99-12935. Tebuconazole; Pesticide Tolerance for Emergency Exemption  

  • [Federal Register Volume 64, Number 101 (Wednesday, May 26, 1999)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 28377-28384]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 99-12935]
    
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
    
    40 CFR Part 180
    
    [OPP-300855; FRL-6079-1]
    RIN 2070-AB78
    
    
    Tebuconazole; Pesticide Tolerance for Emergency Exemption
    
    AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    SUMMARY: This regulation establishes a time-limited tolerance for 
    residues of tebuconazole in or on garlic. This action is in response to 
    EPA's granting of an emergency exemption under section 18 of the 
    Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act authorizing use of 
    the pesticide on garlic. This regulation establishes a maximum 
    permissible level for residues of tebuconazole in this food commodity 
    pursuant to section 408(l)(6) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic 
    Act, as amended by the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996. The 
    tolerance will expire and is revoked on June 30, 2000.
    
    DATES: This regulation is effective May 26, 1999. Objections and 
    requests for hearings must be received by EPA on or before July 26, 
    1999.
    ADDRESSES: Written objections and hearing requests, identified by the 
    docket control number [OPP-300855], 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-300855], 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@epa.gov. Copies of electronic 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 
    or ASCII file format. All copies of electronic objections and hearing 
    requests must be identified by the docket control number [OPP-300855]. 
    No Confidential Business Information (CBI) should be submitted through 
    e-mail. Copies of electronic objections and hearing requests on this 
    rule may be filed online at many Federal Depository Libraries.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: By mail: Stephen Schaible, 
    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: Rm. 271, Crystal 
    Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA, 703-308-9362; e-
    mail: schaible.stephen@epa.gov.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA, on its own initiative, pursuant to 
    sections 408 and (l)(6) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act 
    (FFDCA), 21 U.S.C. 346a and (l)(6), is establishing a tolerance for 
    residues of the fungicide tebuconazole, in or on garlic at 0.1 part per 
    million (ppm). This tolerance will expire and is revoked on June 30, 
    2000. EPA will publish a document in the Federal Register to remove the 
    revoked tolerance from the Code of Federal Regulations.
    
    I. Background and Statutory Findings
    
        The Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 (FQPA) (Pub. L. 104-170) 
    was signed into law August 3, 1996. FQPA amends both the Federal Food, 
    Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), 21 U.S.C. 301 et seq., and the Federal 
    Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), 7 U.S.C. 136 et 
    seq. The FQPA amendments went into effect immediately. Among other 
    things, FQPA amends FFDCA to bring all EPA pesticide tolerance-setting 
    activities under a new section 408 with a new safety standard and new 
    procedures. These activities are described in this preamble and 
    discussed in greater detail in the final rule establishing the time-
    limited tolerance associated with the emergency exemption for use of 
    propiconazole on sorghum (61 FR 58135, November 13, 1996) (FRL-5572-9).
        New 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 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. . . .''
    
    [[Page 28378]]
    
        Section 18 of FIFRA authorizes EPA to exempt any Federal or State 
    agency from any provision of FIFRA, if EPA determines that ``emergency 
    conditions exist which require such exemption.'' This provision was not 
    amended by FQPA. EPA has established regulations governing such 
    emergency exemptions in 40 CFR part 166.
        Section 408(l)(6) of the FFDCA requires EPA to establish a time-
    limited tolerance or exemption from the requirement for a tolerance for 
    pesticide chemical residues in food that will result from the use of a 
    pesticide under an emergency exemption granted by EPA under section 18 
    of FIFRA. Such tolerances can be established without providing notice 
    or period for public comment.
        Because decisions on section 18-related tolerances must proceed 
    before EPA reaches closure on several policy issues relating to 
    interpretation and implementation of the FQPA, EPA does not intend for 
    its actions on such tolerances to set binding precedents for the 
    application of section 408 and the new safety standard to other 
    tolerances and exemptions.
    
    II. Emergency Exemption for Tebuconazole on Garlic and FFDCA 
    Tolerances
    
        While garlic rust is usually a disease of minor concern in 
    California, it appeared as a serious pest problem in several garlic 
    growing areas of the state in the 1997-98 growing season. The mild 
    winter that year allowed the pathogen to survive the winter and cause 
    infection early in the season. No fungicide is specifically registered 
    for control of rust on garlic. The fungicides registered for use on 
    garlic are not effective at controlling the disease under high pest 
    pressure. Data presented by the state indicate that tebuconazole is 
    highly effective at controlling the disease. EPA has authorized under 
    FIFRA section 18 the use of tebuconazole on garlic for control of 
    garlic rust in California. After having reviewed the submission, EPA 
    concurs that emergency conditions exist for this state.
        As part of its assessment of this emergency exemption, EPA assessed 
    the potential risks presented by residues of tebuconazole in or on 
    garlic. In doing so, EPA considered the safety standard in FFDCA 
    section 408(b)(2), and EPA decided that the necessary tolerance under 
    FFDCA section 408(l)(6) would be consistent with the safety standard 
    and with FIFRA section 18. Consistent with the need to move quickly on 
    the emergency exemption in order to address an urgent non-routine 
    situation and to ensure that the resulting food is safe and lawful, EPA 
    is issuing this tolerance without notice and opportunity for public 
    comment under section 408(e), as provided in section 408(l)(6). 
    Although this tolerance will expire and is revoked on June 30, 2000, 
    under FFDCA section 408(l)(5), residues of the pesticide not in excess 
    of the amounts specified in the tolerance remaining in or on garlic 
    after that date will not be unlawful, provided the pesticide is applied 
    in a manner that was lawful under FIFRA, and the residues do not exceed 
    a level that was authorized by this tolerance at the time of that 
    application. EPA will take action to revoke this tolerance earlier if 
    any experience with, scientific data on, or other relevant information 
    on this pesticide indicate that the residues are not safe.
        Because this tolerance is being approved under emergency conditions 
    EPA has not made any decisions about whether tebuconazole meets EPA's 
    registration requirements for use on garlic or whether a permanent 
    tolerance for this use would be appropriate. Under these circumstances, 
    EPA does not believe that this tolerance serves as a basis for 
    registration of tebuconazole by a State for special local needs under 
    FIFRA section 24(c). Nor does this tolerance serve as the basis for any 
    State other than California to use this pesticide on this crop under 
    section 18 of FIFRA without following all provisions of EPA's 
    regulations implementing section 18 as identified in 40 CFR part 166. 
    For additional information regarding the emergency exemption for 
    tebuconazole, contact the Agency's Registration Division at the address 
    provided under the ``ADDRESSES'' section.
    
