98-16822. Tebufenozide; Benzoic Acid, 3,5-dimethyl-1-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-2- (4-ethylbenzoyl) hydrazide  

  • [Federal Register Volume 63, Number 121 (Wednesday, June 24, 1998)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 34310-34318]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 98-16822]
    
    
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    ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
    
    40 CFR Part 180
    
    [OPP-300675; FRL 5796-9]
    RIN 2070-AB78
    
    
    Tebufenozide; Benzoic Acid, 3,5-dimethyl-1-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-2-
    (4-ethylbenzoyl) hydrazide
    
    AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of 
    tebufenozide in or on pecans and grapes, wine and a time-limited 
    tolerance for residues of tebufenozide in or on pears. The time-limited 
    tolerance for pears is being established to allow the use of 
    tebufenozide on pears under an Experimental Use Permit. Rohm and Haas 
    Company requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and 
    Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), as amended by the Food Quality Protection Act of 
    1996 (Pub. L. 104-170).
    
    DATES: This regulation is effective June 24, 1998. Objections and 
    requests for hearings must be received by EPA on or before August 24, 
    1998.
    
    ADDRESSES: Written objections and hearing requests, identified by the 
    docket control number, [OPP-300675], 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-300675], 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, CM #2, 1921 
    Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA.
        A copy of objections and hearing requests filed with the Hearing 
    Clerk may also be submitted electronically by sending electronic mail 
    (e-mail) to: opp-docket@epamail.epa.gov. Copies of objections and 
    hearing requests must be submitted as an ASCII file avoiding the use of 
    special characters and any form of encryption. Copies of objections and 
    hearing requests will also be accepted on disks in WordPerfect 5.1/6.1 
    file format or ASCII file format. All copies of objections and hearing 
    requests in electronic form must be identified by the docket control 
    number [OPP-300675]. No Confidential Business Information (CBI) should 
    be submitted through e-mail. Electronic copies of objections and 
    hearing requests on this
    
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    rule may be filed online at many Federal Depository Libraries.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: By mail: Joseph M. Tavano, 
    Registration Division, 7505C, Office of Pesticide Programs, 
    Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460. 
    Office location, telephone number, and e-mail address: Crystal Mall #2, 
    1921 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA, (703) 305-6411, e-mail: 
    tavano.joseph@epamail.epa.gov.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the Federal Register of January 28, 1998 
    (63 FR 4252) [FRL 5763-6]; March 6, 1998 (63 FR 11240) [FRL 5777-5] and 
    March 27, 1998 (63 FR 14926) [5577-6]. EPA, issued notices pursuant to 
    section 408 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), 21 
    U.S.C. 346a(e) announcing the filing of pesticide petitions (PP) for 
    tolerance by Rohm and Haas Company, 100 Independence mall west, 
    Philadelphia, PA 19106-2399. These notices included a summary of the 
    petitions prepared by Rohm and Haas Company, the registrant. There were 
    no comments received in response to these notices of filing.
        The petition requested that 40 CFR 180.482 be amended by 
    establishing a tolerance for residues of the insecticide, tebufenozide, 
    in or on pecans, grapes, wine and pears at 0.01, 0.5, and 1.0 part per 
    million (ppm) respectively.
    
    I. Risk Assessment and Statutory Findings
    
        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. . . .''
        EPA performs a number of analyses to determine the risks from 
    aggregate exposure to pesticide residues. First, EPA determines the 
    toxicity of 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. Second, 
    EPA examines exposure to the pesticide through the diet (e.g., food and 
    drinking water) and through exposures that occur as a result of 
    pesticide use in residential settings.
    
    A. Toxicity
    
        1. Threshold and non-threshold effects. For many animal studies, a 
    dose response relationship can be determined, which provides a dose 
    that causes adverse effects (threshold effects) and doses causing no 
    observed effects (the ``no-observed effect level'' or ``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 
    appreciable 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% or less of the RfD) is 
    generally considered acceptable by EPA. EPA generally uses the RfD to 
    evaluate the chronic risks posed by pesticide exposure. For shorter 
    term risks, EPA calculates a margin of exposure (MOE) by dividing the 
    estimated human exposure into the NOEL from the appropriate animal 
    study. Commonly, EPA finds MOEs lower than 100 to be unacceptable. This 
    100-fold MOE is based on the same rationale as the 100-fold uncertainty 
    factor.
        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 MOE 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.
        2. Differences in toxic effect due to exposure duration. The 
    toxicological effects of a pesticide can vary with different exposure 
    durations. EPA considers the entire toxicity data base, and based on 
    the effects seen for different durations and routes of exposure, 
    determines which risk assessments should be done to assure that the 
    public is adequately protected from any pesticide exposure scenario. 
    Both short and long durations of exposure are always considered. 
    Typically, risk assessments include ``acute,'' ``short-term,'' 
    ``intermediate term,'' and ``chronic'' risks. These assessments are 
    defined by the Agency as follows.
        Acute risk, by the Agency's definition, results from 1-day 
    consumption of food and water, and reflects toxicity which could be 
    expressed following a single oral exposure to the pesticide residues. 
    High end exposure to food and water residues are typically assumed.
        Short-term risk results from exposure to the pesticide for a period 
    of 1-7 days, and therefore overlaps with the acute risk assessment. 
    Historically, this risk assessment was intended to address primarily 
    dermal and inhalation exposure which could result, for example, from 
    residential pesticide applications. However, since enaction of FQPA, 
    this assessment has been expanded to include both dietary and non-
    dietary sources of exposure, and will typically consider exposure from 
    food, water, and residential uses when reliable data are available. In 
    this assessment, risks from average food and water exposure, and high-
    end residential exposure, are aggregated. High-end exposures from all 
    three sources are not typically added because of the very low 
    probability of this occurring in most cases, and because the other 
    conservative assumptions built into the assessment assure adequate 
    protection of public health. However, for cases in which high-end 
    exposure can reasonably be expected from multiple sources (e.g. 
    frequent and widespread homeowner use in a specific geographical area), 
    multiple high-end risks will be aggregated and presented as part of the 
    comprehensive risk assessment/characterization. Since the toxicological 
    endpoint considered in
    
