98-26902. Fludioxonil; Pesticide Tolerance  

  • [Federal Register Volume 63, Number 194 (Wednesday, October 7, 1998)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 53820-53826]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 98-26902]
    
    
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    ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
    
    40 CFR Part 180
    
    [OPP-300738; FRL-6036-8]
    RIN 2070-AB78
    
    
    Fludioxonil; Pesticide Tolerance
    
    AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of 
    fludioxonil (4-(2,2-difluoro 1,3 benzodioxol-4-yl)-1H-pyrrole-3-
    carbonitrile) in or on the following raw agricultural commodities 
    (RACs): rape seed, rape forage, peanuts, meat (hulls removed), peanut 
    hay, sunflower seed, leafy vegetables except brassica, brassica leafy 
    vegetables, legume vegetables, foliage of legume vegetables, fruiting 
    vegetables except cucurbits, cucurbit vegetables, forage, fodder, and 
    straw of cereal grains, grass, forage, fodder, and hay, and non-grass 
    animal feeds at 0.01 parts per million (ppm); root and tuber 
    vegetables, leaves of root and tuber vegetables, bulb vegetables, 
    cereal grains, and herbs and spices at 0.02 ppm; and cotton seed and 
    cotton gin byproducts at 0.05 ppm. Novartis Crop Protection, Inc, 
    requested this tolerance under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act 
    (FFDCA), as amended by the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 
    104-170).
    
    DATES: This regulation is effective October 7, 1998. Objections and 
    requests for hearings must be received by EPA on or before December 7, 
    1998.
    
    ADDRESSES: Written objections and hearing requests, identified by the 
    docket control number, [OPP-300738], must be submitted to: Hearing 
    Clerk (1900), Environmental Protection Agency, Rm. M3708, 401 M St., 
    SW., Washington, DC 20460. Fees accompanying objections and hearing 
    requests shall be labeled ``Tolerance Petition Fees'' and forwarded to: 
    EPA Headquarters Accounting Operations Branch, OPP (Tolerance Fees), 
    P.O. Box 360277M, Pittsburgh, PA 15251. A copy of any objections and 
    hearing requests filed with the Hearing Clerk identified by the docket 
    control number, [OPP-300738], must also be submitted to: Public 
    Information and Records Integrity Branch, Information Resources and 
    Services Division (7502C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental 
    Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460. In person, 
    bring a copy of objections and hearing requests to Rm. 119, Crystal 
    Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA.
        A copy of objections and hearing requests filed with the Hearing 
    Clerk may also be submitted electronically by sending electronic mail 
    (e mail) to: opp docket@epamail.epa.gov. Copies of objections and 
    hearing requests must be submitted as an ASCII file avoiding the use of 
    special characters and any form of encryption. Copies of objections and 
    hearing requests will also be accepted on disks in WordPerfect 5.1/6.1 
    file format or ASCII file format. All copies of objections and hearing 
    requests in electronic form must be identified by the docket control 
    number [OPP-300738]. No Confidential Business Information (CBI) should 
    be submitted through e mail. Electronic copies of objections and 
    hearing requests on this rule may be filed online at many Federal 
    Depository Libraries.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: By mail: Mary Waller, Registration 
    Division [7505C], Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental 
    Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460. Office 
    location, telephone number, and e mail address: Crystal Mall #2, 1921 
    Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA, 703-308-9354, e mail: 
    waller.mary@epamail.epa.gov.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the Federal Register of August 26, 1998 
    63 FR 45497 (FRL-6023-4), EPA issued a notice pursuant to section 408 
    of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), 21 U.S.C. 346a 
    announcing the filing of a pesticide petition (PP 8F4978) for 
    tolerances by Novartis Crop Protection, Inc., 410 Swing Road, 
    Greensboro, NC 27419. This notice included a summary of the petition 
    prepared by Novartis Crop Protection Inc., the registrant. There were 
    no comments received in response to the Notice of Filing.
        The petition requested that 40 CFR 180.516 be amended by 
    establishing tolerances for residues of fludioxonil in or on the 
    following RACs: rape seed and rape forage (reported as canola in the 
    Notice of Filing), peanuts, meat (hulls removed) and peanut hay 
    (reported as peanuts in the Notice of Filing), sunflower seed, leafy 
    vegetables except brassica (Crop Group 4); brassica leafy vegetables 
    (Crop Group 5); legume vegetables (Crop Group 6); foliage of legume 
    vegetables (Crop Group 7); fruiting vegetables except cucurbits (Crop 
    Group 8); cucurbit vegetables (Crop Group 9); forage, fodder, and straw 
    of cereal grains (Crop Group 16); grass, forage, fodder, and hay (Crop 
    Group 17); and non-grass animal feeds (Crop Group 18) at 0.01 ppm; root 
    and tuber vegetables (Crop Group 1); leaves of root and tuber 
    vegetables (Crop Group 2); bulb vegetables (Crop Group 3); cereal 
    grains (Crop Group 15); and herbs and spices (Crop Group 19) at 0.02 
    ppm; cotton seed, and cotton gin byproducts at 0.05 ppm.
    
    I. Risk Assessment and Statutory Findings
    
        Section 408(b)(2)(A)(i) of the 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) defines ``safe'' to
    
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    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) 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.....''
        EPA performs a number of analyses to determine the risks from 
    aggregate exposure to pesticide residues. For further discussion of the 
    regulatory requirements of section 408 and a complete description of 
    the risk assessment process, see the Final Rule on Bifenthrin Pesticide 
    Tolerances (62 FR 62961, November 26, 1997) (FRL-5754-7).
    
    II. Aggregate Risk Assessment and Determination of Safety
    
        Consistent with 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 
    fludioxonil and to make a determination on aggregate exposure, 
    consistent with section 408(b)(2), for tolerances in or on the 
    following raw agricultural commodities (RACs): rape seed, rape forage, 
    peanuts, meat (hulls removed), peanut hay, sunflower seed, leafy 
    vegetables except brassica, brassica leafy vegetables, legume 
    vegetables, foliage of legume vegetables, fruiting vegetables except 
    cucurbits, cucurbit vegetables, forage, fodder, and straw of cereal 
    grains, grass, forage, fodder, and hay, and non-grass animal feeds at 
    0.01 ppm; root and tuber vegetables, leaves of root and tuber 
    vegetables, bulb vegetables, cereal grains, and herbs and spices at 
    0.02 ppm; and cotton seed and cotton gin byproducts at 0.05 ppm. EPA's 
    assessment of the dietary exposures and risks associated with 
    establishing the tolerance follows.
    
