[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 173 (Friday, September 5, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51722-51727]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-20627]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 180

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0491; FRL-8379-6]


Linuron; Pesticide Tolerance for Emergency Exemptions

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This regulation establishes a time-limited tolerance for 
combined residues of linuron and its metabolites in or on lentils. This 
action is in response to EPA's granting of an emergency exemption under 
section 18 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act 
(FIFRA) authorizing use of the pesticide on lentils. This regulation 
establishes a maximum permissible level for residues of linuron in the 
food commodity, lentils. The time-limited tolerance expires and is 
revoked on December 31, 2011.

DATES: This regulation is effective September 5, 2008. Objections and 
requests for hearings must be received on or before November 4, 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-2008-0491. 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 either in the electronic docket at http://www.regulations.gov, or, if only available in hard copy, at the Office 
of Pesticide Programs (OPP) Regulatory Public Docket in Rm. S-4400, One 
Potomac Yard (South Bldg.), 2777 S. Crystal Dr., Arlington, VA. The 
hours of operation of this Docket Facility are 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: Andrea Conrath, Registration Division 
(7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone 
number: (703) 308-9356; 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 also access a 
frequently updated electronic version of 40 CFR part 180 through the 
Government Printing Office's e-CFR site at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/ecfr.

C. Can I File an Objection or Hearing Request?

    Under section 408(g) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act 
(FFDCA), as amended by the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 (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

[[Page 51723]]

identify docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0491 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 November 
4, 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-2008-0491, 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

    EPA, on its own initiative, in accordance with sections 408(e) and 
408(l)(6) of FFDCA, 21 U.S.C. 346a(e) and 346a(1)(6), is establishing a 
time-limited tolerance for combined residues of the herbicide linuron, 
(3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methoxy-1-methylurea) and its metabolites 
convertible to 3,4-dichloroaniline, calculated as linuron, in or on 
lentils at 0.1 parts per million (ppm). This time-limited tolerance 
expires and is revoked on December 31, 2011. EPA will publish a 
document in the Federal Register to remove the revoked tolerance from 
the CFR.
    Section 408(l)(6) of FFDCA requires EPA to establish a time-limited 
tolerance or exemption from the requirement for a tolerance for 
pesticide chemical residues in food that will result from the use of a 
pesticide under an emergency exemption granted by EPA under section 18 
of FIFRA. Such tolerances can be established without providing notice 
or period for public comment. EPA does not intend for its actions on 
section 18 related time-limited tolerances to set binding precedents 
for the application of section 408 of FFDCA and the new safety standard 
to other tolerances and exemptions. Section 408(e) of FFDCA allows EPA 
to establish a tolerance or an exemption from the requirement of a 
tolerance on its own initiative, i.e., without having received any 
petition from an outside party.
    Section 408(b)(2)(A)(i) of 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) 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 a tolerance and to ``ensure that there 
is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result to infants and 
children from aggregate exposure to the pesticide chemical residue. . . 
.''
    Section 18 of FIFRA authorizes EPA to exempt any Federal or State 
agency from any provision of FIFRA, if EPA determines that ``emergency 
conditions exist which require such exemption.'' EPA has established 
regulations governing such emergency exemptions in 40 CFR part 166.

