dose (RfD)—and a safe margin
     significant increase of TSH levels were                 produced no treatment-related tumors                  of exposure (MOE). For non-threshold
     observed at 150 mg/kg bodyweight per                    in the presence of other toxicity such as             risks, the Agency assumes that any
     day, the only dose tested. Since thyroid                organ weight changes with                             amount of exposure will lead to some
     toxicity was seen in the absence of                     histopathology in both the liver and                  degree of risk. Thus, the Agency
     adverse liver effects in studies such as                thyroid. Thus, bixafen is classified as               estimates risk in terms of the probability
     the subchronic and chronic rat studies,                 ‘‘not likely to be carcinogenic to                    of an occurrence of the adverse effect
     a primary adverse effect on the thyroid                 humans.’’                                             expected in a lifetime. For more
     cannot be ruled out. However, no                           Bixafen has low acute oral, dermal,                information on the general principles
     studies are available to address potential              and inhalation toxicity. Bixafen is not               EPA uses in risk characterization and a
     susceptibility in the young to potential                an acute eye irritant and is neither a                complete description of the risk
     thyroid toxicity. As a result, the need for             dermal irritant nor a dermal sensitizer.              assessment process, see http://
     a Comparative Thyroid Assay (CTA)                       Specific information on the studies                   www2.epa.gov/pesticide-science-and-
     was considered. However, given risk                     received and the nature of the adverse                assessing-pesticide-risks/assessing-
     estimates are well below the Agency’s                   effects caused by bixafen as well as the              human-health-risk-pesticides.
     level of concern (LOC) even when using                  no-observed-adverse-effect-level                         A summary of the toxicological
     conservative exposure assumptions, the                  (NOAEL) and the lowest-observed-                      endpoints for bixafen used for human
     Agency concluded that a CTA is not                      adverse-effect-level (LOAEL) from the                 risk assessment is shown in Table 1 of
     required at this time. This conclusion,                 toxicity studies can be found at http://              this unit.

           TABLE 1—SUMMARY OF TOXICOLOGICAL DOSES AND ENDPOINTS FOR BIXAFEN FOR USE IN HUMAN HEALTH RISK
                                                   ASSESSMENT
                                              Point of departure        RfD, PAD, LOC for
            Exposure/scenario                  and uncertainty/                                                    Study and toxicological effects
                                                                         risk assessment
                                                safety factors

     Acute dietary (General popu-           NOAEL = 250 mg/            Acute RfD = 2.5 mg/        Acute Neurotoxicity Study in rats; MRID 49877279.
       lation including infants and          kg/day.                     kg/day.                  LOAEL = 1,000 mg/kg/day based on statistically significant de-
       children).                           UFA = 10x                  aPAD = 2.5 mg/kg/            creases in motor activity in both sexes and decreased
                                            UFH = 10x                    day                        rearing counts in females approximately 4 hours following a
                                            FQPA SF = 1x                                            single oral dose.



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     62482            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 233 / Tuesday, December 4, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

           TABLE 1—SUMMARY OF TOXICOLOGICAL DOSES AND ENDPOINTS FOR BIXAFEN FOR USE IN HUMAN HEALTH RISK
                                             ASSESSMENT—Continued
                                              Point of departure        RfD, PAD, LOC for
            Exposure/scenario                  and uncertainty/                                                    Study and toxicological effects
                                                                         risk assessment
                                                safety factors

     Chronic dietary (All populations)      NOAEL = 2.8 mg/kg/         Chronic RfD = 0.03         Chronic/Carcinogenicity Studies in Rats; MRIDs 49877272,
                                             day.                        mg/kg/day.                 49877273.
                                            UFA = 10x                  cPAD = 0.03 mg/kg/         LOAEL = 17.4 mg/kg/day based on thyroid effects (follicular
                                            UFH = 10x                    day                        cell hypertrophy, alteration of the thyroid colloid at interim
                                            FQPA SF = 1x                                            and terminal sacrifice).

