97-12195. Cyfluthrin; Pesticide Tolerance  

  • [Federal Register Volume 62, Number 90 (Friday, May 9, 1997)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 25518-25524]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 97-12195]
    
    
    
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    ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
    
    40 CFR Parts 180
    
    [OPP-300484; FRL-5715-6]
    
    RIN 2070-AB78
    
    
    Cyfluthrin; Pesticide Tolerance
    
    AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
    
    ACTION: Final Rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: This regulation establishes time-limited tolerances with an 
    expiration date of November 15, 1997 for residues of the pyrethroid 
    cyfluthrin in or on the food commodities group citrus fruit and a 
    maximum residue limit for cyfluthrin on citrus oil and dried pulp. A 
    petition was submitted by Bayer Corporation to EPA under the Federal 
    Food Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) as amended by the Food Quality 
    Protection Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-170) requesting the tolerance. This 
    tolerance will expire and is revoked on November 15, 1997.
    
    DATES: This regulation becomes effective May 9, 1997. Written 
    objections and requests for hearings must be received by July 8, 1997.
    
    ADDRESSES: Written objections and hearing requests, identified by the 
    docket control number, [OPP-300484], 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-300484], should be submitted to: Public Response 
    and Program Resources Branch, Field Operations Division (7506C), 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. 1132, CM#2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington.
        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 file 
    format or ASCII file format. All copies of objections and hearing 
    requests in electronic form must be identified by the docket number 
    [OPP-300484]. 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: George T. LaRocca, Product 
    Manager (PM) 13, Registration Division (7505C), Office of Pesticide 
    Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, 
    DC 20460. Office location and telephone number: Rm. 204, CM #2, 1921 
    Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA, (703) 305-6100, e-mail: 
    larocca.george@epamail.epa.gov.
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA issued a notice, published in the July 
    13, 1994 Federal Register (59 FR 35717)(FRL-4871-5), which announced 
    that Miles Corporation had submitted a pesticide petition (4F4313) to 
    EPA and a food/feed additive petition (FAP) 4H5687 to EPA. Pesticide 
    petition 4F4313 requests that the Administrator, pursuant to section 
    408(d) of the Federal Food, Drug an Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. 346a(d), 
    amend 40 CFR 180.436 to establish tolerances for residues of the 
    insecticide cyfluthrin, ([cyano-[4-fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl]-methyl-3-
    [2,2-dicloroethenyl]-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate]; CAS No. 
    68359-37-5; EPA Chemical No. 128831) in or on the food commodities 
    group citrus, fruits at 0.2 parts per million (ppm). Food/feed additive 
    petition 4H5687 requests that the Administrator, pursuant to section 
    409(e) of the FFDCA (21 U.S.C. 348), amend 40 CFR parts 185 and 186 by 
    establishing a food/feed additive regulation for cyfluthrin in or on 
    the process commodities citrus oil and citrus dried pulp at 0.3 ppm. 
    The Agency was unable to publish a final rule prior to the enactment of 
    the Food Quality and Protection Act (FQPA) of 1996. Because of new 
    procedures under FQPA Bayer Corporation was required to submit a new 
    notice of filing requesting issuance of these tolerances in compliance 
    with FQPA.
        In the Federal Register of March 14, 1997 (62 FR 12182)(FRL-5990-2) 
    EPA issued a second notice of filing to bring the notice into 
    conformity with the FQPA. The notice contained a summary of the 
    petition prepared by the petitioner and this summary contained 
    conclusions and assessments to support its conclusion that the petition 
    complied with FQPA.
        There were no comments received in response to the notices of 
    filing.
    
    I. Background and Statutory Authority
    
        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.
        New section 408(b)(2)(A)(i) 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, 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....'' Section 408(b)(2)(D) specifies factors EPA is to consider 
    in establishing a tolerance. Section 408(b)(3) requires EPA to 
    determine that there is a practical method for detecting and measuring 
    levels of the pesticide chemical residue in or on food and that the 
    tolerance be set at a level at or above the limit of detection of the 
    designated method. Section 408(b)(4) requires EPA to determine whether 
    a maximum residue level has been established for the pesticide chemical 
    by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. If so, and EPA does not propose 
    to adopt that level, EPA must publish for public comment a notice 
    explaining the reasons for departing from the Codex level.
    
