[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 99 (Tuesday, May 26, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24705-24711]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-12142]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 180

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0270; FRL-8413-7]


Acibenzolar-S-methyl; Pesticide Tolerances

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of 
acibenzolar-S-methyl in or on onion, bulb, subgroup 3-07A; and 
vegetable, cucurbit, group 9. It also removes the section 18 time-
limited tolerance on onion, bulb which is superseded by the new 
tolerance on onion, bulb, subgroup 3-07A. Interregional Research 
Project Number 4 (IR-4) and Syngenta Crop Protection requested these 
tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

DATES: This regulation is effective May 26, 2009. Objections and 
requests for hearings must be received on or before July 27, 2009, 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-2008-0270. All documents in the 
docket are listed in the docket index available at http://www.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: Susan Stanton, Registration Division 
(7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone 
number: (703) 305-5218; 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 those 
engaged in the following activities:
     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 to 
provide 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 electronically available documents 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 EPA's tolerance regulations 
at 40 CFR part 180 through the Government Printing Office's e-CFR cite 
at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/ecfr.

C. Can I File an Objection or Hearing Request?

    Under section 408(g) of FFDCA, 21 U.S.C. 346a, any person may file 
an objection to any aspect of this regulation and may also request a 
hearing on those objections. 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-2008-0270 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 as required by 40 CFR part 178 
on or before July 27, 2009.
    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 this copy, identified by docket ID number 
EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0270, 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 Facility'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. Petition for Tolerance

    In the Federal Register of May 16, 2008 (73FR 28461) (FRL-8361-6), 
EPA issued a notice pursuant to section 408(d)(3) of FFDCA, 21 U.S.C. 
346a(d)(3), announcing the filing of a pesticide petition (PP 8E7337) 
by Interregional Research Project Number 4 (IR-4), 500 College Road 
East, Suite 201W, Princeton, NJ 08540. The petition requested that 40 
CFR 180.561 be amended by establishing a tolerance for residues of the 
fungicide acibenzolar-S-methyl, benzo(1,2,3)thiadiazole-7-carbothioic 
acid-S-methyl ester, in or on onion, bulb, subgroup 3-07A at 0.07 parts 
per million (ppm). That notice referenced a summary of the petition 
prepared on behalf of IR-4 by Syngenta Crop Protection, the registrant, 
which is available to the public in the docket, http://www.regulations.gov. There were no comments received in response to the 
notice of filing.

[[Page 24706]]

    In the Federal Register of December 3, 2008 (73 FR 73644) (FRL-
8386-9), EPA issued a notice pursuant to section 408(d)(3) of FFDCA, 21 
U.S.C. 346a(d)(3), announcing the filing of a pesticide petition (PP 
8F7352) by Syngenta Crop Protection, Regulatory Affairs, P.O. Box 
18300, Greensboro, NC 27419-8300. The petition requested that 40 CFR 
180.561 be amended by establishing a tolerance for residues of the 
fungicide acibenzolar-S-methyl, benzo(1,2,3)thiadiazole-7-carbothioic 
acid-S-methyl ester, in or on vegetable, cucurbit, group 9 at 1.0 ppm. 
That notice referenced a summary of the petition prepared by Syngenta 
Crop Protection, the registrant, which is available to the public in 
docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0733 at http://www.regulations.gov. 
There were no comments received in response to the notice of filing.
    Based upon review of the data supporting the petitions, EPA has 
revised the tolerance expression and increased the tolerance level for 
onion, bulb, subgroup 3-07A from 0.07 ppm to 0.1 ppm; and for 
vegetable, cucurbit, group 9 from 1.0 ppm to 2.0 ppm. The reasons for 
these changes are explained in Unit IV.C.

