Docket Number EPA-HQ-OPP-2014-0779 

www.regulations.gov 

Fluazifop-p-butyl Preliminary Work Plan 

Registration Review: Initial Docket 

Case Number 2285 

Approved by: 

Date: 

December 2014 

p -u.-t. ~ 

Richard P. Keigwin, Jr. . 

Director 

Pesticide Re-evaluation Division 
2

Fluazifop-p-butyl Preliminary Work Plan – Table of Contents 

OVERVIEW ................................................................................................................................... 3

ANTICIPATED DATA NEEDS .................................................................................................... 4

STATUTORY AND REGULATORY AUTHORITY ................................................................... 5

CHEMICAL FACTS ...................................................................................................................... 6

USE AND USAGE INFORMATION ............................................................................................ 6

RECENT ACTIONS ....................................................................................................................... 8

ANTICIPATED RISK ASSESSMENTS FOR REGISTRATION REVIEW ................................ 8

TIMELINE .................................................................................................................................... 10

NEXT STEPS ............................................................................................................................... 10

Appendix – Additional Areas Considered in the Fluazifop-p-butyl Registration Review ....... 11

References:

This Preliminary Work Plan summarizes the Environmental Protection Agency's current position 

based on the following documents: 

1. EFED Registration Review Problem Formulation for Fluazifop-p-butyl. Federoff, N.E.; 

Wong, Edmund. December 3, 2014 

2. Fluazifop-P-butyl. Human Health Risk Assessment Scoping Document in Support of 

Registration Review. Dapson, Steve; Donovan, William; LaMay, Alexandra. December, 

2014 

3. BEAD Chemical Profile (BCP) for Registration Review: Fluazifop-P-butyl (122809). 

Haddad, Sepehr; Phillips, Bill; Smearman, Stephen. August 18, 2014. 

4. Fluazifop-p-butyl (122809) Screening Level Usage Analysis (SLUA). May 27, 2010.

5. Fluazifop-p-butyl EFED Table 1 Report. April 16, 2014. 

6. Fluazifop-p-butyl HED Master Label Report. April 16, 2014. 

These and other supporting documents for the fluazifop-p-butyl registration review case may be 

found in the docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2014-0779 at http://www.regulations.gov. 
3

OVERVIEW 

The docket for fluazifop-p-butyl is now open, initiating the first public comment period for this 

registration review (docket number EPA-HQ-OPP-2014-0779). Fluazifop-p-butyl is a selective, 

post-emergent herbicide registered for the control of perennial and annual grass weeds. 

Fluazifop-p-butyl's registered uses include food/feed use on asparagus, carrot, coffee, cotton, 

endive (escarole), garlic, macadamia nut, onion, pecan, pepper, rhubarb, soybeans, stone fruits, 

sweet potato, bananas, citrus, grapes, sugar beets, and yams. It is also registered for use on 

lawns/turf in residential settings. This Preliminary Work Plan (PWP) document explains what 

EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs knows about fluazifop-p-butyl, highlighting anticipated data 

and assessment needs, identifying the types of information that would be especially useful to the 

Agency in conducting the review, and providing an anticipated timeline for completing the 

registration review for fluazifop-p-butyl. 

 

The registration review process was designed to include a public participation component to 

solicit input from interested stakeholders. The Agency intends, by sharing this information in the 

docket, to inform the public of what it knows about fluazifop-p-butyl and what types of new data 

or other information would be helpful for the Agency to receive as it moves toward a decision on 

fluazifop-p-butyl. The Agency encourages all interested stakeholders to review the PWP and 

Appendix and to provide comments and additional information that will help the Agency’s 

decision-making process for this chemical. In addition to general areas on which persons may 

wish to comment, there are some areas identified in the PWP and Appendix about which the 

Agency specifically seeks comments and information. Interested stakeholders could include: 

environmental non-profit or interest groups; pesticide manufacturers; agricultural labor or 

commodity groups; commercial, institutional, residential, and other users of pesticides; or the 

public at large. 

The Preliminary Work Plan begins by listing the anticipated data needs for fluazifop-p-butyl. 

Next, it discusses the statutory and regulatory authority for Registration Review. Then the 

document provides chemical facts, use and usage information, recent actions, the anticipated risk 

assessments, and a projected registration review timeline for fluazifop-p-butyl. Finally, the 

Appendix to this document includes identification and discussion of some areas that are 

considered generally in Registration Review along with some additional chemical case-specific 

information. 