    A. Toxicological Profile
    
        EPA has evaluated the available toxicity data and considered its 
    validity, completeness, and reliability as well as the relationship of 
    the results of the studies to human risk. EPA has also considered 
    available information concerning the variability of the sensitivities 
    of major identifiable subgroups of consumers, including infants and 
    children. The nature of the toxic effects caused by fludioxonil are 
    discussed below.
         1. A battery of acute toxicity studies place technical fludioxonil 
    in Toxicity Category IV for oral, inhalation, and dermal irritation 
    studies, and Category III for dermal and eye irritation studies. 
    Fludioxonil is not a skin sensitizer.
         2. A subchronic oral toxicity study in rats dosed orally with 
    technical fludioxonil at levels of 0, 0.8, 6.6, 64, 428, and 1,283 mg/
    kg/day (males); 0, 1.0, 7.1, 70, 462, and 1,288 mg/kg/day (females) 
    resulted in the Lowest-Observed-Adverse-Effect Level (LOAEL) of 428 mg/
    kg/day in males and 462 mg/kg/day in females, based on the increased 
    incidence of microscopic pathology of the kidney and liver and the 
    deceased body weight gain. The No-Observed-Adverse-Effect level (NOAEL) 
    is 64 mg/kg/day in males; 70 mg/kg/day in females.
         3. In a subchronic oral toxicity study, fludioxonil technical was 
    administered to dogs for 13 weeks at 0, 200, 2,000, and 15,000/10,000 
    ppm (15,000 ppm for 17 days and 10,000 ppm from day 18 until study 
    termination). These dose levels correspond to nominal doses of 0, 5, 
    50, or 375/250 mg/kg/day, as actual intake data were not provided. A 
    LOAEL of 2,000 ppm in males and females was determined based on the 
    observation of diarrhea. The NOAEL is 5 mg/kg/day in males and females.
         4. In a subchronic oral toxicity study, technical fludioxonil was 
    administered to mice at doses of 0, 1.3, 13.9, 144, 445, or 1,052 mg/
    kg/day (males); 0, 1.9, 16.8, 178, 559, or 1,307 mg/kg/day (females). 
    The LOAEL is 1,052 mg/kg/day in males, and 1,307 mg/kg/day in females, 
    based on decreased body weight gain in female mice, changes in serum 
    chemistry in male and female mice, increased liver to body weight 
    ratio, and the increased incidence of nephropathy and centrilobular 
    hypertrophy of the liver in both sexes. The NOAEL is 445 mg/kg/day in 
    males and 559 mg/kg/day in females.
         5. In a 28 day repeated dermal toxicity test, rats were dosed with 
    technical fludioxonil under occlusive dressing (6 hrs/day, 5 days/week, 
    for 4 weeks) at 0, 40, 200, and 1,000 mg/kg/day. The dermal irritation 
    LOAEL and NOAEL are both greater than 1,000 mg/kg for males and 
    females. The systemic toxicity LOAEL is 1,000 mg/kg for females based 
    on increased AST and adrenal weight, and 1,000 mg/kg for males based on 
    increased creatinine and adrenal weight and the systemic toxicity NOAEL 
    is 200 mg/kg/day for males and females.
         6. In a chronic oral toxicity study, dogs were dosed with 
    technical fludioxonil for 52 weeks at 0, 3.1, 33.1, and 297.8 mg/kg/day 
    (males); 3.3, 35.5, and 330.7 mg/kg/day (females). The LOAEL for male 
    dogs is 297.8 mg/kg/day based on decreased body weight, hematology 
    alterations (increased platelets and fibrin), clinical chemistry 
    alterations (increased cholesterol and alkaline phosphatase) and 
    increased liver weight. The LOAEL for female dogs is 35.5 mg/kg/day 
    based on a marked decrease in body weight gain for weeks 1-13 and 1-52 
    of the study. The NOAEL is 33.1 mg/kg/day for male dogs and 3.3 mg/kg/
    day for female dogs.
         7. In a combined chronic toxicity/carcinogenicity study, rats were 
    fed technical fludioxonil at 0, 10, 30, 100, 1,000, and 3,000 ppm 
    (males: 0, 0.37, 1.1, 3.7, 37 and 113 mg/kg/day; females: 0, 0.44, 1.3, 
    4.4, 44, and 141 mg/kg/day) for either 12 or 24 months. In addition, 
    rats from the control and 3,000 ppm groups were fed the test diets for 
    12 months and then allowed to recover for 1 month prior to sacrifice. 
    There was no treatment related effect on food or water consumption. 
    Males dosed at 1,000 and 3,000 ppm and females dosed at 3,000 ppm 
    exhibited a number of effects including higher incidence of dark stool 
    and urine, staining (mostly blue) around the pelvic region and abdomen, 
    higher frequency of diarrhea (males only), and decreased body weight 
    gain. Females dosed at 3,000 ppm had some evidence of slight anemia at 
    the 12 month evaluation. At necropsy, males at the 3,000 ppm dose level 
    exhibited an increased incidence of enlarged livers and kidneys with 
    discolored foci or general discoloration and an increased severity of 
    progressive nephropathy; kidneys with cysts were reported at both the 
    1,000 and 3,000 ppm dose levels. For females in the 1,000 and 3,000 ppm 
    dose levels there was an increase incidence of discoloration of the 
    kidneys. Males and females in the 3,000 ppm group had an increased 
    incidence and more severe grade of histopathological changes in the 
    liver. There was an increased incidence of hepatocellular tumors in 
    both sexes of the 3,000 ppm group; however, the increase in males was 
    not statistically significant. The statistically significant finding in 
    females was an increase in combined adenomas and carcinomas (0/70, 1/
    60, 0/60, 1/60, 2/60 and 5/70 in the 0, 10, 30, 100, 1,000 and 3,000 
    ppm groups, respectively). Males and females in the 3,000 ppm group had 
    an increased incidence of basophilic foci in the liver; males also had 
    an increase in hepatocellular hypertrophy. The LOAEL
    
