97-16355. Notice of Filing of Pesticide Petitions  

  • [Federal Register Volume 62, Number 120 (Monday, June 23, 1997)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 33864-33868]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 97-16355]
    
    
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    ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
    
    [PF-745; FRL-5722-8]
    
    
    Notice of Filing of Pesticide Petitions
    
    AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
    
    ACTION: Notice.
    
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    SUMMARY: This notice announces the initial filing of pesticide 
    petitions proposing the establishment of regulations for residues of 
    certain pesticide chemicals in or on various food commodities.
    
    DATES: Comments, identified by the docket control number PF-745, must 
    be received on or before July 23, 1997.
    ADDRESSES: By mail submit written comments to: Public Information and 
    Records Integrity Branch, Information Resources and Services Division 
    (7506C), Office of Pesticides Programs, Environmental Protection 
    Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460. In person bring comments 
    to: Rm. 1132, CM #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA.
        Comments and data may also be submitted electronically by following 
    the instructions under ``SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.'' No confidential 
    business information should be submitted through e-mail.
        Information submitted as a comment concerning this document may be 
    claimed confidential by marking any part or all of that information as 
    ``Confidential Business Information'' (CBI). CBI should not be 
    submitted through e-mail. Information marked as CBI will not be 
    disclosed except in accordance with procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 
    2. A copy of the comment 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. All written 
    comments will be available for public inspection in Rm. 1132 at the 
    address given above, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
    excluding legal holidays.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: By mail: Jim Tompkins, Product Manager 
    (PM) 25, 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, CM #2, 
    1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 22202, 703-305-5697, e-
    mail: miller.joanne@epamail.epa.gov.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA has received pesticide petitions as 
    follows proposing the establishment and/or amendment of regulations for 
    residues of certain pesticide chemicals in or on various food 
    commodities under section 408 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Comestic 
    Act (FFDCA), 21 U.S.C. 346a. EPA has determined that these petitions 
    contain data or information regarding the elements set forth in section 
    408(d)(2); however, EPA has not fully evaluated the sufficiency of the 
    submitted data at this time or whether the data supports granting of 
    the petition. Additional data may be needed before EPA rules on the 
    petition.
        The official record for this notice of filing, as well as the 
    public version, has been established for this notice of filing under 
    docket control number PF-745 (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 record is located at the 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 control number PF-745 and appropriate petition 
    number. Electronic comments on this notice may be filed online at many 
    Federal Depository Libraries.
    
    List of Subjects
    
        Environmental protection, Agricultural commodities, Food additives, 
    Feed additives, Pesticides and pests, Reporting and recordkeeping 
    requirements.
    
        Dated: June 13, 1997.
    James Jones,
    Acting Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.
    
    Summaries of Petitions
    
        Petitioner summaries of the pesticide petitions are printed below 
    as required by section 408(d)(3) of the FFDCA. The summaries of the 
    petitions were prepared by the petitioners and represent the views of 
    the petitioners. EPA is publishing the petition summaries verbatim 
    without editing them in any way. The petition summary announces the 
    availability of a description of the analytical methods available to 
    EPA for the detection and measurement of the pesticide chemical 
    residues or an explanation of why no such method is needed.
    
    Monsanto Company
    
    PP 6F4620
    
        EPA has received a pesticide petition (PP 6F4620) from the Monsanto 
    Company, 700 14th St., NW., Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20005 pursuant 
    to section 408(d) of FFDCA, as amended, 21 U.S.C. 346a(d), by the Food 
    Quality Protection Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-170, 110 Stat. 1489) 
    proposing to amend 40 CFR 180.479 by establishing tolerance for 
    residues of the herbicide, halosulfuron-methyl: (methyl 5-[(4,6-
    dimethoxy-2-pyrimidinyl)amino] carbon-ylaminosul-fonyl-3-chloro-1-
    methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbo-xylate), in or on the raw agricultural 
    commodity sugarcane, cane at 0.05 ppm. EPA has determined that the 
    petition contains data or information regarding the elements set forth 
    in section 408(d)(2); however, EPA has not fully evaluated the 
    sufficieny of the submitted data at this time or whether the data 
    supports granting of the petition. Additional data may be needed before 
    EPA rules on the petition.
        The proposed analytical method for determining residues is by gas 
    chromatography with an electron-capture detection.
        The following is a summary of the information submitted to EPA to 
    support the establishment, under section 408(b)(2)(D) of the amended 
    FFDCA, of a tolerance for halosulfuron-methyl in sugarcane. 
    Halosulfuron-methyl is a selective herbicide for the control of annual 
    broadleaf weeds and nutsedge in field corn, milo, turf,
    