III. 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 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 section 408(b)(2)(D) of FFDCA, and the factors 
specified in section 408(b)(2)(D) of FFDCA, 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 for the petitioned-for 
tolerances for residues of acibenzolar-S-methyl on onion, bulb, 
subgroup 3-07A at 0.1 ppm; and vegetable, cucurbit, group 9 at 2.0 ppm. 
EPA's assessment of exposures and risks associated with establishing 
tolerances 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.
    Acibenzolar-S-methyl showed no significant toxicity in a battery of 
acute toxicity tests but showed considerable skin-sensitivity. In 
subchronic and chronic oral studies in rats, dogs and mice, signs of 
mild regenerative hemolytic anemia were consistently observed in all 
three species. Additional toxic effects observed in these studies 
included decreases in body weight, body weight gain and/or food 
consumption. No other significant treatment-related effects of 
toxicological concern were observed in these subchronic and chronic 
oral studies. No neurotoxic effects were seen at the highest dose 
tested in a subchronic neurotoxicity study in rats. In a 28-day dermal 
toxicity study in rats no systemic or dermal effects were seen at the 
limit dose.
    In developmental toxicity and developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) 
studies in rats, treatment-related effects (visceral malformations and 
skeletal variations; changes in brain morphometrics in the cerebellum) 
were observed in fetuses at levels that were not toxic to the parent, 
indicating increased sensitivity of rat fetuses compared to adults. 
Increased sensitivity was not observed in a developmental toxicity 
study in rabbits, or in 1-generation and 2-generation reproduction 
studies in rats. In a 28-day dermal developmental toxicity study in 
rats, no maternal or developmental toxicity was observed at dose levels 
up to 500 mg/kg/day, the highest dose level tested.
    Acibenzolar-S-methyl was classified by EPA as a ``not likely'' 
human carcinogen based on the lack of evidence of carcinogenicity in 
male and female rats and mice and lack of evidence of genotoxicity in 
an acceptable battery of mutagenicity studies.
     Specific information on the studies received and the nature of the 
adverse effects caused by acibenzolar-S-methyl as well as the no-
observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) and the lowest-observed-adverse-
effect-level (LOAEL) from the toxicity studies can be found at http://www.regulations.gov in the document Revised Acibenzolar-S-methyl Human 
Health Risk Assessment for Proposed Use of Acibenzolar-S-methyl on 
Cucurbits and Bulb Onions page 34 in docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-
0270.

B. 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-term, 
intermediate-term, 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 acibenzolar-S-methyl 
used for human risk assessment can be found at http://www.regulations.gov in the document Revised Acibenzolar-S-

[[Page 24707]]

methyl Human Health Risk Assessment for Proposed Use of Acibenzolar-S-
methyl on Cucurbits and Bulb Onions page 21 in docket ID number EPA-HQ-
OPP-2008-0270.