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    for males and females was 113 and 141 mg/kg/day, respectively (3,000 
    ppm) based on decreased body weight and weight gain, slight anemia in 
    females at 12 months, and increased incidence and severity of 
    histopathology changes in the liver. The NOAEL for males and females 
    was 37 and 44 mg/kg/day, respectively. Fludioxonil technical was not 
    carcinogenic in male rats. There was a statistically significant 
    increase in the incidence of combined adenomas and adenocarcinomas of 
    the liver in female rats in the 3,000 ppm group. The 3,000 ppm level is 
    considered adequate for carcinogenicity testing based on decreased body 
    weight and weight gain in both sexes, slight anemia in females at 12 
    months, and an increased incidence and severity of liver histopathology 
    changes in both sexes.
         8. A carcinogenicity study in mice administered technical 
    fludioxonil in the diet at 0, 10, 100, 1,000, and 3,000 ppm (0, 1.1, 
    11.3, 112, and 360 mg/kg/day for males and 0, 1.4, 13.5, 133, and 417 
    mg/kg/day for females). Male mice at 360 mg/kg/day level exhibited 
    clinical toxicity in the form of an incidence of ``convulsed'' when 
    handled. No significant effects on body weight, weight gain, food 
    consumption, hematology, or microscopic non neoplastic pathology were 
    reported in either sex. Increased liver weight (9%) and spleen weight 
    (34%) were observed in male mice at the 360 mg/kg/day dose level, which 
    correlated with the macroscopic observations of enlarged spleen and 
    raised foci of liver. Female mice showed a statistically significant 
    increase in liver weight at the 417 mg/kg dose level and this is also 
    supported by the macroscopic observation of enlarged liver. Other 
    macroscopic changes in female mice were an increased incidence of 
    enlarged thymus, spleen, mediastinal lymph node, and liver and an 
    increased incidence of lymphoma in these organs. The LOAEL is 112 mg/
    kg/day for male mice, based on the increased incidence of clinical 
    toxicity and 417 mg/kg/day for female mice, based on the increased 
    liver weight and the increased incidence of macroscopic pathology. The 
    NOAEL is 11.3 mg/kg/day and 133 mg/kg/day in male and female mice, 
    respectively. There was evidence of carcinogenicity in female mice 
    based on increased incidence of lymphomas, which contributed to death. 
    This effect was due to the early onset and high incidence of lymphoma 
    at the 3,000 ppm dose relative to the control group. Total incidence of 
    lymphoma was 11/59, 10/59, 13/60, 12/60, and 18/60 for the 0, 10, 100, 
    1,000, and 3,000 ppm dose levels in female mice, respectively. This 
    increase in total lymphoma was significant by a trend test, but not by 
    a pair wise comparison. Whether an adequate dose level was used in this 
    study to assess the carcinogenic potential of fludioxonil is 
    complicated by the observation of an increased lymphoma incidence at 
    the 3,000 ppm dose level. This dose level produced some systemic 
    effects, such as an increased incidence of male mice which 
    ``convulsed'' when handled and macroscopic pathology in both sexes. But 
    this dose level produced no significant effects on body weight gain, 
    food consumption, hematology, or microscopic non neoplastic pathology 
    in either sex.
         In a second carcinogenicity study in mice fludioxonil technical 
    was administered in the diet at nominal dose levels of 0, 3, 30, 5,000, 
    and 7,000 ppm (0, 0.33, 3.3, 590, and 851 mg/kg/ day in males; 0, 0.41, 
    4.1, 715, and 1,008 mg/kg/day for females). The 7,000 ppm dose level in 
    males and females produced significant systemic effects in addition to 
    significant nephropathy, which contributed to death in a majority of 
    test animals. Survival in female mice was below 25% and exceeded the 
    guideline criteria for survival in a mouse carcinogenicity study. 
    Changes in liver weights were observed in both sexes at the 5,000 and 
    7,000 ppm dose levels, but could not be related to histological 
    alterations in the liver. The LOAEL is estimated at 851 mg/kg/day in 
    males, and 1,008 mg/kg/day in females. The NOAEL is 590 mg/kg/day in 
    males, and 715 mg/kg/day in females. The 7,000 ppm dose is adequate for 
    testing carcinogenic potential in male mice, based on the significant 
    systemic effects and nephropathy observed at this dose. For female 
    mice, the 7,000 ppm dose level is considered excessive, based on the 
    reduction in survival of the test animals. There was no evidence of 
    increased incidence of tumors in this study for male or female mice.
         9. In a developmental toxicity (teratology) study, pregnant rats 
    (gestation days 6-15 inclusive) were administered technical fludioxonil 
    at 0, 10, 100, and 1,000 mg/kg/day by oral gavage. Maternal toxicity 
    was evident at 1,000 mg/kg/day with a 16% reduction in corrected body 
    weight gain. Developmental toxicity was evident at the 1,000 mg/kg/day 
    dose with increased fetal and litter incidence of dilated renal pelvis 
    and dilated ureter. Based on these observations, the Maternal LOAEL and 
    Developmental toxicity LOAEL are at 1,000 mg/kg/day and the Maternal 
    NOAEL and Developmental toxicity NOAEL are at 100 mg/kg/day.
         10. In another developmental toxicity study, rabbits (gestation 
    days 6 through 18) were dosed with technical fludioxonil by oral gavage 
    at 0, 10, 100, and 300 mg/kg/day. Minimal maternal toxicity was noted 
    in the mid and high dose groups as less body weight during the dosing 
    period (gestation days 6 through 18) and dosing plus post dosing period 
    (gestation days 6 through 28). The high dose group consumed less food 
    than the control group during the dosing period, the post dosing period 
    (gestation days 19 through 28), the dosing plus post dosing period, and 
    for the overall gestation period. However, food efficiency was 
    decreased in the mid and high dosed groups during the dosing plus post 
    dosing periods, and for the entire gestation period. The Maternal 
    Toxicity LOAEL is 100 mg/kg/day and the Maternal Toxicity NOAEL is 10 
    mg/kg/day based on decreased body weight gains and decreased food 
    efficiency. No developmental toxicity was noted at the dose levels 
    tested. The Developmental Toxicity LOAEL is greater than 300 mg/kg/day 
    and the Developmental Toxicity NOAEL is equal to or greater than 300 
    mg/kg/day.
         11. In a reproductive toxicity study, rats received 0, 2.19, 
    22.13, and 221.61 mg/kg/day (males) and 0, 2.45, 24.24, and 249.67 mg/
    kg/day (females) fludioxonil technical in the diet for 2 generations. 
    The Parental Systemic Toxicity LOAEL is 221.61 mg/kg/day for males and 
    249.67 mg/kg/day for females. The Parental Systemic Toxicity NOAEL is 
    22.13 mg/kg/day for males, and 24.24 mg/kg/day for females based on 
    clinical observations, reduced body weight and weight gains, and 
    reduced food consumption. The Reproductive/Developmental Toxicity LOAEL 
    is 221.61 mg/kg/day for males and 249.67 mg/kg/day for females. The 
    Reproductive/Developmental Toxicity NOAEL is 22.13 mg/kg/day for males 
    and 24.24 mg/kg/day for females based on reduced pup body weights.
         12. Gene mutation and other genotoxic effects were studied using 
    fludioxonil technical:
        i. Ames Salmonella assay with and without metabolic activation 
    provided evidence of cytotoxicity at 1,250 and 5,000 micrograms/plate 
    (g/plate) concentrations.
        ii. Unscheduled DNA Synthesis assay (in vitro) indicated 
    cytotoxicity at 313 g/ml.
        iii. Chromosome aberrations assay (in vitro) in Chinese hamster 
    ovary (CHO) cells with and without S9 activation provided convincing 
    evidence that
    
