[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 139 (Friday, July 18, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 41283-41286]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-16317]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 180

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0254; FRL-8371-7]


Oxirane, 2-methyl-, polymer with oxirane, mono [2-[2-(2-
)butoxymethylethoxy))methylethoxyl] ether; Tolerance Exemption

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This regulation establishes an exemption from the requirement 
of a tolerance for residues of oxirane, 2-methyl-, polymer with 
oxirane, mono [2-[2-(2-)butoxymethylethoxy)methylethoxy]methylethyl] 
ether; (CAS Reg. No. 926031-36-9) when used as an inert ingredient in a 
pesticide chemical formulation. Rhodia, Inc. c/o SciReg, Inc., 
submitted a petition to EPA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic 
Act (FFDCA), as amended by the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 
(FQPA) requesting an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance. 
This regulation eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible 
level for residues of oxirane, 2-methyl-, polymer with oxirane, mono 
[2-[2-(2)butoxymethylethoxy))methylethoxy]methylethyl] ether.

DATES: This regulation is effective July 18, 2008. Objections and 
requests for hearings must be received on or before September 16, 2008, 
and must be filed in accordance with the instructions provided in 40 
CFR part 178 (see also Unit I.C. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION).

ADDRESSES: EPA has established a docket for this action under docket 
identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0254. To access the 
electronic docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, select ``Advanced 
Search,'' then ``Docket Search.'' Insert the docket ID number where 
indicated and select the ``Submit'' button. Follow the instructions on 
the regulations.gov website to view the docket index or access 
available documents. All documents in the docket are listed in the 
docket index available in regulations.gov. Although listed in the 
index, some information is not publicly available, e.g., Confidential 
Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is 
restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted 
material, is not placed on the Internet and will be publicly available 
only in hard copy form. Publicly available docket materials are 
available in the electronic docket at http://www.regulations.gov, or, 
if only available in hard copy, at the OPP Regulatory Public Docket in 
Rm. S-4400, One Potomac Yard (South Bldg.), 2777 S. Crystal Dr., 
Arlington, VA. The Docket Facility is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The Docket Facility 
telephone number is (703) 305-5805.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Samek, Registration Division 
(7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone 
number: (703) 347-8825; e-mail address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does this Action Apply to Me?

    You may be potentially affected by this action if you are an 
agricultural producer, food manufacturer, or pesticide manufacturer. 
Potentially affected entities may include, but are not limited to:
     Crop production (NAICS code 111).
     Animal production (NAICS code 112).
     Food manufacturing (NAICS code 311).
     Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS code 32532).
    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 this unit could also be 
affected. The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) 
codes have been provided to assist you and others in determining 
whether this action might apply to certain entities. If you have any 
questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular 
entity, consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT.

B. How Can I Access Electronic Copies of this Document?

    In addition to accessing an electronic copy of this Federal 
Register document through the electronic docket at http://www.regulations.gov, you may access this ``Federal Register'' document 
electronically through the EPA Internet under the ``Federal Register'' 
listings at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr. You may

[[Page 41284]]

also access a frequently updated electronic version of 40 CFR part 180 
through the Government Printing Office's pilot e-CFR site at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/ecfr.

C. Can I File an Objection or Hearing Request?

    Under section 408(g) of FFDCA, as amended by FQPA, any person may 
file an objection to any aspect of this regulation and may also request 
a hearing on those objections. The EPA procedural regulations which 
govern the submission of objections and requests for hearings appear in 
40 CFR part 178. You must file your objection or request a hearing on 
this regulation in accordance with the instructions provided in 40 CFR 
part 178. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, you must identify docket ID 
number EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0254 in the subject line on the first page of 
your submission. All requests must be in writing, and must be mailed or 
delivered to the Hearing Clerk on or before September 16, 2008.
    In addition to filing an objection or hearing request with the 
Hearing Clerk as described in 40 CFR part 178, please submit a copy of 
the filing that does not contain any CBI for inclusion in the public 
docket that is described in ADDRESSES. Information not marked 
confidential pursuant to 40 CFR part 2 may be disclosed publicly by EPA 
without prior notice. Submit your copies, identified by docket ID 
number EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0254, by one of the following methods.
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments.
     Mail: Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) Regulatory Public 
Docket (7502P), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania 
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001.
     Delivery: OPP Regulatory Public Docket (7502P), 
Environmental Protection Agency, Rm. S-4400, One Potomac Yard (South 
Bldg.), 2777 S. Crystal Dr., Arlington, VA. Deliveries are only 
accepted during the Docket's normal hours of operation (8:30 a.m. to 4 
p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays). Special 
arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information. The 
Docket Facility telephone number is (703) 305-5805.