III. Emergency Exemptions for Linuron on Lentils and FFDCA Tolerance

    The applicants from Idaho and Washington petitioned for an 
emergency exemption, stating that the development of herbicide-
resistant biotypes of prickly lettuce and mayweed chamomile has led to 
an emergency situation. After having reviewed the submissions, EPA 
determined that emergency conditions exist for these States, and that 
the criteria for an emergency exemption are met. EPA has authorized 
under FIFRA section 18 the use of linuron on lentils for control of 
mayweed chamomile and prickly lettuce in Idaho and Washington.
    As part of its evaluation of the emergency exemption applications, 
EPA assessed the potential risks presented by residues of linuron in or 
on lentils. In doing so, EPA considered the safety standard in section 
408(b)(2) of FFDCA, and EPA decided that the necessary tolerance under 
section 408(l)(6) of FFDCA would be consistent with the safety standard 
and with FIFRA section 18. Consistent with the need to move quickly on 
the emergency exemption in order to address an urgent non-routine 
situation and to ensure that the resulting food is safe and lawful, EPA 
is issuing this tolerance without notice and opportunity for public 
comment as provided in section 408(l)(6) of FFDCA. Although this time-
limited tolerance expires and is revoked on December 31, 2011, under 
section 408(l)(5) of FFDCA, residues of the pesticide not in excess of 
the amount specified in the tolerance remaining in or on lentils after 
that date will not be unlawful, provided the pesticide was applied in a 
manner that was lawful under FIFRA, and the residues do not exceed a 
level that was authorized by this time-limited tolerance at the time of 
that application. EPA will take action to revoke this time-limited 
tolerance earlier if any experience with, scientific data on, or other 
relevant information on this pesticide indicate that the residues are 
not safe.
    Because this time-limited tolerance is being approved under 
emergency conditions, EPA has not made any decisions about whether 
linuron meets FIFRA's registration requirements for use on lentils or 
whether a permanent tolerance for this use would be appropriate. Under 
these circumstances, EPA does not believe that this time-limited 
tolerance decision serves as a basis for registration of linuron by a 
State for special local needs under FIFRA section 24(c). Nor does this 
tolerance serve as the basis for persons in any State other than Idaho 
and Washington to use this pesticide on this crop under FIFRA section 
18 absent the issuance of an emergency exemption applicable within that 
State. For additional information regarding the emergency exemption for 
linuron, contact the Agency's Registration Division at the address 
provided under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

IV. Aggregate Risk Assessment and Determination of Safety

    Section 408(b)(2)(A)(i) of 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) 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

[[Page 51724]]

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 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....''
    Consistent with the factors specified in FFDCA 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 and to make a determination on aggregate 
exposure expected as a result of this emergency exemption request and 
the time-limited tolerance for combined residues of linuron on lentils 
at 0.1 ppm. EPA's assessment of exposures and risks associated with 
establishing the time-limited tolerance follows.

A. Toxicological Endpoints

    For hazards that have a threshold below which there is no 
appreciable risk, a toxicological point of departure (POD) is 
identified as the basis for derivation of reference values for risk 
assessment. The POD may be defined as the highest dose at which no 
adverse effects are observed (the NOAEL) in the toxicology study 
identified as appropriate for use in risk assessment. However, if a 
NOAEL cannot be determined, the lowest dose at which adverse effects of 
concern are identified (the LOAEL) or a Benchmark Dose (BMD) approach 
is sometimes used for risk assessment. Uncertainty/safety factors (UFs) 
are used in conjunction with the POD to take into account uncertainties 
inherent in the extrapolation from laboratory animal data to humans and 
in the variations in sensitivity among members of the human population 
as well as other unknowns. Safety is assessed for acute and chronic 
dietary risks by comparing aggregate food and water exposure to the 
pesticide to the acute population adjusted dose (aPAD) and chronic 
population adjusted dose (cPAD). The aPAD and cPAD are calculated by 
dividing the POD by all applicable UFs. Aggregate short-, intermediate-
, and chronic-term risks are evaluated by comparing food, water, and 
residential exposure to the POD to ensure that the margin of exposure 
(MOE) called for by the product of all applicable UFs is not exceeded. 
This latter value is referred to as the Level of Concern (LOC).
    For non-threshold risks, the Agency assumes that any amount of 
exposure will lead to some degree of risk. Thus, the Agency estimates 
risk in terms of the probability of an occurrence of the adverse effect 
greater than that expected in a lifetime. For more information on the 
general principles EPA uses in risk characterization and a complete 
description of the risk assessment process, see http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/riskassess.htm.
    A summary of the toxicological endpoints for linuron used for human 
risk assessment can be found at http://www.regulations.gov in the 
document Linuron Human Health Risk Assessment to Support a Section 18 
Emergency Exemption for Use on Lentils in Washington and Idaho, page 6 
in docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0491.