 
4

ANTICIPATED DATA NEEDS 

Table 1 below summarizes anticipated data needs for fluazifop-p-butyl. For additional 

discussion of the anticipated data needs, see the EFED Registration Review Problem 

Formulation for Fluazifop-p-butyl and Fluazifop-p-butyl: Human Health Risk Assessment 

Scoping Document in Support of Registration Review. 

Table 1: Anticipated Data Needs for the Fluazifop-p-butyl Registration Review 

Guideline 

Number1 Study Title1 

Test Material 

Estimated 

Timeframe 

(Months from 

receipt of DCI) 

835.1230 

835.1240 Adsorption/Desorption 

TGAI and 

Degradate: 

fluazifop-p-acid 

12 

835.4400 Anaerobic aquatic metabolism TGAI 24 

850.1350 Aquatic invertebrate life cycle (saltwater) Degradate: 

fluazifop-p acid 12 

850.1400 Fish early-life stage toxicity (saltwater) Degradate: 

fluazifop-p acid 12 

850.2300 Avian Reproduction Degradate: 

fluazifop-p acid 24 

850.4100 Seedling emergence and seedling growth (Tier I) TGAI 12 

850.4150 Vegetative vigor (Tier I) TGAI 12 

850.4400 Aquatic plant growth (aquatic vascular plant 

toxicity) (Tier II) 

Degradate: 

fluazifop-p acid 12 

850.4500 Algal Toxicity (Tier II) Degradate: 

fluazifop-p acid 12 

850.4550 Cyanobacteria Toxicity (Tier II) Degradate: 

fluazifop-p acid 12 

NonGuideline 

Honeybee adult acute oral toxicity TGAI 12 

NonGuideline 

Honeybee adult chronic oral toxicity TGAI 12 

NonGuideline 

Honeybee larval acute toxicity TGAI 12 

NonGuideline 

Honeybee larval chronic toxicity TGAI 12 

850.6100 Environmental chemistry methods and 

associated independent laboratory validation 

for water and soil 

TGAI and 

Degradate: 

fluazifop-pacid

12

 

1

 On June 27, 2012, EPA announced certain revisions in harmonized guideline series 850 – Ecological Effects Tests 

– including renumbering and other designations or changes for some guideline studies. See “Final Test 

Guidelines; OCSPP 850 Series; Notice of Availability” 77 FR 38282, June 27, 2012. 

http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=EPA-HQ-OPPT-2009-0154-0028 
5

Table 1: Anticipated Data Needs for the Fluazifop-p-butyl Registration Review 

Guideline 

Number1 Study Title1 

Test Material 

Estimated 

Timeframe 

(Months from 

receipt of DCI) 

860.1900 Field Accumulation in Rotational Crops TEP 24 

870.3250 90-Day Dermal Toxicity TEP 24 

870.3465 90-Day/28-Day Inhalation Toxicity TEP 24 

875.2100 Turf Transferable Residue Data TEP 12 

TGAI = technical grade active ingredient; TEP = typical end-use product. 

STATUTORY AND REGULATORY AUTHORITY 

The Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) of 1996 mandated a registration review program. All 

pesticides distributed or sold in the United States (U.S.) generally must be registered by the 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or the Agency), based on scientific data showing that 

they will not cause unreasonable risks to human health or the environment when used as directed 

on product labeling. The registration review program is intended to make sure that, as the ability 

to assess risk evolves and as policies and practices change, all registered pesticides continue to 

meet the statutory standard of no unreasonable adverse effects to human health or the 

environment. Changes in science, public policy, and pesticide use practices will occur over time. 

Through the registration review program, the Agency periodically reevaluates pesticides to make 

sure that as change occurs, products in the marketplace can be used safely. Information on this 

program is provided on EPA’s website.2

The Agency is implementing the registration review program pursuant to Section 3(g) of the 

Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), and will review each registered 

pesticide every 15 years to determine whether it continues to meet the FIFRA standard for 

registration. The regulations governing registration review begin at 40 CFR 155.40. The 

Agency will consider benefits information and data as required by FIFRA. The public phase of 

registration review begins when the initial docket is opened for each case. The docket is the 

Agency’s opportunity to state what it knows about the pesticide and what additional risk analyses 

and data or information it believes are needed to make a registration review decision. After 

reviewing and responding to comments and data received in the docket during this initial 

comment period, the Agency will develop a Final Work Plan (FWP) and anticipated schedule for 

the registration review of fluazifop-p-butyl. 