    III. Aggregate Risk Assessment and Determination of Safety
    
        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) .
        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 
    tebuconazole and to make a determination on aggregate exposure, 
    consistent with section 408(b)(2), for a time-limited tolerance for 
    residues of tebuconazole on garlic at 0.1 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 tebuconazole are 
    discussed in this unit.
    
    B. Toxicological Endpoint
    
        1. Acute toxicity. The acute reference dose (RfD) of 0.1 
    milligrams/kilogram/day (mg/kg/day) for tebuconazole was established 
    based on a developmental toxicity study in mice with a no observed 
    adverse effect level (NOAEL) of 10 mg/kg/day for developmental 
    toxicity. At the lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) of 30 mg/
    kg/day, an increased incidence of runts (fetuses weighing less than 1.3 
    gram) were observed. An uncertainty factor of 100 was applied to the 
    NOAEL to calculate the acute RfD of 0.1 mg/kg/day. EPA has determined 
    that the 10x factor to account for enhanced susceptibility of infants 
    and children (as required by FQPA) should be retained. This 
    determination is based on the results of the developmental toxicity 
    study in mice used to establish the acute RfD, other developmental 
    toxicity studies in mice, rats and rabbits and the structural 
    relationship of tebuconazole to several other triazole pesticides which 
    also have been shown to induce developmental toxicity in rats and/or 
    rabbits. For acute dietary exposure, EPA determined that the 10x safety 
    factor is applicable to the subpopulations females (13+ years), as well 
    as infants and children because the effects seen were developmental and 
    are presumed to occur following ``acute'' exposures. For subpopulations 
    other than females (13+ years), infants and children, a toxicological 
    endpoint was not identified. Application of the 10x safety factor for 
    enhanced susceptibility of infants and children to the acute RfD of 0.1 
    mg/kg/day results in an acceptable acute dietary exposure (food plus 
    water) of 10% or less of the acute RfD.
        2. Short-and intermediate-term toxicity. Toxicological endpoints 
    for short- or intermediate-term dermal toxicity were not identified. 
    Adverse systemic effects were not observed in dermal developmental 
    toxicity studies in mice or rats at the limit dose of 1,000
    
    [[Page 28379]]
    
    mg/kg/day or in a 21-day dermal toxicity study in rabbits at the limit 
    dose of 1,000 mg/kg/day. Therefore, risk assessments for short- or 
    intermediate-term dermal exposure were not conducted.
        A NOAEL of 0.0106 mg/liter/day (equivalent to 2.9 mg/kg/day) was 
    identified as the toxicological endpoint for short- and intermediate-
    term (and chronic) inhalation toxicity based on a 21-day inhalation 
    toxicity study in rats. At the LOAEL of 0.1558 mg/liter/day, 
    piloerection and increased liver O-demethylase and N-demethylase 
    activity were observed in both males and females. EPA determined that 
    the 10x safety factor to account for enhanced susceptibility of infants 
    and children (as required by FQPA) is not applicable for inhalation 
    toxicity for the currently registered residential exposures to 
    tebuconazole. A Margin of Exposure (MOE) of 100 or more for short- or 
    intermediate-term non-dietary risk is acceptable for all 
    subpopulations.
        3. Chronic toxicity. EPA has established the RfD for tebuconazole 
    at 0.03 (mg/kg/day). This RfD is based on a 1-year chronic feeding 
    study in dogs in which the NOAEL was 100 ppm (2.96 mg/kg/day in males 
    and 2.94 mg/kg/day in females) and the LOAEL was 150 ppm (4.39 mg/kg/
    day in males and 4.45 mg/kg/day in females), based on histopathological 
    changes in the adrenal gland (hypertrophy of the zona fasciculata and 
    fatty changes in the zona glomerulosa in both sexes and lipid 
    hyperplasia in the cortex in males). An uncertainty factor of 100 was 
    used to account for inter-species extrapolation and intra-species 
    variability. EPA determined that the 10x factor for enhanced 
    susceptibility of infants and children (as required by FQPA) is not 
    applicable for chronic dietary exposure. The developmental effects 
    which contributed to the decision to retain the 10x factor for acute 
    dietary exposure are considered to be acute effects; maternal effects 
    in those same studies were minimal. Additionally, the NOAEL on which 
    the RfD is based is the lowest NOAEL in the toxicology data base for 
    this chemical. A chronic dietary exposure (food plus water) of 100% or 
    less of the chronic RfD is acceptable for all subpopulations.
        4. Carcinogenicity. Tebuconazole is classified as a Group C 
    (possible human) carcinogen. This decision was primarily based on 
    results in a 91-week carcinogenicity study in mice in which the 
    following effects were observed:
        1. A statistically significant increase in the incidence of 
    hepatocellular adenomas, carcinomas and combined adenomas/carcinomas in 
    male mice at the highest dose tested (279 mg/kg/day).
        2. A statistically significant increase in the incidence of 
    hepatocellular carcinomas and combined adenomas/carcinomas in female 
    mice at the highest dose tested (366 mg/kg/day). In addition, 
    tebuconazole is structurally related to several other triazole 
    pesticides that produce similar liver tumors in mice. For the purpose 
    of carcinogenic risk assessment, the RfD methodology is used to 
    estimate human risk.
    