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    this assessment reflects exposure over a period of at least 7 days, an 
    additional degree of conservatism is built into the assessment; i.e., 
    the risk assessment nominally covers 1-7 days exposure, and the 
    toxicological endpoint/NOEL is selected to be adequate for at least 7 
    days of exposure. (Toxicity results at lower levels when the dosing 
    duration is increased.)
        Intermediate-term risk results from exposure for 7 days to several 
    months. This assessment is handled in a manner similar to the short-
    term risk assessment.
        Chronic risk assessment describes risk which could result from 
    several months to a lifetime of exposure. For this assessment, risks 
    are aggregated considering average exposure from all sources for 
    representative population subgroups including infants and children.
    
    B. Aggregate Exposure
    
        In examining aggregate exposure, FFDCA section 408 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, residues in groundwater 
    or surface water that is consumed as drinking water, and other non-
    occupational exposures through pesticide use in gardens, lawns, or 
    buildings (residential and other indoor uses). 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. In evaluating food 
    exposures, EPA takes into account varying consumption patterns of major 
    identifiable subgroups of consumers, including infants and children. 
    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% 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.
        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 this 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. For this 
    pesticide, the most highly exposed population subgroup was not 
    regionally based.
    
    II. Aggregate Risk Assessment and Determination of Safety
    
        Consistent with section 408(b)(2)(D), EPA has reviewed the 
    available scientific data and other relevant information in support of 
    this action, EPA has sufficient data to assess the hazards of 
    tebufenozide, benzoic acid, 3,5-dimethyl-1-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-2-(4-
    ethylbenzoyl) hydrazide and to make a determination on aggregate 
    exposure, consistent with section 408(b)(2), for tolerances for 
    residues of tebufenozide on pecans, grapes, wine and pears at 0.01, 
    0.5, and 1.0 ppm respectively. 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 tebufenozide, 
    benzoic acid, 3,5-dimethyl-1-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-2-(4-ethylbenzoyl) 
    hydrazide are discussed below.
        1. Acute toxicity studies with technical grade: Oral 
    LD50 in the rat is > 5 grams for males and females - 
    Toxicity Category IV; dermal LD50 in the rat is = 5,000 
    milligram/kilogram (mg/kg) for males and females - Toxicity Category 
    III; inhalation LC50 in the rat is > 4.5 mg/l - Toxicity 
    Category III; primary eye irritation study in the rabbit is a non-
    irritant; primary skin irritation in the rabbit > 5mg - Toxicity 
    Category IV. Tebufenozide is not a sentizer.
        2. In a 21-day dermal toxicity study, Crl: CD rats (6/sex/dose) 
    received repeated dermal administration of either the technical 96.1% 
    product RH-75,992 at 1,000 mg/kg/day Limit-Dose or the formulation 
    23.1% a.i. product RH-755,992 2F at 0, 62.5, 250, or 1,000 mg/kg/day, 6 
    hours/day, 5 days/week for 21 days. Under conditions of this study, RH-
    75,992 Technical or RH-75,992 2F demonstrated no systemic toxicity or 
    dermal irritation at the highest dose tested 1,000 mg/kg/ during the 
    21-day study. Based on these results, the NOEL for systemic toxicity 
    and dermal irritation in both sexes is 1,000 mg/kg/day highest dose 
    tested (HDT). A lowest-observable-effect level (LOEL) for systemic 
    toxicity and dermal irritation was not established.
        3. A 1-year dog feeding study with a (LOEL) of 250 ppm, 9 mg/kg/day 
    for male and female dogs based on decreases in RBC, HCT, and HGB, 
    increases in Heinz bodies, methemoglobin, MCV, MCH, reticulocytes, 
    platelets, plasma total bilirubin, spleen weight, and spleen/body 
    weight ratio, and liver/body weight ratio. Hematopoiesis and sinusoidal 
    engorgement occurred in the spleen, and hyperplasia occurred in the 
    marrow of the femur and sternum. The liver showed an increased pigment 
    in the Kupffer cells. The no-observed effect level (NOEL) for systemic 
    toxicity in both sexes is 50 ppm (1.9 mg/kg/day).
        4. An 18-month mouse carcinogenicity study with no carcinogenicity 
    observed at dosage levels up to and including 1,000 ppm.
        5. A 2-year rat carcinogenicity with no carcinogenicity observed at 
    dosage levels up to and including 2,000 ppm (97 mg/kg/day and 125 mg/
    kg/day for males and females, respectively).
        6. In a prenatal developmental toxicity study in Sprague-Dawley 
    rats 25/group Tebufenozide was administered on gestation days 6-15 by 
    gavage in aqueous methyl cellulose at dose levels of 50, 250, or 1,000 
    mg/kg/day and a dose volume of 10 ml/kg. There was no evidence of 
    maternal or developmental toxicity; the maternal and developmental 
    toxicity NOEL was 1,000 mg/kg/day.
        7. In a prenatal developmental toxicity study conducted in New 
    Zealand white rabbits 20/group Tebufenozide was administered in 5 ml/kg 
    of aqueous methyl cellulose at gavage doses of 50, 250, or 1,000 mg/kg/
    day on gestation days 7-19. No evidence of maternal or developmental 
    toxicity was observed; the maternal and developmental toxicity NOEL was 
    1,000 mg/kg/day.
    