II. Background and Statutory Findings

    In the Federal Register of May 16, 2008 (73 FR 28461) (FRL-8361-6), 
EPA issued a notice pursuant to section 408 of FFDCA, 21 U.S.C. 346a, 
as amended by FQPA (Public Law 104-170), announcing the filing of a 
pesticide petition (PP 8E7315) by Rhodia, Inc. c/o SciReg, Inc., 12733 
Director's Loop, Woodbridge, Va 22192.. The petition requested that 40 
CFR 180.960 be amended by establishing an exemption from the 
requirement of a tolerance for residues of oxirane, 2-methyl-, polymer 
with oxirane, mono [2-[2-(2-
butoxymethylethoxy)methylethoxy]methylethyl] ether; (CAS Reg. No. 
926031-36-9). That notice included a summary of the petition prepared 
by the petitioner. There were no comments in response to the notice of 
filing.
    Section 408(c)(2)(A)(i) of FFDCA allows EPA to establish an 
exemption from the requirement for 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(c)(2)(A)(ii) of FFDCA 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) of FFDCA requires EPA to 
give special consideration to exposure of infants and children to the 
pesticide chemical residue in establishing an exemption from the 
requirement of 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 * * *.'' and 
specifies factors EPA is to consider in establishing an exemption.

III. Inert Ingredient Definition

    Inert ingredients are all ingredients that are not active 
ingredients as defined in 40 CFR 153.125 and include, but are not 
limited to, the following types of ingredients (except when they have a 
pesticidal efficacy of their own): Solvents such as alcohols and 
hydrocarbons; surfactants such as polyoxyethylene polymers and fatty 
acids; carriers such as clay and diatomaceous earth; thickeners such as 
carrageenan and modified cellulose; wetting, spreading, and dispersing 
agents; propellants in aerosol dispensers; microencapsulating agents; 
and emulsifiers. The term ``inert'' is not intended to imply 
nontoxicity; the ingredient may or may not be chemically active. 
Generally, EPA has exempted inert ingredients from the requirement of a 
tolerance based on the low toxicity of the individual inert 
ingredients.

IV. Risk Assessment and Statutory Findings

    EPA establishes exemptions from the requirement of a tolerance only 
in those cases where it can be shown that the risks from aggregate 
exposure to pesticide chemical residues under reasonably foreseeable 
circumstances will pose no appreciable risks to human health. In order 
to determine the risks from aggregate exposure to pesticide inert 
ingredients, the Agency considers the toxicity of the inert in 
conjunction with possible exposure to residues of the inert ingredient 
through food, drinking water, and through other exposures that occur as 
a result of pesticide use in residential settings. If EPA is able to 
determine that a finite tolerance is not necessary to ensure that there 
is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result from aggregate 
exposure to the inert ingredient, an exemption from the requirement of 
a tolerance may be established.
    Consistent with section 408(b)(2)(D) of FFDCA, EPA has reviewed the 
available scientific data and other relevant information in support of 
this action and considered its validity, completeness and reliability 
and the relationship of this information 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. In the case of certain chemical substances that 
are defined as polymers, the Agency has established a set of criteria 
to identify categories of polymers that should present minimal or no 
risk. The definition of a polymer is given in 40 CFR 723.250(b) and the 
exclusion criteria for identifying these low-risk polymers are 
described in 40 CFR 723.250(d). Oxirane, 2-methyl-, polymer with 
oxirane, mono [2-[2-(2-butoxymethylethoxy)methylethoxy]methylethyl] 
ether conforms to the definition of a polymer given in 40 CFR 
723.250(b) and meets the following criteria that are used to identify 
low risk polymers:
    1. The polymer is not a cationic polymer nor is it reasonably 
anticipated to become a cationic polymer in a natural aquatic 
environment.
    2. The polymer does contain as an integral part of its composition 
the atomic elements carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
    3. The polymer does not contain as an integral part of its 
composition, except as impurities, any element other than those listed 
in 40 CFR 723.250(d)(2)(ii).
    4. The polymer is neither designed nor can it be reasonably 
anticipated to

