[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 176 (Wednesday, September 13, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 42947-42952]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-19452]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 180

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2015-0308; FRL-9965-71]


EPTC; Pesticide Tolerances

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of EPTC, 
S-ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate in or on grass, forage at 0.60 ppm and 
grass, hay at 0.50 ppm. Gowan Company requested these tolerances under 
the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

DATES: This regulation is effective September 13, 2017. Objections and 
requests for hearings must be received on or before November 13, 2017, 
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: The docket for this action, identified by docket 
identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2015-0308, is available at 
https://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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael L. Goodis, Registration 
Division (7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-
0001; main telephone number: (703) 305-7090; email 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. 
The following list of North American Industrial Classification System 
(NAICS) codes is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a 
guide to help readers determine whether this document

[[Page 42948]]

applies to them. Potentially affected entities may include:
     Crop production (NAICS code 111).
     Animal production (NAICS code 112).
     Food manufacturing (NAICS code 311).
     Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS code 32532).

B. How can I get electronic access to other related information?

    You may access a frequently updated electronic version of EPA's 
tolerance regulations at 40 CFR part 180 through the Government 
Printing Office's e-CFR site at http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title40/40tab_02.tpl. To access the OCSPP 
test guidelines referenced in this document electronically, please go 
to https://www.epa.gov/test-guidelines-pesticides-and-toxic-substances.

C. How can I file an objection or hearing request?

    Under FFDCA section 408(g), 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-2015-0308 in the subject line on the first 
page of your submission. All objections and requests for a hearing must 
be in writing, and must be received by the Hearing Clerk on or before 
November 13, 2017. Addresses for mail and hand delivery of objections 
and hearing requests are provided in 40 CFR 178.25(b).
    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 (excluding any Confidential Business Information (CBI)) for 
inclusion in the public docket. Information not marked confidential 
pursuant to 40 CFR part 2 may be disclosed publicly by EPA without 
prior notice. Submit the non-CBI copy of your objection or hearing 
request, identified by docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2015-0308, by one of 
the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Do not submit 
electronically any information you consider to be CBI or other 
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
     Mail: OPP Docket, Environmental Protection Agency Docket 
Center (EPA/DC), (28221T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 
20460-0001.
     Hand Delivery: To make special arrangements for hand 
delivery or delivery of boxed information, please follow the 
instructions at https://www.epa.gov/dockets/where-send-comments-epa-dockets.
Additional instructions on commenting or visiting the docket, along 
with more information about dockets generally, is available at https://www.epa.gov/dockets.

II. Summary of Petitioned-For Tolerances

    In the Federal Register of Friday, July 17, 2015 (80 FR 42462) 
(FRL-9929-13), EPA issued a document pursuant to FFDCA section 
408(d)(3), 21 U.S.C. 346a(d)(3), announcing the filing of a pesticide 
petition (PP 5F8355) by Gowan Company, P.O. Box 5569, Yuma, AZ 85366. 
The petition requested that 40 CFR part 180 be amended by establishing 
tolerances for residues of the herbicide EPTC, S-ethyl 
dipropylthiocarbamate, in or on grass grown for seed, forage at 0.6 
parts per million (ppm) and grass grown for seed, hay at 0.5 ppm. That 
document referenced a summary of the petition prepared by Gowan 
Company, the registrant, which is available in the docket, https://www.regulations.gov. There were no comments received in response to the 
notice of filing.

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 FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(D), and 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 for EPTC, including exposure 
resulting from the tolerances established by this action. EPA's 
assessment of exposures and risks associated with EPTC 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.
    On an acute exposure basis, EPTC is highly toxic via inhalation and 
is moderately toxic via the oral and dermal routes of exposure. It is 
slightly irritating to eyes and minimally-irritating to skin. It is a 
weak skin sensitizer.
    EPTC is an S-alkylthiocarbamate, which consistently produced 
cardiomyopathy and neuronal cell necrosis in studies of varying length 
of treatment and in different species. Cardiotoxicity was observed in 
subchronic and long-term studies, and in general, the severity and 
incidence of the lesion increased with increasing doses of EPTC. In 90-
day feeding and inhalation studies and in two chronic feeding/
oncogenicity studies, histopathological evaluation revealed myocardial 
degeneration. Myocardial degeneration in adult rats was also observed 
in two separate two-generation reproduction studies. In two chronic dog 
studies, degenerative changes in the cardiac muscle were observed when 
EPTC was administered in a capsule, but not when administered (at 
comparable doses) in the diet. In both dog studies, electrocardiograms 
were taken, but only one high-dose male in the capsule study had 
changes which were described as ``potentially'' treatment-related.
    EPTC, as well as other thiocarbamates (molinate, cycloate, 
pebulate, vernolate and butylate), have toxic effects on the central 
and peripheral nervous systems. With EPTC, there was an increased 
incidence and severity of neuronal necrosis/degeneration in both the 
central and peripheral nervous systems of rats and dogs. In the rat 
neurotoxicity studies, dose-related increases in the incidence of 
neuronal necrosis were observed in the brains after acute and 
subchronic exposure to EPTC. In the rat developmental neurotoxicity 
study, a