    [[Page 33865]]
    
    sugarcane, sweet corn/popcorn and other crops which is effective at low 
    use rates. It may be applied pre-emergent, pre-plant incorporated, or 
    postemergent in field corn. Single or sequential postemergence 
    application rates are effective in milo, turf, and sugarcane.
    
    A. Plant Metabolism and Analytical Method
    
        The metabolism of halosulfuron-methyl as well as the nature of the 
    residues is adequately understood for purposes of the tolerances. 
    Metabolism depends on the mode of application. Preemergent applications 
    result in rapid soil degradation of halosulfuron-methyl followed by 
    crop uptake of the resulting pyrazole moiety. The pyrimidine ring binds 
    tightly to soil and is eventually converted to carbon dioxide by 
    microbial degradation. In postemergent applications, little metabolism 
    and translocation take place resulting in unmetabolized parent compound 
    as the major residue on the directly treated foliar surfaces. Very low 
    levels of residues are found in the grain. In the sugarcane residue 
    study, no residues at or above the limit of quantitation of 0.05 parts 
    per million (ppm) were observed even from samples obtained when the 
    exaggerated rate (>10x) was applied.
        An adequate analytical method, gas chromatography with an electron-
    capture detector, is available for enforcement purposes with a limit of 
    detection that allows monitoring of food with residues at or above the 
    levels set in these tolerances. The field corn and grain sorghum (milo) 
    enforcement methodology has been submitted to the Food and Drug 
    Administration for publication in the Pesticide Analytical Manual, Vol. 
    II (PAM II). This method underwent independent laboratory validation 
    and validation at the Beltsville laboratory. The Analytical Chemistry 
    section of the EPA concluded that the method is adequate for 
    enforcement. Analytical method is also available for analyzing meat by-
    products which also underwent successful independent laboratory and 
    Beltsville laboratory validations.
    