    II. Risk Assessment and Statutory Findings
    
        EPA performs a number of analyses to determine the risks from 
    aggregate exposure to pesticide residues. First, EPA determines the 
    toxicity of
    
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    pesticides based primarily on toxicological studies using laboratory 
    animals. These studies address many adverse health effects, including 
    (but not limited to) reproductive effects, developmental toxicity, 
    toxicity to the nervous system, and carcinogenicity. For many of these 
    studies, a dose response relationship can be determined, which provides 
    a dose that causes adverse effects (threshold effects) and doses 
    causing no observed effects (NOEL).
        Once a study has been evaluated and the observed effects have been 
    determined to be threshold effects, EPA generally divides the NOEL from 
    the study with the lowest NOEL by an uncertainty factor (usually 100 or 
    more) to determine the Reference Dose (RfD). The RfD is a level at or 
    below which daily aggregate exposure over a lifetime will not pose 
    significant risks to human health. An uncertainty factor (sometimes 
    called a ``safety factor'') of 100 is commonly used since it is assumed 
    that people may be up to 10 times more sensitive to pesticides than the 
    test animals, and that one person or subgroup of the population (such 
    as infants and children) could be up to 10 times more sensitive to a 
    pesticide than another. In addition, EPA assesses the potential risks 
    to infants and children based on the weight of the evidence of the 
    toxicology studies and determines whether an additional uncertainty 
    factor is warranted. Thus, an aggregate daily exposure to a pesticide 
    residue at or below the RfD (expressed as 100 percent or less of the 
    RfD) is generally considered acceptable by EPA.
        Lifetime feeding studies in two species of laboratory animals are 
    conducted to screen pesticides for cancer effects. When evidence of 
    increased cancer is noted in these studies, the Agency conducts a 
    weight of the evidence review of all relevant toxicological data 
    including short term and mutagenicity studies and structure activity 
    relationship. Once a pesticide has been classified as a potential human 
    carcinogen, different types of risk assessments (e.g., linear low dose 
    extrapolations or margin of exposure calculation based on the 
    appropriate NOEL) will be carried out based on the nature of the 
    carcinogenic response and the Agency's knowledge of its mode of action.
        In examining aggregate exposure, FQPA requires that EPA take into 
    account available and reliable information concerning exposure from the 
    pesticide residue in the food in question, residues in other foods for 
    which there are tolerances, and other non-occupational exposures, such 
    as where residues leach into groundwater or surface water that is 
    consumed as drinking water. Dietary exposure to residues of a pesticide 
    in a food commodity are estimated by multiplying the average daily 
    consumption of the food forms of that commodity by the tolerance level 
    or the anticipated pesticide residue level. The Theoretical Maximum 
    Residue Contribution (TMRC) is an estimate of the level of residues 
    consumed daily if each food item contained pesticide residues equal to 
    the tolerance. The TMRC is a ``worst case'' estimate since it is based 
    on the assumptions that food contains pesticide residues at the 
    tolerance level and that 100 percent of the crop is treated by 
    pesticides that have established tolerances. If the TMRC exceeds the 
    RfD or poses a lifetime cancer risk that is greater than approximately 
    one in a million, EPA attempts to derive a more accurate exposure 
    estimate for the pesticide by evaluating additional types of 
    information (anticipated residue data and/or percent of crop treated 
    data) which show, generally, that pesticide residues in most foods when 
    they are eaten are well below established tolerances.
        Consistent with sections 408(b)(2)(C) (D), EPA has reviewed the 
    available scientific data and other relevant information in support of 
    this action. EPA has also assessed the toxicology data base for 
    cyfluthrin its evaluation of application for registration on citrus. 
    EPA has sufficient data to assess the hazards of cyfluthrin and to make 
    a determination on aggregate exposure, consistent with section 
    408(b)(2), for granting time-limited tolerances for residues of 
    cyfluthrin on citrus at 0.2 ppm, and citrus oil and dried pulp at 0.3 
    ppm. EPA's assessment of the database, dietary exposures and risks 
    associated with establishing these tolerances follows:
    