    C. Exposures and Risks
    
        1. From food and feed uses. Tolerances have been established (40 
    CFR 180.474) for the residues of tebuconazole, in or on a variety of 
    raw agricultural commodities. Tolerances have been established for milk 
    and meat byproducts in connection with use of tebuconazole under a 
    previous section 18. Risk assessments were conducted by EPA to assess 
    dietary exposures and risks from tebuconazole 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. An acute dietary endpoint of concern was 
    identified for subpopulations females (13+ years), as well as infants 
    and children.
        An acute dietary (food only) probablistic risk analysis submitted 
    in conjunction with another action was used to estimate acute dietary 
    risk. The following assumptions were utilized in the Monte Carlo 
    analysis:
        1. Percent crop treated (PCT) data were used for all commodities.
        2. Maximum residue levels from crop field trials for single serving 
    commodities such as bananas and peaches were utilized.
        3. Average residue levels from crop field trials were used for 
    blended commodities such as fruit juices, grains and oils.
        4. Anticipated residue levels for ruminant commodities were 
    calculated using a livestock diet constructed using anticipated residue 
    levels for livestock feed items. This analysis is considered to be 
    highly refined. This analysis was run with 2,000 iterations. The 
    results of the Monte Carlo analysis indicate that the percent of acute 
    RfD for all children and infants subgroups as well as females 13+ years 
    old are all below 10% of the RfD nursing infants (<1 year),="" 7%;="" non-="" nursing="" infants=""><1 year),="" 7%;="" children="" (1="" to="" 6="" years)="" 9%,="" children="" (7="" to="" 12="" years)="" 3%;="" all="" infants=""><1 year),="" 7%;="" females="" (13="" years="" plus),="" 3%.="" section="" 408(b)(2)(e)="" authorizes="" epa="" to="" use="" available="" data="" and="" information="" on="" the="" anticipated="" residue="" levels="" of="" pesticide="" residues="" in="" food="" and="" the="" actual="" levels="" of="" pesticide="" chemicals="" that="" have="" been="" measured="" in="" food.="" if="" epa="" relies="" on="" such="" information,="" epa="" must="" require="" that="" data="" be="" provided="" 5="" years="" after="" the="" tolerance="" is="" established,="" modified,="" or="" left="" in="" effect,="" demonstrating="" that="" the="" levels="" in="" food="" are="" not="" above="" the="" levels="" anticipated.="" following="" the="" initial="" data="" submission,="" epa="" is="" authorized="" to="" require="" similar="" data="" on="" a="" time="" frame="" it="" deems="" appropriate.="" as="" required="" by="" section="" 408(b)(2)(e),="" epa="" will="" issue="" a="" data="" call-in="" for="" information="" relating="" to="" anticipated="" residues="" to="" be="" submitted="" no="" later="" than="" 5="" years="" from="" the="" date="" of="" issuance="" of="" this="" tolerance.="" section="" 408(b)(2)(f)="" states="" that="" the="" agency="" may="" use="" data="" on="" the="" actual="" percent="" of="" food="" treated="" for="" assessing="" chronic="" dietary="" risk="" only="" if="" the="" agency="" can="" make="" the="" following="" findings:="" that="" the="" data="" used="" are="" reliable="" and="" provide="" a="" valid="" basis="" to="" show="" what="" percentage="" of="" the="" food="" derived="" from="" such="" crop="" is="" likely="" to="" contain="" such="" pesticide="" residue;="" that="" the="" exposure="" estimate="" does="" not="" underestimate="" exposure="" for="" any="" significant="" subpopulation="" group;="" and="" if="" data="" are="" available="" on="" pesticide="" use="" and="" food="" consumption="" in="" a="" particular="" area,="" the="" exposure="" estimate="" does="" not="" understate="" exposure="" for="" the="" population="" in="" such="" area.="" in="" addition,="" the="" agency="" must="" provide="" for="" periodic="" evaluation="" of="" any="" estimates="" used.="" to="" provide="" for="" the="" periodic="" evaluation="" of="" the="" estimate="" of="" pct="" as="" required="" by="" section="" 408(b)(2)(f),="" epa="" may="" require="" registrants="" to="" submit="" data="" on="" pct.="" the="" agency="" used="" pct="" information="" as="" follows:="" pct="" refinements="" were="" assumed="" for="" all="" commodities="" evaluated="" in="" the="" probablistic="" risk="" assessment.="" for="" published="" uses,="" pct="" data="" were="" based="" on="" information="" obtained="" from="" the="" registrant="" and="" were="" derived="" from="" doane="" marketing="" research="" and="" usda="" national="" agricultural="" statistics="" service="" (nass).="" for="" those="" commodities="" being="" requested="" under="" section="" 18,="" total="" u.s.="" acreage="" treated="" under="" section="" 18="" was="" aggregated="" for="" each="" crop="" and="" compared="" to="" total="" acreage="" grown="" in="" the="" u.s.="" to="" derive="" a="" national="" pct="" estimate.="" the="" agency="" believes="" that="" the="" three="" conditions,="" discussed="" in="" section="" 408="" (b)(2)(f)="" concerning="" the="" agency's="" responsibilities="" in="" assessing="" acute="" dietary="" risk="" findings,="" have="" been="" met.="" the="" pct="" estimates="" are="" derived="" from="" federal="" and="" private="" market="" survey="" data,="" which="" are="" reliable="" and="" have="" a="" valid="" basis.="" typically,="" a="" range="" of="" estimates="" are="" supplied="" and="" the="" upper="" end="" of="" this="" [[page="" 28380]]="" range="" is="" assumed="" for="" the="" exposure="" assessment.="" by="" using="" this="" upper="" end="" estimate="" of="" the="" pct,="" the="" agency="" is="" reasonably="" certain="" that="" the="" percentage="" of="" the="" food="" treated="" is="" not="" likely="" to="" be="" underestimated.="" the="" regional="" consumption="" information="" and="" consumption="" information="" for="" significant="" subpopulations="" is="" taken="" into="" account="" through="" epa's="" computer-based="" model="" for="" evaluating="" the="" exposure="" of="" significant="" subpopulations="" including="" several="" regional="" groups.