    B. Toxicological Profile of Halosulfuron-methyl
    
        The toxicological data has been deemed complete by EPA. Data 
    considered in support of the tolerance include:
        1. Acute toxicological studies placing the technical-grade 
    halosulfuron in Toxicity Category III.
        2. A 90-day feeding study in rats resulted in a lowest-observed-
    effect-level (LOEL) of 497 milligrams/kilograms/day (mg/kg/day) in 
    males and 640 mg/kg/day in females, and a no-observed-effect-level 
    (NOEL) of 116 mg/kg/day in males and 147 mg/kg/day in females.
        3. A 21-day dermal toxicity study in rats resulted in a NOEL of 100 
    mg/kg/day in males and greater than 1,000 mg/kg/day in females. The 
    only treatment-related effect was a decrease in body weight gain of the 
    1,000 mg/kg/day group in males.
         4. A 1-year chronic oral study in dogs resulted in a LOEL of 40 
    mg/kg/day based on decreased weight gain and a NOEL of 10 mg/kg/day for 
    systemic toxicity.
        5. A 78-week carcinogenicity study was performed on mice. Males in 
    the 971.6 mg/kg/day group had decreased body weight gains and an 
    increased incidence of microconcretion/mineralization in the testis and 
    epididymis. No treatment-related effects were noted in females. Based 
    on these results, a LOEL of 971.9 mg/kg/day was established in males 
    and NOEL's of 410 mg/kg/day in males and 1,214.6 mg/kg/day in females 
    were established. The study showed no evidence of carcinogenicity.
        6. A combined chronic toxicity/carcinogenicity study in rats 
    resulted in a LOEL of 225.2 mg/kg/day in males and 138.6 mg/kg/day in 
    females based on decreased body weight gains, and a NOEL of 108.3 mg/
    kg/day in males and 56.3 mg/kg/day in females. The study showed no 
    evidence of carcinogenicity.
        7. A developmental toxicity study in rats resulted in a 
    developmental LOEL of 750 mg/kg/day, based on decreases in mean litter 
    size and fetal body weight, and increases in resorptions, resorptions/
    dam, post-implantation loss and in fetal and litter incidences of soft 
    tissue and skeletal variations, and a developmental NOEL of 250 mg/kg/
    day. Maternal LOEL was 750 mg/kg/day based on increased incidence of 
    clinical observations, reduced body weight gains, and reduced food 
    consumption and food efficiency. The maternal NOEL was 250 mg/kg/day.
        8. A developmental toxicity study in rabbits resulted in a 
    developmental LOEL of 150 mg/kg/day, based on decreased mean litter 
    size and increases in resorptions, resorptions/dam and post-
    implantation loss, and a developmental NOEL of 50 mg/kg/day. The 
    maternal LOEL was 150 mg/kg/day based on reduced body weight gain and 
    reduced food consumption and food efficiency. The maternal NOEL was 50 
    mg/kg/day.
        9. A dietary two-generation reproduction study in rats resulted in 
    parental toxicity at 223.2 mg/kg/day in males and 261.4 mg/kg/day in 
    females in the form of decreased body weights, decreased body weight 
    gains, and reduced food consumption during the premating period. Very 
    slight effects were noted in body weight of the offspring at this dose. 
    This effect was considered to be developmental toxicity (developmental 
    delay) rather than a reproductive effect. No effects were noted on 
    reproductive or other developmental toxicity parameters. The systemic/
    developmental toxicity LOEL was 223.2 mg/kg/day in males and 261.4 mg/
    kg/day in females; the systemic/developmental toxicity NOEL was 50.4 
    mg/kg/day in males and 58.7 mg/kg/day in females. The reproductive LOEL 
    was greater than 223.2 mg/kg/day in males and 261.4 mg/kg/day in 
    females; the reproductive NOEL was equal to or greater than 223.2 mg/
    kg/day in males and 261.4 mg/kg/day in females.
        10. Bacterial/mammalian microsomal mutagenicity assays were 
    performed and found not to be mutagenic.
        11. Two mutagenicity studies were performed to test gene mutation 
    and found to produce no chromosomal aberrations or gene mutations in 
    cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells.
        12. An in vivo mouse micronucleus assay did not cause a significant 
    increase in the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes 
    in bone marrow cells.
        13. A mutagenicity study was performed on rats and found not to 
    induce unscheduled DNA synthesis in primary rat hepatocytes.
        14. A metabolism study in rats resulted in the administered dose 
    being absorbed rapidly and incompletely. Most of the test article was 
    eliminated by urine and feces within 72 hours, and appeared to be 
    independent of dose and sex.
    Threshold Effects
        Chronic effects. Based on the complete and reliable toxicity data 
    base, EPA has adopted a Reference Dose (RfD) value of 0.1 mg/kg body 
    weight/day based on a NOEL of 10.0 mg/kg body weight/day from a one-
    year dog feeding study and an uncertainty factor of 100. EPA has 
    concluded that the toxicity of the metabolite is lower compared to the 
    parent compound and is not a residue of concern (see metabolite 
    toxicity section below).
        Acute effects. EPA has determined that the appropriate NOEL to use 
    to assess safety in acute exposure is 50 mg/kg body weight/day from a 
    developmental toxicity study in rabbits. EPA has concluded that the 
    subpopulation of concern for this endpoint are females older than 13 
    years old.
    Non-threshold Effects
    
    [[Page 33866]]
    