C. Exposure Assessment

    1. Dietary exposure from food and feed uses. In evaluating dietary 
exposure to acibenzolar-S-methyl, EPA considered exposure under the 
petitioned-for tolerances as well as all existing acibenzolar-S-methyl 
tolerances in 40 CFR 180.561. EPA assessed dietary exposures from 
acibenzolar-S-methyl in food as follows:
    i. Acute exposure. Quantitative acute dietary exposure and 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 1-day or single exposure. EPA identified such an 
effect (changes in brain morphometrics in the cerebellum of offspring) 
in the developmental neurotoxicity study in rats. This acute endpoint 
is relevant to the population subgroup, females 13 to 49 years old. No 
acute endpoint of concern was identified for the general population or 
other population subgroups.
    In estimating acute dietary exposure of females 13 to 49 years old, 
EPA used food consumption information from the United States Department 
of Agriculture (USDA) 1994-1996 Nationwide Continuing Surveys of Food 
Intakes by Individuals (CSFII). EPA conducted a partially refined, 
probabilistic acute dietary exposure assessment using the distribution 
of residues from field trial data for each food commodity. The 
probabilistic assessment incorporated empirical processing factors for 
some processed commodities (tomato paste, puree and juice) and DEEM\TM\ 
default processing factors for the remaining processed commodities. 
Exposure estimates were further refined using maximum percent crop 
treated (PCT) information for most existing uses of acibenzolar-S-
methyl. EPA assumed 100 PCT for the new uses on onions and cucurbits.
    The acibenzolar residues of concern for risk assessment include 
acibenzolar-S-methyl, benzo(1,2,3) thiadiazole-7-carbothioic acid-S-
methyl ester, convertible to benzo(1,2,3)thiadiazole-7-carboxylic acid 
(CGA-210007), expressed as acibenzolar-S-methyl; and its 4-hydroxy CGA-
210007 (CGA-323060) and 5-hydroxy CGA-210007 (CGA-324041) metabolites. 
A factor of 1.5x, based on the relative abundance of the hydroxy 
metabolites (CGA-323060 and CGA-324041) and residues convertible to the 
carboxylic acid metabolite (CGA-210007) found in the lettuce metabolism 
study, was applied to estimates of acibenzolar-S-methyl residues to 
account for all of the residues of concern for dietary risk (including 
CGA-210007, CGA-323060 and CGA-324041).
    ii. Chronic exposure. EPA identified different chronic effects of 
concern for the general population (hemolytic anemia with compensatory 
response observed in the chronic dog study) and for females 13 to 49 
years old (changes in brain morphometrics in the cerebellum of 
offspring in the DNT study). The cPAD for the general population has 
been established at 0.25 mg/kg/day; whereas, the cPAD for females 13 to 
49 years old is lower (0.082 mg/kg/day), due to the more sensitive 
endpoint on which it is based. In conducting the chronic dietary 
exposure assessment EPA used the food consumption data from the USDA 
1994-1996 and 1998 CSFII. As to residue levels in food, EPA assumed 
tolerance-level residues (adjusted by a factor of 1.5x to account for 
all metabolites of concern), DEEM\TM\ default processing factors and 
100 PCT for all commodities.
    iii. Cancer. Based on the lack of evidence of carcinogenicity in 
male and female rats and mice and lack of evidence of genotoxicity in 
an acceptable battery of mutagenicity studies, EPA classified 
acibenzolar-S-methyl as a ``not likely'' human carcinogen. Therefore, 
an exposure assessment for evaluating cancer risk is not needed for 
this chemical.
    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 required by FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(F), EPA may require 
registrants to submit data on PCT.
    The Agency used PCT information as follows:
    Broccoli 5%, cabbage 2.5%, cauliflower 5%, celery 1%, lettuce (head 
and leaf) 12%, pepper (bell and non-bell) 5%, spinach 30%, and tomato 
5%.
    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.C.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. The Agency is reasonably certain that 
the percentage of the food treated is not likely to be an 
underestimation. 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

[[Page 24708]]

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 acibenzolar-S-methyl may be 
applied in a particular area.
    2. Dietary exposure from drinking water. The residues of concern 
for drinking water include acibenzolar-S-methyl and residues 
convertible to CGA-210007. The Agency used screening level water 
exposure models in the dietary exposure analysis and risk assessment 
for acibenzolar-S-methyl and CGA-210007 in drinking water. These 
simulation models take into account data on the physical, chemical, and 
fate/transport characteristics of acibenzolar-S-methyl. 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 concentrations (EDWCs) of 
acibenzolar-S-methyl and CGA-210007 for acute exposures are estimated 
to be 0.74 and 14.21 parts per billion (ppb), respectively, for surface 
water and 0.000041 and 0.557 ppb, respectively, for ground water. EDWCs 
of acibenzolar-S-methyl and CGA-210007 for chronic exposures for non-
cancer assessments are estimated to be 0.10 and 9.48 ppb, respectively, 
for surface water and 0.000041 and 0.557 ppb, respectively, for ground 
water.
    Modeled estimates of drinking water concentrations were directly 
entered into the dietary exposure model. CGA-210007 drinking water 
residues were included in the dietary exposure assessment as 
acibenzolar-S-methyl equivalents. CGA 210007 residues were converted to 
acibenzolar-S-methyl equivalents based on molecular weight (mol. wt. of 
acibenzolar (210) / mol. wt. of CGA 210007 (180) x EDWC for CGA 
210007). For acute dietary risk assessment, the water concentration 
value of 17 ppb was used to assess the contribution to drinking water. 
For chronic dietary risk assessment, the water concentration of value 
11 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). Acibenzolar-S-methyl 
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 acibenzolar-S-methyl to share a common mechanism 
of toxicity with any other substances, and acibenzolar-S-methyl does 
not appear to produce a toxic metabolite produced by other substances. 
For the purposes of this tolerance action, therefore, EPA has assumed 
that acibenzolar-S-methyl 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 EPA's website at 
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/cumulative.