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        8. In a 1993 two-generation reproduction study in Sprague-Dawley 
    rats tebufenozide was administered at dietary concentrations of 0, 10, 
    150, or 1,000 ppm (0, 0.8, 11.5, or 154.8 mg/kg/day for males and 0, 
    0.9, 12.8, or 171.1 mg/kg/day for females). The parental systemic NOEL 
    was 10 ppm (0.8/0.9 mg/kg/day for males and females, respectively) and 
    the LOEL was 150 ppm (11.5/12.8 mg/kg/day for males and females, 
    respectively) based on decreased body weight, body weight gain, and 
    food consumption in males, and increased incidence and/or severity of 
    splenic pigmentation. In addition, there was an increased incidence and 
    severity of extramedullary hematopoiesis at 2,000 ppm. The reproductive 
    NOEL was 150 ppm. (11.5/12.8 mg/kg/day for males and females, 
    respectively) and the LOEL was 2,000 ppm (154.8/171.1 mg/kg/day for 
    males and females, respectively) based on an increase in the number of 
    pregnant females with increased gestation duration and dystocia. 
    Effects in the offspring consisted of decreased number of pups per 
    litter on postnatal days 0 and/or 4 at 2,000 ppm (154.8/171.1 mg/kg/day 
    for males and females, respectively) with a NOEL of 150 ppm (11.5/12.8 
    mg/kg/day for males and females, respectively).
        9. In a 1995 two-generation reproduction study in rats Tebufenozide 
    was administered at dietary concentrations of 0, 25, 200, or 2,000 ppm 
    (0, 1.6, 12.6, or 126.0 mg/kg/day for males and 0, 1.8, 14.6, or 143.2 
    mg/kg/day for females). For parental systemic toxicity, the NOEL was 25 
    ppm (1.6/1.8 mg/kg/day in males and females, respectively), and the 
    LOEL was 200 ppm (12.6/14.6 mg/kg/day in males and females), based on 
    histopathological findings (congestion and extramedullary 
    hematopoiesis) in the spleen. Additionally, at 2,000 ppm (126.0/143.2 
    mg/kg/day in M/F), treatment-related findings included reduced parental 
    body weight gain and increased incidence of hemosiderin-laden cells in 
    the spleen. Columnar changes in the vaginal squamous epithelium and 
    reduced uterine and ovarian weights were also observed at 2,000 ppm, 
    but the toxicological significance was unknown. For offspring, the 
    systemic NOEL was 200 ppm. (12.6/14.6 mg/kg/day in males and females), 
    and the LOEL was 2,000 ppm (126.0/143.2 mg/kg/day in M/F) based on 
    decreased body weight on postnatal days 14 and 21.
        10. Several mutagenicity tests which were all negative. These 
    include an Ames assay with and without metabolic activation, an in vivo 
    cytogenetic assay in rat bone marrow cells, and in vitro chromosome 
    aberration assay in CHO cells, a CHO/HGPRT assay, a reverse mutation 
    assay with E. Coli, and an unscheduled DNA synthesis assay (UDS) in rat 
    hepatocytes.
        11. The pharmacokinetics and metabolism of tebufenozide were 
    studied in female Sprague-Dawley rats (3-6/sex/group) receiving a 
    single oral dose of 3 or 250 mg/kg of RH-5992,14C labeled in 
    one of three positions (A-ring, B-ring or N-butylcarbon). The extent of 
    absorption was not established. The majority of the radiolabeled 
    material was eliminated or excreted in the feces within 48 hours within 
    48 hours; small amounts (1 to 7% of the administered dose) were 
    excreted in the urine and only traces were excreted in expired air or 
    remained in the tissues. There was no tendency for bioacculmulation. 
    Absorption and excretion were rapid.
        A total of 11 metabolites, in addition to the parent compound, were 
    identified in the feces; the parent compound accounted for 96 to 99% of 
    the administered radioactivity in the high dose group and 35 to 43% in 
    the low dose group. No parent compound was found in the urine; urinary 
    metabolites were not characterized. The identity of several fecal 
    metabolites was confirmed by mass spectral analysis and other fecal 
    metabolites were tentatively identified by cochromatography with 
    synthetic standards. A pathway of metabolism was proposed based on 
    these data. Metabolism proceeded primarily by oxidation of the three 
    benzyl carbons, two methyl groups on the B-ring and an ethyl group on 
    the A-ring to alcohols, aldehydes or acids. The type of metabolite 
    produced varies depending on the position oxidized and extent of 
    oxidation. The butyl group on the quaternary nitrogen also can be 
    leaved (minor), but there was no fragmentation of the molecule between 
    the benzyl rings.
        No qualitative differences in metabolism were observed between 
    sexes, when high or low dose groups were compared or when different 
    labeled versions of the molecule were compared.
        12. The absorption and metabolism of tebufenozide were studied in a 
    group of male and female bile-duct cannulated rats. Over a 72 hour 
    period, biliary excretion accounted for 30%[M] to 34%[F] of the 
    administered dose while urinary excretion accounted for  5% 
    of the administered dose and the carcass accounted for < 0.5%="" of="" the="" administered="" dose="" for="" both="" males="" and="" females.="" thus="" systemic="" absorption="" (percent="" of="" dose="" recovered="" in="" the="" bile,="" urine="" and="" carcass]="" was="" 35%[m]="" to="" 39%[f].="" the="" majority="" of="" the="" radioactivity="" in="" the="" bile="" (20%="" [m]="" to="" 24%="" [f])="" of="" the="" administered="" dose]="" was="" excreted="" within="" the="" first="" 6="" hours="" postdosing="" indicating="" rapid="" absorption.="" furthermore,="" urinary="" excretion="" of="" the="" metabolites="" was="" essentially="" complete="" within="" 24="" hours="" postdosing.="" a="" large="" amount="" [67%(f)="" to="" 70%="" (m)]="" of="" the="" administered="" dose="" was="" unabsorbed="" and="" excreted="" in="" the="" feces="" by="" 72="" hours.="" total="" recovery="" of="" radioactivity="" was="" 105%="" of="" the="" administered="" dose.="" a="" total="" of="" 13="" metabolites="" were="" identified="" in="" the="" bile;="" the="" parent="" compound="" was="" not="" identified="" i.e.="" unabsorbed="" compound="" nor="" were="" the="" primary="" oxidation="" products="" seen="" in="" the="" feces="" in="" the="" pharmacokinetics="" study.="" the="" proposed="" metabolic="" pathway="" proceeded="" primary="" by="" oxidation="" of="" the="" benzylic="" carbons="" to="" alcohols,="" aldehydes="" or="" acids.="" bile="" contained="" most="" of="" the="" other="" highly="" oxidized="" products="" found="" in="" the="" feces.="" the="" most="" significant="" individual="" bile="" metabolites="" accounted="" for="" 5%="" to="" 18%="" of="" the="" total="" radioactivity="" (f="" and/or="" m).="" bile="" also="" contained="" the="" previously="" undetected="" (in="" the="" pharmacokinetics="" study]="" ``a''="" ring="" ketone="" and="" the="" ``b''="" ring="" diol.="" the="" other="" major="" components="" were="" characterized="" as="" high="" molecular="" weight="" conjugates.="" no="" individual="" bile="" metabolite="" accounted="" for=""> 5% of the total administered dose. Total bile radioactivity 
    accounted for  17% of the total administered dose.
        No major qualitative differences in biliary metabolites were 
    observed between sexes. The metabolic profile in the bile was similar 
    to the metabolic profile in the feces and urine.
    
