UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY WASHINGTON, D.C
. 20460 

## APR 11 2013

MEMORANDUM OFFICE OF CHEMICAL SAFETY AND POLLUTION PREVENTION

SUBJECT: BEAD Chemical Profile for Registration Review: Sulfur Dioxide (077601) FROM:

THRU: Tara Chandgoyal, Plant Pathologist Biological Analysis Branch Rafael Prieto, Environmental Protection**Specialis~.cA**

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...... Stephen Smearman, Economist Economic Analysis Branch Biological and Economic An Arnet Jones, Chief Biological Analysis Br c Diann Sims, Chief**ALI:L~~~~""""** Science Information and Analysis Branch

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Timothy Kiely, Chief 

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## ~ Biological and Economic Analysis Division (7503P) TO: Khue Nguyen, Chemical Review Manager Risk Management and Implementation Branch 2 Pesticide Re-evaluation Division (7508P) 

### Product Review Panel date: March 27, 2013 INTRODUCTION The purpose ofthis document is to convey usage information and a broad overview ofthe pest management roles ofpesticides that are beginning to undergo registration review. The anticipated audience consists ofthe team ofEPA staffcurrently evaluating the registration status ofsulfur dioxide (077601; sulfur dioxide) and eventually the general public. This document builds uponthe data already provided inthe usage and label use datapackages that are also 1provided to Registration Review teams by BEAD. The document is based on information and data available to BEAD as ofFebruary 22,2013
. Products containing sulfur dioxide as the active ingredient are formulated as liquid under pressure (99.9- 100% sulfur dioxide) whichturns into gas upon release ofpressure. Ithas antifungal and antimicrobial properties and is used for the control ofgray mold (caused by Botrytis cinerea) on grapes during storage and transport. It is also used in the wine industry for the sanitation ofcorks and barrels. 

### COMMON FORMULATIONS AND APPLICATION METHODS Enduse products contain 99.9 -100% sulfur dioxide inpressurized containers. 

### USE SITES Sulfur dioxide is registered for post-harvest fumigation ofgrapes held in cold storage, fumigation oftrailers, railcars, transportation vehicles and warehouses. Sulfur dioxide labels do not specify ifit can be used to fumigate trailers, railcars, transportation vehicles and warehouses when empty or with grapes. It is also registered for sanitation ofbarrels and cork in the wine industry. 

### USAGE Sulfur dioxide usage was not' found in any ofour available usage databases with national usage. California grows approximately 90% ofgrapes in the United States and usage data is available from California's Department ofPesticide Regulation (CA-DPR). 

### Pounds SulfurDioxide on Grapes (non-Wine) (California Only)* 

### 2008 

## I 2009 2010 167,003 

## I 82,446 89,267 

### Pounds SulfurDioxide on Wine Grapes (California Only)* 399 

# I 132 311 *Source: Cal1fom1a DPR, 2008-2010


### BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS RELEVANT TO SULFUR DIOXIDE Sulfur dioxide is an inorganic pesticide with multisite mode ofaction against microorganisms and belongs to M2 code offUngicide (FRAC, 2010). It is considered as lowrisk for resistance development inmicro-organisms (FRAC, 2010)
. Sulfur dioxide is used as a fungicide on grapes to control gray mold on harvested grapes (CA Grape Profile, 1999). It is used to disinfect and preserve food. It is used intreating dried fruits (such as apricots, peaches etc.) for preservation and to prevent brown discoloration (non FIFRA uses). Sulfur dioxide odor canbe noticed when smelling or eating dried fruits treated withthis chemical (Mattson, undated).

2IDSTORY OF BEAD ASSESSMENTS FOR INORGANIC SULFITES In 2010, a BEAD Chemical Profile for Registration Review ofSodium Metabisulfite was prepared by BEAD (Ranville,
. Chen and Stebbins, 2010). Sodium metabisulfite products are composed ofanhydrous solid active ingredient. When anhydrous sodium metabisulfite products are mixed with water or absorb moisture from air, they produce sulfur dioxide gas. Itis used as a postharvest treatment for grapes to control gray mold disease (caused by Botrytis cinerea). The Registration Eligibility Decision (RED)- Inorganic Sulfites was published inMay, 2007
. INFORMATION THAT MAY BE USEFUL FORBEAD'S FUTURE WORK ON SULFURDIOXIDE Limited use and usage data are available from the California Department ofPesticide Regulation. The information available regarding the use ofsulfur dioxide was limited to its use as a fumigant in post harvest applications. It would be helpful to know ifthe cargo containers that are treated with sulfur dioxide are fwnigated with orwithout the commodity contained in them. It would also be helpful to know ifthere are other known uses for sulfur dioxide in states otherthan California. REFERENCES California DPR, 2008-2010. California Grape Profile. 1999. Crop Profile for Grapes (Table) in California. California Grape Advisory Tearn. California Pesticide Impact Assessment Program (http://www.ipmcenters
.org/cropprofiles/docs/cagrapes-table.pdO
. Accessed February 20, 2013. Environmental Protection Agency. 2007. Registration Eligibility Decision- Inorganic Sulfites. http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/REDs/inorganicsulfites.pdf FRAC. 2010. Fungicide Resistance Action Committee (FRAC). http://www.frac.info/frac/publication/anhang/FRAC%20Code%20List%202011-final.pdf
. Accessed February 22, 2013
.. Mattson. undated. Microscale Gas Chemistry: Sulfur dioxide Information
. http://mattson.creighton.edu/S02/S02 Info.html
. Accessed March 2013. Ranville, M., Chen, C., Stebbins, K. 2010. A BEAD Chemical Profile for Registration Review: Sodium Metabisulfite.

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