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Spinosad; Pesticide Tolerance

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 [Federal Register: March 21, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 54)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 13168-13174]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21mr07-4]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA-HQ-OPP-2006-0579; FRL-8114-4]

Spinosad; Pesticide Tolerance

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This regulation establishes and amends tolerances for residues
of spinosad in or on certain commodities. The Interregional Research
Project Number 4 (IR-4) requested these tolerances under the Federal
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), as amended by the Food Quality
Protection Act of 1996 (FQPA).

DATES: This regulation is effective March 21, 2007. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received on or before May 21, 2007, 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-2006-0579. To access the
electronic docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, select ``Advanced
Search,'' then ``Docket Search.'' Insert the docket ID number where
indicated and select the ``Submit'' button. Follow the instructions on
the regulations.gov website to view the docket index or access
available documents. All documents in the docket are listed in the
docket index available in regulations.gov. Although listed in the
index, some information is not publicly available, e.g., Confidential
Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted
material, is not placed on the Internet and will be publicly available
only in hard copy form. Publicly available docket materials are
available in the electronic docket at http://www.regulations.gov, or,
if only available in hard copy, at the OPP Regulatory Public Docket in
Rm. S-4400, One Potomac Yard (South Bldg.), 2777 S. Crystal Dr.,
Arlington, VA. The Docket Facility is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The Docket Facility
telephone number is (703) 305-5805.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sidney Jackson, Registration Division
(7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency,
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone
number: (703) 305-7610; e-mail address: jackson.sidney@epa.gov.

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), e.g., agricultural
workers; greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture workers; farmers.
    ? Animal production (NAICS code 112), e.g., cattle ranchers
and farmers, dairy cattle farmers, livestock farmers.
    ? Food manufacturing (NAICS code 311), e.g., agricultural
workers; farmers; greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture workers;
ranchers; pesticide applicators.
    ? Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS code 32532), e.g.,
agricultural workers; commercial applicators; farmers; greenhouse,
nursery, and floriculture workers; residential users.
    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 pilot e-CFR site at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/ecfr.

C. Can I File an Objection or Hearing Request?

    Under section 408(g) of FFDCA, as amended by FQPA, any person may
file an objection to any aspect of this regulation and may also request
a hearing on those objections. The EPA procedural regulations which
govern the submission of objections and requests for hearings appear in
40 CFR part 178. You must file your objection or request a hearing on
this regulation in accordance with the instructions provided in 40 CFR
part 178. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, you must identify docket ID
number EPA-HQ-OPP-2006-0579 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 May 21, 2007.
    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-2006-0579, 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,

[[Page 13169]]

excluding legal holidays). Special arrangements should be made for
deliveries of boxed information. The Docket telephone number is (703)
305-5805.

