[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 3, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 118]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-31832]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0855; FRL-9955-72]


Paraquat Dichloride Human Health Mitigation Decision; Notice of 
Availability

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of EPA's human health 
mitigation decision for the pesticide paraquat dichloride, case 0262. 
Registration review is EPA's periodic review of pesticide registrations 
to ensure that each pesticide continues to satisfy the statutory 
standard for registration, that is, that the pesticide can perform its 
intended function without causing unreasonable adverse effects on human 
health or the environment. Through this program, EPA is ensuring that 
each pesticide's registration is based on current scientific and other 
knowledge, including its effects on human health and the environment. 
EPA may pursue mitigation at any time during the registration review 
process if it finds that a pesticide poses unreasonable adverse effects 
to human health or the environment. Based on the number and severity of 
paraquat human health incidents, the EPA believes that the mitigation 
measures outlined in this human health mitigation decision are 
necessary to address identified human health risk concerns.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For pesticide specific information, 
contact: Marianne Mannix, Pesticide Re-Evaluation Division (7508P), 
Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 
Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: 
(703) 347-0275; email address: [email protected].
    For general information on the registration review program, 
contact: Richard Dumas, Pesticide Re-Evaluation Division (7508P), 
Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 
Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: 
(703) 308-8015; email address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. General Information

A. Does this action apply to me?

    This action is directed to the public in general, and may be of 
interest to a wide range of stakeholders including environmental, human 
health, farm worker, and agricultural advocates; the chemical industry; 
pesticide users; and members of the public interested in the sale, 
distribution, or use of pesticides. Since others also may be 
interested, the Agency has not attempted to describe all the specific 
entities that may be affected by this action. If you have any questions 
regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity, 
consult the pesticide specific contact person listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT.

B. How can I get copies of this document and other related information?

    The docket for this action, identified by docket identification 
(ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0855, is available at http://www.regulations.gov or at the Office of Pesticide Programs Regulatory 
Public Docket (OPP Docket) in the Environmental Protection Agency 
Docket Center (EPA/DC), West William Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 3334, 
1301 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001. The Public 
Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public 
Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the OPP 
Docket is (703) 305-5805. Please review the visitor instructions and 
additional information about the docket available at http://www.epa.gov/dockets.

II. What action is the agency taking?

    Pursuant to 40 CFR 155.58(c), this notice announces the 
availability of EPA's human health mitigation decision for paraquat 
dichloride, case 0262. Paraquat is a widely used broad spectrum 
herbicide for the control of weeds in many agricultural and non-
agricultural settings. It is also used as a desiccant on crops, prior 
to harvest. It is classified as restricted use due to high toxicity. An 
estimated 1.5 teaspoons (tsp) can be lethal if ingested and there is no 
known antidote. Paraquat dichloride is associated with a 
disproportionately high number of incidents including accidental 
ingestions typically leading to fatalities as well as occupational 
spills, splashes, and leaks resulting in severe and often damaging 
dermal or ocular contact. Paraquat is known to be corrosive to skin and 
eyes. EPA recently reviewed all available incident information and 
determined that mitigation measures to address these human health risk 
concerns are necessary.
    In addition to the human health mitigation decision document, the 
registration review docket for paraquat dichloride also includes other 
relevant documents related to the registration review of this case. The 
proposed human health mitigation decision was posted to the docket in 
March 2016, and the public was invited to submit any comments or new 
information.
    During the 60-day comment period, comments were received that 
resulted in changes to the Agency's human health mitigation decision, 
including that backpack and hand-held application methods will remain, 
but will require the development of special containers as part of a 
`closed system' that prevents spills, mixing, pouring or other actions 
that could lead to paraquat exposure.
    Pursuant to 40 CFR 155.58(c), the registration review case docket 
for paraquat dichloride will remain open until registration review has 
been completed.
    Background on the registration review program is provided at: 
http://www2.epa.gov/pesticide-reevaluation. Links to earlier documents 
related to the registration review of this pesticide are provided at: 
http://www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticide-products/paraquat.

    Authority:  7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.

    Dated: December 7, 2016.
Yu-Ting Guilaran,
Director, Pesticide Re-Evaluation Division, Office of Pesticide 
Programs.
[FR Doc. 2016-31832 Filed 12-30-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P