     Cancer (Oral, dermal, inhala-            Classification: ‘‘Not likely to be carcinogenic to humans’’ based on an absence of tumors in the rat chronic/
       tion).                                                                  oncogenicity and mouse carcinogenicity studies.
       FQPA SF = Food Quality Protection Act Safety Factor. mg/kg/day = milligram/kilogram/day. PAD = population adjusted dose (a = acute, c =
     chronic). RfD = reference dose. UF = uncertainty factor. UFA = extrapolation from animal to human (interspecies). UFH = potential variation in
     sensitivity among members of the human population (intraspecies).


     C. Exposure Assessment                                  purpose of assessing cancer risk is                   (e.g., for lawn and garden pest control,
        1. Dietary exposure from food and                    unnecessary.                                          indoor pest control, termiticides, and
     feed uses. In evaluating dietary                           iv. Anticipated residue and percent                flea and tick control on pets).
     exposure to bixafen, EPA considered                     crop treated (PCT) information. EPA did                  Bixafen is not proposed nor is it
     exposure under the petitioned-for                       not use anticipated residue and/or PCT                registered for any specific use patterns
     tolerances. EPA assessed dietary                        information in the dietary assessment                 that would result in residential
     exposures from bixafen in food as                       for bixafen. Tolerance-level residues                 exposure.
     follows:                                                and 100 PCT were assumed for all food                    4. Cumulative effects from substances
        i. Acute exposure. Quantitative acute                commodities.                                          with a common mechanism of toxicity.
     dietary exposure and risk assessments                      2. Dietary exposure from drinking                  Section 408(b)(2)(D)(v) of FFDCA
     are performed for a food-use pesticide,                 water. The Agency used screening-level                requires that, when considering whether
     if a toxicological study has indicated the              water exposure models in the dietary                  to establish, modify, or revoke a
     possibility of an effect of concern                     exposure analysis and risk assessment                 tolerance, the Agency consider
     occurring as a result of a 1-day or single              for bixafen in drinking water. These                  ‘‘available information’’ concerning the
     exposure.                                               simulation models take into account                   cumulative effects of a particular
        Such effects were identified for                     data on the physical, chemical, and fate/             pesticide’s residues and ‘‘other
     bixafen. In estimating acute dietary                    transport characteristics of bixafen.                 substances that have a common
     exposure, EPA used food consumption                     Further information regarding EPA                     mechanism of toxicity.’’
     information from the United States                      drinking water models used in pesticide                  EPA has not found bixafen to share a
     Department of Agriculture (USDA)                        exposure assessment can be found at                   common mechanism of toxicity with
     Nationwide Health and Nutrition                         http://www2.epa.gov/pesticide-science-                any other substances, and bixafen does
     Examination Survey, What We Eat in                      and-assessing-pesticide-risks/about-                  not appear to produce a toxic metabolite
     America (NHANES/WWEIA) conducted                        water-exposure-models-used-pesticide.                 produced by other substances. For the
     from 2003–2008. As to residue levels in                    The Tier II Pesticide in Water                     purposes of this tolerance action,
     food, the acute dietary analysis was                    Calculator (PWC version 1.52) and Tier                therefore, EPA has assumed that bixafen
     obtained from the Dietary Exposure                      I Pesticide Root Zone Model Ground                    does not have a common mechanism of
     Evaluation Model using the Food                         Water (PRZM GW) was used for                          toxicity with other substances. For
     Commodity Intake Database (DEEM–                        calculating surface water and ground                  information regarding EPA’s efforts to
     FCID; version 3.16). The assessment is                  water EDWCs respectively. The driver                  determine which chemicals have a
     based on tolerance-level residues and                   for drinking water exposure is from                   common mechanism of toxicity and to
     100% crop treated (100 PCT) estimates                   surface water and the EDWC of bixafen                 evaluate the cumulative effects of such
     for all commodities.                                    for acute exposure is estimated to be                 chemicals, see EPA’s website at http://
        ii. Chronic exposure. In conducting                  16.3 parts per billion (ppb). For chronic             www2.epa.gov/pesticide-science-and-
     the chronic dietary exposure assessment                 exposure for non-cancer assessment, it                assessing-pesticide-risks/cumulative-
     EPA used the food consumption data                      is estimated to be 15.2 ppb for surface               assessment-risk-pesticides.
     from the USDA NHANES/WWEIA                              water.
     conducted from 2003–2008. As to                            Modeled estimates of drinking water                D. Safety Factor for Infants and
     residue levels in food, the chronic                     concentrations were directly entered                  Children
     dietary analysis was obtained from the                  into the dietary exposure model. For                    1. In general. Section 408(b)(2)(C) of
     Dietary Exposure Evaluation Model                       acute dietary risk assessment, the water              FFDCA provides that EPA shall apply
     using the Food Commodity Intake                         concentration value of 16.3 ppb was                   an additional tenfold (10X) margin of
     Database (DEEM–FCID; version 3.16).                     used to assess the contribution to                    safety for infants and children in the
     The assessment is based on tolerance-                   drinking water. For chronic dietary risk              case of threshold effects to account for
     level residues and 100 PCT estimates for                assessment, the water concentration of                prenatal and postnatal toxicity and the
     all commodities.                                        value 15.2 ppb was used to assess the                 completeness of the database on toxicity
        iii. Cancer. Based on the data                       contribution to drinking water.                       and exposure unless EPA determines
     summarized in Unit III.A., EPA has                         3. From non-dietary exposure. The                  based on reliable data that a different
     concluded that bixafen does not pose a                  term ‘‘residential exposure’’ is used in              margin of safety will be safe for infants
     cancer risk to humans. Therefore, a                     this document to refer to non-                        and children. This additional margin of
     dietary exposure assessment for the                     occupational, non-dietary exposure                    safety is commonly referred to as the