II. Background and Statutory Findings

    In the Federal Register of July 14, 2006 (71 FR 40105) (FRL-8077-
3), EPA issued a notice pursuant to section 408(d)(3) of FFDCA, 21
U.S.C. 346a(d)(3), announcing the filing of pesticide petitions (PP
6E7068 and 3E6802) by the IR-4, 500 College Rd. East, Suite 201 W,
Princeton, NJ 08540. The petition requested that 40 CFR 180.495 be
amended by establishing a tolerance for residues of the insecticide
spinosad, in or on hops at 22 parts per million (ppm) (under PP 6E7068)
and amaranth, grain, stover at 10 ppm; cattle, meat at 2 ppm; sheep,
meat at 2 ppm; goat, meat at 2 ppm; horse, meat at 2 ppm; poultry, meat
at 0.1 ppm; cattle, fat at 50 ppm; sheep, fat at 50 ppm; goat, fat at
50 ppm; horse, fat at 50 ppm; poultry, fat at 1.3 ppm; milk at 7.0 ppm;
milk, fat at 85 ppm; and egg at 0.3 ppm (under PP 3E6802).
    Additionally, existing tolerances for meat byproducts which are
currently based on residues in liver will be amended to establish
separate liver tolerances and lower the meat byproducts tolerances
which will now be based on residues in the kidney as follows: Cattle,
meat byproducts, except liver at 5 ppm; sheep, meat byproducts, except
liver at 5 ppm; goat, meat byproducts, except liver at 5 ppm; horse,
meat byproducts, except liver at 5 ppm; poultry meat byproducts
tolerance raised from 0.03 ppm and set at 0.1 ppm; cattle, liver at 10
ppm; sheep, liver at 10 ppm; goat, liver at 10 ppm; and horse, liver at
10 ppm (under PP 3E6802). That notice referenced a summary of the
petition prepared by Dow AgroScience, the registrant, that is available
in the docket for this rulemaking. There were no comments received in
response to the notice of filing.
    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....''
    EPA performs a number of analyses to determine the risks from
aggregate exposure to pesticide residues. For further discussion of the
regulatory requirements of section 408 of FFDCA and a complete
description of the risk assessment process, see 
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/1997/November/Day-26/p30948.htm and
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2003/July/Day-30/p19357.htm

III. Aggregate Risk Assessment and Determination of Safety

    Consistent with section 408(b)(2)(D) of FFDCA, EPA has reviewed the
available scientific data and other relevant information in support of
this action. EPA has sufficient data to assess the hazards of and to
make a determination on aggregate exposure, consistent with section
408(b)(2) of FFDCA, for tolerances for residues of spinosad in or on
hop, dried cones at 22 ppm; amaranth, grain, stover at 10 ppm; cattle,
meat at 2.0 ppm; sheep, meat at 2.0 ppm; goat, meat at 2.0 ppm; horse,
meat at 2.0 ppm; poultry, meat at 0.10 ppm; cattle, fat at 50 ppm;
sheep, fat at 50 ppm; goat, fat at 50 ppm; horse, fat at 50 ppm;
poultry, fat at 1.30 ppm; milk at 7.0 ppm; milk, fat at 85 ppm; and egg
at 0.30 ppm. Additionally, existing tolerances for meat byproducts
which are based on residues in liver will be amended to establish
separate liver tolerances and lower the meat byproducts tolerances
which will now be based on residues in the kidney as follows: Cattle,
meat byproducts, except liver at 5.0 ppm; sheep, meat byproducts,
except liver at 5.0 ppm; goat, meat byproducts, except liver at 5.0
ppm; horse, meat byproducts, except liver at 5.0 ppm; poultry meat
byproducts tolerance raised from 0.03 ppm and set at 0.10 ppm; cattle,
liver at 10 ppm; sheep, liver at 10 ppm; goat, liver at 10 ppm; and
horse, liver at 10 ppm. EPA's assessment of exposures and risks
associated with establishing these tolerances follows.

A. Toxicological Profile

    EPA has evaluated the available toxicity data and considered their
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. Specific information on the studies received and the nature
of the toxic effects caused by spinosad as well as the no-observed-
adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) and the lowest-observed-adverse-effect-
level (LOAEL) from the toxicity studies are discussed in the Federal
Register of September 27, 2002 (67 FR 60923) (FRL-7199-5).