[[Page 42949]]

marginal decrease in absolute (not relative) pup brain weight (4-6%) 
was observed in only one sex (male pups) and at only one time point 
(PND63). Furthermore, this marginal effect had no dose-response, was 
not seen after perfusion, and had no corresponding necrosis. Therefore, 
this effect was considered marginal at best and not robust. In both of 
the combined chronic toxicity/carcinogenicity studies in the rat and in 
the chronic (capsule) study in the dog, treatment-related neuromuscular 
lesions were observed. In all of these studies, hindquarter weakness 
with corresponding histopathology findings of atrophy and degeneration 
of the skeletal muscle were observed. In the dog study, the lesions 
were described as Wallerian-type degeneration in the spinal cords and 
various peripheral nerves.
    EPTC is a reversible acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor. 
Toxicology studies with EPTC did not show any consistent pattern of 
AChE-inhibition between different species, length of treatment, or the 
type of AChE enzyme measured. In some studies, brain AChE activity was 
inhibited without any effect on either plasma or erythrocyte AChE 
activities. In other studies, erythrocyte AChE was inhibited with no 
inhibition of either plasma or brain AChE. AChE-inhibition was observed 
at comparable or higher doses than where cardiac/neuronal effects were 
observed.
    There is no evidence of increased susceptibility following in utero 
exposure to EPTC in either the rat or rabbit developmental toxicity 
study or following in utero and/or postnatal exposure in the 2-
generation reproduction study in rats. EPTC is classified as ``Not 
Likely to be Carcinogenic to Humans.'' This is based on the lack of 
carcinogenic potential noted in the available studies. There are no 
concerns for mutagenicity or clastogenicity. There is also no concern 
for immunotoxicity.
    Specific information on the studies received and the nature of the 
adverse effects caused by EPTC as well as the no-observed-adverse-
effect-level (NOAEL) and the lowest-observed-adverse-effect-level 
(LOAEL) from the toxicity studies scan be found at https://www.regulations.gov in document EPTC: Human Health Risk Assessment for 
the Proposed Section 3 Registration for Use on Grasses Grown for Seed 
Production in docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2015-0308.

B. Toxicological Points of Departure/Levels of Concern

    Once a pesticide's toxicological profile is determined, EPA 
identifies toxicological points of departure (POD) and levels of 
concern to use in evaluating the risk posed by human exposure to the 
pesticide. For hazards that have a threshold below which there is no 
appreciable risk, the toxicological POD is used as the basis for 
derivation of reference values for risk assessment. PODs are developed 
based on a careful analysis of the doses in each toxicological study to 
determine the dose at which no adverse effects are observed (the NOAEL) 
and the lowest dose at which adverse effects of concern are identified 
(the LOAEL). Uncertainty/safety factors are used in conjunction with 
the POD to calculate a safe exposure level--generally referred to as a 
population-adjusted dose (PAD) or a reference dose (RfD)--and a safe 
margin of exposure (MOE). 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 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 https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-science-and-assessing-pesticide-risks/assessing-human-health-risk-pesticides.
    A summary of the toxicological endpoints for EPTC used for human 
risk assessment is shown in Table 1 of this unit.