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                      Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 233 / Tuesday, December 4, 2018 / Rules and Regulations                                       62483

     FQPA Safety Factor (SF). In applying                    caused no maternal toxicity in both rats              that chronic exposure to bixafen from
     this provision, EPA either retains the                  and rabbits. However, clear NOAELs                    food and water will utilize 20% of the
     default value of 10X, or uses a different               and LOAELs exist for these                            cPAD for children 1–2 years of age the
     additional safety factor when reliable                  developmental effects, and the                        population group receiving the greatest
     data available to EPA support the choice                endpoints and PODs selected for risk                  exposure.
     of a different factor.                                  assessment are protective of these
        2. Prenatal and postnatal sensitivity.                                                                        3. Short-term risk. Short-term
                                                             effects. In the 2-generation reproduction
     The prenatal developmental toxicity                                                                           aggregate exposure takes into account
                                                             toxicity study, toxicity in the offspring
     studies showed effects in the fetus                     (decreased F1 and F2 pup body weights)                short-term residential exposure plus
     (decreased body weights) at dose levels                 occurred at the same level where                      chronic exposure to food and water
     that were lower than that of the                        parental toxicity (decreased body                     (considered to be a background
     observed maternal toxicity (decreased                   weight) was observed, and susceptibility              exposure level). A short-term adverse
     body weights). However, concerns for                    was not demonstrated. The subchronic                  effect was identified; however, bixafen
     potential pre- and postnatal                            and chronic rat studies in the database               is not proposed for any use patterns that
     susceptibility from the developmental                   indicate thyroid toxicity (epithelial cell            would result in short-term residential
     and reproduction studies are low                        hypertrophy) at the LOAELs, and no                    exposure. Short-term risk is assessed
     because clear NOAELs and LOAELs                         studies are available to address potential            based on short-term residential
     exist for these developmental effects,                  susceptibility in the young to potential              exposure plus chronic dietary exposure.
     and the PODs and endpoints selected                     thyroid toxicity. As a result, the need for           Because there is no short-term
     for risk assessment are protective of                   a CTA was considered. However, given                  residential exposure and chronic dietary
     potential toxicity in offspring.                        risk estimates are well below the                     exposure has already been assessed
        3. Conclusion. EPA has determined                    Agency’s level of concern even when                   under the appropriately protective
     that reliable data show the safety of                   using conservative exposure                           cPAD (which is at least as protective as
     infants and children would be                           assumptions and that further refinement               the POD used to assess short-term risk),
     adequately protected if the FQPA SF                     of exposure estimates would yield even                no further assessment of short-term risk
     were reduced to 1X. That decision is                    greater margins of safety, the Agency                 is necessary, and EPA relies on the
     based on the following findings:                        concluded that a CTA is not required at               chronic dietary risk assessment for
        i. The toxicity database for bixafen is              this time.                                            evaluating short-term risk for bixafen.
     considered complete at this time. The                      iv. There are no residual uncertainties
     following acceptable studies are                        identified in the exposure databases.                    4. Intermediate-term risk.
     available to support this determination:                The unrefined dietary risk assessments                Intermediate-term aggregate exposure
     A prenatal developmental toxicity study                 are based on high-end assumptions such                takes into account intermediate-term
     in rabbits, a prenatal developmental                    as tolerance-level residues, 100PCT                   residential exposure plus chronic