B. Toxicological Endpoints

    For hazards that have a threshold below which there is no
appreciable risk, the dose at which the NOAEL from the toxicology study
identified as appropriate for use in risk assessment is used to
estimate the toxicological level of concern (LOC). However, the lowest
dose at which the LOAEL is sometimes used for risk assessment if no
NOAEL was achieved in the toxicology study selected. An uncertainty
factor (UF) is applied to reflect 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.
    The linear default risk methodology (Q*) is the primary method
currently used by the Agency to quantify non-threshold hazards such as
cancer. The Q* approach assumes that any amount of exposure will lead
to some degree of cancer risk, estimates risk in terms of the
probability of occurrence of additional cancer cases. More information
can be found on the general principles EPA uses in risk
characterization at http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/human.htm.
    A summary of the toxicological endpoints for spinosad used for
human risk assessment can be found at http://www.regulations.gov in the
following indices:
    1. Docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2006-0579, entitled Application of
Spinosad to Hops and as a Mosquito Larvicide. Human Health Risk
Assessment, dated August 2, 2006.
    2. Docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0510, entitled PPs 3E6699,
3E6780, and 4E6811. Application of Spinosad to Mint; Banana; Plantain;
Peanut; Bulb Vegetables; Legume Vegetables; Forage, Fodder, and Straw
of Cereal Grains (crop group 16); Grass Forage, Fodder, and Hay (crop
group 17); and Nongrass Animal Feeds (crop group 18) and Application of
Spinosad for Control of Fruit Flies. HED Risk Assessment, dated
September 15, 2005.

[[Page 13170]]

C. Exposure Assessment

    1. Dietary exposure from food and feed uses. Tolerances have been
established (40 CFR 180.495) for the residues of spinosad, in or on a
variety of raw agricultural commodities. Risk assessments were conducted
by EPA to assess dietary exposures from spinosad 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.
    The Agency did not select a dose and endpoint for an acute dietary
risk assessment due to the lack of toxicological effects of concern
attributable to a single exposure (dose) in studies available in the
database including oral developmental toxicity studies in rats and
rabbits. In the acute neurotoxicity study, the NOAEL was 2,000
milligrams/kilograms/day (mg/kg/day), highest dose tested. An acute
dietary exposure assessment is not required.
    ii. Chronic exposure. In conducting the chronic dietary exposure
assessment, EPA used the Dietary Exposure Evaluation Model software
with the Food Commodity Intake Database (DEEM-FCID\TM\) version 2.03
(acute and cancer endpoints were not identified), which incorporates
food consumption data as reported by respondents in the U.S. Department
of Agriculture (USDA) 1994-1996 and 1998 Nationwide Continuing Surveys
of Food Intake by Individuals (CSFII), and accumulated exposure to the
chemical for each commodity. The chronic dietary analyses assumed
average/projected percent crop treated (PPCT) estimates; projected
percent head treated resulting from the dermal and premise treatments
to ruminants, average field trial residues, and experimentally
determined processing factors; and anticipated livestock residues. The
chronic analysis assumed tolerance level residues for all crop,
poultry, and egg commodities and anticipated residues for ruminant and
milk commodities.
    iii. Cancer. Spinosad has been classified as not likely to be
carcinogenic in humans based on the results of a carcinogenicity study
in mice and the combined chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity study in
rats. Therefore, a quantitative cancer exposure assessment was not
performed.
    iv. Anticipated residue and percent crop treated (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 chemicals that have been
measured in food. If EPA relies on such information, EPA must pursuant
to FFDCA section 408(f)(1) require 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. Following the initial data submission, EPA is authorized