="" use="" of="" this="" consumption="" information="" in="" epa's="" risk="" assessment="" process="" ensures="" that="" epa's="" exposure="" estimate="" does="" not="" understate="" exposure="" for="" any="" significant="" subpopulation="" group="" and="" allows="" the="" agency="" to="" be="" reasonably="" certain="" that="" no="" regional="" population="" is="" exposed="" to="" residue="" levels="" higher="" than="" those="" estimated="" by="" the="" agency.="" other="" than="" the="" data="" available="" through="" national="" food="" consumption="" surveys,="" epa="" does="" not="" have="" available="" information="" on="" the="" regional="" consumption="" of="" food="" to="" which="" tebuconazole="" may="" be="" applied="" in="" a="" particular="" area.="" ii.="" chronic="" exposure="" and="" risk.="" the="" agency="" conducted="" a="" chronic="" dietary="" exposure="" analysis="" and="" risk="" assessment.="" the="" analysis="" evaluated="" individual="" food="" consumption="" as="" reported="" by="" respondents="" in="" the="" usda="" 1977-78="" nationwide="" food="" consumption="" survey="" (nfcs)="" and="" accumulates="" exposure="" to="" the="" chemical="" for="" each="" commodity.="" in="" conducting="" the="" chronic="" dietary="" risk="" assessment,="" the="" agency="" made="" the="" very="" conservative="" assumption="" that="" 100%="" of="" every="" commodity="" evaluated="" will="" contain="" residues="" and="" those="" residues="" will="" be="" at="" tolerance="" level;="" this="" assumption="" results="" in="" an="" overestimation="" of="" human="" dietary="" exposure.="" thus,="" in="" making="" a="" safety="" determination="" for="" this="" time-limited="" tolerance,="" the="" agency="" is="" taking="" into="" account="" this="" conservative="" exposure="" assessment.="" the="" existing="" tebuconazole="" tolerances="" published,="" pending,="" and="" including="" the="" necessary="" section="" 18="" tolerance(s)="" result="" in="" a="" theoretical="" maximum="" residue="" contribution="" (tmrc)="" that="" is="" equivalent="" to="" percentages="" of="" the="" rfd="" below="" 100%="" for="" all="" subgroups="" i.e.,="" u.s.="" population,="" 11%="" and="" non-nursing="" infants=""><1 year="" old),="" the="" most="" highly="" exposed="" subgroup,="" 37%.="" 2.="" from="" drinking="" water.="" based="" on="" present="" data="" available="" to="" the="" agency,="" tebuconazole="" is="" persistent="" and="" relatively="" immobile.="" there="" are="" no="" established="" maximum="" contaminant="" level="" or="" health="" advisory="" levels="" for="" residues="" of="" tebuconazole="" in="" drinking="" water.="" monitoring="" data="" for="" residues="" of="" tebuconazole="" in="" surface="" and="" ground="" water="" are="" not="" available.="" tebuconazole="" is="" not="" included="" in="" the="" pesticides="" in="" ground="" water="" database="" (us="" epa,="" 1992),="" and="" it="" was="" not="" an="" analyte="" in="" the="" national="" pesticide="" survey="" (us="" epa,="" 1990).="" epa="" estimated="" exposure="" for="" tebuconazole="" for="" both="" surface="" and="" ground="" water="" based="" on="" available="" modeling.="" environmental="" concentrations="" for="" surface="" water="" were="" estimated="" using="" modeling="" from="" generic="" estimated="" environmental="" concentration="" (geneec).="" for="" surface="" water,="" the="" maximum="" concentrations="" were="" used="" for="" acute="" risk="" calculations,="" the="" annual="" means="" (1-10="" years)="" for="" chronic="" risk="" calculations.="" current="" agency="" policy="" allows="" that="" a="" factor="" of="" 3="" be="" applied="" to="" geneec="" model="" values="" when="" determining="" whether="" or="" not="" a="" level="" of="" concern="" has="" been="" exceeded.="" if="" the="" geneec="" model="" value="" is=""> 3 times the drinking water level of 
    comparison (DWLOC), the pesticide is considered to have passed the 
    screen. Acute and chronic ground water concentrations were estimated 
    using the Screening Concentration in Ground Water (SCI-GROW) model. For 
    the purposes of the screening level assessment, the maximum and average 
    annual concentrations in ground water are not believed to vary 
    significantly. DWLOCs will be compared directly to SCI-GROW values.
        i. Acute exposure and risk. DWLOCs were calculated for acute 
    exposures to tebuconazole in surface and ground water for females 13+ 
    years old and children (1-6 years old). Relative to an acute toxicity 
    endpoint, the acute dietary food exposure (from the probablistic 
    analysis) was subtracted from the ratio of the acute NOAEL to the 
    appropriate percentage acute RfD to obtain the acceptable acute 
    exposure to tebuconazole in drinking water. DWLOCs were then calculated 
    from this acceptable exposure using default body weights (60 kg for 
    females and 10 kg for children) and drinking water consumption figures 
    (2 liters for females 1 liter for children). Based on these 
    calculations EPA's DWLOC for acute dietary risk is 14 parts per billion 
    (ppb) for children (1-6 years old) and 200 ppb for females 13+ years 
    old.
        Maximum concentrations of tebuconazole in surface and ground water 
    are estimated to be 14 ppb and 0.3 ppb, respectively. The maximum 
    estimated concentrations of tebuconazole in surface and ground water do 
    not exceed EPA's levels of concern for acute exposure in drinking water 
    for the females 13+ and children.
        ii. Chronic exposure and risk. EPA has calculated DWLOCs for 
    chronic exposures to tebuconazole in surface and ground water. To 
    calculate the DWLOC for chronic exposures relative to a chronic 
    toxicity endpoint, the chronic dietary food exposure was subtracted 
    from the chronic RfD (0.03 mg/kg/day) to obtain the acceptable chronic 
    exposure to tebuconazole in drinking water. DWLOCs were then calculated 
    from this exposure using default body weights (70 kg for U.S. 
    population, 60 kg for females 10 kg for children) and drinking water 
    consumption figures (2 liters U.S. population females 1 liter 
    children). Based on these calculations EPA's DWLOCs for chronic risk 
    are 950 ppb for the U.S. population, 780 ppb for females and 190 ppb 