     toxicity study in rats, a two-generation                assumptions, and modeled, high-end                    exposure to food and water (considered
     reproduction study in rats and an acute                 estimates of residues in drinking water.              to be a background exposure level).
     neurotoxicity study. The following                      EPA made conservative (protective)                       An intermediate-term adverse effect
     study waivers were accepted, and it was                 assumptions in the ground and surface                 was identified; however, bixafen is not
     determined that these studies are not                   water modeling used to assess exposure                proposed for any use patterns that
     required at this time: subchronic                       to bixafen in drinking water. These                   would result in intermediate-term
     inhalation, subchronic neurotoxicity,                   assessments will not underestimate the
     and an immunotoxicity study. As                                                                               residential exposure. Intermediate-term
                                                             exposure and risks posed by bixafen.                  risk is assessed based on intermediate-
     summarized in Unit III.A., EPA
     determined that the CTA study is not                    E. Aggregate Risks and Determination of               term residential exposure plus chronic
     required at this time.                                  Safety                                                dietary exposure. Because there is no
        ii. An acute neurotoxicity study in the                 EPA determines whether acute and                   intermediate-term residential exposure
     adult rat indicated decreased motor                     chronic dietary pesticide exposures are               and chronic dietary exposure has
     activity in both sexes and decreased                    safe by comparing aggregate exposure                  already been assessed under the
     rearing counts in females at a high dose                estimates to the acute PAD (aPAD) and                 appropriately protective cPAD (which is
     level (1,000 mg/kg/day). A subchronic                   chronic PAD (cPAD). For linear cancer                 at least as protective as the POD used to
     neurotoxicity study was not available,                  risks, EPA calculates the lifetime                    assess intermediate-term risk), no
     and no evidence of neurotoxicity was                    probability of acquiring cancer given the             further assessment of intermediate-term
     observed in other studies in the                        estimated aggregate exposure. Short-,                 risk is necessary, and EPA relies on the
     database. Concern for neurotoxicity is                  intermediate-, and chronic-term risks                 chronic dietary risk assessment for
     low, and thus no developmental                          are evaluated by comparing the                        evaluating intermediate-term risk for
     neurotoxicity study or FQPA 10X SF is                   estimated aggregate food, water, and                  bixafen.
     necessary, because (1) signs of                         residential exposure to the appropriate                  5. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S.
     neurotoxicity in the database occur only                PODs to ensure that an adequate MOE                   population. Based on the lack of
     at a high dose level, do not include                    exists.                                               evidence of carcinogenicity in two
     neuropathology; (2) a clear and well-                      1. Acute risk. Using the exposure                  adequate rodent carcinogenicity studies,
     defined NOAEL has been established;                     assumptions discussed in this unit for                bixafen is not expected to pose a cancer
     and (3) the PODs used for risk                          acute exposure, the acute dietary
                                                                                                                   risk to humans.
     assessment are protective of                            exposure from food and water to bixafen
     neurotoxicity seen in the database.                     will occupy <1% of the aPAD for                          6. Determination of safety. Based on
        iii. There is evidence of increased                  children 1–2 years of age, the                        these risk assessments, EPA concludes
     prenatal quantitative susceptibility of                 population group receiving the greatest               that there is a reasonable certainty that
     the developing offspring in the                         exposure.                                             no harm will result to the general
     toxicology database for bixafen.                           2. Chronic risk. Using the exposure                population, or to infants and children
     Developmental toxicity (reduced fetal                   assumptions described in this unit for                from aggregate exposure to bixafen
     body weight) was seen at doses that                     chronic exposure, EPA has concluded                   residues.