        Carcinogenicity. EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs' Health Effects 
    Division's Carcinogenicity Peer Review Committee (CPRC) has classified 
    halosulfuron-methyl in Group E (evidence of noncarcinogenicity for 
    humans) under the Agency's ``Guidelines for Carcinogen Risk 
    Assessment'' published in the Federal Register of September 24, 1986 
    (51 FR 33992). In its evaluation, CPRC gave consideration to body 
    weight gain changes and changes in hematological and blood chemistry 
    parameters in the 1-year feeding study in dogs. Hence, there are no 
    non-threshold effects associated with the compound and cancer risk 
    assessment is not appropriate.
        Metabolite toxicity. The following toxicology studies were 
    conducted with the metabolite, 3-chloro-1-methyl-5-sulfamoylpyrazole-4-
    carboxylic acid (3-CSA). Based on the toxicological data of the 3-CSA 
    metabolite, EPA has concluded that it appears to be of lower toxicity 
    compared to the parent compound and that it should not be included in 
    the tolerance expression. The residue of concern is the parent compound 
    only.
        (1) A 90-day rat feeding study resulted in a LOEL in males of 
    >20,000 ppm and a NOEL of 20,000 ppm (1,400 mg/kg/day). In 
    females, the LEL is 10,000 ppm (772.8 mg/kg/day) based on decreased 
    body weight gains and a NOEL of 1,000 ppm (75.8 mg/kg/day).
        (2) A developmental toxicity resulted in a LOEL for maternal 
    toxicity of >1,000 mg/kg/day based on the absence of systemic toxicity, 
    a NOEL of 1,000 mg/kg/day. The developmental LOEL is >1,000 
    mg/kg/day and the NOEL is 1,000 mg/kg/day.
        (3) The microbial reverse gene mutation did not produce any 
    mutagenic effect while the mammalian cell gene mutation/chinese hamster 
    ovary cells showed no clear evidence of mutagenic effect in the Chinese 
    hamster ovary cells.
        (4) The mouse micronucleus assay did not show any clastogenic or 
    aneugenic effect.
    