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substantially degrade, decompose, or depolymerize.
    5. The polymer is manufactured or imported from monomers and/or 
reactants that are already included on the TSCA Chemical Substance 
Inventory or manufactured under an applicable TSCA section 5 exemption.
    6. The polymer is not a water absorbing polymer with a number 
average molecular weight (MW) greater than or equal to 10,000 daltons.
    Additionally, the polymer also meets as required the following 
exemption criteria specified in 40 CFR 723.250(e).
    7. The polymer's number average MW of 3,000 daltons is greater than 
1,000 and less than 10,000 daltons. The polymer contains less than 10% 
oligomeric material below MW 500 and less than 25% oligomeric material 
below MW 1,000, and the polymer does not contain any reactive 
functional groups.
    Thus, oxirane, 2-methyl-, polymer with oxirane, mono [2-[2-(2-
butoxymethylethoxy)methylethoxy]methylethyl] ether meets all the 
criteria for a polymer to be considered low risk under 40 CFR 723.250. 
Based on its conformance to the criteria in this unit, no mammalian 
toxicity is anticipated from dietary, inhalation, or dermal exposure to 
oxirane, 2-methyl-, polymer with oxirane, mono [2-[2-(2-
butoxymethylethoxy)methylethoxy]methylethyl] ether.

V. Aggregate Exposures

    For the purposes of assessing potential exposure under this 
exemption, EPA considered that oxirane, 2-methyl-, polymer with 
oxirane, mono [2-[2-(2-butoxymethylethoxy)methylethoxy]methylethyl] 
ether could be present in all raw and processed agricultural 
commodities and drinking water, and that non-occupational non-dietary 
exposure was possible. The number average MW of oxirane, 2-methyl-, 
polymer with oxirane, mono [2-[2-(2-
butoxymethylethoxy)methylethoxy]methylethyl] ether is 3,000 daltons. 
Generally, a polymer of this size would be poorly absorbed through the 
intact gastrointestinal tract or through intact human skin. Since 
oxirane, 2-methyl-, polymer with oxirane, mono [2-[2-(2-
butoxymethylethoxy)methylethoxy]methylethyl] ether conforms to the 
criteria that identify a low-risk polymer, there are no concerns for 
risks associated with any potential exposure scenarios that are 
reasonably foreseeable. The Agency has determined that a tolerance is 
not necessary to protect the public health.

VI. Cumulative Effects

    Section 408 (b)(2)(D)(v) of FFDCA requires that, when considering 
whether to establish, modify, or revoke a tolerance or tolerance 
exemption, the Agency consider ``available information'' concerning the 
cumulative effects of a particular chemical's residues and ``other 
substances that have a common mechanism of toxicity.'' EPA does not 
have, at this time, available data to determine whether oxirane, 2-
methyl-, polymer with oxirane, mono [2-[2-(2-
butoxymethylethoxy)methylethoxy]methylethyl] ether has a common 
mechanism of toxicity with other substances. Unlike other pesticides 
for which EPA has followed a cumulative risk approach based on a common 
mechanism of toxicity, EPA has not made a common mechanism of toxicity 
finding as to oxirane, 2-methyl-, polymer with oxirane, mono [2-[2-(2-
butoxymethylethoxy)methylethoxy]methylethyl] ether and any other 
substances and Oxirane, 2-methyl-, polymer with oxirane, mono [2-[2-(2-
butoxymethylethoxy)methylethoxy]methylethyl] ether 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 
oxirane, 2-methyl-, polymer with oxirane, mono [2-[2-(2-
butoxymethylethoxy)methylethoxy]methylethyl] ether has a common 
mechanism of toxicity with other substances. For information regarding 
EPA's efforts to determine which chemicals have a common mechanism of 
toxicity and to evaluate the cumulative effects of such chemicals, see 
the policy statements released by EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs 
concerning common mechanism determinations and procedures for 
cumulating effects from substances found to have a common mechanism on 
EPA's Web site at http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/cumulative.