    B. Toxicological Endpoints
    
        1. Acute toxicity. Toxicity observed in oral toxicity studies were 
    not attributable to a single dose (exposure). No neuro or systemic 
    toxicity was observed in rats given a single oral administration of 
    Tebufenozide at 0, 500, 1,000, or 2,000 mg/kg. No maternal or 
    developmental toxicity was observed following oral administration of 
    tebufenozide at 1,000 mg/kg/day (Limit-Dose) during gestation to 
    pregnant rats or rabbits. Thus the risk from acute exposure is 
    considered negligible.
        2. Short - and intermediate - term toxicity. No dermal or systemic 
    toxicity was seen in rats receiving 15 repeated dermal applications of 
    the technical (97.2%) product at 1,000 mg/kg/day (Limit- Dose) as well 
    as a formulated (23% a.i) product at 0, 62.5, 250, or 1,000 mg/kg/day 
    over a 21-day period (MRID 42991507). The HIARC noted that in spite of 
    the hematological effects seen in the dog study, similar effects were 
    not seen in the rats receiving the
    
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    compound via the dermal route indicating poor dermal absorption. Also, 
    no developmental endpoints of concern were evident due to the lack of 
    developmental toxicity in either rat or rabbit studies. This risk is 
    considered to be negligable.
        3. Chronic toxicity. EPA has established the RfD for tebufenozide, 
    benzoic acid, 3,5-dimethyl-1-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-2-(4-ethylbenzoyl) 
    hydrazide at 0.018 mg/kg/day. This RfD is based on a NOEL of 1.8 mg/kg/
    day and an uncertainty factor (UF) of 100. The NOEL was established 
    from the chronic toxicity study in dogs where the NOEL was 1.8 mg/kg/
    day based on growth retardation, alterations in hematology parameters, 
    changes in organ weights, and histopathological lesions in the bone, 
    spleen and liver at 8.7 mg/kg/day. EPA determined that the 10 x factor 
    to protect children and infants as required by FQPA should be removed. 
    Therefore, the RfD remains the same at: 0.018 mg/kg/day. An UF of 100 
    is supported by the following factors.
        (i) Developmental toxicity studies showed no increased sensitivity 
    in fetuses when compared to maternal animals following in utero 
    exposures in rats and rabbits.
        (ii) Multi-generation reproduction toxicity studies in rats showed 
    no increased sensitivity in pups as compared to adults and offspring.
        (iii) There are no data gaps.
        4. Carcinogenicity. Tebufenozide has been classified as a Group E, 
    ``no evidence of carcinogenicity for humans,'' chemical by EPA.
    