    A. Toxicology Database
    
        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 cyfluthrin are 
    discussed below.
        1. Acute studies. A battery of acute toxicity studies placing 
    technical cyfluthrin in toxicity category II.
        2. Chronic studies. i. A 12-month chronic feeding study in dogs 
    with a no-observed effect level (NOEL) of 4 milligram per kilogram per 
    day (mg/kg/day). The lowest effect level (LEL) for this study is 
    established at 16 mg/kg/day, based on slight ataxia, increased 
    vomiting, diarrhea and decreased body weight.
        ii. A 24-month chronic feeding/carcinogenicity study in rats with a 
    NOEL of 2.5 mg/kg/day and LEL of 6.2 mg/kg/day, based on decreased body 
    weights in males, decreased food consumption in males, and inflammatory 
    foci in the kidneys in females.
        iii. A 24-month carcinogenicity study in mice. There were no 
    carcinogenic effects observed under the conditions of the study.
        3. Developmental and reproductive effects studies. i. An oral rat 
    developmental toxicity study, the maternal (systemic) NOEL is 3 mg/kg/
    day. The maternal (systemic) lowest observed effect level (LOEL) of 10 
    mg/kg/day was based on behavioral changes in gait and coordination. The 
    developmental (fetal) NOEL is 30 mg/kg/day (highest dose tested). No 
    developmental effects were noted.
        ii. An oral rat developmental toxicity study, the maternal 
    (systemic) NOEL is 10 mg/kg/day (highest dose tested). The 
    developmental (fetal) NOEL is 10 mg/kg/day (highest dose tested). No 
    developmental effects were noted.
        iii. A rat inhalation developmental toxicity study, the maternal 
    (systemic) NOEL is 0.46 mg/m3. The maternal (systemic) LOEL 
    2.55 mg/m3 was based on decreased body weight gain and 
    reduced food efficiency. The developmental (fetal) NOEL is 0.46 mg/
    m3. The developmental (fetal) LOEL of 2.55 mg/m3 
    is based on reduced fetal and placental weight, reduced ossification in 
    the phalanges, metacarpals and vertebrae.
        iv. An oral rabbit developmental toxicity study, the maternal 
    (systemic) NOEL is 20 mg/kg/day. The maternal (systemic) LOEL of 60 mg/
    kg/day was based on decreased body weight gain and food consumption 
    during the dosing period. The developmental (fetal) NOEL is 20 mg/kg/
    day. The developmental (fetal) LOEL is 60 mg/kg/day based on 
    statistically significant increase in the numbers of resorptions and 
    statistically significant post-implantation loss.
        v. An oral 3-generation reproduction study, the systemic NOEL is 
    1.5 mg/kg/day. The systemic LOEL of 4.5 mg/kg/day was based on body 
    weight decrease in pups. The reproductive (fetal) NOEL is 4.5 mg/kg/
    day. The reproductive (fetal) LOEL is 7.5 mg/kg/day based on decreased 
    pup viability.
    
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        4. Other studies. i. Mutagenicity tests were conducted, including 
    several gene mutation assays (reverse mutation and recombination assays 
    in bacteria and a Chinese hamster ovary(CHO)/HGPRT assay); a structural 
    chromosome aberration assay (CHO/sister chromatid exchange assay); and 
    an unscheduled DNA synthesis assay in rat hepatocytes. All tests were 
    negative for genotoxicity.
        ii. A metabolism study in rats showed that cyfluthrin is rapidly 
    absorbed and excreted, mostly as conjugated metabolites in the urine, 
    within 48 hours. An enterohepatic circulation was observed. The NOEL 
    for dermal and systemic toxicity was 1,000 mg/kg/day (limit dose). New 
    Zealand White strain rabbits were given 15 dermal applications at 0, 
    100, 500, or 1,000 mg/kg/day for 21 days. Under the conditions of the 
    test, there was no evidence of treatment-related toxicity from dermal 
    application at doses up to 1,000 mg/kg/day.
        The toxicity database for cyfluthrin is essentially complete. Data 
    lacking but desirable are a new 21-day subchronic dermal study, an 
    acute neurotoxicity study in rats, a 90-day neurotoxicity study in 
    rats, and a dermal sensitization study on the end-use product, 
    Baythroid 2. These studies have been submitted to the Agency and are 
    currently under review, with the exception of the acute and 90-day 
    neurotoxicity studies. Bayer Corporation has committed to submit the 
    results of these neurotoxicity studies to the Agency by July 1997. 
    Although these data are lacking, the Agency believes it has sufficient 
    toxicity data to support the proposed tolerance and these additional 
    studies will not significantly change its risk assessment.
    
    B. Toxicological Profile
    
        1. Toxicity endpoints for dietary exposure-- i. acute. To assess 
    acute dietary risk, the Agency used an endpoint of 20 mg/kg/day, the 
    NOEL from the oral developmental toxicity study in rabbits. This risk 
    assessment will evaluate acute dietary risk to females 13+ years and 
    older.
        ii. Chronic. A reference dose (RfD) of 0.025 mg/kg/day has been 
    estimated by the Agency. The RfD was established based on the rat 
    chronic feeding/carcinogenicity study with a NOEL of 2.5 mg/kg/day and 
    an uncertainty factor of 100.
        iii. Carcinogenicity. Cyfluthrin has been classified as a Group E 
    chemical (evidence of non-carcinogenicity for humans) by the Agency. 
    The classification was based on a lack of convincing evidence of 
    carcinogenicity in adequate studies with two animal species, rat and 
    mouse.
        2. Toxicity endpoints for non-dietary exposure--i. short and 
    intermediate term residential dermal and/or inhalation exposure. For 
    short-and intermediate term dermal exposure, the agency used the dermal 
    toxicity NOEL of 250 mg/kg/day (highest dose tested) from the 21-day 
    dermal rabbit toxicity study. For short- and intermediate-term 
    inhalation exposure, the Agency used the inhalation developmental study 
    in rats, where the maternal threshold NOEL was 0.00046 based on 
    decreased body weight gain and reduced relative food efficiency at the 
    LOEL of 0.0025 milligrams per liter (mg/L). The developmental NOEL of 
    0.00046 mg/l was based on reduced fetal weights, reduced placental 
    weights, and reduced ossification in the phalanx, metacarpals and 
    vertebrae at the LOEL of 0.0025 mg/L (0.46 mg/kg/day).
        ii. Chronic residential exposure. Based upon the registered indoor/
    outdoor uses of cyfluthrin, exposure from these uses are expected to be 
    from inhalation and/or dermal contact. EPA has no quantitative data on 
    dermal absorption for the formulations of this pesticide, nor does it 
    have reliable data for indoor/outdoor exposures. Estimations of outdoor 
    residential exposure have been required for cyfluthrin in a data call-
    in issued in 1995. These data are being generated by the Outdoor 
    Residential Exposure Task Force. Without these data EPA cannot 
    determine the risk to the public exposed by the non-dietary uses of 
    this pesticide. For this reason EPA is using a maximum default 
    assumption of 20% of the RfD (0.025 mg/kg/day) as the exposure for 
    these uses.
        iii. Dermal penetration. The default value of 100% is being used 
    for dermal penetration in the absence of actual data.
    