B. Exposure Assessment

    1. Dietary exposure from food and feed uses. In evaluating dietary 
exposure to linuron, EPA considered exposure under the time-limited 
tolerance established by this action as well as all existing linuron 
tolerances in (40 CFR 180.184). EPA assessed dietary exposures from 
linuron in food as follows:
    i. Acute exposure. In estimating acute dietary exposure, EPA used 
food consumption information from the United States Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) 1994-1996 and 1998 Nationwide Continuing Surveys of 
Food Intake by Individuals (CSFII). As to residue levels in food, for 
blended commodities, an average of the field trial data corrected for 
the maximum percent of crop treated (PCT) was used in the assessment. 
For non-blended or partially-blended commodities, all values from the 
field trials were included along with the use of maximum PCT. For the 
new use on lentils, field trial values were included and 100 PCT was 
assumed. For all commodities, residues reported at or below the 
analytical method limit of quantitation (LOQ) were incorporated into 
the assessment at the LOQ level. Concentration/reduction factors were 
incorporated for some commodities based on empirical data; for all 
other processed commodities, default processing factors were used. A 
single high end modeled peak surface water estimated drinking water 
concentration (EDWC) of 38 ppb was used as a point estimate for 
drinking water, and directly incorporated into the assessment. There 
were no significant toxicological effects attributable to a single 
exposure (dose) for the general population or any other population 
subgroups other than the population subgroup of females 13-49 years 
old. Therefore, only this subgroup was included in this assessment.
    ii. Chronic exposure. In conducting the chronic dietary exposure 
assessment EPA used the food consumption data from the USDA 1994-1996 
and 1998 CSFII. For the chronic assessment, an average of the field 
trial data and PCT information were used to derive anticipated residue 
values. For the new use on lentils, the average of the field trial data 
was used and 100 PCT was assumed. Concentration/reduction factors were 
incorporated for some commodities based on empirical data; for all 
other processed commodities, default processing factors were used. The 
annual mean surface water estimate of 18 ppb was used as a chronic 
exposure estimate for drinking water and was directly incorporated into 
the dietary assessment.
    iii. Cancer. Linuron has been classified as Group C chemical and 
quantification of human cancer risk is not required; therefore a cancer 
dietary risk assessment was not conducted.
    iv. Anticipated residue and PCT information. Section 408(b)(2)(E) 
of FFDCA authorizes EPA to use available data and information on the 
anticipated residue levels of pesticide residues in food and the actual 
levels of pesticide residues that have been measured in food. If EPA 
relies on such information, EPA must require pursuant to FFDCA section 
408(f)(1) that data be provided 5 years after the tolerance is 
established, modified, or left in effect, demonstrating that the levels 
in food are not above the levels anticipated. For the present action, 
EPA will issue such data call-ins as are required by FFDCA section 
408(b)(2)(E) and authorized under FFDCA section 408(f)(1). Data will be 
required to be submitted no later than 5 years from the date of 
issuance of these tolerances.
    Section 408(b)(2)(F) of FFDCA states that the Agency may use data 
on the actual percent of food treated for assessing chronic dietary 
risk only if:
     Condition a: The data used are reliable and provide a 
valid basis to show what percentage of the food derived from such crop 
is likely to contain the pesticide residue.
     Condition b: The exposure estimate does not underestimate 
exposure for any significant subpopulation group.
     Condition c: Data are available on pesticide use and food 
consumption in a particular area, the exposure estimate does not 
understate exposure for the population in such area.
In addition, the Agency must provide for periodic evaluation of any 
estimates used. To provide for the periodic evaluation of the estimate 
of PCT as