D. 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 safety factor when 
reliable data available to EPA support the choice of a different 
factor.
    In previous risk assessments for acibenzolar-S-methyl the 10X FQPA 
safety factor was retained for increased quantitative susceptibility 
(umbilical hernia) observed in a rat developmental toxicity study and 
the lack of a developmental-neurotoxicity (DNT) study. A DNT study has 
now been submitted and reviewed by EPA; and, based on reevaluation of 
existing data and review of newly submitted data, the umbilical hernias 
are no longer considered to be treatment-related. EPA concluded that 
the incidence of umbilical hernias at 10 milligram/kilogram/day (mg/kg/
day) was not a treatment-related adverse effect because the effect is 
not dose-related (i.e., it was seen only at the low dose of 10 mg/kg/
day); the effect was not seen in dosed animals in other studies, 
including developmental toxicity studies and reproduction studies; 
umbilical hernia was observed in the control animals in the rat dermal 
developmental toxicity study (1/336 fetuses in 1 of 24 litters); and 
the effect is known to occur spontaneously in the rat strain used in 
this study. New studies, including a DNT study in rats, a developmental 
toxicity study in rats and two non-standard investigative, phase-
specific studies, support the finding that incidence of umbilical 
hernias is not treatment-related. Based on these findings, EPA has 
reconsidered the FQPA safety factor for acibenzolar-S-methyl.
    2. Prenatal and postnatal sensitivity. The prenatal and postnatal 
toxicity database for acibenzolar-S-methyl includes acceptable 
developmental toxicity studies in rats (two oral and one dermal) and 
rabbits (one oral); a DNT study in the rat; and 1-generation and 2-
generation reproduction toxicity studies in the rat.
    There was no evidence of increased susceptibility of fetuses or 
offspring in the rat dermal developmental toxicity study, the rabbit 
developmental toxicity study or the rat reproduction toxicity studies. 
No maternal or fetal effects were observed in the dermal developmental 
study at any dose tested. In the rabbit developmental study, maternal 
effects (mortality, clinical signs, decreased maternal body weight and 
food consumption) were seen at a lower dose than fetal effects 
(marginal increase in vertebral anomalies). In the rat reproduction 
studies, parental effects (increased weights and hemosiderosis of the 
spleen; decreased body weight gain and food consumption in females) and 
offspring effects (reduced pup body weight gains and lower pup body 
weights during lactation) were seen at the same dose.
    In the developmental toxicity and DNT studies in rats, treatment-
related effects (visceral malformations and skeletal variations; and 
changes in brain morphometrics in the cerebellum) were observed in 
offspring at levels that were not toxic to the parent, indicating 
potential increased quantitative susceptibility of offspring compared 
to adults. The developmental no-observed

[[Page 24709]]