    C. Aggregate Exposure
    
         1. From food and feed uses. The primary source of human exposure 
    to cyfluthrin will be from ingestion of both raw and processed food 
    commodities treated with cyfluthrin. These commodities include the 
    current citrus fruit group plus citrus oil and dried pulp and other 
    commodities listed in 40 CFR 180.436, 185.1250 and 186.1250. Any 
    secondary residues occurring in cattle meat, meat byproducts, milk and 
    fat from the addition of the feed items citrus dried pulp will be 
    covered by existing tolerances. There is no reasonable expectation of 
    finite residues in poultry and swine, therefore the necessity or 
    adequacy of tolerances for these commodities is not an issue relevant 
    to the use on citrus.
        The Agency has requested additional confirmatory animal feeding 
    study data on levels of the metabolite DCVA (3-(2,2-dichloroethenyl)-
    2,2-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylic acid) in animal commodities.
        2. From potable (drinking) water. There is no established Maximum 
    Concentration Level for residues of cyfluthrin in drinking water. 
    Although data indicate little potential for soil mobility or leaching, 
    cyfluthrin is moderately persistent. In examining aggregate exposure, 
    FQPA directs EPA to consider available information concerning exposures 
    from the pesticide residue in food and all other non-occupational 
    exposures. The primary non-food sources of exposure the Agency looks at 
    include drinking water (whether from groundwater or surface water), and 
    exposure through pesticide use in indoor/outdoor residential sites.
        Because the Agency lacks sufficient water-related exposure data to 
    complete a comprehensive drinking water risk assessment for many 
    pesticides, EPA has commenced and nearly completed a process to 
    identify a reasonable yet conservative bounding figure for the 
    potential contribution of water related exposure to the aggregate risk 
    posed by a pesticide. In developing the bounding figure, EPA estimated 
    residue levels in water for a number of specific pesticides using 
    various data sources. The Agency then applied the estimated residue 
    levels, in conjunction with appropriate toxicological endpoints (RfD's 
    or acute dietary NOEL's) and assumptions about body weight and 
    consumption, to calculate, for each pesticide, the increment of 
    aggregate risk contributed by consumption of contaminated water. While 
    EPA has not yet pinpointed the appropriate bounding figure for 
    consumption of contaminated water, the ranges the Agency is continuing 
    to examine are all below the level that would cause cyfluthrin to 
    exceed the RfD if the tolerance being considered in this document were 
    granted. The Agency has therefore concluded that the potential 
    exposures associated with cyfluthrin in water, even at the higher 
    levels the Agency is considering as a conservative upper bound, would 
    not prevent the Agency from determining that there is a reasonable 
    certainty of no harm if the tolerance is granted.
        3. From non-dietary uses. Cyfluthrin is registered for use on non-
    food sites including golf courses, lawns, ornamental shrubs, indoor 
    foggers, and wood surfaces. Upon considering the registered uses, 
    formulation types, persistence, and toxicological endpoints, and in 
    accordance with the Agency's Interim Decision Logic (PR
    