    C. Exposures and Risks
    
        1. From food and feed uses. Tolerances have been established (40 
    CFR 180.482) for the residues of tebufenozide, in or on walnuts at 0.1 
    ppm and apples at 1.0 ppm. Numerous section 18 tolerances have been 
    established at levels ranging from 0.3 ppm in sugar beet roots to 5.0 
    ppm in turnip tops. Risk assessments were conducted by EPA to assess 
    dietary exposures and risks from tebufenozide, benzoic acid, 3,5-
    dimethyl-1-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-2-(4-ethylbenzoyl) hydrazide 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 one day or single exposure. Toxicity observed in oral toxicity 
    studies were not attributable to a single dose (exposure). No Neuro or 
    systemic toxicity was observed in rats given a single oral 
    administration of tebufenozide at 0, 500, 1,000 or 2,000 mg/kg. No 
    maternal or developmental toxicity was observed following oral 
    administration of tebufenozide at 1,000 mg/kg/day (Limit-Dose) during 
    gestation to pregnant rats or rabbits. This risk is considered to be 
    negligable.
        ii. Chronic exposure and risk. The RfD used for the chronic dietary 
    analysis is 0.018 mg/kg/day. In conducting this exposure assessment, 
    EPA has made very conservative assumptions 100% of pecans and wine and 
    sherry and and pears and all other commodities having tebufenozide 
    tolerances will contain tebufenozide residues and those residues would 
    be at the level of the tolerance which result in an overestimate of 
    human dietary exposure. Thus, in making a safety determination for this 
    tolerance, HED is taking into account this conservative exposure 
    assessment. The existing tebufenozide tolerances published, pending, 
    and including the necessary section 18 tolerance(s) resulted in a 
    Theoretical Maximum Residue Contribution (TMRC) that is equivalent to 
    the following percentages of the RfD: U.S. Population (31% of RfD); 
    Nursing Infants (<1 year="" old)="" (41%="" of="" rfd);="" non-nursing="" infants=""><1 year="" old)="" (80%="" of="" rfd);="" children="" (1-6="" years="" old)="" (60%="" of="" rfd);="" children="" (7-12="" years="" old)="" (43%="" of="" rfd);="" females="" (13="" +="" years="" old,="" nursing)="" (31%="" of="" rfd);="" males="" (13-19="" years="" old)="" (28%="" of="" rfd);="" non-hispanic="" blacks="" (34%="" of="" rfd);="" non="" hispanic="" others="" (42%="" of="" rfd)="" western="" region="" (35%="" of="" rfd).="" the="" subgroups="" listed="" above="" are:="" (1)="" the="" u.s.="" population="" (48="" states);="" (2)="" those="" for="" infants="" and="" children;="" and,="" (3)="" the="" other="" subgroups="" for="" which="" the="" percentage="" of="" the="" rfd="" occupied="" is="" greater="" than="" that="" occupied="" by="" the="" subgroup="" u.s.="" population="" (48="" states).="" 2.="" from="" drinking="" water--="" i.="" acute="" exposure="" and="" risk.="" because="" no="" acute="" dietary="" endpoint="" was="" determined,="" the="" agency="" concludes="" that="" there="" is="" a="" reasonable="" certainty="" of="" no="" harm="" from="" acute="" exposure="" from="" drinking="" water.="" ii.="" chronic="" exposure="" and="" risk.="" submitted="" environmental="" fate="" studies="" suggest="" that="" tebufenozide="" is="" moderately="" persistent="" to="" persistent="" and="" mobile.under="" certain="" conditions="" tebufenozide="" appears="" to="" have="" the="" potential="" to="" contaminate="" ground="" and="" surface="" water="" through="" runoff="" and="" leaching;="" subsequently="" potentially="" contaminating="" drinking="" water.there="" are="" no="" established="" maximum="" contaminant="" levels="" (mcl)="" for="" residues="" of="" tebufenozide="" in="" drinking="" water="" and="" no="" health="" advisories="" (ha)="" have="" been="" issued="" for="" tebufenozide="" therefore="" these="" could="" not="" be="" used="" as="" comparative="" values="" for="" risk="" assessment.="" therefore,="" potential="" residue="" levels="" for="" drinking="" water="" exposure="" were="" calculated="" using="" geneec="" (surface="" water)="" and="" scigrow="" (ground="" water)="" for="" human="" health="" risk="" assessment.="" because="" of="" the="" wide="" range="" of="" half-life="" values="" (66-729="" days)="" reported="" for="" the="" aerobic="" soil="" metabolism="" input="" parameter="" a="" range="" of="" potential="" exposure="" values="" were="" calculated.="" in="" each="" case="" the="" worst="" case="" upper="" bound="" exposure="" limits="" were="" then="" compared="" to="" appropriate="" chronic="" drinking="" water="" level="" of="" concern="" (dwloc).="" in="" each="" case="" the="" calculated="" exposures="" based="" on="" model="" data="" were="" below="" the="" dwloc.="" 3.="" from="" non-dietary="" exposure.="" tebufenozide="" is="" not="" currently="" registered="" for="" use="" on="" any="" residential="" non-food="" sites.="" therefore="" there="" is="" no="" chronic,="" short-="" or="" intermediate-term="" exposure="" scenario.="" 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.''="" 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="" [[page="" 34315]]="" 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).="" epa="" does="" not="" have,="" at="" this="" time,="" available="" data="" to="" determine="" whether="" tebufenozide,="" benzoic="" acid,="" 3,5-dimethyl-1-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-="" 2-(4-ethylbenzoyl)="" hydrazide="" 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,="" tebufenozide,="" benzoic="" acid,="" 3,5-dimethyl-1-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-2-(4-="" ethylbenzoyl)="" hydrazide="" 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="" tebufenozide,="" benzoic="" acid,="" 3,5-dimethyl-1-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-2-(4-ethylbenzoyl)="" hydrazide="" has="" a="" common="" mechanism="" of="" toxicity="" with="" other="" substances.="" d.="" aggregate="" risks="" and="" determination="" of="" safety="" for="" u.s.="" population="" 1.="" acute="" risk.="" since="" no="" acute="" toxicological="" endpoints="" were="" established,="" no="" acute="" aggregate="" risk="" exists.="" 2.="" chronic="" risk.