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    fludioxonil is a clastogen and polyploidy inducer.
        iv. Chromosome Aberrations assay (in vitro) in Chinese hamster bone 
    marrow cells noted occurrence of hyperploidy in one mid-dose female and 
    trisomy in one high dose male.
        v. Micro nucleus assay (in vitro) using rat hepatocytes provided no 
    definitive conclusions as to dose related increase in micro nucleate 
    hepatocytes and therefore, this study will be repeated.
        vi. Dominant Lethal assay indicated no test material induced 
    dominant lethal mutations in male mouse germinal cells sampled over the 
    entire period of spermatogenesis.
        vii. Point Mutation test in CHO cells (in vitro) with and without 
    S9 activation produced no increase in the number of thioguanine 
    resistant colonies, mutant frequency, or mutant factor.
        viii. Mouse Micro nucleus assay using mouse bone morrow Micro 
    nucleus test produced no statistically significant increase in number 
    of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes in male and female mice.
    
    B. Toxicological Endpoints
    
        1. Acute toxicity. Fludioxonil exhibits very low mammalian toxicity 
    when tested by the oral route. There is no concern for an acute dietary 
    risk. The available data do not indicate any evidence of significant 
    toxicity from 1 day or single event exposure by oral route.
         2. Short and intermediate term toxicity. Subchronic studies 
    conducted with fludioxonil contain no end points suggesting the need 
    for short term occupational or residential risk assessments for the 
    dermal route of exposure. For intermediate term, the recommended LOAEL 
    and NOAEL are 50 mg/kg/day and 5 mg/kg/day, respectively from the 13 
    week oral toxicity study in dogs. For the intermediate term risk 
    assessment, the 50 mg/kg/day is used as the NOAEL, since the effects of 
    concern are believed to occur at doses in excess of 50 mg/kg/day.
         3. Chronic toxicity. EPA has established the RfD for fludioxonil 
    at 0.03 mg/kg/day. This RfD is based on the 1 year oral toxicity study 
    in dogs with a NOAEL of 3.3 mg/kg/day in females and an uncertainly 
    factor of 100 to account for both interspecies extrapolation and 
    intraspecies variability.
        4. Carcinogenicity. Fludioxonil has been classified as a Group D 
    chemical not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity. That is, the 
    evidence is inadequate and cannot be interpreted as showing either the 
    presence or absence of a carcinogenic effect.
    