[[Page 51725]]

required by FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(F), EPA may require registrants to 
submit data on PCT.
    For the acute assessment the maximum PCT was used as follows: 
sorghum and soybean at 2.5%, and wheat and lentils at 100%. For the 
chronic assessment, the average PCT was used as follows: sorghum and 
soybean at 1%, and wheat and lentils at 100%. Although usage on wheat 
is likely negligible, since there were no usage data reported for this 
crop, a default of 100 PCT was used for both acute and chronic 
assessments, which is likely an overestimate.
    In most cases, EPA uses available data from United States 
Department of Agriculture/National Agricultural Statistics Service 
(USDA/NASS), proprietary market surveys, and the National Pesticide Use 
Database for the chemical/crop combination for the most recent 6 years. 
EPA uses an average PCT for chronic dietary risk analysis. The average 
PCT figure for each existing use is derived by combining available 
public and private market survey data for that use, averaging across 
all observations, and rounding to the nearest 5%, except for those 
situations in which the average PCT is less than one. In those cases, 
1% is used as the average PCT and 2.5% is used as the maximum PCT. EPA 
uses a maximum PCT for acute dietary risk analysis. The maximum PCT 
figure is the highest observed maximum value reported within the recent 
6 years of available public and private market survey data for the 
existing use and rounded up to the nearest multiple of 5%.
    The Agency believes that the three conditions discussed in Unit 
III.B.1.iv. have been met. With respect to Condition a, PCT estimates 
are derived from Federal and private market survey data, which are 
reliable and have a valid basis. As to Conditions b and c, regional 
consumption information and consumption information for significant 
subpopulations is taken into account through EPA's computer-based model 
for evaluating the exposure of significant subpopulations including 
several regional groups. Use of this consumption information in EPA's 
risk assessment process ensures that EPA's exposure estimate does not 
understate exposure for any significant subpopulation group and allows 
the Agency to be reasonably certain that no regional population is 
exposed to residue levels higher than those estimated by the Agency. 
Other than the data available through national food consumption 
surveys, EPA does not have available reliable information on the 
regional consumption of food to which linuron may be applied in a 
particular area.
    2. Dietary exposure from drinking water. The Agency used screening 
level water exposure models in the dietary exposure analysis and risk 
assessment for linuron in drinking water. These simulation models take 
into account data on the physical, chemical, and fate/transport 
characteristics of linuron. Further information regarding EPA drinking 
water models used in pesticide exposure assessment can be found at 
http://www.epa.gov/oppefed1/models/water/index.htm.
    Based on the Pesticide Root Zone Model /Exposure Analysis Modeling 
System (PRZM/EXAMS) and Screening Concentration in Ground Water (SCI-
GROW) models, the estimated drinking water concentration (EDWC) of 
linuron for acute exposures is estimated to be 38 ppb for surface 
water. For chronic exposures for non-cancer assessments the EDWC is 
estimated to be 18 ppb for surface water. Groundwater sources were not 
included in this assessment, as the EDWCs for this water source are 
minimal in comparison to surface water (0.7 ppb for both acute and 
chronic concentrations). Modeled estimates of drinking water 
concentrations were directly entered into the dietary exposure model.
    For acute dietary risk assessment, the water concentration value of 
38 ppb was used to assess the contribution to drinking water. For 
chronic dietary risk assessment, the water concentration value of 18 
ppb was used to assess the contribution to drinking water.
    3. From non-dietary exposure. The term ``residential exposure'' is 
used in this document to refer to non-occupational, non-dietary 
exposure (e.g., for lawn and garden pest control, indoor pest control, 
termiticides, and flea and tick control on pets).
    Linuron is not registered for any specific use patterns that would 
result in residential exposure.
    4. Cumulative effects from substances with a common mechanism of 
toxicity. Section 408(b)(2)(D)(v) of FFDCA 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.''
    EPA has not found linuron to share a common mechanism of toxicity 
with any other substances, and linuron does not appear to produce a 
toxic metabolite produced by other substances. For the purposes of this 
tolerance action, therefore, EPA has assumed that linuron does not have 
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 website at http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/cumulative.