="" using="" the="" conservative="" exposure="" assumptions="" described="" above,="" and="" taking="" into="" account="" the="" completeness="" and="" reliability="" of="" the="" toxicity="" data,="" epa="" has="" concluded="" that="" dietary="" (food="" only)="" exposure="" to="" tebufenozide="" will="" utilize="" 31%="" of="" the="" rfd="" for="" the="" u.s.="" population.="" submitted="" environmental="" fate="" studies="" suggest="" that="" tebufenozide="" is="" moderately="" persistent="" to="" persistent="" and="" mobile;="" thus,="" tebufenozide="" could="" potentially="" leach="" to="" ground="" water="" and="" runoff="" to="" surface="" water="" under="" certain="" environmental="" conditions.="" the="" modeling="" data="" for="" tebufenozide="" indicate="" levels="" less="" than="" opp's="" dwloc.="" 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.="" there="" are="" no="" registered="" residential="" uses="" of="" tebufenozide.="" since="" there="" is="" no="" potential="" for="" exposure="" to="" tebufenozide="" from="" residential="" uses,="" 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.="" since="" there="" are="" currently="" no="" registered="" indoor="" or="" outdoor="" residential="" non-dietary="" uses="" of="" tebufenozide="" and="" no="" short-="" or="" intermediate-term="" toxic="" endpoints,="" short-="" or="" intermediate-term="" aggregate="" risk="" does="" not="" exist.="" e.="" aggregate="" cancer="" risk="" for="" u.s.="" population="" since,="" tebufenozide="" has="" been="" classified="" as="" a="" group="" e,="" ``no="" evidence="" of="" carcinogenicity="" for="" humans,''="" this="" risk="" does="" not="" exist.="" f.="" 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="" tebufenozide,="" benzoic="" acid,="" 3,5-dimethyl-1-="" (1,1-dimethylethyl)-2-(4-ethylbenzoyl)="" hydrazide,="" epa="" considered="" data="" from="" developmental="" toxicity="" studies="" in="" the="" rat="" and="" rabbit="" and="" a="" two-="" 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="" gestation.="" reproduction="" studies="" provide="" information="" relating="" to="" effects="" from="" exposure="" to="" the="" pesticide="" on="" the="" reproductive="" capability="" of="" mating="" animals="" and="" data="" on="" systemic="" toxicity.="" ffdca="" section="" 408="" provides="" that="" epa="" shall="" apply="" an="" additional="" tenfold="" margin="" of="" safety="" for="" infants="" and="" children="" in="" the="" case="" of="" threshold="" effects="" to="" account="" for="" pre-and="" post-natal="" toxicity="" and="" the="" completeness="" of="" the="" database="" unless="" epa="" determines="" that="" a="" different="" margin="" of="" safety="" will="" be="" safe="" for="" infants="" and="" children.="" margins="" of="" safety="" are="" incorporated="" into="" epa="" risk="" assessments="" either="" directly="" through="" use="" of="" a="" moe="" analysis="" or="" through="" using="" uncertainty="" (safety)="" factors="" in="" calculating="" a="" dose="" level="" that="" poses="" no="" appreciable="" risk="" to="" humans.="" epa="" believes="" that="" reliable="" data="" support="" using="" the="" standard="" uncertainty="" factor="" (usually="" 100="" for="" combined="" inter-="" and="" intra-species="" variability))="" and="" not="" the="" additional="" tenfold="" moe/uncertainty="" factor="" when="" epa="" has="" a="" complete="" data="" base="" under="" existing="" guidelines="" and="" when="" the="" severity="" of="" the="" effect="" in="" infants="" or="" children="" or="" the="" potency="" or="" unusual="" toxic="" properties="" of="" a="" compound="" do="" not="" raise="" concerns="" regarding="" the="" adequacy="" of="" the="" standard="" moe/safety="" factor.="" ii.="" developmental="" toxicity="" studies--a.="" rats.="" in="" a="" developmental="" toxicity="" study="" in="" rats,="" the="" maternal="" (systemic)="" noel="" was="" 250="" mg/kg/day.="" the="" loel="" was="" 1,000="" mg/kg/day,="" based="" on="" decreased="" body="" weight="" and="" food="" consumption.="" the="" developmental="" (pup)="" noel="" was=""> 1,000 mg/kg/
    day (HGT)
        b. Rabbits. In a developmental toxicity study in rabbits, the 
    maternal and developmental NOELs were  1,000 mg/kg/day 
    (HDT).
        iii. Reproductive toxicity study. In a 1993 two-generation 
    reproduction study in Sprague-Dawley rats, tebufenozide was 
    administered at dietary concentrations of 0, 10, 150, or 1,000 ppm (0, 
    0.8, 11.5, or 154.8 mg/kg/day for males and 0, 0.9, 12.8, or 171.1 mg/
    kg/day for females). The parental systemic NOEL was 10 ppm (0.8/0.9 mg/
    kg/day for males and females, respectively) and the LOEL was 150 ppm 
    (11.5/12.8 mg/kg/day for males and females, respectively) based on 
    decreased body weight, body weight gain, and food consumption in males, 
    and increased incidence and/or severity of splenic pigmentation. In 
    addition, there was an increased incidence and severity of 
    extramedullary hematopoiesis at 2,000 ppm. The reproductive NOEL was 
    150 ppm. (11.5/12.8 mg/kg/day for males and females, respectively) and 
    the LOEL was 2,000 ppm (154.8/171.1 mg/kg/day for males and females, 
    respectively) based on an increase in the number of pregnant females 
    with increased gestation duration and dystocia. Effects in the 
    offspring consisted of decreased number of pups per litter on postnatal 
    days 0 and/or 4 at 2,000 ppm (154.8/171.1 mg/kg/day for males and 
    females, respectively) with a NOEL of 150 ppm (11.5/12.8 mg/kg/day for 
    males and females, respectively)
        In a 1995 two-generation reproduction study in rats, tebufenozide 
    was administered at dietary concentrations of 0, 25, 200, or 2,000 ppm 
    (0, 1.6, 12.6, or 126.0 mg/kg/day for males and 0, 1.8, 14.6, or 143.2 
    mg/kg/day for females). For parental systemic toxicity, the NOEL was 25 
    ppm (1.6/1.8 mg/kg/day in males and females, respectively), and the 
    LOEL was 200 ppm (12.6/14.6 mg/kg/day in males and females), based on 
    histopathological findings (congestion and extramedullary 
    hematopoiesis) in the spleen. Additionally, at 2,000 ppm (126.0/143.2 
    mg/kg/day in M/F), treatment-related findings included reduced parental 
    body weight gain and increased incidence of hemosiderin-laden cells in 
    the spleen. Columnar changes in the vaginal squamous
    
