[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 50 (Thursday, March 14, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11480-11483]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-6158]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[PF-1074; FRL-6826-3]


Notice of Filing Pesticide Petitions to Establish a Tolerance for 
Certain Pesticide Chemicals in or on Food

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 docket control number PF-1074, must be 
received on or before April 15, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by mail, electronically, or in 
person. Please follow the detailed instructions for each method as 
provided in Unit I.C. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. To ensure 
proper receipt by EPA, it is imperative that you identify docket 
control number PF-1074 in the subject line on the first page of your 
response.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: By mail: Shaja Brothers, Registration 
Division (7505C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; 
telephone number (703) 308-3194; and e-mail address: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does this Action Apply to Me?

    You may be affected by this action if you are an agricultural 
producer, food manufacturer or pesticide manufacturer. Potentially 
affected categories and entities may include, but are not limited to:

[[Page 11481]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Examples of
           Categories                 NAICS codes         potentially
                                                       affected entities
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Industry                          111                 Crop production
                                  112                 Animal production
                                  311                 Food manufacturing
                                  32532               Pesticide
                                                       manufacturing
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This listing is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides 
a guide for readers regarding entities likely to be affected by this 
action. Other types of entities not listed in the table could also be 
affected. The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) 
codes have been provided to assist you and others in determining 
whether or not this action might apply to certain entities. If you have 
questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular 
entity, consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT.

B. How Can I Get Additional Information, Including Copies of this 
Document and Other Related Documents?

    1. Electronically. You may obtain electronic copies of this 
document, and certain other related documents that might be available 
electronically, from the EPA Internet Home Page at http://www.epa.gov/. 
To access this document, on the Home Page select ``Laws and 
Regulations'' and then look up the entry for this document under the 
``Federal Register--Environmental Documents.'' You can also go directly 
to the Federal Register listings at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/.
    2. In person. The Agency has established an official record for 
this action under docket control number PF-1074. The official record 
consists of the documents specifically referenced in this action, any 
public comments received during an applicable comment period, and other 
information related to this action, including any information claimed 
as confidential business information (CBI). This official record 
includes the documents that are physically located in the docket, as 
well as the documents that are referenced in those documents. The 
public version of the official record does not include any information 
claimed as CBI. The public version of the official record, which 
includes printed, paper versions of any electronic comments submitted 
during an applicable comment period, is available for inspection in the 
Public Information and Records Integrity Branch (PIRIB), Rm. 119, 
Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA, from 8:30 
a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The 
PIRIB telephone number is (703) 305-5805.

C. How and to Whom Do I Submit Comments?

    You may submit comments through the mail, in person, or 
electronically. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, it is imperative that 
you identify docket control number PF-1074 in the subject line on the 
first page of your response.
    1. By mail. Submit your comments to: Public Information and Records 
Integrity Branch (PIRIB), Information Resources and Services Division 
(7502C), Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP), Environmental Protection 
Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460.
    2. In person or by courier. Deliver your comments to: Public 
Information and Records Integrity Branch (PIRIB), Information Resources 
and Services Division (7502C), Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP), 
Environmental Protection Agency, Rm. 119, Crystal Mall #2, 1921 
Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA. The PIRIB is open from 8:30 
a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The 
PIRIB telephone number is (703) 305-5805.
    3. Electronically. You may submit your comments electronically by 
e-mail to: [email protected], or you can submit a computer disk as 
described above. Do not submit any information electronically that you 
consider to be CBI. Avoid the use of special characters and any form of 
encryption. Electronic submissions will be accepted in Wordperfect 6.1/
8.0 or ASCII file format. All comments in electronic form must be 
identified by docket control number PF-1074. Electronic comments may 
also be filed online at many Federal Depository Libraries.