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     62484            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 233 / Tuesday, December 4, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

     IV. Other Considerations                                tolerances being established for bixafen                 Under EPA’s regulations (40 CFR
                                                             on the same commodities in the United                 180.6), EPA assessed whether residues
     A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
                                                             States. The U.S. tolerances are based on              on raw agricultural commodities would
       Adequate enforcement methodology                      calculated dietary burden that supports               result in possible residues entering the
     (Analytical Methods 00983 and 01063,                    a lower residue level in fat, muscle, and             diet of man through the ingestion of
     high- performance liquid                                meat byproducts commodities.                          milk, eggs, meat, and/or poultry
     chromatography methods with tandem                      Therefore, these tolerances are not                   produced by animals fed agricultural
     mass spectrometry detection (LC/MS/                     harmonized because such high                          products bearing such residues. As a
     MS)) is available as an enforcement                     tolerances could mask instances of                    result of that assessment, EPA
     method for determination of residues of                 misuse by U.S. growers. As noted in the               determined that quantifiable residues
     bixafen and its metabolite bixafen-                     next section, the Agency is not                       are expected in commodities from
     desmethyl.                                              establishing tolerances for milk fats and             cattle, horses, goats, and sheep and is
     B. International Residue Limits                         poultry commodities in harmony with                   establishing tolerances for residues in
                                                             Codex MRLs for milk fats, poultry,                    fat, muscle and meat byproducts in
        In making its tolerance decisions, EPA                                                                     horse, goat and sheep. EPA also
                                                             edible offal, poultry fats, and poultry
     seeks to harmonize U.S. tolerances with                                                                       determined that there is no reasonable
                                                             meat because the Agency has
     international standards whenever                                                                              expectation of residues in or on milk
                                                             determined that use consistent with the
     possible, consistent with U.S. food                                                                           fats and poultry products; therefore, no
                                                             approved pesticide will not result in
     safety standards and agricultural                                                                             tolerances on milk fats and poultry
                                                             residues in milk fats and poultry
     practices. EPA considers the                                                                                  commodities are needed.
                                                             commodities.
     international maximum residue limits                                                                             Additionally, the proposed use and
     (MRLs) established by the Codex                         C. Revisions to Petitioned-For                        associated tolerance on Rapeseed
     Alimentarius Commission (Codex), as                     Tolerances                                            subgroup 20A (canola) was
     required by FFDCA section 408(b)(4).                                                                          subsequently withdrawn by the
     The Codex Alimentarius is a joint                          Several proposed tolerances requested
                                                             by the petitioner are different from those            petitioner; therefore, the Agency is not
     United Nations Food and Agriculture                                                                           establishing a tolerance on that
     Organization/World Health                               being established by EPA. For soybean
                                                             seed; peanut; peanut, hay; vegetable,                 subgroup because it is not needed.
     Organization food standards program,                                                                             The Agency is not establishing a
     and it is recognized as an international                tuberous and corm (subgroup 1C); and
                                                                                                                   tolerance for peanut, refined oil as
     food safety standards-setting                           vegetable, root, subgroup 1A, tolerance
                                                                                                                   requested because the residue data
     organization in trade agreements to                     values were calculated using the
                                                                                                                   indicate that anticipated residues in the