    C. Exposures and Risks
    
        1. From food and feed uses. Tolerances have been established at 40 
    CFR 180.516 for residues of fludioxonil in or on potatoes and time 
    limited tolerances under the Section 18 program have been established 
    for apricot, nectarines, peaches, and plums. Risk assessments were 
    conducted by EPA to assess dietary exposures from fludioxonil as 
    follows:
        i.  Acute exposure and risk. Acute dietary 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. There is no concern for an acute dietary 
    exposure to fludioxonil. The available data do not indicate any 
    evidence of significant toxicity from 1 day or single event exposure by 
    oral route.
        ii. Chronic exposure and risk. Fludioxonil is currently registered 
    for seed treatment uses on corn, sorghum, and potatoes and for 
    greenhouse uses on non food crops. Section 18 requests have been 
    approved for post harvest treatment on apricots, nectarines, peaches, 
    and plums. There is no reasonable expectation of residues on corn and 
    sorghum as a result of treatment of corn and sorgham seed, therefore, 
    these uses did not require tolerances and no exposure was assumed to 
    result from these registered uses. Potatoes has a tolerance of 0.02 ppm 
    and apricots, nectarines, peaches, plums have a time limited tolerance 
    of 5 ppm. There are no residential uses for fludioxonil; therefore no 
    chronic residential exposure is expected. Based on a Novigen Dietary 
    Exposure Evaluation Model (DEEM) and using conservative assumptions 
    (100% of crops treated and tolerance level residues) and a chronic RfD 
    of 0.03 mg/kg/day, EPA estimates the chronic exposure to fludioxonil 
    from food will utilize 22% of the chronic RfD for the most highly 
    exposed population subgroup, (non-nursing infants < 1="" year="" old).="" all="" other="" population="" subgroups="" have="" risk="" estimates="" below="" that="" of="" the="" non-="" nursing="" infants.="" 2.="" from="" drinking="" water.="" there="" are="" no="" maximum="" contaminant="" levels="" or="" health="" advisory="" levels="" established="" for="" residues="" of="" fludioxonil="" in="" drinking="" water.="" in="" view="" of="" the="" currently="" registered="" use="" patterns="" and="" the="" proposed="" seed="" treatment="" of="" food="" and="" feed="" crops="" at="" very="" low="" levels="" (1.13="" to="" 2.26="" grams="" of="" active="" ingredient="" (ai)="" per="" 100="" lbs="" seed),="" fludioxonil="" is="" not="" expected="" to="" impact="" ground="" or="" surface="" waters.="" thus="" the="" likelihood="" of="" residues="" of="" fludioxonil="" entering="" in="" drinking="" water="" is="" considered="" negligible.="" 3.="" from="" non-dietary="" exposure.="" fludioxonil="" is="" not="" currently="" registered="" for="" any="" residential="" non-food="" uses.="" therefore,="" oral,="" dermal,="" and="" inhalation="" exposure="" from="" residential="" uses="" is="" not="" expected.="" 4.="" cumulative="" exposure="" to="" substances="" with="" common="" mechanism="" of="" toxicity.="" section="" 408(b)(2)(d)(v)="" 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.''="" fludioxonil="" is="" a="" representative="" of="" a="" new="" class="" of="" plant="" protection="" agents="" derived="" from="" the="" structure="" of="" a="" naturally="" occurring="" plant="" antibiotic="" called="" pyrrolnitrin.="" epa="" does="" not="" have,="" at="" this="" time,="" available="" data="" to="" determine="" whether="" fludioxonil="" has="" a="" common="" mechanism="" of="" toxicity="" with="" other="" substances="" or="" how="" to="" include="" this="" pesticide="" in="" a="" cumulative="" risk="" assessment.="" unlike="" other="" pesticides="" for="" which="" epa="" has="" followed="" a="" cumulative="" risk="" approach="" based="" on="" a="" common="" mechanism="" of="" toxicity,="" fludioxonil="" does="" not="" appear="" to="" produce="" a="" toxic="" metabolite="" produced="" by="" other="" substances.="" for="" the="" purposes="" of="" this="" tolerance="" action,="" therefore,="" epa="" has="" not="" assumed="" that="" fludioxonil="" has="" 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="" the="" final="" rule="" for="" bifenthrin="" pesticide="" tolerances="" (62="" fr="" 62961,="" november="" 26,="" 1997).="" d.="" aggregate="" risks="" and="" determination="" of="" safety="" for="" u.s.="" population="" 1.="" chronic="" risk.="" using="" the="" theoretical="" maximum="" residue="" contribution="" (tmrc)="" exposure="" assumptions="" described="" in="" this="" preamble,="" epa="" has="" concluded="" that="" aggregate="" exposure="" to="" fludioxonil="" from="" food="" will="" utilize="" 22%="" of="" the="" rfd="" for="" the="" most="" highly="" exposed="" population="" subgroup.="" the="" major="" identifiable="" subgroup="" with="" the="" highest="" aggregate="" exposure="" is="" the="" non-nursing="" infants,="">< 1="" year="" old.="" epa="" generally="" has="" no="" concern="" for="" exposures="" below="" 100%="" of="" the="" rfd="" because="" the="" rfd="" represents="" the="" level="" at="" or="" below="" which="" daily="" aggregate="" dietary="" exposure="" over="" a="" lifetime="" will="" not="" pose="" appreciable="" risks="" to="" human="" health.="" 2.="" short-="" and="" intermediate-term="" risk.="" short-="" and="" intermediate-term="" aggregate="" exposure="" takes="" into="" account="" chronic="" dietary="" food="" and="" water="" (considered="" to="" be="" [[page="" 53824]]="" a="" background="" exposure="" level)="" plus="" indoor="" and="" outdoor="" residential="" exposure.="" fludioxonil="" is="" not="" registered="" for="" indoor="" uses.="" based="" on="" registered="" and="" proposed="" uses,="" exposure="" to="" fludioxonil="" from="" drinking="" water="" is="" not="" expected.="" 3.="" aggregate="" cancer="" risk="" for="" u.s.="" population.="" fludioxonil="" has="" been="" classified="" as="" a="" group="" d="" chemical="" not="" classifiable="" as="" to="" human="" carcinogenicity.="" the="" available="" carcinogenicity="" studies="" in="" the="" rat="" and="" mouse="" show="" some="" increase="" in="" the="" combined="" tumors="" only="" in="" the="" female="" rat="" above="" that="" in="" the="" concurrent="" controls.="" however,="" this="" statistical="" increase="" in="" liver="" tumors="" in="" female="" rats="" was="" only="" at="" the="" high="" dose.="" some="" of="" this="" significant="" increase="" was="" due="" to="" the="" lack="" of="" any="" liver="" tumors="" in="" the="" concurrent="" control,="" whereas="" the="" historical="" control="" from="" the="" same="" lab="" indicated="" a="" range="" of="" 1.4="" to="" 15%="" for="" combined="" liver="" tumors.="" therefore,="" based="" on="" available="" information,="" epa="" believes="" that="" this="" pesticide="" does="" not="" pose="" a="" significant="" cancer="" risk.="" 4.="" determination="" of="" safety.="" based="" on="" these="" risk="" assessments,="" epa="" concludes="" that="" there="" is="" a="" reasonable="" certainty="" that="" no="" harm="" will="" result="" from="" aggregate="" exposure="" to="" fludioxonil="" residues.="" e.="" aggregate="" risks="" and="" determination="" of="" safety="" for="" infants="" and="" children="" 1.="" safety="" factor="" for="" infants="" and="" children--="" i.="" in="" general.