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Dodine; Pesticide Tolerances

PDF Version (6 pp, 129K, About PDF)

[Federal Register: August 6, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 152)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 45629-45634]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06au08-15]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0221; FRL-8367-5]

Dodine; Pesticide Tolerances

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

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SUMMARY: This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of dodine
in or on bananas and peanuts. Agriphar S.A. c/o Ceres International LLC
requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic
Act (FFDCA).

DATES: This regulation is effective August 6, 2008. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received on or before October 6, 2008,
and must be filed in accordance with the instructions provided in 40
CFR part 178 (see also Unit I.C. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION).

ADDRESSES: EPA has established a docket for this action under docket
identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0221. 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

[[Page 45630]]

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: Mary L. Waller, Registration Division
(7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency,
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone
number: (703) 308-9354 e-mail address: waller.mary@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 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 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 EPA's tolerance regulations at
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, 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-2007-0221 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 October 6, 2008.
    In addition to filing an objection or hearing request with the
Hearing Clerk as described in 40 CFR part 178, please submit a copy of
the filing that does not contain any CBI for inclusion in the public
docket that is described in ADDRESSES. Information not marked
confidential pursuant to 40 CFR part 2 may be disclosed publicly by EPA
without prior notice. Submit this copy, identified by docket ID number
EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0221, by one of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments.
     Mail: Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) Regulatory Public
Docket (7502P), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001.
     Delivery: OPP Regulatory Public Docket (7502P),
Environmental Protection Agency, Rm. S-4400, One Potomac Yard (South
Bldg.), 2777 S. Crystal Dr., Arlington, VA. Deliveries are only
accepted during the Docket's normal hours of operation (8:30 a.m. to 4
p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays). Special
arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information. The
Docket Facility telephone number is (703) 305-5805.

II. Petition for Tolerance

    In the Federal Register of May 9, 2007 (72 FR 26372) (FRL-8121-5),
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 7F7185)
by Agriphar S.A. c/o Ceres International LLC, 1087 Heartsease Dr., West
Chester, PA 10382. The petition requested that 40 CFR 180.172 be
amended by establishing tolerances for residues of the fungicide
dodine, n-dodecylguanidine acetate, in or on bananas at 0.50 parts per
million (ppm) and on peanuts at 0.03 ppm. That notice referenced a
summary of the petition prepared by Agriphar S.A. c/o Ceres
International LLC, the registrant, which is available to the public in
the docket, http://www.regulations.gov. Comments were received on the
notice of filing. EPA's response to these comments is discussed in Unit
IV.C.
    Based upon review of the data supporting the petition, EPA has
lowered the tolerance for peanuts from 0.03 ppm to 0.013 ppm. The
reason for this change is explained in Unit IV.D.

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 dodine on bananas at 0.50 ppm and on peanuts at

[[Page 45631]]

0.013 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.
    Technical dodine has moderate toxicity via the acute oral, dermal
and inhalation routes of exposure. It is a severe eye irritant and
causes severe dermal irritation; it is not a skin sensitizer. A
definitive target organ has not been identified for dodine. The most
common effects observed in subchronic and chronic oral and inhalation
studies were decreases in food consumption, body weight and/or body
weight gain. There is no evidence of neurotoxicity. Effects from dermal
exposure were limited to dermal lesions. There is no evidence of
increased susceptibility (quantitative or qualitative) in pups versus
adults based on rat and rabbit developmental studies and the rat multi-
generation reproduction study. A weight of evidence evaluation of the
carcinogenic potential of dodine was performed, and based on the
results it was concluded that there is no evidence of carcinogenicity
after exposure to dodine. All toxicological endpoints chosen for risk
assessment were based on body weight effects plus, in the case of
inhalation, reduced food consumption.
    Specific information on the studies received and the nature of the
adverse effects caused by dodine 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 document Dodine: Human Health Risk Assessment
for Proposed Use Bananas and Peanuts, pages 12 and 44 in docket ID
number EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0221.