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    97-1, Jaunary 31, 1997), EPA has determined that, in the absence of 
    exposure data, the registered non-dietary, non-occupational uses of 
    cyfluthrin should be assigned a default value of 20% of the acceptable 
    aggregate chronic; and short- and intermediate-term risk.
        4. Cumulative exposure to substances with common mechanism of 
    toxicity. Cyfluthrin is a member of the synthetic pyrethroid class of 
    pesticides. 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.'' The Agency believes that ``available 
    information'' in this context might include not only toxicity, 
    chemistry, and exposure data, but also scientific policies and 
    methodologies for understanding common mechanisms of toxicity and 
    conducting cumulative risk assessments. For most pesticides, although 
    the Agency has some information in its files that may turn out to be 
    helpful in eventually determining whether a pesticide shares a common 
    mechanism of toxicity with any other substances, EPA does not at this 
    time have the methodologies to resolve the complex scientific issues 
    concerning common mechanism of toxicity in a meaningful way. EPA has 
    begun a pilot process to study this issue further through the 
    examination of particular classes of pesticides. The Agency hopes that 
    the results of this pilot process will increase the Agency's scientific 
    understanding of this question such that EPA will be able to develop 
    and apply scientific principles for better determining which chemicals 
    have a common mechanism of toxicity and evaluating the cumulative 
    effects of such chemicals. The Agency anticipates, however, that even 
    as its understanding of the science of common mechanisms increases, 
    decisions on specific classes of chemicals will be heavily dependent on 
    chemical specific data, much of which may not be presently available.
        Although at present the Agency does not know how to apply the 
    information in its files concerning common mechanism issues to most 
    risk assessments, there are pesticides as to which the common mechanism 
    issues can be resolved. These pesticides include pesticides that are 
    toxicologically dissimilar to existing chemical substances (in which 
    case the Agency can conclude that it is unlikely that a pesticide 
    shares a common mechanism of activity with other substances) and 
    pesticides that produce a common toxic metabolite (in which case common 
    mechanism of activity will be assumed).
        Although cyfluthrin is structurally similar to other members of the 
    synthetic pyrethroid class of insecticides, EPA does not have, at this 
    time, available data to determine whether cyfluthrin has a common 
    mechanism of toxicity with other substances or how to include this 
    pesticide in a cumulative risk assessment. For the purposes of this 
    tolerance action, therefore, EPA has not assumed that cyfluthrin has a 
    common mechanism of toxicity with other substances.
    