    C. Aggregate Exposure
    
        1. Dietary exposure. For purposes of assessing the potential 
    dietary exposure from food under the proposed tolerances, Monsanto has 
    estimated aggregate exposure based on the Theoretical Maximum Residue 
    Contribution (TMRC) from established tolerances, viz.; tolerances in or 
    on the following raw agricultural commodities, field corn, grain at 0.1 
    ppm; field corn, forage at 0.3 ppm; field corn, fodder at 1.5 ppm; 
    grain sorghum (milo) grain at 0.1 ppm; grain sorghum (milo) forage at 
    0.1 ppm; grain sorghum (milo) fodder/stover at 0.1 ppm; and meat and 
    meat byproducts (cattle, goats, hogs, horses, and sheep) at 0.1 ppm as 
    well as proposed tolerances, viz.; on sugarcane and sweet corn/popcorn 
    (included in another submission under PP 6F4661). Field corn forage and 
    fodder as well as sorghum forage and fodder/stover are fed to animals, 
    thus exposure of humans to residues from these commodities might result 
    if such residues are transferred to meat, milk, poultry, or eggs. 
    However, based on the results of a animal metabolism study and the 
    amount of halosulfuron-methyl expected in animal feed, Monsanto has 
    concluded that there is no reasonable expectation that residues of 
    halosulfuron-methyl will exceed existing tolerances in meat. EPA has 
    concluded that regulation of animal commodities and poultry products 
    are not required.
        TMRC is obtained by multiplying the tolerance levels for each 
    commodity by consumption data which estimates the amount of crops and 
    related food stuff consumed by the U.S. population and various 
    population subgroups. In conducting this exposure assessment, Monsanto 
    has made very conservative assumptions, e.g., 100% of all commodities 
    will contain halosulfuron-methyl residues and those residues would be 
    at the level of their respective tolerances. This results in a large 
    overestimate of human exposure. Even with these conservative 
    assumptions, the potential dietary exposure to halosulfuron from 
    consumption of products for which it is currently labeled and proposed 
    represents only 0.6% of the RfD for the general population.
        2. Dietary (drinking water) exposure. There is no Maximum 
    Contaminant Level (MCL) established for residues of halosulfuron-methyl 
    nor is it listed for MCL development or monitoring in drinking water 
    supplies under the Safe Drinking Water Act. It is not a target of EPA's 
    National Survey of Wells for Pesticides. Monsanto is not aware of 
    halosulfuron-methyl being detected in any wells, ponds, lakes, streams, 
    etc. from its use in the United States. A Lifetime Health Advisory 
    Level (HAL) calculated by EPA procedures may be used as a preliminary 
    acceptable level in drinking water. The calculated level is 700 ppb 
    assuming a 20% relative contribution from water which is high enough to 
    provide ample margin of safety. In addition, EPA has concluded that 
    potential levels of halosulfuron-methyl in soil and water do not appear 
    to have toxicological effects on humans or animals. No effects were 
    observed on a variety of animals at concentrations several orders of 
    magnitude greater than would likely occur in soil, ground water, or 
    surface water.
        Based on the very low level of mammalian toxicity, lack of other 
    toxicological concerns coupled with low use rates, Monsanto believes 
    that there is reasonable certainty that no harm will result from 
    dietary exposure to halosulfuron-methyl since dietary exposure to 
    residues on food will use only a small fraction of the RfD and any 
    contribution through drinking water is expected to be insignificant.
        3. Non-dietary exposure. Halosulfuron-methyl is labeled for use on 
    commercial and residential turf and other non-crop sites which could 
    have minimal opportunity for exposure. The other uses which are 
    agricultural including the proposed uses (sugarcane and sweet corn/
    popcorn) will not increase the non-occupational exposure appreciably, 
    if at all. Any exposure to halosulfuron-methyl resulting from turf use 
    will result from dermal exposure during application and will be limited 
    because of low use rates. In the 21-day dermal study, no treatment 
    related adverse effects were observed and the NOAEL was determined to 
    be greater than the highest dose level tested, 1000 mg/kg. 