VII. Additional Safety Factor for the Protection of Infants and 
Children

    Section 408 of FFDCA provides that EPA shall apply an additional 
tenfold margin of safety for infants and children in the case of 
threshold effects to account for prenatal and postnatal toxicity and 
the completeness of the data base unless EPA concludes that a different 
margin of safety will be safe for infants and children. Due to the 
expected low toxicity of oxirane, 2-methyl-, polymer with oxirane, mono 
[2-[2-(2-butoxymethylethoxy)methylethoxy]methylethyl] ether, EPA has 
not used a safety factor analysis to assess the risk. For the same 
reasons the additional tenfold safety factor is unnecessary.

VIII. Determination of Safety

    Based on the conformance to the criteria used to identify a low-
risk polymer, EPA concludes that there is a reasonable certainty of no 
harm to the U.S. population, including infants and children, from 
aggregate exposure to residues of oxirane, 2-methyl-, polymer with 
oxirane, mono [2-[2-(2-butoxymethylethoxy)methylethoxy]methylethyl] 
ether.

IX. Other Considerations

A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology

    An analytical method is not required for enforcement purposes since 
the Agency is establishing an exemption from the requirement of a 
tolerance without any numerical limitation.

B. International Tolerances

    The Agency is not aware of any country requiring a tolerance for 
oxirane, 2-methyl-, polymer with oxirane, mono [2-[2-(2-
butoxymethylethoxy)methylethoxy]methylethyl] ether nor have any CODEX 
Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) been established for any food crops at 
this time.

X. Conclusion

    Accordingly, EPA finds that exempting residues of oxirane, 2-
methyl-, polymer with oxirane, mono [2-[2-(2-
butoxymethylethoxy)methylethoxy]methylethyl] ether from the requirement 
of a tolerance will be safe.

XI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    This final rule establishes a tolerance under section 408(d) of 
FFDCA in response to a petition 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). Because this rule has been 
exempted from review under Executive Order 12866, this rule is not 
subject to Executive Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations That 
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use (66 FR 28355, 
May 22, 2001) or Executive Order 13045, entitled Protection of Children 
from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks (62 FR 19885, April 
23, 1997). 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

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seq., nor does it require any special considerations under Executive 
Order 12898, entitled Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice 
in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations (59 FR 7629, 
February 16, 1994).
    Since tolerances and exemptions that are established on the basis 
of a petition under section 408(d) of FFDCA, such as the tolerance in 
this final rule, do not require the issuance of a proposed rule, the 
requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601 et 
seq.) do not apply.
    This final rule directly regulates growers, food processors, food 
handlers, and food retailers, not States or tribes, nor does this 
action alter the relationships or distribution of power and 
responsibilities established by Congress in the preemption provisions 
of section 408(n)(4) of FFDCA. As such, the Agency has determined that 
this action will not have a substantial direct effect on States or 
tribal governments, on the relationship between the national government 
and the States or tribal governments, or on the distribution of power 
and responsibilities among the various levels of government or between 
the Federal Government and Indian tribes. Thus, the Agency has 
determined that Executive Order 13132, entitled Federalism (64 FR 
43255, August 10, 1999) and Executive Order 13175, entitled 
Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments (65 FR 
67249, November 9, 2000) do not apply to this rule. In addition, This 
rule does not impose any enforceable duty or contain any unfunded 
mandate as described under Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act 
of 1995 (UMRA) (Public Law 104-4).
    This action does not involve any technical standards that would 
require Agency consideration of voluntary consensus standards pursuant 
to section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement 
Act of 1995 (NTTAA), Public Law 104-113, section 12(d) (15 U.S.C. 272 
note).

XII. Congressional Review Act

    The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., generally 
provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating 
the rule must submit a rule report 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 this 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: July 3, 2008.
Lois Rossi,
Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.

0
Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is amended as follows:

PART 180--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for part 180 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.

0
2. Section 180.960 is amended by adding in alphabetical order a polymer 
to the table to read as follows:


Sec.  180.960  Polymers; exemptions from the requirement of a 
tolerance.

* * * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Polymer                              CAS No.
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                              * * * * * * *
Oxirane, 2-methyl-, polymer with                             926031-36-9
 oxirane, mono [2-[2-(2-
 butoxymethylethoxy)methylethoxy]met
 hylethyl] ether, minimum number
 average molecular weight (in amu),
 3,000.
 
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[FR Doc. E8-16317 Filed 7-17-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-S