    D. Aggregate Risk Assessment
    
        1. Acute aggregate risk. The acute dietary (food only) risk 
    assessment used tolerance level residues and assumed 100% crop-treated. 
    Thus, this acute dietary exposure estimate is considered conservative; 
    refinement using anticipated residue values and percent crop-treated 
    data in conjunction with Monte Carlo analysis would result in a lower 
    acute dietary exposure estimate. A Monte Carlo analysis is a 
    probabilistic risk assessment methodology in which a distribution of 
    expected residues (also consumption estimates) is considered, instead 
    of a single value such as the tolerance level. The estimated acute 
    dietary risk, using a high-end exposure of 0.03 mg/kg/day, resulted in 
    an MOE = 666 for the population of concern (females, 13+ years).
        The acute aggregate risk assessment takes into account exposure 
    from dietary food only. As indicated above, although EPA has not 
    identified a water exposure figure based upon available environmental 
    data, cyfluthrin is not expected to be mobile in soil or water 
    environments and poses relatively little threat to drinking water. 
    Theoretically, it is also possible that a residential, or other non-
    dietary, exposure could be combined with the acute total dietary 
    exposure from food and water. However, the Agency does not believe that 
    aggregating multiple exposure to large amounts of pesticide residues in 
    the residential environment via multiple products and routes for a 1 
    day exposure is a reasonably probable event. It is highly unlikely 
    that, in 1 day, an individual would have multiple high-end exposures to 
    the same pesticide by treating their lawn and garden, treating their 
    house via crack and crevice application, swimming in a pool, and be 
    maximally exposed in the food and water consumed. Additionally, the 
    concept of an acute exposure as a single exposure does not allow for 
    including post-application exposures, in which residues decline over a 
    period of days after application. Therefore, the Agency believes that 
    residential exposures are more appropriately included in the short-term 
    exposure scenario.
        An acute dietary MOE of greater than 100 would not be of concern to 
    EPA. As indicated above, the MOE for females 13+ years was calculated 
    to be 666. Under any bounding assumption EPA is considering for 
    exposure from drinking water, this MOE would not be reduced to less 
    than 100. Therefore, EPA has no acute aggregate concern due to exposure 
    to cyfluthrin through food and drinking water.
        2. Short- and intermediate term aggregate risk. In the absence of 
    exposure data, EPA is reserving a default value of 20% for residential 
    exposures. However, as non-quantifiable exposures can not be included 
    in MOE calculations, the short-term MOE will include only dietary 
    exposure. Since the short term NOEL is based on a 21 day dermal 
    exposure toxicity, the dermal exposure will be adjusted for a dietary 
    endpoint (from the developmental study). The NOEL from the 
    developmental study (20 mg/kg/day) is 12.5-fold lower than that of the 
    21-day dermal study (250 mg/kg/day). The adjusted chronic dietary 
    exposure is thus 0.339 mg/kg/day (TMRC of 0.0271 mg/kg/day multiplied 
    by 12.5). As the calculated MOE for children (1 to 6 years old) is 737 
    (short term NOEL of 250 mg/kg/day divided by adjusted dietary exposure 
    of 0.339 mg/kg/day), the addition of any bounding assumption EPA is 
    considering for exposures from dietary water and residential sources is 
    unlikely to result in a MOE of <100. epa="" thus="" considers="" the="" short-="" and="" intermediate="" term="" risk="" to="" be="" acceptable="" for="" the="" purposes="" of="" establishing="" the="" proposed="" tolerances.="" 3.="" chronic="" aggregate="" risk.="" the="" chronic="" dietary="" (food="" only)="" risk="" assessment="" used="" anticipated="" residues="" and="" percent="" crop="" treated="" for="" certain="" crops.="" percent="" of="" crop="" treated="" estimates="" are="" derived="" from="" federal="" and="" private="" market="" survey="" data.="" typically,="" a="" range="" of="" estimates="" are="" supplied="" and="" the="" upper="" end="" of="" this="" range="" is="" assumed="" for="" the="" exposure="" assessment.="" by="" using="" the="" upper="" end="" estimate="" of="" percent="" of="" crop="" treated,="" the="" agency="" is="" reasonably="" certain="" that="" exposure="" is="" not="" understated="" for="" any="" significant="" subpopulation="" group.="" further,="" regional="" consumption="" information="" is="" taken="" into="" account="" through="" epa's="" computer-="" based="" model="" for="" evaluating="" the="" exposure="" of="" significant="" subpopulations,="" including="" several="" regional="" groups,="" to="" pesticide="" residues.="" the="" resulting="" exposure="" [[page="" 25522]]="" estimates="" should="" therefore="" be="" viewed="" as="" partially="" refined.="" further="" refinement="" using="" anticipated="" residues="" and="" percent="" crop="" treated="" for="" all="" commodities="" would="" result="" in="" lower="" dietary="" exposure="" estimates.="" for="" chronic="" dietary="" (food="" only)="" risk="" estimates,="" the="" population="" subgroup="" with="" the="" largest="" percentage="" of="" the="" rfd="" occupied="" is="" children="" (non-="" nursing="" infants,=""><1 years="" old)="" at="" 13%="" of="" the="" rfd.="" section="" 408="" (b)(2)(e)="" requires="" that,="" if="" epa="" relies="" upon="" anticipated="" residue="" levels="" in="" setting="" a="" tolerance,="" epa="" must="" require="" that="" data="" be="" submitted="" 5="" years="" after="" approval="" of="" the="" tolerance="" on="" whether="" the="" anticipated="" residue="" level="" remains="" accurate.="" because="" this="" tolerance="" is="" limited="" to="" less="" than="" 1="" year,="" data="" are="" not="" being="" required="" at="" this="" time.="" the="" aggregated="" chronic="" risk="" is="" equal="" to="" the="" sum="" of="" the="" chronic="" risk="" for="" food,="" drinking="" water,="" and="" indoor="" and="" outdoor="" residential="" exposures.="" for="" cyfluthrin,="" residential="" exposure="" data="" are="" lacking="" although="" the="" potential="" for="" exposure="" does="" exist.="" therefore,="" residential="" exposure="" was="" also="" aggregated="" with="" dietary="" exposure="" in="" the="" chronic="" risk="" assessment.="" the="" aggregated="" chronic="" risk="" for="" the="" population="" subgroup="" non-nursing="" infants="" less="" than="" 1="" year="" old="" from="" combined="" sources="" is="" 33%="" of="" the="" rfd="" (dietary="13%" +="" non-occupational="20%)." under="" any="" bounding="" assumptions="" epa="" is="" considering="" for="" exposure="" from="" drinking="" water,="" exposure="" to="" cyfluthrin="" would="" not="" exceed="" the="" rfd.="" epa="" therefore="" concludes="" that="" there="" is="" reasonable="" certainty="" that="" no="" harm="" will="" result="" to="" consumers,="" including="" infants="" and="" children,="" from="" aggregate="" exposure="" to="" cyfluthrin="" residues.="" 4.="" determination="" of="" safety="" for="" infants="" and="" children.="" 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="" analysis="" or="" through="" using="" uncertainty="" (safety)="" factors="" in="" calculating="" a="" dose="" level="" that="" poses="" no="" appreciable="" risk="" to="" humans.="" in="" either="" case,="" epa="" generally="" defines="" the="" level="" of="" appreciable="" risk="" as="" exposure="" that="" is="" greater="" than="" 1/100="" of="" the="" noel="" in="" the="" animal="" study="" appropriate="" to="" the="" particular="" risk="" assessment.="" this="" hundredfold="" uncertainty="" (safety)="" factor/margin="" of="" exposure="" (safety)="" is="" designed="" to="" account="" for="" combined="" inter-="" and="" intra-species="" variability.="" epa="" believes="" that="" reliable="" data="" support="" using="" the="" standard="" hundredfold="" margin/factor="" not="" the="" additional="" tenfold="" margin/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="" margin/factor.="" in="" assessing="" the="" potential="" for="" additional="" sensitivity="" of="" infants="" and="" children="" to="" residues="" of="" cyfluthrin,="" epa="" considered="" data="" from="" oral="" developmental="" toxicity="" studies="" in="" the="" rat="" and="" rabbit,="" as="" well="" data="" from="" a="" 2-generation="" reproduction="" study="" in="" the="" rat.="" the="" developmental="" toxicity="" studies="" are="" designed="" to="" evaluate="" adverse="" effects="" on="" the="" developing="" organism="" resulting="" from="" pesticide="" exposure="" during="" prenatal="" development="" to="" the="" mothers.="" reproduction="" studies="" provide="" information="" relating="" to="" effects="" from="" exposure="" to="" the="" pesticide="" on="" the="" reproductive="" capability="" of="" mating="" animals="" and="" data="" on="" systemic="" toxicity.="" 5.="" pre-natal="" effects.="" in="" the="" oral="" rat="" developmental="" toxicity="" studies,="" maternal="" (systemic)="" effects="" consisting="" of="" behavioral="" changes="" in="" gait="" and="" coordination="" were="" the="" basis="" of="" the="" maternal="" loel="" of="" 10="" mg/="" kg/day.="" no="" developmental="" (fetal)="" effects="" were="" noted="" in="" doses="" up="" to="" 30="" mg/kg/day="" (highest="" dose="" tested).="" in="" the="" oral="" rabbit="" developmental="" study,="" no="" developmental="" toxicity="" was="" observed="" at="" doses="" where="" maternal="" toxicity="" was="" noted.="" the="" maternal="" (systemic)="" noel="" is="" 20="" mg/kg/day="" and="" the="" maternal="" (systemic)="" loel="" of="" 60="" mg/kg/day="" was="" based="" on="" decreased="" body="" weight="" gain="" and="" food="" consumption.="" the="" developmental="" (fetal)="" noel="" is="" 20="" mg/kg/day="" and="" the="" developmental="" (fetal)="" loel="" of="" 60="" mg/kg/day="" was="" based="" on="" increases="" in="" the="" numbers="" of="" resorptions="" and="" post-implantation="" loss.="" in="" an="" inhalation="" developmental="" toxicity="" study,="" the="" maternal="" (systemic)="" and="" developmental="" (fetal)="" noels="" are="" 0.46="">3 
    and the maternal (systemic) and developmental (fetal) LOELs are 2.55 
    mg/m3. The maternal (systemic) LOEL was based on decreased 
    body weight gain and reduced food efficiency. The developmental (fetal) 
    LOEL was based on reduced fetal and placental weight and reduced 
    ossification. The weight of the evidence from this study would suggest 
    that cyfluthrin exposure caused developmental toxicity indirectly 
    through bradypnea (abnormal slowness of breathing) in the dams.
        6. Post-natal effects. In the rat 2-generation reproduction study, 
    parental toxicity was observed at 4.5 mg/kg/day based on body weight 
    decrease in pups (weaned for the next generation). The reproductive 
    (fetal) NOEL is 4.5 mg/kg/day. The reproductive (fetal) LOEL is 7.5 mg/
    kg/day based on decreased pup viability.
        These data taken together suggest minimal concern for developmental 
    or reproductive toxicity and do not indicate any increased pre- or 
    post-natal sensitivity. Therefore, EPA concludes that reliable data 
    support use of a hundredfold safety factor, and an additional tenfold 
    safety factor is not needed to protect the safety of infants and 
    children.
    