    Halosulfuron-methyl is non-volatile with a vapor pressure of <1 x="" 10-7="" mm="" hg,="" hence,="" inhalation="" exposure="" during="" and="" after="" application="" will="" not="" add="" significantly="" to="" aggregate="" exposure.="" based="" on="" the="" physical="" and="" chemical="" characteristics,="" low="" use="" rates,="" low="" acute="" toxicity="" and="" lack="" of="" other="" toxicological="" concerns,="" monsanto="" believes="" that="" the="" risk="" posed="" by="" non-occupational="" exposure="" to="" halosulfuron-methyl="" is="" minimal.="" d.="" cumulative="" effect="" halosulfuron-methyl="" belongs="" to="" the="" sulfonyl="" urea="" class="" of="" compounds.="" the="" mode="" of="" action="" of="" halosulfuron-methyl="" is="" the="" inhibition="" of="" the="" plant="" enzyme="" aceto="" lactase="" synthetase,="" which="" is="" essential="" for="" the="" production="" of="" required="" amino="" acid="" in="" the="" plant.="" although="" other="" registered="" sulfonyl="" ureas="" may="" have="" similar="" herbicidal="" mode="" of="" action,="" there="" is="" no="" information="" available="" to="" suggest="" that="" these="" compounds="" exhibit="" a="" similar="" toxicity="" profile="" in="" the="" mammalian="" system="" that="" would="" be="" cumulative="" with="" halosulfuron-methyl.="" thus,="" consideration="" of="" a="" common="" mechanism="" of="" toxicity="" is="" not="" appropriate="" at="" this="" time.="" monsanto="" is="" considering="" only="" the="" potential="" risks="" of="" halosulfuron-methyl="" in="" its="" aggregate="" exposure="" assessment.="" [[page="" 33867]]="" e.="" determination="" of="" safety="" for="" u.s.="" population="" 1.="" chronic="" dietary="" exposure.="" the="" agency="" has="" concluded="" that="" the="" aggregate="" exposure="" to="" halosulfuron-methyl="" from="" the="" previously="" established="" tolerances="" is="" 0.00051="" mg/kg="" of="" body="" weight/day="" for="" the="" general="" population="" utilizing="" 0.051%="" of="" the="" rfd.="" the="" exposure="" contribution="" from="" the="" proposed="" uses="" in="" sugarcane="" and="" sweetcorn/popcorn="" when="" combined="" with="" exposure="" from="" established="" tolerances="" is="" calculated="" to="" be="" 0.6%="" of="" the="" rfd="" over="" all="" u.s.="" population="" and="" considered="" to="" be="" minimal.="" epa="" generally="" has="" no="" concern="" for="" exposures="" below="" 100="" percent="" of="" the="" rfd="" for="" the="" u.s.="" population="" 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.="" toxicology="" data="" indicating="" low="" potential="" for="" mammalian="" toxicity="" and="" lack="" of="" other="" toxicity="" concerns="" plus="" the="" conservative="" assumptions="" used="" here="" support="" the="" conclusion="" that="" there="" is="" a="" ``reasonable="" certainty="" of="" no="" harm''="" from="" aggregate="" exposure="" to="" halosulfuron-methyl="" residues="" from="" all="" anticipated="" dietary="" exposures="" and="" all="" other="" non-occupational="" exposures.="" 2.="" acute="" dietary="" exposure.="" the="" detailed="" dres="" acute="" exposure="" analysis="" conducted="" by="" epa="" evaluates="" individual="" food="" consumption="" as="" reported="" by="" respondents="" in="" the="" usda="" 77-78="" nationwide="" food="" consumption="" survey="" (nfcs)="" and="" estimates="" the="" distribution="" of="" single="" day="" exposures="" through="" the="" diet="" for="" the="" us="" population="" and="" certain="" subgroups.="" since="" the="" toxicological="" effect="" to="" which="" high="" end="" exposure="" is="" compared="" is="" developmental="" toxicity,="" epa="" determined="" that="" the="" dres="" subgroup="" of="" concern="" is="" females="" (13+="" years)="" which="" approximates="" women="" of="" child-="" bearing="" age.="" the="" margin="" of="" exposure="" (moe)="" is="" a="" measure="" of="" how="" closely="" the="" high="" end="" exposure="" comes="" to="" the="" noel,="" and="" is="" calculated="" as="" the="" ratio="" of="" the="" noel="" to="" the="" exposure="" (noel/exposure="MOE)." for="" toxicological="" endpoints="" established="" based="" upon="" animal="" studies,="" the="" agency="" is="" generally="" not="" concerned="" unless="" the="" moe="" is="" below="" 100.="" in="" this="" analysis,="" epa="" used="" tolerance="" level="" residues="" to="" calculate="" the="" exposure="" of="" the="" highest="" exposed="" individual="" (females,="" 13+="" year="" subgroup).="" high="" end="" exposure="" for="" this="" subgroup="" resulted="" in="" an="" moe="" in="" excess="" of="" 30,000.