to require similar data on a time frame it deems appropriate. For the
present action, EPA will issue such data call-ins for information
relating to anticipated residues as are required by FFDCA section
408(b)(2)(E) and authorized under FFDCA section 408(f)(1). Such data
call-ins will be required to be submitted no later than 5 years from
the date of issuance of this tolerance.
    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 the Agency can make the following findings: Condition 1,
that 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 such
pesticide residue; Condition 2, that the exposure estimate does not
underestimate exposure for any significant subpopulation group; and
Condition 3, if 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 section 408(b)(2)(F) of FFDCA, EPA may require registrants to submit
data on PCT.
    The Agency used PCT information as follows: Almond 5%; apple 30%;
apricot 10%; avocado 5%; broccoli 40%; brussel sprout 15%; cabbage 30%;
cantaloupes 10%; cauliflower 45%; celery 50%; cherry 25%; citrus 5%,
excluding lemon, tangerine, and orange; collards 25%; corn, sweet 1%;
cotton 5%; cucumber 20%; eggplant 15%; green, mustard 15%; green,
turnip 5%; kale 30%; lemon 10%; lettuce 50%; nectarine 30%; orange 10%;
peach 5%; pear 10%; pepper 35%; potato 5%; prune and plum 10%; spinach
30%; squash 10%; strawberry 35%; tangerine 10%; tomato 20%; and
watermelon 5%.
    Exposure analysis also incorporated projected percent ruminant head
treated resulting from the registered dermal and premise use (dairy
cattle 23% and beef cattle 31%, actual data are not available despite
this being a registered use) and projected PCT for alfalfa of 1%.
    EPA uses an average PCT for chronic dietary risk analysis. The
average PCT figure for each existing use is derived by combining
available Federal, State, and private market survey data for that use,
averaging by year, averaging across all years, and rounding up to the
nearest multiple of five except for those situations in which the
average PCT is less than one. In those cases assumed not less than 1%,
is used as the average and 2.5% is used the maximum. EPA uses a maximum
PCT for acute dietary risk analysis. The maximum PCT figure is the
single maximum value reported overall from available Federal, State,
and private market survey data on the existing use, across all years,
and rounded up to the nearest multiple of five. In most cases, EPA uses
available data from USDA/National Agricultural Statistics Service
(USDA/NASS), Proprietary Market Surveys, and the National Center for
Food and Agriculture Policy (NCFAP) for the most recent 6 years.
    EPA estimates PPCT for a new pesticide Use for use in chronic
dietary risk assessment by assuming that the PCT during the pesticide's
initial 5 years of use on a specific use site will not exceed the
average PCT of the dominant pesticide (i.e., the market leader
pesticide with the greatest PCT) on that site over the three most
recent pesticide usage surveys. Comparisons are only made among
pesticides of the same pesticide types (i.e., the dominant insecticide
on the use site is selected for comparison with the new insecticide).
The PCTs included in the average may be each for the same pesticide or
for different pesticides since the same or different pesticides may
dominate for each year selected. Typically, EPA uses data from the
USDA/NASS as the source for the PCT data because they are publicly
available. When a specific use site is not surveyed by USDA/NASS, EPA
uses other data which may include proprietary data.
    The estimated PPCT, equivalent to the average PCT of the market
leader is appropriate for use in the chronic dietary risk assessment.
This method of estimating a PPCT for a new use of a registered
pesticide produces a high-end estimate that is unlikely, in most cases,
to be exceeded during the initial 5 years of actual use.
    The predominant factors that bear on whether the estimated PPCT
could be exceeded are whether the new pesticide use is more efficacious
or controls a broader spectrum of pests than the dominant pesticides,
whether there are