    E. Other Considerations
    
        1. Endocrine effects. No evidence of such effects were reported in 
    the toxicology studies described above. There is no evidence at this 
    time that cyfluthrin causes endocrine effects.
        2. Metabolism and nature of the residue. The nature of the residue 
    in plants and animals is adequately understood. The residue of concern 
    is parent cyfluthrin. Any secondary residues occurring in cattle meat, 
    meat by-products, milk and fat from the consumption of cyfluthrin 
    treated citrus will be covered by the existing tolerances for these 
    commodities.
        3. Analytical methodology. Adequate enforcement methodology (gas 
    chromatography/electron capture detector) for plant and animal 
    commodities is available to enforce the tolerances. EPA has provided 
    information on this method to the Food and Drug Adminstration. The 
    method is available to anyone who is interested in pesticide residue 
    enforcement from: By mail, Calvin Furlow, Public Response and Program 
    Resources Branch, Field Operations Division (7506C), Office of 
    Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St. SW., 
    Washington, DC 20460. Office location and telephone number: Crystal 
    Mall #2, Rm 1128, 1921 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA, 703-305-
    5805.
        4. International tolerances. There are no Codex, Canadian or 
    Mexican maximum residue limits (MRLs) for residues of cyfluthrin in/on 
    citrus.
    