     which the United States is a party. EPA                 Organization for Economic Cooperation
                                                                                                                   peanut, refined oil are lower than, and
     may establish a tolerance that is                       and Development (OECD) tolerance
                                                                                                                   will be covered by, the tolerance for
     different from a Codex MRL; however,                    calculation procedures and field trial
                                                                                                                   peanut.
     FFDCA section 408(b)(4) requires that                   residue data. The combination provided                   Finally, the Agency is establishing a
     EPA explain the reasons for departing                   a different tolerance value than the                  tolerance for radish, tops, even though
     from the Codex level.                                   proposed values. EPA is establishing a                it was not requested by the petitioner.
        The Codex has established MRLs for                   tolerance for grain, cereal, group 15,                Under EPA’s regulations (40 CFR
     bixafen in or on barley and oats at 0.4                 except rice and grain sorghum at 0.40                 180.40(f)(1)(i)(B)), EPA will not
     ppm; the U.S. tolerance for grain, cereal,              ppm instead of 0.15 ppm and for grain,                establish a crop group tolerance unless
     group 15, except rice and grain sorghum                 cereal, forage, fodder and straw, group               all necessary tolerances are established,
     at 0.40 ppm is harmonized with those                    16, except rice at 20 ppm, rather than                including tolerances for raw
     MRLs. Codex has also established MRLs                   the requested tolerances for forage at 4.0            commodities not covered by the crop
     for rye, wheat, and wheat bran at 0.05                  ppm, hay at 5.0 ppm, stover at 6.0 ppm,               group and derivative of commodities in
     ppm, which is not harmonized with the                   straw at 7.0 ppm in order to harmonize                the group. In this case, EPA is
     U.S. tolerances for group 15 because use                with Codex MRLs. Since the tolerance                  establishing a tolerance for root
     consistent with approved labeling could                 of 20 ppm for group 16 covers the                     vegetables, subgroup 1A, which
     result in exceedances. Codex has also                   residues on forage, hay, stover, and                  includes radish. Due to the presence of
     established MRLs for barley straw and                   straw forms of the group 16                           residues on radish tops, EPA is
     fodder, dry at 20 ppm; oat straw and                    commodities, EPA has determined that                  establishing a necessary tolerance on
     fodder, dry at 20 ppm; rye straw and                    separate tolerances are unnecessary.                  radish tops to facilitate the
     fodder, dry at 20 ppm; and wheat straw                     Additionally, while tolerances were                establishment of the subgroup 1A
     and fodder, dry at 20 ppm. The U.S.                     proposed on liver and kidney for                      tolerance.
     tolerance for grain, cereal, forage, fodder             livestock commodities, EPA is
     and straw, group 16, except rice at 20                  establishing tolerances on meat                       V. Conclusion
     ppm is harmonized with those Codex                      byproducts, which are inclusive of                       Therefore, tolerances are established
     MRLs.                                                   kidney and liver. EPA is further                      for residues of bixafen in or on beet,
        Additionally, the Codex has                          establishing lower tolerances for                     sugar, dried pulp at 1.0 ppm; cattle, fat
     established MRLs for bixafen in or on                   residues in fat, muscle and meat                      at 0.08 ppm; cattle, meat byproducts at
     cattle, fat at 2 ppm; cattle, meat                      byproducts in cattle, based on the                    0.40 ppm; cattle, muscle at 0.08 ppm;
     byproducts at 4 ppm; cattle, muscle at                  calculated dietary burdens paired with                goat, fat at 0.08 ppm; goat, meat
     2 ppm; goat, fat at 2 ppm; goat, meat                   low residue transfer rates into ruminant              byproducts at 0.40 ppm; goat, muscle at
     byproducts at 4 ppm; goat, muscle at 2                  commodities. The tolerance on milk is                 0.08 ppm; grain, aspirated grain
     ppm; horse, fat at 2 ppm; horse, meat                   also established at a lower level (0.04               fractions at 80 ppm; grain, cereal, forage,
     byproducts at 4 ppm; horse, muscle at                   ppm versus the 0.10 ppm proposed                      fodder, and straw, group 16, except rice
     2 ppm; milk at 0.2 ppm; sheep, fat at 2                 tolerance). This recommendation is also               at 20 ppm; grain, cereal, group 15,
     ppm; sheep, meat byproducts at 4 ppm;                   based on the calculated dietary burdens               except rice and grain sorghum at 0.40
     and sheep, muscle at 2 ppm. These                       paired with low residue transfer rates                ppm; horse, fat at 0.08 ppm; horse, meat
     MRLs are significantly higher than the                  into ruminant commodities.                            byproducts at 0.40 ppm; horse, muscle