    for non-nursing infants (<1 year="" old).="" estimated="" annual="" average="" concentrations="" of="" tebuconazole="" in="" surface="" water="" and="" ground="" water="" are="" 10="" ppb="" and="" 0.3="" ppb,="" respectively.="" the="" estimated="" annual="" average="" concentrations="" of="" tebuconazole="" in="" surface="" and="" ground="" water="" are="" less="" than="" epa's="" levels="" of="" concern="" for="" chronic="" exposure="" in="" drinking="" water.="" 3.="" from="" non-dietary="" exposure.="" no="" short-="" or="" intermediate-term="" dermal="" toxicological="" endpoints="" were="" identified.="" tebuconazole's="" registered="" residential="" uses="" are="" for="" the="" formulation="" of="" wood-based="" composite="" products,="" wood="" products="" for="" in-ground="" contact,="" plastics,="" exterior="" paints,="" glues="" and="" adhesives.="" currently,="" the="" only="" residential="" end-use="" products="" on="" the="" market="" are="" for="" exterior="" treated="" wood="" use.="" exposure="" via="" incidental="" ingestion="" (by="" children)="" and="" inhalation="" are="" not="" a="" concern="" for="" these="" products="" which="" are="" used="" outdoors.="" no="" paints="" or="" other="" end-use="" products="" containing="" tebuconazole="" are="" available="" for="" interior="" use.="" accordingly,="" residential="" exposure="" is="" not="" expected="" at="" this="" time.="" 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.''="" epa="" does="" not="" have,="" at="" this="" time,="" available="" data="" to="" determine="" whether="" tebuconazole="" 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,="" tebuconazole="" 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="" tebuconazole="" has="" a="" [[page="" 28381]]="" common="" mechanism="" of="" toxicity="" with="" other="" substances.="" for="" more="" 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.="" acute="" risk.="" a="" toxicological="" endpoint="" was="" identified="" for="" acute="" dietary="" risk="" assessments="" for="" subpopulations="" females="" (13+="" years),="" infants="" and="" children.="" the="" 10x="" safety="" factor="" for="" enhanced="" susceptibility="" of="" infants="" and="" children="" as="" required="" by="" fqpa="" is="" applicable="" for="" all="" of="" these="" subgroups.="" therefore,="" 10%="" or="" less="" of="" the="" acute="" rfd="" of="" 0.1="" mg/kg/="" day="" results="" in="" an="" acceptable="" acute="" dietary="" exposure="" (food="" plus="" water).="" an="" acute="" dietary="" (food="" only)="" probablistic="" risk="" analysis="" resulted="" in="" 3%="" of="" the="" acute="" rfd="" utilized="" for="" females="" (13+="" years).="" the="" maximum="" estimated="" concentrations="" of="" tebuconazole="" in="" surface="" and="" ground="" water="" do="" not="" exceed="" epa's="" levels="" of="" concern="" for="" acute="" exposure="" in="" drinking="" water="" for="" the="" females="" 13+.="" currently="" the="" only="" residential="" end-use="" products="" on="" the="" market="" are="" for="" exterior="" treated="" wood="" use.="" exposure="" via="" incidental="" ingestion="" (by="" children)="" and="" inhalation="" are="" not="" a="" concern="" for="" these="" products="" which="" are="" used="" outdoors.="" no="" paints="" or="" other="" end-use="" products="" containing="" tebuconazole="" are="" available="" for="" interior="" use.="" accordingly="" residential="" exposure="" is="" not="" expected="" with="" these="" uses.="" therefore,="" epa="" concludes="" with="" reasonable="" certainty="" that="" residues="" of="" tebuconazole="" do="" not="" contribute="" significantly="" to="" the="" aggregate="" acute="" risk="" at="" the="" present="" time.="" 2.="" chronic="" risk.="" using="" the="" tmrc="" exposure="" assumptions="" described="" in="" this="" unit,="" epa="" has="" concluded="" that="" aggregate="" exposure="" to="" tebuconazole="" from="" food="" will="" utilize="" 11%="" of="" the="" rfd="" for="" the="" u.s.="" population.="" the="" major="" identifiable="" subgroup="" with="" the="" highest="" aggregate="" exposure="" is="" non-="" nursing="" infants="">< 1="" yr.),="" discussed="" below.="" 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.="" estimated="" environmental="" concentrations="" of="" tebuconazole="" in="" surface="" water="" and="" ground="" water="" do="" not="" exceed="" chronic="" dwlocs="" calculated="" by="" the="" agency;="" therefore,="" epa="" does="" not="" expect="" the="" aggregate="" exposure="" to="" exceed="" 100%="" of="" the="" rfd.="" 3.="" short-="" and="" intermediate-term="" risk.="" short-="" and="" intermediate-term="" aggregate="" exposure="" takes="" into="" account="" chronic="" dietary="" food="" and="" water="" (considered="" to="" be="" a="" background="" exposure="" level)="" plus="" indoor="" and="" outdoor="" residential="" exposure.="" no="" short-="" or="" intermediate-term="" dermal="" toxicological="" endpoints="" were="" identified.="" also,="" no="" residential="" exposure="" is="" expected="" from="" the="" current="" residential="" uses.="" thus,="" no="" risk="" assessments="" were="" conducted="" for="" residential="" exposure.="" therefore,="" epa="" concludes="" with="" reasonable="" certainty="" that="" tebuconazole="" does="" not="" contribute="" significantly="" to="" the="" aggregate="" shortand="" intermediate-term="" risk="" at="" the="" present="" time.="" 4.="" aggregate="" cancer="" risk="" for="" u.s.="" population.="" tebuconazole="" is="" classified="" as="" a="" group="" c="" (possible="" human)="" carcinogen.="" since,="" for="" the="" purpose="" of="" carcinogenic="" risk="" assessment="" the="" reference="" dose="" (rfd)="" methodology="" was="" used,="" the="" discussion="" for="" chronic="" risk="" (11%="" of="" rfd="" utilized)="" above="" applies="" to="" cancer="" risk="" as="" well.="" therefore,="" epa="" concludes="" with="" reasonable="" certainty="" that="" tebuconazole="" does="" not="" contribute="" significantly="" to="" the="" aggregate="" cancer="" risk="" at="" the="" present="" time.="" 5.="" 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="" tebuconazole="" 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="" tebuconazole,="" 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="" data="" base="" 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="" moe="" and="" 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.="" developmental="" toxicity="" studies.="" in="" two="" associated="" oral="" developmental="" toxicity="" studies="" in="" mice,="" the="" maternal="" noael="" was="" 10="" mg/="" kg/day="" and="" the="" loael="" was="" 20="" mg/kg/day,="" based="" on="" decreased="" hematocrit="" and="" effects="" in="" the="" liver.