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-, intermediate-
, and chronic-term risks are evaluated by comparing food, water, and
residential exposure to the POD to ensure that the margin of exposure
(MOE) called for by the product of all applicable UFs is not exceeded.
This latter value is referred to as the Level of Concern (LOC).
    For non-threshold risks, the Agency assumes that any amount of
exposure will lead to some degree of risk. Thus, the Agency estimates
risk in terms of the probability of an occurrence of the adverse effect
greater than that expected in a lifetime. For more information on the
general principles EPA uses in risk characterization and a complete
description of the risk assessment process, see http://www.epa.gov/
pesticides/factsheets/riskassess.htm.
    A summary of the toxicological endpoints for dodine used for human
risk assessment can be found at http://www.regulations.gov in document
Dodine: Human Health Risk Assessment for Proposed Use Bananas and
Peanuts, page 17 in docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0221.

C. Exposure Assessment

    1. Dietary exposure from food and feed uses. In evaluating dietary
exposure to dodine, EPA considered exposure under the petitioned-for
tolerances as well as all existing dodine tolerances in (40 CFR
180.172). EPA assessed dietary exposures from dodine 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.
    No such effects were identified in the toxicological studies for
dodine; therefore, a quantitative acute dietary exposure assessment is
unnecessary
    ii. Chronic exposure. 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 that
tolerance level residues were used for all crops. In terms of extent of
usage, percent crop treated information was used for pome fruit, stone
fruit, strawberry, pecan and walnut. One hundred percent crop treated
was assumed for banana and peanut crops.
    iii. Cancer. There was equivocal evidence of carcinogenicity in a
mouse carcinogenicity study. However, based on a weight of evidence
evaluation of the carcinogenic potential of dodine, the Agency
concluded that there is no evidence of carcinogenicity after exposure
to dodine. Factors bearing on this weight of the evidence determination
are described in Dodine: Human Health Risk Assessment for Proposed Use
Bananas and Peanuts, pages 20-21 in docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-
0221. EPA principally relied on the fact that the only evidence of
cancer was a finding of statistically significant liver tumors
(primarily adenomas) in female mice at the highest dose tested and no
evidence of genotoxicity was found. There was no evidence of cancer in
male mice or rats.
    iv. Percent crop treated (PCT) information. 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 section 408(b)(2)(F) of FFDCA, EPA may require
registrants to submit data on PCT.
    The Agency used PCT information as follows:
    The Agency used the following PCT information for the currently
registered uses of dodine: 10% PCT for pears and quinces; 5% PCT for
apples, crabapples, loquats, cherries, walnuts and pecans; and 1% PCT
for strawberries, apricots, nectarines, peaches, and plums.

[[Page 45632]]