="" in="" assessing="" the="" potential="" for="" additional="" sensitivity="" of="" infants="" and="" children="" to="" residues="" of="" fludioxonil,="" epa="" considered="" data="" from="" developmental="" toxicity="" studies="" in="" the="" rat="" and="" rabbit="" and="" a="" 2-generation="" reproduction="" study="" in="" the="" rat.="" the="" developmental="" toxicity="" studies="" are="" designed="" to="" evaluate="" adverse="" effects="" on="" the="" developing="" organism="" resulting="" from="" maternal="" pesticide="" exposure="" during="" gestation.="" reproduction="" studies="" provide="" information="" relating="" to="" effects="" from="" exposure="" to="" the="" pesticide="" on="" the="" reproductive="" capability="" of="" mating="" animals="" and="" data="" on="" systemic="" toxicity.="" ffdca="" section="" 408="" provides="" that="" epa="" shall="" apply="" an="" additional="" tenfold="" margin="" of="" safety="" for="" infants="" and="" children="" in="" the="" case="" of="" threshold="" effects="" to="" account="" for="" pre="" and="" post="" natal="" toxicity="" and="" the="" completeness="" of="" the="" database="" unless="" epa="" determines="" that="" a="" different="" margin="" of="" safety="" will="" be="" safe="" for="" infants="" and="" children.="" margins="" of="" safety="" are="" incorporated="" into="" epa="" risk="" assessments="" either="" directly="" through="" use="" of="" a="" margin="" of="" exposure="" (moe)="" analysis="" or="" through="" using="" uncertainty="" (safety)="" factors="" in="" calculating="" a="" dose="" level="" that="" poses="" no="" appreciable="" risk="" to="" humans.="" epa="" believes="" that="" reliable="" data="" support="" using="" the="" standard="" uncertainty="" factor="" (usually="" 100="" for="" combined="" inter="" and="" intra="" species="" variability)="" and="" not="" the="" additional="" tenfold="" moe/="" uncertainty="" factor="" when="" epa="" has="" a="" complete="" data="" base="" under="" existing="" guidelines="" and="" when="" the="" severity="" of="" the="" effect="" in="" infants="" or="" children="" or="" the="" potency="" or="" unusual="" toxic="" properties="" of="" a="" compound="" do="" not="" raise="" concerns="" regarding="" the="" adequacy="" of="" the="" standard="" moe/safety="" factor.="" ii.="" pre-="" and="" post-natal="" sensitivity.="" the="" toxicity="" data="" base="" for="" fludioxonil="" includes="" acceptable="" prenatal="" developmental="" toxicity="" studies="" in="" rats="" and="" rabbits="" and="" an="" acceptable="" 2-generation="" reproduction="" study="" in="" rats.="" the="" data="" did="" not="" suggest="" any="" additional="" sensitivity="" to="" the="" embryo="" or="" neonate="" following="" in="" utero="" or="" early="" postnatal="" exposure="" to="" fludioxonil.="" in="" the="" rat="" developmental="" study,="" the="" maternal="" noael="" and="" the="" developmental="" (fetal="" and="" pup)="" noael="" were="" both="" 100="" mg/kg/day.="" in="" the="" rabbit="" developmental="" study,="" the="" maternal="" noael="" was="" 10="" mg/kg/day.="" no="" developmental="" toxicity="" was="" noted="" at="" any="" dosing="" level.="" the="" developmental="" noael="" was="" set="" equal="" to="" or="" greater="" than="" 300="" mg/kg/day,="" the="" highest="" dose="" tested.="" results="" from="" the="" 2-generation="" reproduction="" study="" for="" rats="" indicated="" a="" developmental/reproduction="" noael="" of="" 22.13="" mg/kg/day="" for="" males="" and="" 24.24="" mg/kg/day="" for="" females.="" the="" developmental/reproductive="" noael="" is="" at="" least="" 600="" fold="" higher="" then="" the="" rfd="" (0.03="" mg/kg/day),="" and="" should="" be="" protective="" for="" infants="" and="" children.="" iii.="" conclusion.="" there="" is="" a="" complete="" toxicity="" data="" base="" for="" fludioxonil="" and="" exposure="" data="" is="" complete="" or="" is="" estimated="" based="" on="" data="" that="" reasonably="" accounts="" for="" potential="" exposures.="" 2.="" chronic="" risk.="" using="" the="" exposure="" assumptions="" described="" in="" unit="" ii.c.="" of="" this="" preaamble,="" epa="" has="" concluded="" that="" aggregate="" exposure="" to="" fludioxonil="" from="" food="" will="" utilize="" 22%="" of="" the="" rfd="" for="" infants="" and="" children.="" epa="" generally="" has="" no="" concern="" for="" exposures="" below="" 100%="" of="" the="" rfd="" because="" the="" rfd="" represents="" the="" level="" at="" or="" below="" which="" daily="" aggregate="" dietary="" exposure="" over="" a="" lifetime="" will="" not="" pose="" appreciable="" risks="" to="" human="" health.="" as="" exposure="" from="" drinking="" water,="" non-dietary,="" or="" non-occupational="" sources="" are="" not="" anticipated,="" epa="" does="" not="" expect="" aggregate="" exposure="" to="" exceed="" 100%="" of="" rfd.="" 3.="" determination="" of="" safety.="" based="" on="" these="" risk="" assessments,="" epa="" concludes="" that="" there="" is="" a="" reasonable="" certainty="" that="" no="" harm="" will="" result="" to="" infants="" and="" children="" from="" aggregate="" exposure="" to="" fludioxonil="" residues.="" iii.="" other="" considerations="" a.="" metabolism="" in="" plants="" and="" animals="" plant="" metabolism="" studies="" in="" potatoes,="" rice,="" and="" wheat="" were="" previously="" submitted.="" additional="" studies="" on="" cotton="" and="" soybeans="" were="" provided="" in="" conjunction="" with="" the="" proposed="" use.="" there="" is="" minimal="" uptake="" of="" the="" active="" ingredient="" when="" applied="" as="" a="" seed="" treatment.="" based="" on="" these="" studies,="" epa="" concludes="" that="" the="" nature="" of="" fludioxonil="" residues="" in="" plants="" are="" adequately="" understood="" and="" the="" residue="" of="" concern="" is="" the="" parent="" compound.="" two="" animal="" metabolism="" studies="" conducted="" in="" ruminant="" and="" poultry="" indicate="" that="" there="" is="" no="" reasonable="" expectation="" of="" finite="" residues="" of="" fludioxonil="" in="" ruminant="" tissues,="" milk,="" poultry="" tissues,="" and="" eggs.="" b.="" analytical="" enforcement="" methodology="" the="" ciba-geigy="" analytical="" method="" ag-597b="" has="" been="" adequately="" validated="" for="" use="" in="" enforcing="" the="" proposed="" tolerances.="" the="" method="" may="" be="" requested="" from:="" calvin="" furlow,="" prrib,="" irsd="" (7502c),="" office="" of="" pesticide="" programs,="" environmental="" protection="" agency,="" 401="" m="" st.,="" sw.,="" washington,="" dc="" 20460.="" office="" location="" and="" telephone="" number:="" rm="" 101ff,="" crystal="" mall="" #2,="" 1921="" jefferson="" davis="" hwy.,="" arlington,="" va="" 22202,="" (703-="" 305-5229).="" c.="" magnitude="" of="" residues="" the="" submitted="" field="" trial="" data="" on="" cucumber,="" leaf="" lettuce,="" radish,="" succulent="" peas,="" and="" wheat="" indicate="" that="" residue="" levels="" were="" less="" than="" the="" limit="" of="" quantitation="" (loq)="" in="" each="" crop.="" the="" submitted="" residue="" data="" support="" the="" following="" proposed="" tolerance="" levels="" of="" fludioxonil.