="" the="" developmental="" toxicity="" noael="" was="" 10="" mg/="" kg/day="" and="" the="" loael="" was="" 30="" mg/kg/day,="" based="" on="" increased="" numbers="" of="" runts="" (fetuses="" weighing="" less="" than="" 1.3="" gram).="" in="" addition,="" at="" 100="" mg/kg/="" day,="" frank="" malformations="" in="" the="" skull,="" brain="" and="" spinal="" column="" and="" a="" reduced="" rate="" of="" ossification="" in="" the="" cranium="" were="" observed.="" in="" a="" dermal="" developmental="" toxicity="" study="" in="" mice,="" no="" toxicologically="" significant="" maternal="" toxicity="" or="" developmental="" toxicity="" was="" observed="" at="" the="" limit="" dose="" of="" 1,000="" mg/kg/day.="" in="" an="" oral="" developmental="" toxicity="" study="" in="" rats,="" the="" maternal="" noael="" was="" 30="" mg/kg/day="" and="" the="" loael="" was="" 60="" mg/kg/day,="" based="" on="" increased="" liver="" weight.="" the="" developmental="" toxicity="" noael="" was="" 30="" mg/kg/day="" and="" the="" loael="" was="" 60="" mg/kg/day,="" based="" on="" delayed="" ossification="" of="" several="" bones="" and="" increased="" numbers="" of="" fetuses="" with="" supernumerary="" ribs.="" in="" addition,="" at="" 120="" mg/kg/day,="" increased="" resorptions,="" decreased="" fetal="" body="" weights="" and="" frank="" malformations="" in="" two="" fetuses="" (missing="" tail,="" agnatha,="" microtomia="" and="" anophthalmia)="" were="" observed.="" in="" a="" dermal="" developmental="" toxicity="" study="" in="" rats,="" no="" toxicologically="" significant="" maternal="" toxicity="" or="" developmental="" toxicity="" was="" observed="" at="" the="" limit="" dose="" of="" 1,000="" mg/kg/day.="" in="" an="" oral="" developmental="" toxicity="" study="" in="" rabbits,="" the="" maternal="" noael="" was="" 30="" mg/kg/day="" and="" the="" loael="" was="" 100="" mg/kg/day,="" based="" on="" decreased="" body="" weight="" gain="" and="" decreased="" food="" consumption="" during="" the="" dosing="" period.="" the="" developmental="" toxicity="" noael="" was="" 30="" mg/kg/day="" and="" the="" loael="" was="" 100="" mg/kg/day,="" based="" on="" increased="" postimplantation="" loss,="" increased="" frank="" malformations,="" hydrocephalus="" and="" delayed="" ossification="" of="" bones.="" in="" another="" oral="" developmental="" toxicity="" study="" in="" rabbits,="" the="" maternal="" noael="" was=""><10 [[page="" 28382]]="" mg/kg/day="" and="" the="" loael="" was="" 10="" mg/kg/day,="" based="" on="" increased="" incidences="" of="" single="" cell="" necrosis="" (minimal="" severity)="" in="" liver="" cells.="" the="" maternal="" noael="" from="" this="" study="" was="" not="" used="" to="" determine="" the="" acute="" rfd="" because="" single="" cell="" necrosis="" was="" not="" considered="" to="" result="" from="" a="" single="" exposure.="" the="" developmental="" toxicity="" noael="" was="" 30="" mg/kg/day="" and="" the="" loael="" was="" 100="" mg/kg/day,="" based="" on="" increased="" postimplantation="" loss,="" decreased="" fetal="" body="" weights,="" increased="" percentage="" of="" fetuses="" with="" abnormalities="" (including="" runts,="" hemidiaphragm,="" limb="" abnormalities="" and="" neural="" tube="" defects="" characterized="" as="" meningocoele="" and="" spina="" bifida)="" and="" delayed="" ossification="" of="" bones.="" iii.="" reproductive="" toxicity="" study.="" in="" a="" 2-generation="" reproduction="" study="" in="" rats,="" the="" parental="" (systemic)="" toxicity="" noael="" was="" 15="" mg/kg/day="" and="" the="" loael="" was="" 50="" mg/kg/day,="" based="" on="" loss="" of="" hair,="" decreased="" body="" weights,="" decreased="" food="" consumption,="" increased="" severity="" of="" spleen="" hemosiderosis="" and="" decreased="" liver="" and="" kidney="" weights.="" for="" offspring="" toxicity,="" the="" noael="" was="" 15="" mg/kg/day="" and="" the="" loael="" was="" 50="" mg/kg/day,="" based="" on="" decreased="" pup="" body="" weights="" from="" birth="" through="" weeks="" 3-4="" in="" all="" litter="" groups.="" iv.="" pre-and="" postnatal="" sensitivity.="" the="" above="" studies="" meet="" the="" standard="" toxicology="" data="" requirements,="" as="" required="" for="" a="" food-use="" chemical,="" in="" 40="" cfr="" part="" 158.="" however,="" after="" evaluation="" of="" the="" findings="" in="" these="" studies,="" particularly="" with="" respect="" to="" effects="" on="" the="" fetal="" nervous="" system,="" together="" with="" a="" consideration="" of="" neurotoxic="" effects="" observed="" in="" several="" other="" developmental="" toxicity="" studies="" on="" structurally="" related="" triazole="" pesticides,="" the="" agency="" requested="" a="" postnatal="" developmental="" neurotoxicity="" study="" in="" rats="" (guideline="" 83-6)="" be="" conducted.="" the="" epa="" notes="" effects="" on="" the="" nervous="" system="" of="" fetuses="" in="" studies="" on="" tebuconazole="" occurred="" only="" at="" doses="" of="" 100="" mg/kg/day="" or="" higher--i.e.,="" at="" doses="" at="" least="" ten-fold="" higher="" than="" the="" developmental="" toxicity="" noael="" (10="" mg/kg/day)="" to="" be="" used="" for="" the="" assessment="" of="" acute="" dietary="" risk.="" on="" the="" basis="" of="" comparative="" noaels="" and="" loaels,="" it="" was="" determined="" there="" was="" no="" indication="" of="" increased="" susceptibility="" of="" the="" offspring="" of="" mice,="" rats="" or="" rabbits="" resulting="" from="" prenatal="" and/or="" postnatal="" exposure="" to="" tebuconazole.="" however,="" the="" maternal="" effects="" observed="" in="" the="" developmental="" toxicity="" studies="" at="" the="" loael="" were="" of="" minimal="" concern="" and="" did="" not="" increase="" substantially="" in="" severity="" at="" higher="" doses,="" whereas="" the="" developmental="" effects="" at="" the="" loael="" were="" pronounced="" and="" at="" higher="" doses="" were="" quite="" severe="" (including="" frank="" malformations)="" in="" mice="" (at="" 100="" mg/="" kg/day),="" rats="" (at="" 120="" mg/kg/day)="" and="" rabbits="" (at="" 100="" mg/kg/day).="" based="" on="" a="" consideration="" of="" all="" the="" above="" findings,="" the="" agency="" retained="" the="" 10x="" factor="" for="" enhanced="" susceptibility="" to="" infants="" and="" children.