adversed-effect level (NOAEL) from the DNT study (8.2 mg/kg/day) is the 
lowest NOAEL from any study in the acibenzolar database and is the POD 
used in both the acute and chronic dietary exposure assessments for 
females, 13 to 49 years old, the relevant population subgroup for 
assessing potential developmental effects. Since there is a well-
defined NOAEL for these effects and the NOAEL is being used as the POD 
in the risk assessment, there are no residual uncertainties with regard 
to pre- or postnatal sensitivity.
    3. Conclusion. EPA has determined that reliable data show 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:
    i. The toxicity database for acibenzolar-S-methyl is complete, 
except for immunotoxicity studies, and EPA has determined that an 
additional uncertainty factor is not required to account for potential 
immunotoxicity. The reasons for this determination are explained below:
    EPA began requiring functional immunotoxicity testing of all food 
and non-food use pesticides on December 26, 2007. Since this 
requirement is relatively new, these studies are not yet available for 
acibenzolar-S-methyl. In the absence of specific immunotoxicity 
studies, EPA has evaluated the available acibenzolar-S-methyl toxicity 
data to determine whether an additional database uncertainty factor is 
needed to account for potential immunotoxicity. There are no 
indications in the available studies that organs associated with immune 
function, such as the thymus and spleen, are affected by acibenzolar-S-
methyl. While effects on the spleen were observed in association with 
hematologic effects, these were considered to be secondary to the 
primary effects on blood hematology. Effects on the thymus were seen in 
only one study in one animal at a high dose (400 mg/kg/day) and were, 
therefore, considered to be spurious. Due to the lack of evidence of 
immunotoxicity for acibenzolar-S-methyl, EPA does not believe that 
conducting immunotoxicity testing will result in a NOAEL less than the 
chronic NOAELs of 8.2 mg/kg/day (females, 13 to 49 years old) or 25 mg/
kg/day (all other populations) already established for acibenzolar-S-
methyl, and an additional factor (UFDB) for database uncertainties is 
not needed to account for potential immunotoxicity.
    ii. There was no evidence of neurotoxicity in the subchronic 
neurotoxicity study submitted for acibenzolar-S-methyl. Based on the 
results of this study, EPA has determined that an acute neurotoxicity 
study is not required. There was evidence of offspring neurotoxicity 
(changes in brain morphometrics in the cerebellum) in the rat DNT study 
in the absence of maternal toxicity; however, since the NOAEL for these 
effects is being used in the acute and chronic risk assessments for 
females, 13 to 49 years old, there are no residual uncertainties with 
regard to these effects and no need for additional UFs to account for 
neurotoxicity.
    iii. Although there was evidence of increased quantitative 
susceptibility of offspring to acibenzolar-S-methyl in the rat 
developmental toxicity and DNT studies, the Agency did not identify any 
residual uncertainties after establishing toxicity endpoints and 
traditional UFs to be used in the risk assessment.
    iv. There are no residual uncertainties identified in the exposure 
databases. The dietary food exposure assessments were performed using 
tolerance levels or anticipated residues derived from reliable field 
trials and screening-level PCT estimates. EPA made conservative 
(protective) assumptions in the ground water and surface water modeling 
used to assess exposure to acibenzolar-S-methyl in drinking water. 
Residential exposure to acibenzolar-S-methyl is not expected. These 
assessments will not underestimate the exposure and risks posed by 
acibenzolar-S-methyl.

E. Aggregate Risks and Determination of Safety

    EPA determines whether acute and chronic pesticide exposures are 
safe by comparing aggregate exposure estimates to the acute population 
adjusted dose (aPAD) and chronic population adjusted dose (cPAD). The 
aPAD and cPAD represent the highest safe exposures, taking into account 
all appropriate SFs. 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-term, intermediate-term, 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. Using the exposure assumptions discussed in this unit 
for acute exposure, the acute dietary exposure from food and water to 
acibenzolar-S-methyl will occupy 12% of the aPAD for females, 13 to 49 
years old, the only population group for which an acute endpoint of 
toxicological concern was identified.
    2. Chronic risk. EPA performed two different chronic risk 
assessments - one focusing on females 13 to 49 years old and designed 
to protect against neurotoxic effects in offspring and the other 
focusing on chronic effects (hemolytic anemia) relevant to all other 
population groups. The more sensitive chronic endpoint was seen as to 
offspring effects rather than other chronic effects. Using the exposure 
assumptions described in this unit for chronic exposure, EPA has 
concluded that for females, 13 to 49 years old, chronic exposure to 
acibenzolar-S-methyl from food and water will utilize 5% of the cPAD 
addressing offspring effects. As to other chronic effects, chronic 
exposure to acibenzolar-S-methyl from food and water will utilize 4% of 
the cPAD for children, 1 to 2 years old, the population group receiving 
the greatest exposure. There are no residential uses for acibenzolar-S-
methyl.
    3. Short-term intermediate-term risk. Short-term and intermediate-
term aggregate exposures take into account short-term and intermediate-
term residential exposure plus chronic exposure to food and water 
(considered to be a background exposure level). Acibenzolar-S-methyl is 
not registered for any use patterns that would result in residential 
exposure. Therefore, the short-term and intermediate-term aggregate 
risk is the sum of the risk from exposure to acibenzolar-S-methyl 
through food and water and will not be greater than the chronic 
aggregate risk.
    4. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S. population. Acibenzolar is 
classified as a ``not likely'' human carcinogen and is, therefore, not 
expected to pose a cancer risk.
    5. 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 acibenzolar-S-methyl residues.

IV. Other Considerations

A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology

    Adequate enforcement methodology (High Performance Liquid 
Chromatography with Ultraviolet Detection (HPLC/UV) Method AG-671A) is 
available to enforce the tolerance expression. The method may be 
requested from: Chief, Analytical Chemistry Branch, Environmental 
Science Center, 701 Mapes Rd., Ft. Meade, MD 20755-5350; telephone

[[Page 24710]]

number: (410) 305-2905; e-mail address: [email protected].