="" the="" rac="" and="" the="" respective="" tolerance="" ppm="" are:="" rape="" seed="" (0.01="" ppm),="" rape="" forage="" (0.01="" ppm),="" sunflower="" seed="" (0.01="" ppm),="" peanuts,="" meat="" (hulls="" removed)="" (0.01="" ppm),="" peanut="" hay="" (0.01="" ppm),="" leafy="" vegetables="" except="" brassica="" (0.01="" ppm),="" brassica="" (cole)="" leafy="" vegetables="" (0.01="" ppm),="" legume="" vegetables="" (0.01="" ppm),="" foliage="" of="" legume="" vegetables="" (0.01="" ppm),="" fruiting="" vegetables="" except="" cucurbits="" (0.01="" ppm),="" cucurbit="" vegetables="" (0.01="" ppm),="" forage,="" fodder,="" and="" straw="" of="" cereal="" grains="" (0.01="" ppm),="" grass,="" forage,="" fodder,="" and="" hay="" (0.01="" ppm),="" non-grass="" animal="" feeds="" (0.01="" ppm),="" root="" and="" tuber="" vegetables="" (0.02="" ppm),="" leaves="" and="" roots="" of="" tuber="" vegetables="" (0.02="" ppm),="" bulb="" vegetables,="" (0.02="" ppm),="" cereal="" grains="" (0.02="" ppm),="" herbs="" and="" spices="" (0.02="" ppm),="" cotton,="" undelinted="" seed="" (0.05="" ppm),="" and="" cotton="" gin="" byproducts="" (0.05="" ppm).="" d.="" international="" residue="" limits="" there="" are="" currently="" no="" established="" or="" proposed="" maximum="" residue="" limits="" [[page="" 53825]]="" (mrls)="" in="" canada,="" codex,="" or="" mexico="" for="" fludioxonil="" residues="" in/on="" crops="" and="" crop="" groups="" included="" in="" this="" submission.="" therefore,="" problems="" with="" compatibility="" of="" tolerances/mrls="" do="" not="" exist.="" iv.="" conclusion="" therefore,="" tolerances="" are="" established="" for="" residues="" of="" fludioxonil="" in="" the="" following="" racs="" at="" (ppm):="" rape="" seed="" (0.01="" ppm),="" rape="" forage="" (0.01="" ppm),="" sunflower="" seed="" (0.01="" ppm),="" peanuts,="" meat="" (hulls="" removed)="" (0.01="" ppm),="" peanut="" hay="" (0.01="" ppm),="" leafy="" vegetables="" except="" brassica="" (0.01="" ppm),="" brassica="" (cole)="" leafy="" vegetables="" (0.01="" ppm),="" legume="" vegetables="" (0.01="" ppm),="" foliage="" of="" legume="" vegetables="" (0.01="" ppm),="" fruiting="" vegetables="" except="" cucurbits="" (0.01="" ppm),="" cucurbit="" vegetables="" (0.01="" ppm),="" forage,="" fodder,="" and="" straw="" of="" cereal="" grains="" (0.01="" ppm),="" grass,="" forage,="" fodder,="" and="" hay="" (0.01="" ppm),="" non-grass="" animal="" feeds="" (0.01="" ppm),="" root="" and="" tuber="" vegetables="" (0.02="" ppm),="" leaves="" and="" roots="" of="" tuber="" vegetables="" (0.02="" ppm),="" bulb="" vegetables,="" (0.02="" ppm),="" cereal="" grains="" (0.02="" ppm),="" herbs="" and="" spices="" (0.02="" ppm),="" cotton,="" undelinted="" seed="" (0.05="" ppm),="" and="" cotton="" gin="" byproducts="" (0.05="" ppm)].="" v.="" objections="" and="" hearing="" requests="" the="" new="" ffdca="" section="" 408(g)="" provides="" essentially="" the="" same="" process="" for="" persons="" to="" ``object''="" to="" a="" tolerance="" regulation="" issued="" by="" epa="" under="" new="" section="" 408(e)="" and="" (l)(6)="" as="" was="" provided="" in="" the="" old="" section="" 408="" and="" in="" section="" 409.="" however,="" the="" period="" for="" filing="" objections="" is="" 60="" days,="" rather="" than="" 30="" days.="" epa="" currently="" has="" procedural="" regulations="" which="" govern="" the="" submission="" of="" objections="" and="" hearing="" requests.="" these="" regulations="" will="" require="" some="" modification="" to="" reflect="" the="" new="" law.="" however,="" until="" those="" modifications="" can="" be="" made,="" epa="" will="" continue="" to="" use="" those="" procedural="" regulations="" with="" appropriate="" adjustments="" to="" reflect="" the="" new="" law.="" any="" person="" may,="" by="" december="" 7,="" 1998,="" file="" written="" objections="" to="" any="" aspect="" of="" this="" regulation="" and="" may="" also="" request="" a="" hearing="" on="" those="" objections.="" objections="" and="" hearing="" requests="" must="" be="" filed="" with="" the="" hearing="" clerk,="" at="" the="" address="" given="" above="" (40="" cfr="" 178.20).="" a="" copy="" of="" the="" objections="" and/or="" hearing="" requests="" filed="" with="" the="" hearing="" clerk="" should="" be="" submitted="" to="" the="" opp="" docket="" for="" this="" rulemaking.="" the="" objections="" submitted="" must="" specify="" the="" provisions="" of="" the="" regulation="" deemed="" objectionable="" and="" the="" grounds="" for="" the="" objections="" (40="" cfr="" 178.25).="" each="" objection="" must="" be="" accompanied="" by="" the="" fee="" prescribed="" by="" 40="" cfr="" 180.33(i).="" if="" a="" hearing="" is="" requested,="" the="" objections="" must="" include="" a="" statement="" of="" the="" factual="" issues="" on="" which="" a="" hearing="" is="" requested,="" the="" requestor's="" contentions="" on="" such="" issues,="" and="" a="" summary="" of="" any="" evidence="" relied="" upon="" by="" the="" requestor="" (40="" cfr="" 178.27).="" a="" request="" for="" a="" hearing="" will="" be="" granted="" if="" the="" administrator="" determines="" that="" the="" material="" submitted="" shows="" the="" following:="" there="" is="" genuine="" and="" substantial="" issue="" of="" fact;="" there="" is="" a="" reasonable="" possibility="" that="" available="" evidence="" identified="" by="" the="" requestor="" would,="" if="" established,="" resolve="" one="" or="" more="" of="" such="" issues="" in="" favor="" of="" the="" requestor,="" taking="" into="" account="" uncontested="" claims="" or="" facts="" to="" the="" contrary;="" and="" resolution="" of="" the="" factual="" issues="" in="" the="" manner="" sought="" by="" the="" requestor="" would="" be="" adequate="" to="" justify="" the="" action="" requested="" (40="" cfr="" 178.32).="" information="" submitted="" in="" connection="" with="" an="" objection="" or="" hearing="" request="" may="" be="" claimed="" confidential="" by="" marking="" any="" part="" or="" all="" of="" that="" information="" as="" confidential="" business="" information="" (cbi).="" information="" so="" marked="" will="" not="" be="" disclosed="" except="" in="" accordance="" with="" procedures="" set="" forth="" in="" 40="" cfr="" part="" 2.="" a="" copy="" of="" the="" information="" that="" does="" not="" contain="" cbi="" must="" be="" submitted="" for="" inclusion="" in="" the="" public="" record.="" information="" not="" marked="" confidential="" may="" be="" disclosed="" publicly="" by="" epa="" without="" prior="" notice.="" vi.="" public="" record="" and="" electronic="" submissions="" epa="" has="" established="" a="" record="" for="" this="" rulemaking="" under="" docket="" control="" number="" [opp-300738]="" (including="" any="" comments="" and="" data="" submitted="" electronically).="" a="" public="" version="" of="" this="" record,="" including="" printed,="" paper="" versions="" of="" electronic="" comments,="" which="" does="" not="" include="" any="" information="" claimed="" as="" cbi,="" is="" available="" for="" inspection="" from="" 8:30="" a.m.="" to="" 4="" p.m.,="" monday="" through="" friday,="" excluding="" legal="" holidays.="" the="" public="" record="" is="" located="" in="" room="" 119="" of="" the="" public="" information="" and="" records="" integrity="" branch,="" information="" resources="" and="" services="" division="" (7502c),="" office="" of="" pesticide="" programs,="" environmental="" protection="" agency,="" crystal="" mall="" #2,="" 1921="" jefferson="" davis="" hwy.,="" arlington,="" va.="" electronic="" comments="" may="" be="" sent="" directly="" to="" epa="" at:="">opp-docket@epamail.epa.gov.
    