     Table 1--Summary of Toxicological Doses and Endpoints for EPTC for Use in Human Health Risk Assessment
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Point of departure
        Exposure/scenario            and uncertainty/     RfD, PAD, LOC for     Study and toxicological effects
                                      safety factors       risk assessment
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acute dietary (all populations     LOAEL = 200 mg/kg/    aRfD/aPAD = 0.2 mg/  Acute neurotoxicity rat study.
 including infants and children).   day.                  kg/day.             NOAEL not established in males.
                                   UFA = 10x...........                       LOAEL = 200 mg/kg/day based on
                                   UFH = 10x...........                        neuronal cell necrosis in the
                                   FQPA SF/UFL = 10x...                        brain in males.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chronic dietary (all populations   POD = 5 mg/kg/day...  cRfD/cPAD = 0.05 mg/ Co-critical, chronic/
 including infants and children).  UFA = 10x...........   kg/day.              carcinogenicity and 2-generation
                                   UFH = 10x...........                        reproduction in rats.
                                   FQPA SF = 1x........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Incidental oral (short- and        POD = 5 mg/kg/day...  LOC for MOE = 100..  Chronic toxicity/carcinogenicity
 intermediate-term).               UFA = 10x...........                        rat study.
                                   UFH = 10x...........                       NOAEL = 5 mg/kg/day.
                                   FQPA SF = 1x........                       LOAEL = 25 mg/kg/day based on
                                                                               decreased body weight and
                                                                               increased incidences of
                                                                               myocardial and neuromuscular
                                                                               lesions.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dermal (short- and intermediated-  POD = 5 mg/kg/day     LOC for MOE = 100..  2-generation reproduction toxicity
 term).                             Dermal absorption                          rat study.
                                    factor= 5%.                               Parental NOAEL = 2.5 mg/kg/day.
                                   UFA = 10x...........                       Parental LOAEL = 10 mg/kg/day
                                   UFH = 10x...........                        based on decreased body weight
                                   FQPA SF = 1x........                        and cardiomyopathy.
                                                                              Developmental NOAEL = 10 mg/kg/
                                                                               day.
                                                                              Developmental LOAEL = 40 mg/kg/day
                                                                               based on decreased mean pup
                                                                               weight during lactation days 4 to
                                                                               21.
                                                                              Reproductive NOAEL = 40 mg/kg/day.
                                                                              Reproductive LOAEL >40 mg/kg/day.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 42950]]

 
Inhalation (short- and             BMDL10 = 5.05 mg/     LOC for MOE = 30...  90-day inhalation toxicity study
 intermediated-term).               m\3\ mg/kg/day.                            in rats.
                                   UFA = 3x............                       BMD = 10.84 mg/m based on brain
                                   UFH = 10x...........                        cholinesterase inhibition in
                                   FQPA SF = 1x........                        males.
                                  -------------------------------------------
                                   Residential bystander HEC = 2.288 mg/m\3\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Occupational Handler HEC = 9.609 mg/m\3\;
                                              HED = 0.91 mg/kg/day
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cancer (oral, dermal, inhalation)  Classified as ``Not Likely to be Carcinogenic to Humans.'' based on the lack
                                    of carcinogenic potential noted in the available studies.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FQPA SF = Food Quality Protection Act Safety Factor. LOAEL = lowest-observed-adverse-effect-level. LOC = level
  of concern. mg/kg/day = milligram per kilogram per day. MOE = margin of exposure. NOAEL = no-observed-adverse-
  effect-level. PAD = population adjusted dose (a = acute, c = chronic). POD = point of departure. RfD =
  reference dose (a = acute, c = chronic). UF = uncertainty factor. UFA = extrapolation from animal to human
  (interspecies). UFH = potential variation in sensitivity among members of the human population (intraspecies).
  UFL = use of a LOAEL to extrapolate a NOAEL. HEC = human equivalent concentration. HED = human equivalent
  dose.