    [[Page 34316]]
    
    epithelium and reduced uterine and ovarian weights were also observed 
    at 2,000 ppm, but the toxicological significance was unknown. For 
    offspring, the systemic NOEL was 200 ppm. (12.6/14.6 mg/kg/day in males 
    and females), and the LOEL was 2,000 ppm (126.0/143.2 mg/kg/day in M/F) 
    based on decreased body weight on postnatal days 14 and 21.
        iv. Pre- and post-natal sensitivity. The toxicology data base for 
    tebufenozide is complete and includes acceptable developmental toxicity 
    studies in both rats and rabbits as well as a two two-generation 
    reproductive toxicity studies in rats.
        The EPA determined that the data provided no indication of 
    increased sensitivity of rats or rabbits to in utero and/or postnatal 
    exposure to tebufenozide. No maternal or developmental findings were 
    observed in the prenatal developmental toxicity studies at doses up to 
    1,000 mg/kg/day in rats and rabbits. In the two two-generation 
    reproduction studies in rats, effects occurred at the same or lower 
    treatment levels in the adults as in the offspring.
        2. Acute risk. Since no acute toxicological endpoints were 
    established, no acute aggregate risk exists.
        3. Chronic risk. Using the conservative exposure assumptions 
    described above, EPA has concluded that aggregate exposure to 
    tebufenozide, benzoic acid, 3,5-dimethyl-1-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-2-(4-
    ethylbenzoyl) hydrazide from food will utilize from 31% of the RfD for 
    the U.S. population to 80% of the RfD for non-nursing infants less than 
    1 year old. The potential for exposure to tebufenozide in drinking 
    water does not exceed EPA's level of concern. There are currently no 
    tebufenozide residential or non-dietary exposure scenarios. 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. EPA does not expect the aggregate exposure to exceed 100% of 
    the RfD. EPA concludes that there is a reasonable certainty that no 
    harm will result to infants and children from aggregate exposure to 
    tebufenozide, benzoic acid, 3,5-dimethyl-1-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-2-(4-
    ethylbenzoyl) hydrazide residues.
        4. Short- or intermediate-term risk. Since no short- and 
    intermediate-term toxicological endpoints were established by EPA, no 
    acute aggregate risk exists.
    
    III. Other Considerations
    
    A. Metabolism In Plants and Animals
    
        The nature of the residues of tebufenozide in/on plants is 
    adequately understood. The residue of concern for both regulatory 
    (tolerance expression) and risk assessment purposes is the parent 
    compound, tebufenozide per se.
        There are no animal feed items associated with pecans. According to 
    information supplied by the petitioner, wine grapes and wine grape 
    processing commodities are not items of animal feed in Europe. 
    Therefore, a discussion of potential transfer of secondary residues to 
    animal commodities is not germane to these actions.
    
    B. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
    
        A HPLC/UV analytical method, Enforcement Residue Analytical Method 
    for RH-5992 in Pecans with HPLC-MS Confirmation is adequate for 
    enforcement purposes in pecans. A successful Agency validation for an 
    analytical method to detect residues of tebufenozide per se has been 
    conducted by ACL/BEAD.
        The method used in the analysis of the total residue of concern in 
    the European field residue trials in wine, Method AL 013/92-0, was 
    developed by Rohm and Haas and independently validated. In the 
    validation of this method, at levels from 0.01 to 0.5 ppm in wine 
    recoveries ranged from 84 to 109%; in grapes at levels of 0.02 to 1.0 
    ppm recoveries ranged from 77 to 128%. The limit of quantitation was 
    given as 0.02 ppm for grapes and 0.01 ppm for wine. The method is 
    different from those validated for domestic commodities but was 
    determined to be adequate for data collection.
    
    C. Magnitude of Residues
    
        Adequate residue data were provided to support tolerances of 0.01 
    ppm for pecans and 0.5 ppm for grapes, wine and a time-limited 
    tolerance for pears.
        There are no pecan or pear processed comodities of regulatory 
    concern. In those instances when treated grapes were vinified, residues 
    of tebufenozide in the aged wine were a third to a half of those in the 
    treated grapes. The maximum residue found in the wine treated at label 
    rates was 0.3 ppm; therefore, a tolerance for wine grapes would suffice 
    for the wine made from them.
        Since there are no pecan or pear animal feed items and according to 
    information supplied by the petitioner, wine grapes and wine grape 
    processing commodities are not items of animal feed in Europe, no 
    secondary residues in animals are expected.
    
    D. International Residue Limits
    
        There are currently no CODEX, Canadian, or Mexican listings for 
    tebufenozide residues in or on pecans or pears, therefore there are no 
    harmonization issues for these crops.
        Maximum residue levels (MRL) of 0.5 ppm have been established for 
    wine grapes in France, Italy, and Germany. The tolerance of 0.5 ppm in 
    or on wine grapes is in harmony with these MRLs.
    
    E. Rotational Crop Restrictions
    
        Since pecans, grapes, and pears are not rotated to other crops, a 
    discussion of tebufenozide accumulation in rotational crops is not 
    germane to this action.
    
    IV. Conclusion
    
        Therefore, the tolerance is established for residues of 
    tebufenozide in pecans, grapes, wine, and pears at 0.01, 0.5, and 1.0 
    ppm respectively.
    