        Electronic comments must be submitted as an ASCII file avoiding the 
    use of special characters and any form of encryption.
        The official record for this rulemaking, as well as the public 
    version, as described above will be kept in paper form. Accordingly, 
    EPA will transfer any copies of objections and hearing requests 
    received electronically into printed, paper form as they are received 
    and will place the paper copies in the official rulemaking record which 
    will also include all comments submitted directly in writing. The 
    official rulemaking record is the paper record maintained at the 
    Virginia address in ``ADDRESSES'' at the beginning of this document.
    
    VII. Regulatory Assessment Requirements
    
    A. Certain Acts and Executive Orders
    
        This final rule 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). This final rule does not contain 
    any information collections subject to OMB approval under the Paperwork 
    Reduction Act (PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., or impose any enforceable 
    duty or contain any unfunded mandate as described under Title II of the 
    Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) (Pub. L. 104-4). Nor does 
    it require any prior consultation as specified by Executive Order 
    12875, entitled Enhancing the Intergovernmental Partnership (58 FR 
    58093, October 28, 1993), or special considerations as required by 
    Executive Order 12898, entitled Federal Actions to Address 
    Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income 
    Populations (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994), or require OMB review in 
    accordance with Executive Order 13045, entitled Protection of Children 
    from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks (62 FR 19885, April 
    23, 1997).
        In addition, since tolerances and exemptions that are established 
    on the basis of a petition under FFDCA section 408(d), such as the 
    tolerance in this final rule, do not require the issuance of a proposed 
    rule, the requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 
    U.S.C. 601 et seq.) do not apply. Nevertheless, the Agency has 
    previously assessed whether establishing tolerances, exemptions from 
    tolerances, raising tolerance levels or expanding exemptions might 
    adversely impact small entities and concluded, as a generic matter, 
    that there is no adverse economic impact. The factual basis for the 
    Agency's generic certification for tolerance actions published on May 
    4, 1981 (46 FR 24950) and was provided to the Chief Counsel for 
    Advocacy of the Small Business Administration.
    
    [[Page 53826]]
    
    B. Executive Order 12875
    
        Under Executive Order 12875, entitled Enhancing the 
    Intergovernmental Partnership (58 FR 58093, October 28, 1993), EPA may 
    not issue a regulation that is not required by statute and that creates 
    a mandate upon a State, local, or tribal government, unless the Federal 
    government provides the funds necessary to pay the direct compliance 
    costs incurred by those governments. If the mandate is unfunded, EPA 
    must provide to OMB a description of the extent of EPA's prior 
    consultation with representatives of affected State, local, and tribal 
    governments, the nature of their concerns, copies of any written 
    communications from the governments, and a statement supporting the 
    need to issue the regulation. In addition, Executive Order 12875 
    requires EPA to develop an effective process permitting elected 
    officials and other representatives of State, local, and tribal 
    governments ``to provide meaningful and timely input in the development 
    of regulatory proposals containing significant unfunded mandates.''
        Today's rule does not create an unfunded Federal mandate on State, 
    local, or tribal governments. The rule does not impose any enforceable 
    duties on these entities. Accordingly, the requirements of section 1(a) 
    of Executive Order 12875 do not apply to this rule.
    
    C. Executive Order 13084
    
        Under Executive Order 13084, entitled Consultation and Coordination 
    with Indian Tribal Governments (63 FR 27655, May 19,1998), EPA may not 
    issue a regulation that is not required by statute, that significantly 
    or uniquely affects the communities of Indian tribal governments, and 
    that imposes substantial direct compliance costs on those communities, 
    unless the Federal government provides the funds necessary to pay the 
    direct compliance costs incurred by the tribal governments. If the 
    mandate is unfunded, EPA must provide to OMB, in a separately 
    identified section of the preamble to the rule, a description of the 
    extent of EPA's prior consultation with representatives of affected 
    tribal governments, a summary of the nature of their concerns, and a 
    statement supporting the need to issue the regulation. In addition, 
    Executive Order 13084 requires EPA to develop an effective process 
    permitting elected officials and other representatives of Indian tribal 
    governments ``to provide meaningful and timely input in the development 
    of regulatory policies on matters that significantly or uniquely affect 
    their communities.''
        Today's rule does not significantly or uniquely affect the 
    communities of Indian tribal governments. This action does not involve 
    or impose any requirements that affect Indian tribes. Accordingly, the 
    requirements of section 3(b) of Executive Order 13084 do not apply to 
    this rule.
    
    VIII. Submission to Congress and the Comptroller General
    
        The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the 
    Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally 
    provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating 
    the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule, 
    to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the 
    United States. 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 rule 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: September 29, 1998.
    
    James Jones,
    
    Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.
        Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is amended as follows:
    
    PART 180--[AMENDED]
    
        1. The authority citation for part 180 continues to read as 
    follows:
        Authority: 21 U.S.C. 346a and 371.
    
        2. In Sec. 180.516 by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 180.516  Fludioxonil; tolerances for residues.
    
        (a) General. Tolerances are established for residues of the 
    fungicide fludioxonil (4-(2,2-difluoro-1,3-benzodioxol-4-yl)-1H-
    pyrrole-3-carbonitrile) in or on the following commodities:
    
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      Parts
                               Commodity                               per
                                                                     million
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Bassica (cole) leafy vegetables................................    0.01
    Bulb vegetables................................................    0.02
    Cereal grains..................................................    0.02
    Cotton gin byproducts..........................................    0.05
    Cotton, undelinted seed........................................    0.05
    Cucurbit vegetables............................................    0.01
    Foliage of legume vegetables...................................    0.01
    Forage, fodder, and straw of cereal grains.....................    0.01
    Fruiting vegetables except cucurbits...........................    0.01
    Grass, forage, fodder, and hay.................................    0.01
    Herbs and spices...............................................    0.02
    Leafy vegetables except Brassica...............................    0.01
    Leaves and roots of tuber vegetables...........................    0.02
    Legume vegetables..............................................    0.01
    Non-grass animal feeds.........................................    0.01
    Peanut hay.....................................................    0.01
    Peanuts, meat (hulls removed)..................................    0.01
    Rape forage....................................................    0.01
    Rape seed......................................................    0.01
    Root and tuber vegetables......................................    0.02
    Sunflower seed.................................................    0.01
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    *      *      *      *      *
    
    [FR Doc. 98-26902 Filed 10-6-98; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 6560-50-F
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
10/7/1998
Published:
10/07/1998
Department:
Environmental Protection Agency
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
98-26902
Dates:
This regulation is effective October 7, 1998. Objections and requests for hearings must be received by EPA on or before December 7, 1998.
Pages:
53820-53826 (7 pages)
Docket Numbers:
OPP-300738, FRL-6036-8
RINs:
2070-AB78
PDF File:
98-26902.pdf
CFR: (1)
40 CFR 180.516