[[Page 13171]]

concerns with pest pressure as indicated in emergency exemption
requests or other readily available information, and/or other factors
based on analysis of additional information. All information readily
available has been considered for spinosad on dairy cattle, beef cattle
and alfalfa, and it is the opinion of the Agency that it is unlikely
that actual PCTs for spinosad on these sites will exceed the
corresponding estimated PPCTs during the next 5 years. For cattle, the
estimated PPCTs likely would not be exceeded because spinosad generally
is more expensive than the leading alternative insecticides although it
has efficacy on the same order for the targeted pests. For alfalfa, its
estimated PPCT likely also would not be exceeded because it is
considerably more expensive than the leading alternative, and
treatments for the targeted pest, armyworms, have been relatively small
on average over the past 8 years.
    The Agency believes that the three conditions listed in Unit
III.C.1.iv. have been met. With respect to Condition 1, 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 2 and 3, 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 information on the regional consumption of food to
which spinosad may be applied in a particular area.
    2. Dietary exposure from drinking water. The Agency lacks
sufficient monitoring exposure data to complete a comprehensive dietary
exposure analysis and risk assessment for spinosad in drinking water.
Because the Agency does not have comprehensive monitoring data,
drinking water concentration estimates are made by reliance on
simulation or modeling taking into account data on the physical
characteristics of spinosad. 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.
    Typically, EPA evaluates the potential for human exposure to
pesticides in drinking water through an assessment of available surface
water and ground water monitoring data and modeling. For spinosad, no
monitoring data were available for use in this drinking water
assessment. Therefore, potential human exposures to spinosad were
evaluated through modeling. Estimated exposure concentrations (EECs) in
surface water were calculated using Pesticide Root Zone Model/Exposure
Analyses Modeling System (PRZM/EXAMS). Ground water concentrations were
modeled using Screening Concentration in Ground Water (SCI-GROW)
(version 2.3). Drinking water residues were then incorporated into the
DEEM-FCID\TM\ into the food categories ``water, direct, all sources''
and ``water, indirect, all sources.''
    Available environmental fate data indicate that the spinosad
transformation products maintain the basic ring structure of spinosad
and that combined spinosad and its transformation products are stable.
Therefore, the Agency concluded that a total residue method should be
used when estimating spinsad residues in water, and that spinosad and
its transformation products are stable under the aqueous photolysis,
aerobic soil metabolism, and anaerobic aquatic metabolism conditions.
    Based on modeling results from surface water FQPA Index Reservoir
Screening Tool (FIRST) and ground water SCI-GROW drinking water
concentrations from application of spinosad to turf (4 x 0.4 pound
active ingredient/acre (lb ai/acre); re-entry interval (RTI) = 7 days;
highest registered/proposed rate excluding the mosquito larvicide use):
The EECs of spinosad for acute exposures are 34.5 parts per billion
(ppb), 10.5 ppb for chronic exposures, and 1.1 ppb for ground water.
The dietary exposure assessment assumed a water concentration of 10.5
ppb for all water sources (direct and indirect). Modeled estimates of
drinking water concentrations were directly entered into the dietary
exposure model (DEEM-FCID\TM\).
    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).
    Spinosad is currently registered for use on numerous crops with
tolerances for combined residues of spinosad ranging from 0.01 to 200
ppm, as well as residential, non-dietary sites including turf and
ornamentals to control a variety of worms, moths, flies, beetles,
midges, thrips, leafminers, and fire ants. Granular (homeowner) and EC
(commercial applicators) formulations are registered. No dermal
endpoints were identified and based on the granular formulation and
low-vapor pressure for spinosad, residential handler/applicator and
post-application dermal/inhalation exposure assessments were not
conducted. The Agency concluded that there is a potential for toddler
short-term, non-dietary, oral exposures (hand-to-mouth, object-to-
mouth, ingestion of granulars, and soil ingestion). Since EPA did not
identify an acute dietary endpoint, episodic ingestion of granulars was
not assessed.
    The Agency notes that the registered fruit fly bait application
scenario permits application to non-crop vegetation and this use may
result in residential exposures. Based on the application rates (fruit
fly bait--0.0003 lb ai/acre and turf/ornamental--0.41 lbs ai/acre), EPA
concludes that residential exposure resulting from the fruit fly
application will be insignificant when compared to the exposure
resulting from the turf/ornamental application. Therefore, quantitative
analysis of the residential exposure resulting from the fruit fly bait
application was not performed.
    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.''
    Unlike other pesticides for which EPA has followed a cumulative
risk approach based on a common mechanism of toxicity, EPA has not made
a common mechanism of toxicity finding as to spinosad and any other
substances and spinosad does not appear to produce a toxic metabolite
produced by other substances. For the purposes of this tolerance
action, therefore, EPA has not assumed that spinosad has a common
mechanism of toxicity with other substances. For information regarding
EPA's efforts to determine which chemicals have a common mechanism of
toxicity and to evaluate the cumulative effects of such chemicals, see
the policy statements released by

[[Page 13172]]

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.