="" epa="" concluded="" that="" acute="" dietary="" exposure="" to="" halosulfuron-methyl="" does="" not="" represent="" a="" risk="" concern.="" monsanto's="" calculation="" of="" the="" moe="" which="" included="" proposed="" tolerances="" for="" sugarcane="" and="" sweet="" corn/popcorn="" was="" 24,732.="" f.="" safety="" determination="" for="" infants="" and="" children="" in="" assessing="" the="" potential="" for="" additional="" sensitivity="" of="" infants="" and="" children="" to="" residues="" of="" halosulfuron-methyl,="" monsanto="" 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="" the="" potential="" for="" adverse="" effects="" on="" the="" developing="" organism="" resulting="" from="" exposure="" during="" prenatal="" development="" to="" the="" female="" parent.="" reproduction="" studies="" provide="" information="" relating="" to="" effects="" from="" exposure="" to="" the="" chemical="" on="" the="" reproductive="" capability="" of="" both="" (mating)="" parents="" and="" on="" systemic="" toxicity.="" in="" a="" developmental="" toxicity="" study="" in="" the="" rat,="" the="" noel="" for="" both="" maternal="" and="" developmental="" toxicity="" was="" considered="" to="" be="" 250="" mg/kg/day.="" in="" a="" developmental="" toxicity="" study="" in="" rabbits,="" a="" noel="" for="" both="" developmental="" and="" maternal="" toxicity="" was="" considered="" to="" be="" 50="" mg/kg/day.="" a="" dietary="" two-generation="" reproduction="" study="" in="" rats="" resulted="" in="" parental="" toxicity="" at="" 223.2="" mg/kg/day="" in="" males="" and="" 261.4="" mg/kg/day="" in="" females="" in="" the="" form="" of="" decreased="" body="" weights,="" decreased="" body="" weight="" gains,="" and="" reduced="" food="" consumption="" during="" the="" premating="" period.="" very="" slight="" effects="" were="" noted="" in="" body="" weight="" of="" the="" offspring="" at="" this="" dose.="" this="" effect="" was="" considered="" to="" be="" developmental="" toxicity="" (developmental="" delay)="" rather="" than="" a="" reproductive="" effect.="" no="" effects="" were="" noted="" on="" reproductive="" or="" other="" developmental="" toxicity="" parameters.="" the="" systemic/="" developmental="" toxicity="" noel="" was="" 50.4="" mg/kg/day="" in="" males="" and="" 58.7="" mg/kg/="" day="" in="" females.="" the="" reproductive="" noel="" was="" equal="" to="" or="" greater="" than="" 223.2="" mg/kg/day="" in="" males="" and="" 261.4="" mg/kg/day="" in="" females.="" in="" all="" cases,="" the="" reproductive="" and="" developmental="" noels="" were="" greater="" than="" the="" noel="" on="" which="" the="" rfd="" was="" based,="" thus="" allowing="" for="" an="" additional="" margin="" of="" safety="" and="" indicating="" that="" halosulfuron-methyl="" does="" not="" pose="" any="" increased="" risk="" to="" infants="" or="" children.="" chronic="" analysis.="" using="" the="" conservative="" dietary="" exposure="" assumptions="" described="" above,="" epa="" has="" established="" that="" the="" tmrc="" for="" the="" most="" exposed="" subgroups="" is="" 0.0012="" mg/kg="" body="" weight/day="" for="" nonnursing="" infants="" (less="" than="" 1="" year="" old)="" and="" 0.0010="" mg/kg="" body="" weight/day="" for="" children="" (1="" to="" 6="" years="" old),="" and="" that="" this="" aggregate="" exposure="" to="" residues="" of="" halosulfuron-methyl="" utilizes="" only="" 1.17="" and="" 1.01="" percent="" of="" the="" rfd,="" respectively="" when="" existing="" tolerances="" are="" considered.="" monsanto's="" analysis="" included="" contribution="" from="" sugarcane="" and="" sweet="" corn/popcorn="" exposures="" and="" the="" additional="" amount="" of="" the="" rfd="" utilized="" was="" minimal="" (1.7="" and="" 1.3%),="" respectively.="" ffdca="" section="" 408="" provides="" that="" epa="" may="" apply="" an="" additional="" safety="" factor="" (up="" to="" 10)="" in="" the="" case="" of="" threshold="" effects="" for="" infants="" and="" children="" to="" account="" for="" pre-="" and="" post-natal="" toxicity="" and="" the="" completeness="" of="" the="" data="" base.="" based="" on="" current="" toxicological="" data="" requirements,="" the="" data="" base="" relative="" to="" preand="" post-natal="" effects="" in="" children="" is="" complete.="" further,="" the="" noel="" of="" 10="" mg/kg/day="" from="" the="" 1-year="" feeding="" study="" in="" dogs,="" which="" was="" used="" to="" calculate="" the="" rfd="" (discussed="" above),="" is="" already="" lower="" than="" the="" noels="" from="" the="" reproductive="" and="" developmental="" studies="" with="" halosulfuron-methyl="" by="" a="" factor="" of="" at="" least="" 25-="" and="" 5-fold,="" respectively.