    V. Objections and Hearing Requests
    
        The new FFDCA section 408(g) provides essentially the same process 
    for persons to ``object'' to a tolerance regulation issued by EPA under 
    new section 408(e) and (l)(6) as was provided in the old section 408 
    and in section 409. However, the period for filing objections is 60 
    days, rather than 30 days. EPA currently has procedural regulations 
    which govern the submission of objections and hearing requests. These 
    regulations will require some modification to reflect the new law. 
    However, until those modifications can be made, EPA will continue to 
    use those procedural regulations with appropriate adjustments to 
    reflect the new law.
        Any person may, by August 24, 1998, file written objections to any 
    aspect of this regulation and may also request a hearing on those 
    objections. Objections and hearing requests must be filed with the 
    Hearing Clerk, at the address given above (40 CFR 178.20). A copy of 
    the objections and/or hearing requests filed with the Hearing Clerk 
    should be submitted to the OPP docket for this rulemaking. The 
    objections submitted must specify the provisions of the regulation 
    deemed objectionable and the grounds for the objections (40 CFR 
    178.25). Each objection must be accompanied by the fee prescribed by 40 
    CFR 180.33(i). If a hearing is requested, the objections must include a 
    statement of the factual issues on which a hearing is requested, the 
    requestor's contentions on such issues, and a summary of any evidence 
    relied upon by the requestor (40 CFR 178.27). A request for a hearing 
    will be granted if
    
    [[Page 34317]]
    
    the Administrator determines that the material submitted shows the 
    following:
        There is genuine and substantial issue of fact; there is a 
    reasonable possibility that available evidence identified by the 
    requestor would, if established, resolve one or more of such issues in 
    favor of the requestor, taking into account uncontested claims or facts 
    to the contrary; and resolution of the factual issues in the manner 
    sought by the requestor would be adequate to justify the action 
    requested (40 CFR 178.32). Information submitted in connection with an 
    objection or hearing request may be claimed confidential by marking any 
    part or all of that information as Confidential Business Information 
    (CBI). Information so marked will not be disclosed except in accordance 
    with procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2. A copy of the information 
    that does not contain CBI must be submitted for inclusion in the public 
    record. Information not marked confidential may be disclosed publicly 
    by EPA without prior notice.
    
    VI. Public Record and Electronic Submissions
    
        EPA has established a record for this rulemaking under docket 
    control number [OPP-300675] (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 Highway, Arlington, VA.
        Electronic comments may be sent directly to EPA at: docket@epamail.epa.gov.
        Electronic comments must be submitted as an ASCII file avoiding the 
    use of special characters and any form of encryption.
        The official record for this rulemaking, as well as the public 
    version, as described above will be kept in paper form. Accordingly, 
    EPA will transfer any copies of objections and hearing requests 
    received electronically into printed, paper form as they are received 
    and will place the paper copies in the official rulemaking record which 
    will also include all comments submitted directly in writing. The 
    official rulemaking record is the paper record maintained at the 
    Virginia address in ``ADDRESSES'' at the beginning of this document.
    
    VII. Regulatory Assessment Requirements
    
        This final rule establishes tolerances under FFDCA section 408(d) 
    in response to a petitions submitted to the Agency. The Office of 
    Management and Budget (OMB) has exempted these types of actions from 
    review under Executive Order 12866, entitled Regulatory Planning and 
    Review (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993). This final rule does not contain 
    any information collections subject to OMB approval under the Paperwork 
    Reduction Act (PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., or impose any enforceable 
    duty or contain any unfunded mandate as described under Title II of the 
    Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) (Pub. L. 104-4). Nor does 
    it require any prior consultation as specified by Executive Order 
    12875, entitled Enhancing the Intergovernmental Partnership (58 FR 
    58093, October 28, 1993), or special considerations as required by 
    Executive Order 12898, entitled Federal Actions to Address 
    Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income 
    Populations (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994), or require OMB review in 
    accordance with Executive Order 13045, entitled Protection of Children 
    from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks (62 FR 19885, April 
    23, 1997).
        In addition, since these tolerances and exemptions that are 
    established on the basis of petitions under FFDCA section 408(d), such 
    as the tolerances in this final rule, do not require the issuance of a 
    proposed rule, the requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) 
    (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) do not apply. Nevertheless, the Agency has 
    previously assessed whether establishing tolerances, exemptions from 
    tolerances, raising tolerance levels or expanding exemptions might 
    adversely impact small entities and concluded, as a generic matter, 
    that there is no adverse economic impact. The factual basis for the 
    Agency's generic certification for tolerance actions published on May 
    4, 1981 (46 FR 24950) and was provided to the Chief Counsel for 
    Advocacy of the Small Business Administration.
    
    VIII. Submission to Congress and the Comptroller General
    
        The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the 
    Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally 
    provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating 
    the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule, 
    to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the 
    United States. EPA will submit a report containing this rule and other 
    required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of 
    Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior 
    to publication of the rule in the Federal Register. This rule is not a 
    ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
    
    List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180
    
        Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure, 
    Agricultural commodities, Pesticides and pests, Reporting and 
    recordkeeping requirements.
    
        Dated:June 12, 1998.
    
    James Jones,
    
    Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.
        Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is amended as follows:
    
    PART 180 -- [AMENDED]
    
        1. The authority citation for part 180 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 21 U.S.C. 346a and 371.
    
    
        2. In Sec. 180.482, by alphabetically adding the following 
    commodities to the table in paragraph (b) to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 180.482  Tebufenozide; tolerances for residues.
    
    *      *      *      *      *
        (b)*  *  *
    
                                                                            
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Expiration/   
                Commodity              Parts per million    Revocation Date 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
             *        *        *        *        *        *        *        
    Grapes, wine \1\................  0.5                 NA                
                                                                            
    Pears...........................  1.0                 2001              
                                                                            
    Pecans..........................  0.01                NA                
    
    [[Page 34318]]
    
                                                                            
             *        *        *        *        *        *        *        
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \1\ There are no U.S. registrations on grapes as of June 24, 1998.      
    
    
    [FR Doc. 98-16822 Filed 6-23-98; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 6560-50-F
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
6/24/1998
Published:
06/24/1998
Department:
Environmental Protection Agency
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
98-16822
Dates:
This regulation is effective June 24, 1998. Objections and requests for hearings must be received by EPA on or before August 24, 1998.
Pages:
34310-34318 (9 pages)
Docket Numbers:
OPP-300675, FRL 5796-9
RINs:
2070-AB78
PDF File:
98-16822.pdf
CFR: (1)
40 CFR 180.482