D. How Should I Handle CBI That I Want to Submit to the Agency?

    Do not submit any information electronically that you consider to 
be CBI. You may claim information that you submit to EPA in response to 
this document as CBI by marking any part or all of that information as 
CBI. Information so marked will not be disclosed except in accordance 
with procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2. In addition to one complete 
version of the comment that includes any information claimed as CBI, a 
copy of the comment that does not contain the information claimed as 
CBI must be submitted for inclusion in the public version of the 
official record. Information not marked confidential will be included 
in the public version of the official record without prior notice. If 
you have any questions about CBI or the procedures for claiming CBI, 
please consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

E. What Should I Consider as I Prepare My Comments for EPA?

    You may find the following suggestions helpful for preparing your 
comments:
    1. Explain your views as clearly as possible.
    2. Describe any assumptions that you used.
    3. Provide copies of any technical information and/or data you used 
that support your views.
    4. If you estimate potential burden or costs, explain how you 
arrived at the estimate that you provide.
    5. Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns.
    6. Make sure to submit your comments by the deadline in this 
notice.
    7. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, be sure to identify the docket 
control number assigned to this action in the subject line on the first 
page of your response. You may also provide the name, date, and Federal 
Register citation.

II. What Action is the Agency Taking?

    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 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 support granting of the 
petition. Additional data may be needed before EPA rules on the 
petition.

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection, Agricultural commodities, Feed additives, 
Food additives, Pesticides and pests, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.


    Dated: February 28, 2002.
Peter Caulkins,
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 petitioner and represent

[[Page 11482]]

the views of the petitioner. 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.

1. Interregional Research Project Number 4

PP 6E4636

    EPA has received pesticide petition (6E4636) from the Interregional 
Research Project Number 4 (IR-4), 681 U.S. Highway #1 South, North 
Brunswick, NJ 08902-3390 proposing, pursuant to section 408(d) of the 
FFDCA, 21 U.S.C. 346a(d), to amend 40 CFR part 180.142 by establishing 
a tolerance for residues of the herbicide, plant regulator, and 
fungicide 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic) in or on the raw 
agricultural commodity wild rice at 0.1 parts per million (ppm). This 
notice includes a summary of the petition prepared by Rhone-Poulenc Ag 
Company, P.O. Box 12014, 2 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle 
Park, NC 27709. EPA has determined that the petition contains data or 
information regarding the elements set forth in section 408(d)(2) of 
the FFDCA; however, EPA has not fully evaluated the sufficiency of the 
submitted data at this time or whether the data support granting of the 
petition. Additional data may be needed before EPA rules on the 
petition.

A. Residue Chemistry

    1. Plant metabolism. The nature of the residue of 2,4-D is 
adequately understood. The regulable residue is 2,4-D per se, as 
established in 40 CFR 180.142. No livestock feed issues are raised by 
this action.
    2. Analytical method. EN-CAS Method ENC gas liquid chromatograhy/
electron capture detector (GLC/ECD), which has underdone successful 
independent laboratory validation is available for enforcement.
    3. Magnitude of residues. One field trial (Minnesota) with 2 
treatment rates was conducted. 2,4-D was applied by hand-held sprayer 
at 0X, 1X, and 2X the proposed label rate. The preharvest interval 
(PHI) was 53-64 days. Samples of grain and hulls were analyzed with 
221/2 months of harvest. No detectable residues (<0.05 ppm) of 2,4-D 
were reported.

B. Toxicological Profile

    The nature of the toxic effects caused by 2,4-D are discussed in 
Unit II.B. of the Federal Register of October 24, 2001, (66 FR 53791) 
(FRL-6802-5).

C. Aggregate Exposure

    The aggregate exposure (food, drinking water, and residential) 
assessment for 2,4-D is discussed in Unit II.C. of the Federal Register 
of October 24, 2001. The dietary exposure assessment includes a time-
limited tolerance for wild rice at 0.1 ppm which was established in 
support of a section 18 emergency exemption.

D. Cumulative Effects

    The potential for cumulative effects for 2,4-D and other substances 
with a common mechanism of toxicity is discussed in Unit II.D. of the 
Federal Register of October 24, 2001.