="" therefore,="" an="" additional="" safety="" factor="" is="" not="" warranted="" and="" an="" rfd="" of="" 0.1="" mg/kg/day="" is="" appropriate="" for="" assessing="" aggregate="" risk="" to="" infants="" and="" children.="" therefore,="" based="" on="" complete="" and="" reliable="" toxicity="" data="" and="" the="" conservative="" exposure="" assessment,="" monsanto="" concludes="" that="" there="" is="" reasonable="" certainty="" that="" no="" harm="" will="" result="" to="" infants="" and="" children="" from="" aggregate="" exposure="" to="" halosulfuron-methyl="" residues.="" g.="" estrogenic="" effects="" no="" specific="" tests="" have="" been="" conducted="" with="" halosulfuron-methyl="" to="" determine="" whether="" the="" chemical="" may="" have="" an="" effect="" in="" humans="" that="" is="" similar="" to="" an="" effect="" produced="" by="" a="" naturally="" occuring="" estrogen="" or="" other="" endocrine="" effects.="" however,="" there="" were="" no="" significant="" findings="" in="" other="" relevant="" toxicity="" tests,="" i.e.,="" teratology="" and="" multi-generation="" reproduction="" studies,="" which="" would="" suggest="" that="" halosulfuron-methyl="" produces="" effects="" characteristic="" of="" the="" disruption="" of="" the="" estrogenic="" hormone.="" h.="" international="" tolerances="" maximum="" residue="" levels="" have="" not="" been="" established="" for="" residues="" of="" halosulfuron-methyl="" on="" corn,="" sorghum,="" sugarcane="" or="" sweet="" corn="" or="" any="" other="" food="" or="" feed="" crop="" by="" the="" codex="" alimentarius="" commission.="" pp="" 6f4661="" epa="" has="" received="" a="" pesticide="" petition="" (pp="" 6f4661)="" from="" the="" monsanto="" company,="" 700="" 14th="" st.,="" nw.,="" suite="" 1100,="" washington,="" dc="" 20005="" pursuant="" to="" section="" 408(d)="" of="" ffdca,="" as="" amended,="" 21="" u.s.c.="" 346a(d),="" by="" fqpa="" (pub.="" l.="" 104-170,="" 110="" stat.="" 1489)="" proposing="" to="" amend="" 40="" cfr="" part="" 180.479="" by="" establishing="" tolerance="" for="" residues="" of="" the="" herbicide,="" halosulfuron-="" [[page="" 33868]]="" methyl:="" (methyl="" 5-[(4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyrimidinyl)amino]="" carbon-="" ylaminosulfonyl-3-chloro-1-methyl-1h-pyrazole-4-carboxylate),="" in="" or="" on="" the="" raw="" agricultural="" commodity="" sweet="" corn,="" sweet="" corn="" (kernel="" plus="" cobs="" with="" husks="" removed)="" at="" 0.1="" ppm,="" sweet="" corn="" forage="" at="" 0.5="" ppm="" and="" sweet="" corn="" fodder/stover="" at="" 1.5="" ppm="" and="" pop="" corn="" grain="" at="" 0.1="" ppm="" and="" pop="" corn="" stover/fodder="" at="" 1.5="" ppm.="" epa="" has="" determined="" that="" the="" petition="" contains="" data="" or="" information="" regarding="" the="" elements="" set="" forth="" in="" section="" 408(d)(2);="" however,="" epa="" has="" not="" fully="" evaluated="" the="" sufficieny="" of="" the="" submitted="" data="" at="" this="" time="" or="" whether="" the="" data="" supports="" granting="" of="" the="" petition.="" additional="" data="" may="" be="" needed="" before="" epa="" rules="" on="" the="" petition.="" the="" proposed="" analytical="" method="" for="" determining="" residues="" is="" by="" gas="" chromatography="" with="" an="" electron-capture="" detection.="" epa,="" as="" mentioned="" above,="" is="" in="" the="" process="" of="" evaluating="" the="" petition.="" with="" one="" exception,="" the="" summary="" for="" pp="" 6f4661="" is="" identical="" to="" the="" summary="" of="" pp="" 6f4620="" as="" outlined="" above,="" therefore="" it="" is="" not="" restated.="" with="" regards="" to="" the="" exception,="" the="" sugarcane="" residues="" study="" discussed="" in="" the="" first="" paragraph,="" last="" sentence="" of="" unit="" a="" of="" the="" pp="" 6f4620="" summary="" was="" not="" included="" in="" the="" pp="" 6f4661="" summary.="" [fr="" doc.="" 97-16355="" filed="" 6-20-97;="" 8:45="" am]="" billing="" code="" 6560-50-f="">

Document Information

Published:
06/23/1997
Department:
Environmental Protection Agency
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Notice.
Document Number:
97-16355
Dates:
Comments, identified by the docket control number PF-745, must be received on or before July 23, 1997.
Pages:
33864-33868 (5 pages)
Docket Numbers:
PF-745, FRL-5722-8
PDF File:
97-16355.pdf