D. Safety Factor for Infants and Children

    1. In general. Section 408 of FFDCA provides that EPA shall apply
an additional tenfold margin of safety for infants and children in the
case of threshold effects to account for prenatal and postnatal
toxicity and the completeness of the 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. Margins of safety are
incorporated into EPA risk assessments either directly through use of a
MOE analysis or through using uncertainty (safety) factors in
calculating a dose level that poses no appreciable risk to humans. In
applying this provision, EPA either retains the default value of 10X
when reliable data do not support the choice of a different factor, or,
if reliable data are available, EPA uses a different additional safety
factor value based on the use of traditional uncertainty factors and/or
special FQPA safety factors, as appropriate.
    2. Prenatal and postnatal sensitivity. There is no indication of
increased susceptibility of rat and rabbit fetuses to in utero and/or
postnatal exposure to spinosad.
    3. Conclusion. EPA has determined that reliable data show that it
would be safe for infants and children to reduce the FQPA safety factor
to 1X. That decision is based on the following findings:
    i. The toxicological database for spinosad is complete for FQPA
assessment.
    ii. There is no evidence of increased susceptibility of rat or
rabbit fetuses following in utero exposure in the developmental studies
with spinosad, and there is no evidence of increased susceptibility of
young rats in the reproduction study with spinosad.
    iii. There are no residual uncertainties identified in the exposure
databases; the dietary food exposure assessment (chronic only; no acute
endpoint was identified) is refined using anticipated residues
calculated from field trial data and available PCT information.
    iv. EPA has indicated that the dietary drinking water exposure is
based on conservative modeling estimates.
    v. EPA Residential Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs) were used
to assess post-application exposure to children as well as incidental
oral exposure of toddlers, so these assessments do not underestimate
the exposure and risks posed by spinosad.

E. Aggregate Risks and Determination of Safety

    Safety is assessed for acute and chronic risks by comparing
aggregate 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 LOC by all applicable uncertainty/
safety factors. For linear cancer risks, EPA calculates the probability
of additional cancer cases given aggregate exposure. Short-,
intermediate-, and long-term risks are evaluated by comparing aggregate
exposure to the LOC to ensure that the MOE called for by the product of
all applicable uncertainty/safety factors is not exceeded.
    1. Acute risk. As there were no toxic effects attributable to a
single dose, an endpoint of concern was not identified for the general
population or to the subpopulation females 13-50 years old. No acute
risk is expected from exposure to spinosad.
    2. Chronic risk. Using the exposure assumptions described in this
unit for chronic exposure, EPA has concluded that exposure to spinosad
from food and water will utilize 37% of the cPAD for the U.S.
population, 32% of the cPAD for all infants less than a year old, and
86% of the cPAD for children 1-2 years old. Based on the use pattern,
chronic residential exposure to residues of spinosad is not expected.
Therefore, EPA does not expect the aggregate exposure to exceed 100% of
the cPAD.
    3. Short-term risk. Short-term aggregate exposure takes into
account residential exposure plus chronic exposure to food and water
(considered to be a background exposure level).
    Spinosad is currently registered for uses (turf and ornamental
application) that could result in short-term residential exposures
(incidental oral exposures to toddlers). This incidental oral exposure
is combined with chronic dietary (food and water) exposure for
determination of aggregate short-term exposure. The Agency uses chronic
dietary exposure when conducting short-term aggregate assessments as it
has been determined this will more accurately reflect exposure from
food than will acute exposure.
    Upon analyses of all available data, resulting aggregate MOEs are
greater than or equal to 160. Therefore, the Agency concludes that
short-term aggregate exposure to spinosad from food and residential
uses is below the LOC.
    4. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S. population. Spinosad has been
classified as ``not likely to be carcinogenic in humans'' based on the
results of a carcinogenicity study in mice and the combined chronic
toxicity and carcinogenicity study in rats. Therefore, spinosad 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, and to infants and children from aggregate
exposure to spinosad residues.