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                      Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 233 / Tuesday, December 4, 2018 / Rules and Regulations                                                            62485

     at 0.08 ppm; milk at 0.04 ppm; peanut                   government and the States or tribal                   3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methylpyrazole-4-
     at 0.01 ppm; peanut, hay at 8.0 ppm;                    governments, or on the distribution of                carboxamide, in or on the commodity.
     radish, tops at 3.0 ppm; sheep, fat at                  power and responsibilities among the
     0.08 ppm; sheep, meat byproducts at                     various levels of government or between                               Commodity                            Parts per
     0.40 ppm; sheep, muscle at 0.08 ppm;                    the Federal Government and Indian                                                                           million
     sorghum, grain, grain at 3.0 ppm;                       tribes. Thus, the Agency has determined
     soybean, hulls at 0.15 ppm; soybean,                    that Executive Order 13132, entitled                  Beet, sugar, dried pulp ...............                    1.0
     seed at 0.04 ppm; vegetable, root                       ‘‘Federalism’’ (64 FR 43255, August 10,               Grain, aspirated grain fractions ..                        80
     subgroup 1A at 0.30 ppm; and                                                                                  Grain, cereal, forage, fodder,
                                                             1999) and Executive Order 13175,
                                                                                                                     and straw, group 16, except
     vegetable, tuberous and corm subgroup                   entitled ‘‘Consultation and Coordination                rice ..........................................           20
     1C at 0.01 ppm.                                         with Indian Tribal Governments’’ (65 FR               Grain, cereal, group 15, except
     VI. Statutory and Executive Order                       67249, November 9, 2000) do not apply                   rice and grain sorghum ...........                      0.40
     Reviews                                                 to this action. In addition, this action              Peanut ........................................           0.01
                                                             does not impose any enforceable duty or               Peanut, hay ................................               8.0
        This action establishes tolerances                   contain any unfunded mandate as                       Radish, tops ................................              3.0
     under FFDCA section 408(d) in                           described under Title II of the Unfunded              Sorghum, grain, grain .................                    3.0
     response to a petition submitted to the                 Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) (2 U.S.C.                  Soybean, hulls ............................               0.15
     Agency. The Office of Management and                    1501 et seq.).                                        Soybean, seed ............................                0.04
     Budget (OMB) has exempted these types                      This action does not involve any                   Vegetable, root, subgroup 1A ....                         0.30
     of actions from review under Executive                  technical standards that would require                Vegetable, tuberous and corm,
     Order 12866, entitled ‘‘Regulatory                      Agency consideration of voluntary                       subgroup 1C ...........................                 0.01
     Planning and Review’’ (58 FR 51735,                     consensus standards pursuant to section
     October 4, 1993). Because this action                   12(d) of the National Technology
     has been exempted from review under                                                                              (2) Tolerances are established for
                                                             Transfer and Advancement Act                          residues of the fungicide bixafen,
     Executive Order 12866, this action is                   (NTTAA) (15 U.S.C. 272 note).
     not subject to Executive Order 13211,                                                                         including its metabolites and
     entitled ‘‘Actions Concerning                           VII. Congressional Review Act                         degradates, in or on the commodities in
     Regulations That Significantly Affect                     Pursuant to the Congressional Review                the table below. Compliance with the
     Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use’’ (66               Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), EPA will                  tolerance levels specified below is to be
     FR 28355, May 22, 2001) or Executive                    submit a report containing this rule and              determined by measuring only the sum
     Order 13045, entitled ‘‘Protection of                   other required information to the U.S.                of bixafen, N-(3,4-dichloro-5-
     Children from Environmental Health                      Senate, the U.S. House of                             fluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-
     Risks and Safety Risks’’ (62 FR 19885,                  Representatives, and the Comptroller                  1-methylpyrazole-4-carboxamide, and
     April 23, 1997), nor is it considered a                 General of the United States prior to                 its desmethyl metabolite, N-(3′,4′-
     regulatory action under Executive Order                 publication of the rule in the Federal                dichloro-5-fluoro[1,1′-biphenyl]-2-yl)-3-
     13771, entitled ‘‘Reducing Regulations                  Register. This action is not a ‘‘major                (difluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-