    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 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 dodine may be applied in a particular area.
    2. Dietary exposure from drinking water. The Agency used screening
level water exposure models in the dietary exposure analysis and risk
assessment for dodine in drinking water. These simulation models take
into account data on the physical, chemical, and fate/transport
characteristics of dodine. 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 First Index Reservoir Screening Tool (FIRST), and
Screening Concentration in Ground Water (SCI-GROW) models, the
estimated drinking water concentrations (EDWCs) of dodine for chronic
exposures for non-cancer assessments are estimated to be 4.0 parts per
billion (ppb) for surface water and <0.08 ppb for ground water.
    Modeled estimates of drinking water concentrations were directly
entered into the dietary exposure model. For chronic dietary risk
assessment, the water concentration of value 4.0 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).
    Dodine is not registered for any specific use patterns that would
result in residential exposure. However, a closely related chemical,
dodecylguanidine hydrochloride (DGH) is used as an antimicrobial in
household, industrial, and commercial products having residential and
non-occupational exposure potential. DGH is used as a bacteriostat in
paints and in absorbent material in disposal diapers. Dodine and DGH
have similar chemical compositions and properties and are therefore
considered bio-equivalents.
    Residential painters may have short-term dermal and inhalation
exposure as a result of using DGH treated paint. Infants < 1-year old
may have short-, intermediate, and long term dermal exposure as a
result of wearing DGH impregnated diapers. Inhalation exposure of
infants and children is expected to be negligible. Although small
children may have short-term post application oral exposure as a result
of accidental ingestion of paint chips which contain DGH, the Agency
does not believe that this would occur on a regular basis.
    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 dodine to share a common mechanism of toxicity
with any other substances, and dodine does not appear to produce a
toxic metabolite produced by other substances. For the purposes of this
tolerance action, therefore, EPA has assumed that dodine 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.
    2. Prenatal and postnatal sensitivity. There is no evidence
(quantitative or qualitative) of increased susceptibility and no
residual uncertainties with regard to prenatal and/or postnatal
toxicity following in utero exposure to rats or rabbits and prenatal
and/or postnatal exposure to rats. In a rat developmental toxicity
study, decreased body weight gain and food consumption were observed at
>= 45 milligrams/kilograms/day (mg/kg/day) in maternal animals. No
treatment-related effects were observed in fetuses up to 90 mg/kg/day.
In a rabbit developmental toxicity study, dams demonstrated decreased
food consumption at 80 mg/kg/day; however, this finding was not
considered adverse. No treatment-related effects were observed in
fetuses up to 80 mg/kg/day. In a 2-generation reproduction toxicity
study in rats, decreases in parental body weight, body weight gain and
food consumption were noted in both generations of rats at 53 mg/kg/
day. Additionally at 53 mg/kg/day, the offspring of both generations
demonstrated decreased body weight after postnatal day 4 which
continued through pre-mating.
    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:

[[Page 45633]]

    i. The toxicity database for dodine is complete.
    ii. EPA concluded that dodine is not a neurotoxic chemical and
there is no need for a developmental neurotoxicity study or additional
UFs to account for neurotoxicity. Possible neurological clinical signs
(excessive salivation and hunched posture/hypoactivity) were observed
in chronic studies in rats and mice but were not dose-related or
statistically significant. Excessive salivation in the chronic study in
dogs showed a treatment related dose response. However, the effect was
not consistent with a neurological adverse effect since it was seen
prior to dosing and was a persistent finding throughout the study. In
addition, no evidence of neuropathology was observed in the available
studies. Therefore, it was determined that there was no evidence of
neurotoxicity. Based on the weight of evidence, the Agency determined
that a developmental neurotoxicity study is not required.
    iii. There is no evidence that dodine results in increased
susceptibility in in utero rats or rabbits in the prenatal developmental 
studies or in young rats in the 2-generation reproduction study.
    iv. There are no residual uncertainties identified in the exposure
databases. The dietary food exposure assessments were performed based
on Agency recommended tolerance-level residues and health-protective
modeling assumptions. Although PCT estimates were used for crops with
existing tolerances, the use of tolerance values for residue levels
will likely overestimate actual exposures. EPA made conservative
(protective) assumptions in the ground and surface water modeling used
to assess exposure to dodine in drinking water. EPA used similarly
conservative assumptions to assess postapplication exposure of children
as well as incidental oral exposure of toddlers. These assessments will
not underestimate the exposure and risks posed by dodine.