C. Safety Factor for Infants and Children

    1. In general. Section 408(b)(2)(C) of FFDCA provides that EPA 
shall apply an additional tenfold (10X) 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 database on toxicity 
and exposure unless EPA determines based on reliable data that a 
different margin of safety will be safe for infants and children. This 
additional margin of safety is commonly referred to as the FQPA safety 
factor (SF). In applying this provision, EPA either retains the default 
value of 10X, or uses a different additional SF when reliable data 
available to EPA support the choice of a different factor.
    2. Prenatal and postnatal sensitivity. The data from the multi-
generation reproduction study in rats show that linuron has weak 
affinity for androgen receptors and causes dose-related alterations in 
androgen-dependent reproductive organ development in male rats. While 
there is evidence of increased susceptibility seen in rats, the anti-
androgenic effects of linuron are well established and there is a clear 
NOAEL for the effects. Further, the toxicity endpoint selected for risk 
assessment is protective of both the hematological effects seen 
(increased methemoglobin levels, selected as the chronic endpoint) as 
well as the anti-androgenic effects of linuron. EPA has determined that 
the available linuron database is adequate for assessing the 
potentially increased susceptibility of the young to linuron exposure 
and the possible need for a FQPA safety factor to protect the young 
from the effects of linuron.
    3. Conclusion. EPA concludes that the FQPA safety factor of 10X is 
not warranted, and it is reduced to 1X for the following reasons:
    EPA has determined that reliable data show that the safety of 
infants and children would be adequately protected if the FQPA SF were 
reduced to 1X. That decision is based on the following findings:

[[Page 51726]]

    i. The toxicity database for understanding the toxicity of linuron 
is complete.
    ii. The information on linuron's effects on differentiating male 
reproductive system (antiandrogenic action) is well established, and 
the dose levels where these effects occur are known. A clear NOAEL was 
established for the effects on the reproductive system. At this time, 
the point of departure for risk assessment purposes is protective of 
the linuron's action on this target tissue (differentiating male 
reproductive system) as well as the hematological effects described in 
Unit IV.C.2.
    iii. The linuron database does not show any neurotoxicity in all 
the submitted and published studies at doses as high as 100 mg/kg. The 
current developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) study focuses on the 
neurobehavioral and brain histological changes and will not provide 
additional information for understanding the toxicity of linuron; 
therefore, this study is no longer required.
    iv. Exposure estimates are unlikely to underestimate risk.
    v. There are no residual uncertainties identified in the exposure 
databases. For estimation of exposure, the analysis incorporated PCT 
estimates, which are derived from Federal and private market survey 
data, which are reliable and have a valid basis. EPA believes that 
using these estimates will not underestimate the exposure and risks. 
EPA made conservative (protective) assumptions in the ground and 
surface water modeling used to assess exposure to linuron in drinking 
water. These assessments will not underestimate the exposure and risks 
posed by linuron.