     and Controlling Regulatory Costs’’ (82                  rule’’ as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).                 carboxamide, calculated as the
     FR 9339, February 3, 2017). This action                                                                       stoichiometric equivalent of bixafen, in
     does not contain any information                        List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180
                                                                                                                   or on the commodity.
     collections subject to OMB approval                       Environmental protection,
     under the Paperwork Reduction Act                       Administrative practice and procedure,                                                                     Parts per
     (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), nor does                Agricultural commodities, Pesticides                                  Commodity                             million
     it require any special considerations                   and pests, Reporting and recordkeeping
     under Executive Order 12898, entitled                   requirements.                                         Cattle, fat ....................................          0.08
     ‘‘Federal Actions to Address                                                                                  Cattle, meat byproducts .............                     0.40
                                                                Dated: November 13, 2018.
     Environmental Justice in Minority                                                                             Cattle, muscle .............................              0.08
     Populations and Low-Income                              Donna Davis,
                                                                                                                   Goat, fat ......................................          0.08
     Populations’’ (59 FR 7629, February 16,                 Acting Director, Registration Division, Office        Goat, meat byproducts ...............                     0.40
     1994).                                                  of Pesticide Programs.                                Goat, muscle ..............................               0.08
        Since tolerances and exemptions that                   Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is                      Horse, fat ....................................           0.08
     are established on the basis of a petition              amended as follows:                                   Horse, meat byproducts .............                      0.40
     under FFDCA section 408(d), such as                                                                           Horse, muscle .............................               0.08
     the tolerances in this final rule, do not               PART 180—[AMENDED]                                    Milk .............................................        0.04
     require the issuance of a proposed rule,                                                                      Sheep, fat ...................................            0.08
     the requirements of the Regulatory                      ■ 1. The authority citation for part 180              Sheep, meat byproducts ............                       0.40
     Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601 et                  continues to read as follows:                         Sheep, muscle ............................                0.08
     seq.), do not apply.                                        Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.
        This action directly regulates growers,              ■ 2. Add § 180.702 to subpart C to read                 (b) Section 18 emergency exemptions.
     food processors, food handlers, and food                as follows:                                           [Reserved]
     retailers, not States or tribes, nor does
     this action alter the relationships or                  § 180.702    Bixafen; tolerances for residues.          (c) Tolerances with regional
     distribution of power and                                 (a) General. (1) Tolerances are                     registrations. [Reserved]
     responsibilities established by Congress                established for residues of the fungicide               (d) Indirect or inadvertent residues.
     in the preemption provisions of FFDCA                   bixafen, including its metabolites and                [Reserved]
     section 408(n)(4). As such, the Agency                  degradates, in or on the commodities in               [FR Doc. 2018–26348 Filed 12–3–18; 8:45 am]
     has determined that this action will not                the table below. Compliance with the                  BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
     have a substantial direct effect on States              tolerance levels specified below is to be
     or tribal governments, on the                           determined by measuring only bixafen,
     relationship between the national                       N-(3,4-dichloro-5-fluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-


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Document Created: 2018-12-04 00:41:59
Document Modified: 2018-12-04 00:41:59
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionFinal rule.
DatesThis regulation is effective December 4, 2018. Objections and requests for hearings must be received on or before February 4, 2019 and must be filed in accordance with the instructions provided in 40 CFR part 178 (see also Unit I.C. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION).
ContactMichael Goodis, Registration Division (7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460-0001; main telephone
FR Citation83 FR 62479 
CFR AssociatedEnvironmental Protection; Administrative Practice and Procedure; Agricultural Commodities; Pesticides and Pests and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements

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