E. Aggregate Risks and Determination of Safety

    EPA determines whether acute and chronic pesticide exposures are
safe by comparing aggregate exposure estimates to the aPAD and cPAD.
The aPAD and cPAD represent the highest safe exposures, taking into
account all appropriate 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-, intermediate-, and chronic-term
risks are evaluated by comparing the estimated aggregate food, water,
and residential exposure to the POD to ensure that the MOE called for
by the product of all applicable UFs is not exceeded.
    1. Acute risk. An acute aggregate risk assessment takes into
account exposure estimates from acute dietary consumption of food and
drinking water. No adverse effect resulting from a single-oral exposure
was identified and no acute dietary endpoint was selected. Therefore,
dodine is not expected to pose an acute risk.
    2. Chronic risk. Using the exposure assumptions described in this
unit for chronic exposure, EPA has concluded that chronic exposure to
dodine from food and water will utilize 20% of the cPAD for (children
1-2 years of age) the population group receiving the greatest exposure.
Although dodine is not currently registered for any use patterns that
would result in residential exposure, DGH is currently registered for
uses that could result in long-term residential post-application
exposure and the Agency has determined that it is appropriate to
aggregate chronic exposure to dodine through food and water with long-
term residential post-application exposure to DGH. EPA has concluded
that the combined long-term food, water, and dermal exposure for
infants wearing diapers containing DGH treated material results in
aggregate MOEs as follows: 300 when using a 5% transfer factor and 100
when using a 30% transfer factor. The Agency believes that a transfer
factor of 30% is an overestimate of exposure in determining the amount
of DGH transferred to infants from diapers based on a transfer study
using dodine-treated paper exposed to extreme conditions. Additionally,
the Agency has requested an impregnated diaper migration study as
confirmatory data.
    3. Short- and intermediate-term risk. Short- and intermediate-term
aggregate exposure takes into account short- and intermediate-term
residential exposure plus chronic exposure to food and water
(considered to be a background exposure level).
    Although dodine is not registered for any use patterns that would
result in residential exposure, DGH is currently registered for uses
that could result in short- and intermediate-term residential exposure
and the Agency has determined that it is appropriate to aggregate
chronic exposure to dodine through food and water with short- and
intermediate-term residential exposures to DGH.
    Using the exposure assumptions described in this unit for short-
and intermediate-term exposures, EPA has concluded the short- and
intermediate-term combined food, water, and residential exposures
aggregated result in aggregate MOEs of 4,500 for adult males handling
paint and 4,600 for adult females handling paint do not exceed the
Agency's level of concern. EPA has concluded that the combined
intermediate-term food, water, and dermal exposure for infants wearing
diapers containing DGH treated material results in aggregate MOEs of
640 when using a 5% transfer factor and 120 when using a 30% transfer
factor. For the reasons stated in Unit III.E.2. the Agency believes the
risks do not exceed the Agency's level of concern.
    4. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S. population. Based on its weight
of the evidence calculation, the Agency believes that there is no
cancer risk associated with the use of dodine.
    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 dodine residues.

IV. Other Considerations

A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology

    Adequate enforcement methodology (liquid chromatography/mass
spectrometry/mass spectrometry) 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 number: (410) 305-2905; e-mail address:
residuemethods@epa.gov.

B. International Residue Limits

    There are no Codex, Canadian, or Mexican maximum residue limits for
dodine on bananas or peanuts.

C. Response to Comments

    There was one favorable comment from Del Monte in favor of
establishing the tolerance for use of dodine on bananas in order to
control black sigatoka disease.

D. Revisions to Petitioned-For Tolerances

    The proposed tolerance of 0.03 ppm for residues of dodine on
peanuts was revised to 0.013 ppm because the tolerances were proposed
in terms of dodine free base, and the Agency recalculated the residue
results in terms of dodine using a molecular weight conversion factor
of 1.258.

[[Page 45634]]

V. Conclusion

    Therefore, tolerances are established for residues of dodine, n-
dodecylguanidine acetate, in or on bananas at 0.50 ppm and on peanuts
at 0.013 ppm.

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, 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: July 25, 2008.
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:

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

• 2. Section 180.172 is amended by alphabetically adding the following
commodities to the table in paragraph (a) to read as follows:

Sec.  180.172  Dodine; tolerances for residues.

    (a) * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Parts per
                         Commodity                             million
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                * * * * *
Banana.....................................................         0.50
                                * * * * *
Peanut.....................................................        0.013
                                * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
[FR Doc. E8-17934 Filed 8-5-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-S

 
 


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