    F. Summary of Findings
    
        Tolerances are time-limited to allow for development and review of 
    supplemental toxicity data; animal feeding data for a metabolite of 
    cyfluthrin; and residential, water and cumulative exposure data. These 
    tolerances will expire and be revoked by EPA on November 15, 1997. 
    After that November 15, 1997, EPA will publish a document in the 
    Federal Register to remove the revoked tolerances from the Code of 
    Federal Regulations.
    
    [[Page 25523]]
    
        EPA concludes that the time-limited tolerances will be safe. 
    Therefore the tolerances are established as set forth.
    
    III. 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 
    the new section 408(d) 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 
    given 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 its current procedural regulations with appropriate adjustments to 
    reflect the new law.
        Any person may, by July 8, 1997, 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 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.
    
    IV. Public Docket
    
        The official record for this rulemaking, as well as the public 
    version, has been established for this rulemaking under docket control 
    number OPP-300484 (including comments and data submitted electronically 
    as described below). 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 
    official rulemaking record is located at the Virginia address in 
    ``ADDRESSES'' at the beginning of this document.
        Electronic comments can 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. Comment and data 
    will also be accepted on disks in Wordperfect 5.1 file format or ASCII 
    file format. All comments and data in electronic form must be 
    identified by the docket number OPP-300484. Electronic comments on this 
    proposed rule may be filed online at many Federal Depository Libraries.
    
    V. Regulatory Assessment Requirements
    
        Under Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993), this 
    action is not a ``significant regulatory action'' and, since this 
    action does not impose any information collection requirements as 
    defined by the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., it is 
    not subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget. In 
    addition, this action does not impose any enforceable duty or contain 
    any unfunded mandate as described in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act 
    of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4), or require prior consultation with State 
    officials as specified by Executive Order 12875 (58 FR 58093, October 
    28, 1993), or special considerations as required by Executive Order 
    12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
        Because tolerances established on the basis of a petition under 
    section 408(d) of FFDCA do not require issuance of a proposed rule, the 
    regulatory flexibility analysis requirements of the Regulatory 
    Flexibility Act (RFA), 5 U.S.C. 604(a), do not apply. Prior to the 
    recent amendment of the FFDCA, EPA had treated such rulemakings as 
    subject to the RFA; however, the amendments to the FFDCA clarify that 
    no proposal is required for such rulemakings and hence that the RFA is 
    inapplicable. Nonetheless, the Agency has previously assessed whether 
    establishing tolerances or exemptions from tolerance, raising tolerance 
    levels, or expanding exemptions adversely impact small entities and 
    concluded, as a generic matter, that there is no adverse impact. (46 FR 
    24950, May 4, 1981).
        Under 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A) of the Small Business Regulatory 
    Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Title II of Pub. L. 104-121, 110 
    Stat. 847), EPA submitted 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 General Accounting 
    Office prior to publication of the rule in today's 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: April 30, 1997.
    
    James Jones,
    
    Acting Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.
        Therefore, 40 CFR Chapter I is amended as follows:
    
    PART 180--[AMENDED]
    
        1. The authority for part 180 continues to read as follows:
        Authority: 21 U.S.C. 346a and 371.
    
        2. Section 180.436 is amended by revising the introductory text to 
    paragraph (a), by revising the column headings to the table in 
    paragraph (a), and by alphabetically adding entries for citrus crop 
    group; citrus oil; and citrus dried pulp.
    
    
    Sec. 180.436  Cyfluthrin; tolerances for residues.
    
        (a) General. Tolerances are established for residues of the 
    insecticide cyfluthrin (cyano(4-fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)methyl 3-(2,2-
    dichloroethenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate; CAS Reg. No. 
    68359-37-5) in or on the following raw agricultural commodities:
    
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Parts per   Expiration/ Revocation
                  Commodity                million             date         
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            
                              *    *    *    *    *                         
    Citrus crop group...................        0.2       Nov. 15, 1997     
    
    [[Page 25524]]
    
                                                                            
    Citrus dried pulp...................        0.3            Do.          
    Citrus oil..........................        0.3            Do.          
                                                                            
                              *    *    *    *    *                         
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    *    *    *    *    *
    
    [FR Doc. 97-12195 Filed 5-8-97; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 6560-50-F
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
5/9/1997
Published:
05/09/1997
Department:
Environmental Protection Agency
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final Rule.
Document Number:
97-12195
Dates:
This regulation becomes effective May 9, 1997. Written objections and requests for hearings must be received by July 8, 1997.
Pages:
25518-25524 (7 pages)
Docket Numbers:
OPP-300484, FRL-5715-6
RINs:
2070-AB78
PDF File:
97-12195.pdf
CFR: (1)
40 CFR 180.436