="" the="" 10x="" factor="" is="" applicable="" to="" acute="" dietary="" exposures="" for="" the="" subpopulations="" females="" (13+="" years),="" infants="" and="" children.="" the="" 10x="" factor="" for="" enhanced="" sensitivity="" of="" infants="" and="" children="" is="" not="" applicable="" to="" chronic="" exposure="" analysis.="" v.="" conclusion.="" there="" is="" a="" complete="" toxicity="" data="" base="" for="" tebuconazole="" and="" exposure="" data="" are="" complete="" or="" estimated="" based="" on="" data="" that="" reasonably="" accounts="" for="" potential="" exposures.="" 2.="" acute="" risk.="" an="" acute="" dietary="" (food="" only)="" probablistic="" risk="" analysis="" resulted="" in="" the="" following="" percentages="" for="" the="" acute="" rfd:="" nursing="" infants=""><1 year),="" 7%;="" non-nursing="" infants=""><1 year),="" 7%;="" children="" (1="" to="" 6="" years)="" 9%,="" children="" (7="" to="" 12="" years)="" 3%;="" and="" all="" infants=""><1 year),="" 7%.="" the="" maximum="" estimated="" concentrations="" of="" tebuconazole="" in="" surface="" and="" ground="" water="" do="" not="" exceed="" epa's="" levels="" of="" concern="" for="" acute="" exposure="" in="" drinking="" water="" for="" children.="" currently,="" the="" only="" residential="" end-use="" products="" on="" the="" market="" are="" for="" exterior="" treated="" wood="" use.="" exposure="" via="" incidental="" ingestion="" (by="" children)="" and="" inhalation="" are="" not="" a="" concern="" for="" these="" products="" which="" are="" used="" outdoors.="" no="" paints="" or="" other="" end-use="" products="" containing="" tebuconazole="" are="" available="" for="" interior="" use.="" accordingly="" residential="" exposure="" is="" not="" expected="" with="" these="" uses.="" therefore,="" epa="" concludes="" with="" reasonable="" certainty="" that="" residues="" of="" tebuconazole="" do="" not="" contribute="" significantly="" to="" the="" aggregate="" acute="" risk="" at="" the="" present.="" 3.="" chronic="" risk.="" using="" the="" exposure="" assumptions="" described="" in="" this="" unit,="" epa="" has="" concluded="" that="" aggregate="" exposure="" to="" tebuconazole="" from="" food="" will="" utilize="" up="" to="" 37%="" 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="" stated="" above,="" residential="" exposure="" to="" tebuconazole="" is="" not="" expected="" for="" the="" currently="" registered="" uses.="" estimated="" environmental="" concentrations="" of="" tebuconazole="" in="" surface="" water="" and="" ground="" water="" do="" not="" exceed="" chronic="" dwlocs="" calculated="" by="" the="" agency;="" therefore,="" epa="" does="" not="" expect="" the="" aggregate="" exposure="" to="" exceed="" 100%="" of="" the="" rfd.="" 4.="" short-="" or="" intermediate-term="" risk.="" as="" stated="" above,="" residential="" exposure="" to="" tebuconazole="" is="" not="" expected="" for="" the="" currently="" registered="" uses.="" 5.="" 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="" tebuconazole="" residues.="" iv.="" other="" considerations="" a.="" metabolism="" in="" plants="" and="" animals="" the="" nature="" of="" the="" residue="" in="" plants="" is="" understood="" based="" on="" metabolism="" studies="" in="" grapes,="" wheat="" and="" peanuts.="" for="" the="" purpose="" of="" this="" section="" 18="" only,="" the="" nature="" of="" the="" residue="" in="" garlic="" is="" considered="" to="" be="" adequately="" understood.="" the="" residue="" of="" concern="" in="" plants="" is="" tebuconazole="" per="" se.="" b.="" analytical="" enforcement="" methodology="" method="" 101341,="" a="" gc/npd="" method,="" is="" adequate="" to="" enforce="" the="" tolerance="" expression.="" 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,="" (703)="" 305-5229.="" c.="" magnitude="" of="" residues="" no="" residue="" data="" were="" provided="" for="" garlic.="" residue="" data="" were="" translated="" from="" dry="" bulb="" onion="" data="" generated="" in="" mexico.="" based="" on="" these="" data,="" residues="" of="" tebuconazole="" are="" not="" expected="" to="" exceed="" 0.1="" ppm="" on="" garlic="" as="" a="" result="" of="" the="" proposed="" section="" 18="" use.="" d.="" international="" residue="" limits="" there="" are="" no="" codex,="" canadian,="" or="" mexican="" maximum="" residue="" limits="" (mrls)="" for="" residues="" of="" tebuconazole="" in/on="" garlic.="" international="" harmonization="" is="" thus="" not="" an="" issue="" for="" this="" time-limited="" tolerance.="" e.="" rotational="" crop="" restrictions="" a="" plant="" back="" interval="" of="" 120="" days="" after="" last="" application="" for="" crops="" not="" listed="" on="" the="" label="" is="" required.="" v.="" conclusion="" therefore,="" the="" tolerance="" is="" established="" for="" residues="" of="" tebuconazole="" in="" garlic="" at="" 0.1="" ppm.="" vi.="" objections="" and="" hearing="" requests="" the="" new="" ffdca="" section="" 408(g)="" provides="" essentially="" the="" same="" process="" for="" persons="" to="" ``object''="" to="" a="" tolerance="" regulation="" 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="" [[page="" 28383]]="" 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="" july="" 26,="" 1999,="" 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="" under="" the="" ``addresses''="" section="" (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).="" epa="" is="" authorized="" to="" waive="" any="" fee="" requirement="" ``when="" in="" the="" judgement="" of="" the="" administrator="" such="" a="" waiver="" or="" refund="" is="" equitable="" and="" not="" contrary="" to="" the="" purpose="" of="" this="" subsection.''="" for="" additional="" information="" regarding="" tolerance="" objection="" fee="" waivers,="" contact="" james="" tompkins,="" 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:="" rm.="" 239,="" crystal="" mall="" #2,="" 1921="" jefferson="" davis="" hwy.,="" arlington,="" va,="" (703)="" 305-5697,="">tompkins.jim@epa.gov. Requests for 
    waiver of tolerance objection fees should be sent to James Hollins, 
    Information Resources and Services Division (7502C), Office of 
    Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., 
    Washington, DC 20460.
        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 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.
    