E. Safety Determination

    The safety determination for the U.S. population, infants, and 
children for 2,4-D is discussed in Unit II.E. of the Federal Register 
of October 24, 2001.

F. International Tolerances

    There are no Codex, Canadian, or Mexican maximum residue limits for 
use of 2,4-D on wild rice. Therefore, international harmonization is 
not an issue for this commodity.

2. Interregional Research Project Number 4

PP 1E6325

    EPA has received pesticide petition (1E6325) from the Interregional 
Research Project Number 4 (IR-4), 681 U.S. Highway #1 South, North 
Brunswick, NJ 08902-3390 proposing, pursuant to section 408(d) of the 
FFDCA, 21 U.S.C. 346a(d), to amend 40 CFR part 180.448 by establishing 
a tolerance for residues of the miticide, hexythiazox, trans-5-(4-
chlorophenyl)-N-cyclohexyl-4-methyl-2-oxothiazolidine-3-carboxamide and 
its metabolites containing the (4-chlorophenyl-4-methyl-2-oxo-3-
thiazolidine moiety in or on the raw agricultural commodity date at 1.0 
ppm. This notice includes a summary of the petition prepared by Gowan 
Company, P.O. Box 5569, Yuma, AZ 85366-5569. EPA has determined that 
the petition contains data or information regarding the elements set 
forth in section 408(d)(2) of the FFDCA; however, EPA has not fully 
evaluated the sufficiency of the submitted data at this time or whether 
the data support granting of the petition. Additional data may be 
needed before EPA rules on the petition.

A. Residue Chemistry

    1. Plant metabolism. The metabolism of hexythiazox as well as the 
nature of the residues in plants is adequately understood for purposes 
of this tolerance. The residue of concern is hexythiazox and its 
metabolites containing the (4-chlorophenyl)-4-methyl-2-oxo-3-
thiazolidine moiety as specified in 40 CFR 180.448.
    2. Analytical method. Adequate methods to enforce the tolerance 
expression have been submitted for publication in Pesticide Analytical 
Manual (PAM) II. The approved method is designated as AMR 985-87 which 
has been used in a variety of commodities. The method involves 
separation by high performance liquid chromotography (HPLC) followed by 
ultraviolet (UV) detection at 225 nm.
    3. Magnitude of residues. Three field trials (06957.99-CA82, CA83, 
and CA84) were conducted in Coachella, California. No detectable 
residues of hexythiazox were found in the untreated date samples. The 
treated samples from trial CA82 had residues of 0.07 ppm and 0.26 ppm. 
The treated samples from trial CA83 had residues of 0.09 ppm and 0.11 
ppm. The treated samples from trial CA84 had residues of 0.30 ppm and 
0.63 ppm. Based on available data, the proposed use, one application of 
hexythiazox at the rate of 6 oz. (0.1875 lb active) per acre, minimum 
90 day PHI should be reported.

B. Toxicological Profile

    The nature of the toxic effects caused by hexythiazox are discussed 
in Unit II.B. of the Federal Register of December 28, 2000 (65 FR 
82349) (FRL-6761-6).

C. Aggregate Exposure

    The aggregate exposure (food, drinking water, and residential) 
assessment for hexythiazox is discussed in Unit II.C. of the Federal 
Register of December 28, 2000. Dates were included in this risk 
assessment in connection with a section 18 emergency exemption. A time-
limited tolerance has been established at 1.0 ppm and is currently set 
to expire on October 31, 2002.

D. Cumulative Effects

    The potential for cumulative effects caused by hexythiazox and 
other substances with a common mechanism of toxicity is discussed in 
Unit II.D. of the Federal Register of December 28, 2000.

E. Safety Determination

    The safety determination for hexythiazox is discussed in Unit II.E. 
of the Federal Register of December 28, 2000.

[[Page 11483]]

F. International Tolerances

    There are no CODEX, Canadian, or Mexican maximum residue limits for 
hexythiazox on dates.
[FR Doc. 02-6158 Filed 3-13-02; 8:45 a.m.]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-S