D. Aggregate Risks and Determination of Safety

    EPA determines whether acute and chronic pesticide exposures are 
safe by comparing aggregate exposure estimates to the aPAD and cPAD. 
The aPAD and cPAD represent the highest safe exposures, taking into 
account all appropriate UFs. EPA calculates the aPAD and cPAD by 
dividing the POD by all applicable UFs. For linear cancer risks, EPA 
calculates the probability of additional cancer cases given the 
estimated aggregate exposure. Short-, intermediate-, and chronic-term 
risks are evaluated by comparing the estimated aggregate food, water, 
and residential exposure to the POD to ensure that the MOE called for 
by the product of all applicable UFs is not exceeded.
    1. Acute risk. An acute aggregate risk assessment takes into 
account exposure estimates from acute dietary consumption of food and 
drinking water. There were no significant toxicological effects 
attributable to a single exposure (dose) for the general population 
other than the population subgroup Females 13-49 Years Old; therefore 
only this population subgroup was included in this assessment. Using 
the exposure assumptions discussed in this unit for acute exposure, the 
acute dietary exposure from food and water to linuron will occupy 6.0% 
of the aPAD at the 99.9th percentile of exposure distribution for 
Females 13-49 Years Old.
    2. Chronic risk. Using the exposure assumptions described in this 
unit for chronic exposure, EPA has concluded that chronic exposure to 
linuron from food and water will utilize 22% of the cPAD for All 
Infants, the population subgroup receiving the greatest exposure. There 
are no residential uses for linuron. For the general U.S. population 
the existing and new uses for linuron resulted in an estimated chronic 
dietary exposure and risk equivalent to 7% of the cPAD.
    3. Short-term risk. Short-term aggregate exposure takes into 
account short-term residential exposure plus chronic exposure to food 
and water (considered to be a background exposure level). Linuron is 
not registered for any use patterns that would result in residential 
exposure. Therefore, the short-term aggregate risk is the sum of the 
risk from exposure to linuron through food and water and will not be 
greater than the chronic aggregate risk.
    4. Intermediate-term risk. Intermediate-term aggregate exposure 
takes into account intermediate-term non-dietary, non-occupational 
exposure plus chronic exposure to food and water (considered to be a 
background exposure level). Linuron is not registered for any use 
patterns that would result in intermediate-term residential exposure. 
Therefore, the intermediate-term aggregate risk is the sum of the risk 
from exposure to linuron through food and water, which has already been 
addressed, and will not be greater than the chronic aggregate risk.
    5. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S. population. Linuron has been 
classified as Group C carcinogen and quantification of human cancer 
risk is not required.
    6. Determination of safety. Based on these risk assessments, EPA 
concludes that there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result 
to the general population, or to infants and children, from aggregate 
exposure to linuron residues.

V. Other Considerations

A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology

    The Pesticide Analytical Manual (PAM) Vol. II lists a colorimetric 
method (Method I) and a paper chromatographic method (Method II) for 
the enforcement of tolerances for linuron residues. Residues of diuron 
may interfere in Method I. A modified version of Method I (H. L. Pease, 
Journal of Agric. and Food Chem., 1962, Vol. 10, p. 279), which 
includes a cellulose column step to separate linuron from diuron, has 
been used for tolerance enforcement purposes. Both these methods 
determine linuron and all metabolites hydrolyzable to 3,4-
dichloroaniline and have limits of detection of 0.05 ppm and are 
adequate to enforce the tolerance expression.

B. International Residue Limits

    There are no Codex MRLs for linuron on lentils.

VI. Conclusion

    Therefore, a time-limited tolerance is established for combined 
residues of linuron, (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methoxy-1-methylurea) 
and its metabolites convertible to 3,4-dichloroaniline, calculated as 
linuron, in or on lentil at 0.1 ppm. This tolerance expires and is 
revoked on December 31, 2011.

VII. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    This final rule establishes tolerances under sections 408(e) and 
408(l)(6) 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 final 
rule has been exempted from review under Executive Order 12866, this 
final 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 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

[[Page 51727]]

Populations (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
    Since tolerances and exemptions that are established in accordance 
with sections 408(e) and 408(l)(6) of FFDCA, 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.
    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 final rule. In addition, 
this final 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).

VIII. 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 final rule in the Federal 
Register. This final 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: August 22, 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. In Sec.  180.184 revise paragraph (b) to read as follows:


Sec.  180.184  Linuron; tolerances for residues.

* * * * *
    (b) Section 18 emergency exemptions. Time-limited tolerances 
specified in the following table are established for combined residues 
of the herbicide linuron (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methoxy-1-
methylurea) and its metabolites convertible to 3,4-dichloroaniline, 
calculated as linuron, in or on the specified agricultural commodities, 
resulting from use of the pesticide pursuant to FIFRA section 18 
emergency exemptions. The tolerance expires and is revoked on the date 
specified in the table.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Expiration/
                   Commodity                     Parts per   revocation
                                                  million       date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lentil                                                 0.1    12/31/2011
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[FR Doc. E8-20627 Filed 9-4-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-S