    VII. Public Record and Electronic Submissions
    
        EPA has established a record for this regulation under docket 
    control number [OPP-300855] (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.
        Objections and hearing requests may be sent by e-mail directly to 
    EPA at:
        opp-docket@epa.gov.
        E-mailed objections and hearing requests must be submitted as an 
    ASCII file avoiding the use of special characters and any form of 
    encryption.
        The official record for this regulation, as well as the public 
    version, as described in this unit 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 record which 
    will also include all comments submitted directly in writing. The 
    official record is the paper record maintained at the Virginia address 
    in ``ADDRESSES'' at the beginning of this document.
    
    VIII. Regulatory Assessment Requirements
    
    A. Certain Acts and Executive Orders
    
        This final rule establishes a tolerance under section 408 of the 
    FFDCA. 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(l)(6), 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 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.
    
    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
    
    [[Page 28384]]
    
    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 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.
    
    IX. 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 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: May 12, 1999.
    
    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. 321(q), 346a and 371.
    
    
        2. In Sec. 180.474, by alphabetically adding the following 
    commodity ``garlic'' to the table in paragraph (b) to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 180.474  Tebuconazole; tolerances for residues.
    
    *          *          *          *          *
        (b)   *    *    *
    
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Parts   Expiration/
                         Commodity                        per     Revocation
                                                        million      Date
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     
                              *    *    *    *    *
    Garlic............................................    0.1        6/30/00
     
                              *    *    *    *    *
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    *          *          *          *          *
    
    [FR Doc. 99-12935 Filed 5-25-99; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 6560-50-F
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
5/26/1999
Published:
05/26/1999
Department:
Environmental Protection Agency
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
99-12935
Dates:
This regulation is effective May 26, 1999. Objections and requests for hearings must be received by EPA on or before July 26, 1999.
Pages:
28377-28384 (8 pages)
Docket Numbers:
OPP-300855, FRL-6079-1
RINs:
2070-AB78
PDF File:
99-12935.pdf
CFR: (1)
40 CFR 180.474