B. International Residue Limits

    No Codex, Mexican or Canadian maximum residue limits have been 
established for acibenzolar-S-methyl on any commodity.

C. Revisions to Petitioned-For Tolerances

    The petitioners proposed tolerances for residues of ``acibenzolar-
S-methyl, benzo(1,2,3)thiadiazole-7-carbothioic acid-S-methyl ester.'' 
Since the analytical method for acibenzolar is a common-moiety method 
that converts all residues containing the benzo(1,2,3)thiadiazole-7-
carboxylic acid (CGA-210007) moiety to CGA-210007, EPA has revised the 
tolerance expression to read ``acibenzolar-S-methyl, 
benzo(1,2,3)thiadiazole-7-carbothioic acid-S-methyl ester, including 
its metabolites and degradates.
    EPA has also increased the tolerance level for onion, bulb, 
subgroup 3-07A from 0.07 ppm to 0.1 ppm; and for vegetable, cucurbit, 
group 9 from 1.0 ppm to 2.0 ppm. The residue data submitted for onions 
and previously submitted data for tobacco suggest that drying may tend 
to concentrate residues of acibenzolar-S-methyl. To ensure that the 
tolerance level is adequate, EPA has increased the tolerance for onion, 
bulb, subgroup 3-07A from 0.07 to 0.1 ppm. EPA increased the tolerance 
for cucurbits from 1.0 to 2.0 ppm based on the indication of 
variability within and between the cucurbit vegetable data sets 
(cantaloupe, cucumber and summer squash), as well as the demonstrated 
potential for significant increases in acibenzolar-S-methyl residues 0 
to 7 days before harvest.

V. Conclusion

    Therefore, tolerances are established for residues of acibenzolar-
S-methyl benzo(1,2,3)thiadiazole-7-carbothioic acid-S-methyl ester, 
including its metabolites and degradates, in or on onion, bulb, 
subgroup 3-07A at 0.1 ppm; and vegetable, cucurbit, group 9 at 2.0 ppm. 
Compliance with the specified tolerance levels is to be determined by 
measuring only those acibenzolar-S-methyl residues convertible to 
benzo(1,2,3)thiadiazole-7-carboxylic acid (CGA-210007), expressed as 
the stoichiometric equivalent of acibenzolar-S-methyl, in or on the 
commodity.

VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    This final rule establishes tolerances 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 final rule has been 
exempted from review under Executive Order 12866, this final rule is 
not subject to Executive Order 13211, entitled 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 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 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).

VII. 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: May 15, 2009.
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 180.561 is amended by revising paragraph (a) and paragraph 
(b) in the table by removing the entry for onion, bulb to read as 
follows:


Sec.  180.561  Acibenzolar-S-methyl; tolerances for residues.

    (a) General. (1) Tolerances are established for residues of 
acibenzolar-S-methyl, benzo(1,2,3)thiadiazole-7-carbothioic acid-S-
methyl ester, in or on the following raw agricultural commodities:

[[Page 24711]]



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Commodity                                            Parts per million
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Banana\1\.............................................                                                       0.1
Spinach...............................................                                                       1.0
Tomato, paste.........................................                                                       3.0
Vegetable, brassica, leafy, group 5...................                                                       1.0
Vegetable, fruiting, group 8..........................                                                       1.0
Vegetable, leafy, group 4.............................                                                      0.25
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1There are no United States registrations for banana.

    (2) Tolerances are established for residues of acibenzolar-S-
methyl, benzo(1,2,3)thiadiazole-7-carbothioic acid-S-methyl ester, 
including its metabolites and degradates, in or on the commodities in 
the table below. Compliance with the tolerance levels specified below 
is to be determined by measuring only those acibenzolar-S-methyl 
residues convertible to benzo(1,2,3)thiadiazole-7-carboxylic acid (CGA-
210007), expressed as the stoichiometric equivalent of acibenzolar-S-
methyl, in or on the commodity.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Commodity                                            Parts per million
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Onion, bulb, subgroup 3-07A...........................                                                       0.1
Vegetable, cucurbit, group 9..........................                                                       2.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
[FR Doc. E9-12142 Filed 5-22-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-S