C. Exposure Assessment

    1. Dietary exposure from food and feed uses. In evaluating dietary 
exposure to EPTC, EPA considered exposure under the petitioned-for 
tolerances as well as all existing EPTC tolerances in 40 CFR 180.117. 
EPA assessed dietary exposures from EPTC 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. Such effects were identified 
for EPTC. In estimating acute dietary exposure, EPA used food 
consumption information from the United States Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) 2003-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination 
Survey, What We Eat in America (NHANES/WWEIA). As to residue levels in 
food, EPA incorporated tolerance-level residues (adjusted for 
metabolites at 15X, to estimate the concentration of residues of 
toxicological concern), 100 percent crop treated (PCT) for all 
commodities, and default processing factors for all processed 
commodities except for potato granules (1.4X) and for sugar beets (4X).
    ii. Chronic exposure. In conducting the chronic dietary exposure 
assessment EPA used the same food consumption data and food residue 
level information as described above for acute dietary exposure.
    iii. Cancer. Based on the data summarized in Unit III.A., EPA has 
concluded that EPTC does not pose a cancer risk to humans. Therefore, a 
dietary exposure assessment for the purpose of assessing cancer risk is 
unnecessary.
    iv. Anticipated residue and percent crop treated (PCT) information. 
EPA did not use anticipated residue and/or PCT information in the 
dietary assessment for EPTC. Tolerance-level residues and 100 PCT were 
assumed for all food commodities.
    2. Dietary exposure from drinking water.
    The Agency used screening-level water exposure models in the 
dietary exposure analysis and risk assessment for EPTC in drinking 
water. These simulation models take into account data on the physical, 
chemical, and fate/transport characteristics of EPTC. Further 
information regarding EPA drinking water models used in pesticide 
exposure assessment can be found at https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-science-and-assessing-pesticide-risks/about-water-exposure-models-used-pesticide.
    Based on the Tier II Surface Water Concentration Calculator (SWCC) 
and Pesticide Root Zone Model Ground Water (PRZM-GW) model, the highest 
estimated drinking water concentration (EDWC) of EPTC for acute 
exposure is estimated to be 378 parts per billion (ppb) from ground 
water. For chronic exposure, the highest EDWC is estimated to be 335 
ppb from ground water. These EDWCs were directly entered into the 
dietary exposure models for both acute and chronic dietary risk 
assessments to assess the contribution from 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). EPTC 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.'' Although thiocarbamates 
share some chemical and toxicological characteristics, the 
toxicological database does not support a testable hypothesis for a 
common mechanism of action. Therefore, for the purposes of this 
tolerance action EPA has assumed that EPTC 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 Web site at https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-science-and-assessing-pesticide-risks/cumulative-assessment-risk-pesticides.

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

[[Page 42951]]

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.
    2. Prenatal and postnatal sensitivity. As discussed in Unit III.A., 
there was no qualitative or quantitative evidence of increased 
susceptibility to developing fetuses following in utero exposure to 
EPTC in the rabbit and rat developmental toxicity studies, or to 
offspring in the rat two-generation reproduction toxicity study. 
Although there was evidence of increased qualitative and quantitative 
susceptibility of offspring observed in the rat developmental 
neurotoxicity study. The effect on a marginal decreased absolute brain 
weight was observed only in male pups at one time-point on postnatal 
day 63. This effect was considered marginal and not robust since it had 
no dose-response, was not seen after perfusion, and had no 
corresponding necrosis. Therefore, there is low concern for 
susceptibility.
    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 for assessing chronic dietary exposure but 
retained at 10X for assessing acute dietary exposure to account for 
extrapolating a NOAEL from a LOAEL. That decision is based on the 
following findings:
    i. The toxicity database for EPTC is complete and adequate to 
assess potential risk to infants and children.
    ii. There is indication that EPTC has toxic effects on the central 
and peripheral nervous systems. Neuronal necrosis and degeneration were 
observed in both the central and peripheral nervous systems of rats and 
dogs after acute and subchronic exposure. Treatment-related 
neuromuscular lesions were also observed in chronic rat and dog 
studies. In all of these studies hindquarter weakness was noted, and at 
necropsy evaluation atrophy and degeneration of the skeletal muscle was 
observed. In the dog study, the lesions were described as Wallerian-
type degeneration in the spinal cords and various peripheral nerves. 
AChE inhibition was also seen in a number of toxicology studies; 
however, no consistent pattern was witnessed across studies with 
respect to AChE inhibition between different species, length of 
treatment, or the type of AChE enzyme measured. All studies provide 
clear NOAELs and LOAELs, except the acute neurotoxicity study, and 
because the Agency is relying on that study for selection of the acute 
dietary exposure endpoint, EPA is retaining the 10X FQPA safety factor 
to account from the extrapolation from the LOAEL to the NOAEL.
    iii. There is no evidence that EPTC results in increased 
susceptibility in in utero rats or rabbits in the prenatal 
developmental studies or in young rats in the two-generation 
reproduction study. Evidence of increased susceptibility to offspring 
was observed in the developmental neurotoxicity study; however, this 
effect was considered marginal and not robust. Therefore, there is low 
concern for the susceptibility.
    iv. There are no residual uncertainties identified in the exposure 
databases. The dietary food exposure assessments were performed based 
on 100 PCT and tolerance-level residues. EPA made conservative 
(protective) assumptions in the ground and surface water modeling used 
to assess exposure to EPTC in drinking water. These assessments will 
not underestimate the exposure and risks posed by EPTC.