IV. Other Considerations

A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology

    There is a practical method; liquid chromatography mass
spectroscopy-accelerated climate prediction initiative (LCMS-ACPI) for
detecting and measuring levels of spinosad in or on food with a limit
of detection (0.002 ppm) that allows monitoring of food with residues
at or above the level set for these tolerances. The method has
undergone successful EPA laboratory validation.
    Adequate enforcement methodology using high pressure liquid
chromatography with ultraviolet detector (HPLC/UV) is available to
enforce the tolerances in plants. Adequate livestock methods are
available for tolerance enforcement. Method RES 94094 (GRM 95.03) is an
HPLC/UV method suitable for determination of spinosad residues in
ruminant commodities. Method GRM 95.03 has undergone successful
independent laboratory validation (ILV) and EPA laboratory validation,
and has been forwarded to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for
inclusion in PAM Volume II. Method GRM 95.15 is another HPLC/UV method
suitable for determination of spinosad residues in poultry commodities.
This method has been forwarded to FDA for inclusion in PAM Volume II.
Method RES 95114, an immunoassay method for determination of spinosad
residues in ruminant commodities, underwent a successful ILV and EPA
laboratory validation. It has been submitted to FDA for inclusion in
PAM Volume II. The methods may be requested from: Chief, Analytical
Chemistry Branch, Environmental Science Center, 701 Mapes Road, Fort
Meade, MD 20755-5350; telephone number: (410) 305-2905; e-mail address: 
residuemethods@epa.gov.

[[Page 13173]]

B. International Residue Limits

    No Codex, Canadian, or Mexican maximum residue limits (MRLs) have
been established for residues of spinosad on the raw agricultural
commodities associated with this action.

V. Conclusion

    Therefore, tolerances are established for residues of spinosad.
Spinosad is a fermentation product of Saccharopolyspora spinosa. The
product consist of two selected active ingredients: Spinosyn A (Factor
A: CAS# 131929-60-7) or 2-[(6-deoxy-2,3,4-tri-O-methyl-[alpha]-
L-manno-pyranosyl)oxy]-13-[[5(dimethylamino)-tetrahydro-6-methyl-2H-
pyran-2-yl]oxy]-9-ethyl-2,3,3a,5a,5b,6,9,10,11,12,13,14,16a,16b-
tetradecahydro-14-methyl-1H-as-Indaceno[3,2-d]oxacyclododecin-7,15-
dione; and Spinosyn D (Factor D; CAS# 131929-63-0) or 2-[(6-
deoxy-2,3,4-tri-O-methyl-[alpha]L-manno-pyranosyl)oxy]-13-[[5(dimethyl-
amino)-tetrahydro-6-methyl-2H-pyran-2-yl]oxy]-9-ethyl-
2,3,3a,5a,5b,6,9,10,11,12,13,14,16a,16b-tetradecahydro-4,14-methyl-1H-
as-Indaceno[3,2-d]oxacyclododecin-7,15-dione, in or on hop, dried cones
at 22 ppm and amaranth, grain, stover at 10 ppm; cattle, meat at 2.0
ppm; sheep, meat at 2.0 ppm; goat, meat at 2.0 ppm; horse, meat at 2.0
ppm; poultry, meat at 0.10 ppm; cattle, fat at 50 ppm; sheep, fat at 50
ppm; goat, fat at 50 ppm; horse, fat at 50 ppm; poultry, fat at 1.3
ppm; milk at 7.0 ppm; milk, fat at 85 ppm; egg at 0.30 ppm; cattle,
meat byproducts, except liver at 5.0 ppm; sheep, meat byproducts,
except liver at 5.0 ppm; goat, meat byproducts, except liver at 5.0
ppm; horse, meat byproducts, except liver at 5.0 ppm; poultry meat
byproducts tolerance raised from 0.03 ppm and set at 0.10 ppm; cattle,
liver at 10 ppm; sheep, liver at 10 ppm; goat, liver at 10 ppm; and
horse, liver at 10 ppm.

VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    This final rule establishes tolerances under section 408(d) of
FFDCA in response to petitions 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 due to its lack of
significance, 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). 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., or 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). 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); or OMB review or any Agency action under Executive
Order 13045, entitled Protection of Children from Environmental Health
Risks and Safety Risks (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997). 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). 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. In addition, the Agency has determined that this
action will not have a substantial direct effect on States, on the
relationship between the national government and the States, or on the
distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of
government, as specified in Executive Order 13132, entitled
Federalism(64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999). Executive Order 13132
requires EPA to develop an accountable process to ensure ``meaningful
and timely input by State and local officials in the development of
regulatory policies that have federalism implications.'' ``Policies
that have federalism implications'' is defined in the Executive order
to include regulations that have ``substantial direct effects on the
States, on the relationship between the national government and the
States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the
various levels of government.'' This final rule directly regulates
growers, food processors, food handlers, and food retailers, not
States. This action does not alter the relationships or distribution of
power and responsibilities established by Congress in the preemption
provisions of section 408(n)(4) of FFDCA. For these same reasons, the
Agency has determined that this final rule does not have any ``tribal
implications'' as described in Executive Order 13175, entitled
Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments (59 FR 22951,
November 6, 2000). Executive Order 13175, requires EPA to
develop an accountable process to ensure ``meaningful and timely input
by tribal officials in the development of regulatory policies that have
tribal implications.'' ``Policies that have tribal implications'' is
defined in the Executive order to include regulations that have
``substantial direct effects on one or more Indian tribes, on the
relationship between the Federal Government and the Indian tribes, or
on the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal
Government and Indian tribes.'' This final rule will not have
substantial direct effects on tribal governments, on the relationship
between the Federal Government and Indian tribes, or on the
distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal
Government and Indian tribes, as specified in Executive Order 13175.
Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not apply to this final rule.

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: March 5, 2007.
Lois Rossi,
Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.

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

PART 180--[AMENDED]

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

[[Page 13174]]

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

? 2. The table in paragraph (a) of Sec.  180.495 is amended by:
? i. Alphabetically adding amaranth, grain, stover; cattle, liver; goat,
liver; hop, dried cones; horse, liver; and sheep, liver.
? ii. Revising the remainder of the entries listed.
    The additions and revisions to the table in paragraph (a) read as
follows:

Sec.  180.495  Spinosad; tolerances for residues.

    (a) * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Expiration/
             Commodity              Parts per million   Revocation Date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                * * * * *
Amaranth, grain, stover...........                 10               None
                                * * * * *
Cattle, fat.......................                 50               None
Cattle, liver.....................                 10               None
Cattle, meat......................                2.0               None
Cattle, meat byproducts, except                   5.0               None
 liver............................
                                * * * * *
Egg...............................               0.30               None
                                * * * * *
Goat, fat.........................                 50               None
Goat, liver.......................                 10               None
Goat, meat........................                2.0               None
Goat, meat byproducts, except                     5.0               None
 liver............................
                                * * * * *
Hop, dried cones..................                 22               None
Horse, fat........................                 50               None
Horse, liver......................                 10               None
Horse, meat.......................                2.0               None
Horse, meat byproducts, except                    5.0               None
 liver............................
                                * * * * *
Milk..............................                7.0               None
Milk, fat.........................                 85               None
                                * * * * *
Poultry, fat......................                1.3               None
Poultry, meat.....................               0.10               None
Poultry, meat byproducts..........               0.10               None
                                * * * * *
Sheep, fat........................                 50               None
Sheep, liver......................                 10               None
Sheep, meat.......................                2.0               None
Sheep, meat byproducts, except                    5.0               None
 liver............................
                                * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
[FR Doc. E7-4760 Filed 3-20-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-S 

 
 


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