E. Aggregate Risks and Determination of Safety

    EPA determines whether acute and chronic dietary pesticide 
exposures are safe by comparing aggregate exposure estimates to the 
acute PAD (aPAD) and chronic PAD (cPAD). For linear cancer risks, EPA 
calculates the lifetime probability of acquiring cancer 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 appropriate PODs to ensure that an 
adequate MOE exists.
    1. Acute risk. Using the exposure assumptions discussed in this 
unit for acute exposure, the acute dietary exposure from food and water 
to EPTC will occupy 46% of the aPAD for children between 1-2 years old, 
the population subgroup receiving the greatest exposure.
    2. Chronic risk. Using the exposure assumptions described in this 
unit for chronic exposure, EPA has concluded that chronic exposure to 
EPTC from food and water will utilize 65% of the cPAD for children 
between 1-2 years old, the population subgroup receiving the greatest 
exposure. There are no residential uses for EPTC.
    3. Short- and intermediate-term risks. Short- and intermediate-term 
aggregate exposures takes into account short-term (1 to 30 days) and 
intermediate-term (1 to 6 months) residential exposure plus chronic 
exposure from food and water (considered to be a background exposure 
level). Short- and intermediate-term adverse effects were identified; 
however, EPTC is not registered for any use patterns that would result 
in residential exposure. Because there is no residential exposure and 
chronic dietary exposure has already been assessed under the 
appropriately protective PADs (which is at least as protective as the 
PODs used to assess short- and intermediate-term risks), no further 
assessment of short- and intermediate-term risks are necessary, and EPA 
relies on the chronic dietary risk assessment for evaluating short- and 
intermediate-term risks for EPTC.
    4. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S. population. Based on the lack of 
evidence of carcinogenicity in two adequate rodent carcinogenicity 
studies, EPTC is not expected to pose a cancer risk to humans.
    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 EPTC residues.

IV. Other Considerations

A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology

    An adequate gas chromatography with micro coulometric (GLC/MC) 
detection method (RR-50) listed under Method A in the Pesticide 
Analytical Manual (PAM Volume II, Section 180.117; is available for 
enforcing tolerances of EPTC per se in plant commodities. For the 
determination of hydroxylated metabolites (free or conjugated) of EPTC 
in or on plant commodities, an adequate gas chromatography with 
nitrogen-phosphorus detection (GC/NPD) enforcement method (Method RR-
96-089B) is also available.
    These methods may be requested from: Chief, Analytical Chemistry 
Branch, Environmental Science Center, 701 Mapes Rd., Ft. Meade, MD 
20755-5350; telephone number: (410) 305-2905; email address: 
[email protected].

B. International Residue Limits

    In making its tolerance decisions, EPA seeks to harmonize U.S. 
tolerances with international standards whenever possible, consistent 
with U.S. food safety standards and agricultural practices. EPA 
considers the international maximum residue limits (MRLs) established 
by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), as

[[Page 42952]]

required by FFDCA section 408(b)(4). The Codex Alimentarius is a joint 
United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health 
Organization food standards program, and it is recognized as an 
international food safety standards-setting organization in trade 
agreements to which the United States is a party. EPA may establish a 
tolerance that is different from a Codex MRL; however, FFDCA section 
408(b)(4) requires that EPA explain the reasons for departing from the 
Codex level. The Codex has not established any MRLs for EPTC.

C. Revisions to Petitioned-For Tolerances

    The Agency is establishing tolerances for the forage and hay forms 
of ``grass'' rather than ``grass grown for seed'' as requested to 
conform with its food and feed commodity vocabulary. Also, the Agency 
is establishing the tolerance levels to conform with its policy of 
significant figures.

V. Conclusion

    Therefore, tolerances are established for residues of EPTC, S-ethyl 
dipropylthiocarbamate, including its metabolites and degradates, in or 
on grass, forage at 0.60 ppm and grass, hay at 0.50.

VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    This action establishes tolerances under FFDCA section 408(d) 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 action has been 
exempted from review under Executive Order 12866, this action 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 action 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 FFDCA section 408(d), 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 action 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 FFDCA section 408(n)(4). 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 action. In addition, this 
action does not impose any enforceable duty or contain any unfunded 
mandate as described under Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act 
(UMRA) (2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.).
    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 (NTTAA) (15 U.S.C. 272 note).

VII. Congressional Review Act

    Pursuant to the Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), 
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 
the rule in the Federal Register. This action 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 16, 2017.
Michael L. Goodis,
Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.

    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.  180.117, add alphabetically the commodities to the table in 
paragraph (a) to read as follows:


Sec.  180.117  S-ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate; tolerances for residues.

    (a) * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Parts per
                        Commodity                             million
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                * * * * *
Grass, forage...........................................            0.60
Grass, hay..............................................            0.50
 
                                * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2017-19452 Filed 9-12-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P