 

2

 http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/registration_review/ 
6

CHEMICAL FACTS 

Table 2 provides a summary of the chemical facts for fluazifop-p-butyl. 

Table 2: Chemical Facts for fluazifop-p-butyl

PC code 122809 

Case Number 2285 

CAS Number 79241-46-6 

Year first registered 1992 

Pesticide Type Herbicide 

Chemical class Aryloxphenoxypropionic 

Reregistration Eligibility 

Decision (RED) 

Fluazifop-p-butyl was registered after November 1984; therefore, 

it was not subject to reregistration. 

Tolerance Reassessment 

Eligibility Decision 

(TRED) 

The TRED for fluazifop-p-butyl was completed in 2005. 

Cumulative group Not applicable. Fluazifop-p-butyl has not been identified as a 

member of a cumulative group that shares a common mechanism 

of toxicity. 

40 CFR Citation Tolerances for fluazifop-p-butyl are established in 40 CFR 

§180.411. 

Dual-use Fluazifop-p-butyl is registered for conventional pesticidal uses 

only and has no registered antimicrobial or biopesticidal uses. 

Non-pesticidal uses There are no identified non-pesticidal uses of fluazifop-p-butyl. 

Pesticide Re-evaluation 

Division, Chemical 

Review Manager 

Matthew Manupella, manupella.matthew@epa.gov, (703) 347-

0411 

Registration Division, 

Product Manager 

Kathryn Montague, montague.kathryn@epa.gov, (703) 305-1243 

USE AND USAGE INFORMATION 

Table 3 summarizes the use and usage information for fluazifop-p-butyl. Please see the BEAD 

Chemical Profile (BCP) for Registration Review: Fluazifop-P-butyl (122809) in the registration 

review docket for more details. 

Table 3: Fluazifop-p-butyl Use and Usage Information

Summary of Use Fluazifop-p-butyl is registered for use to control annual and 

perennial grass weeds in numerous crops. Between the years of 

2008 and 2012 this herbicide was applied primarily 

postemergence in soybean to control volunteer corn. Grass 

herbicides like fluazifop-p-butyl can be a tool in the control of 

herbicide resistant volunteer corn in broadleaf crops such as 

soybeans. However, the use of this herbicide in soybeans has 
7

Table 3: Fluazifop-p-butyl Use and Usage Information

declined since 1998 and as such its use in soybeans has fallen to 

approximately one percent of the crop. 

Fluazifop-p-butyl is applied in a large percentage of the carrot 

crop. Approximately 25 percent of the carrot crop reportedly 

receives treatments with this herbicide. 

Use Sites Agricultural use sites: almonds, apples, asparagus, carrots, 

cherries, com, cotton, Christmas tree plantings, dry beans/peas, 

garlic, grapes, non-bearing orchards, onions, oranges, peaches, 

peanuts, pecans, peppers, pistachios, prunes, soybeans, 

strawberries, and walnuts. 

Non-agricultural use sites: non-agricultural outdoor buildings, 

building foundations, curbs, driveways, fencerows, nonagricultural areas (wildlife refuge), non-crop areas, ornamentals, 

lawns, flowering shrubs, flowering plants, gardens, ground 

covers, plants, trees, turf, and woody shrubs, patios, pathways, 

rights-of-way, sidewalks, and storage yards 

Summary of Usage Based on private market usage data from 1998-2012, usage 

averaged approximately 223,000 pounds active ingredient (a.i.) 

applied annually on approximately 1.73 million acres treated. The 

average a.i. rate over this time period was 0.13 pounds a.i./acre. 

In terms of pounds applied and acres treated there has been a 

sharp decline in its use from 1998 through 2005 with use 

remaining fairly steady from 2005 through 2012. 

Most available non-agricultural usage data for fluazifop-p-butyl is 

limited and dated. There are two data sources for fluazifop-pbutyl non-agricultural usage. These are the publically available 

USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) 2006 

and 2009 Nursery and Floriculture reports, and the proprietary 

Kline & Company data. In addition to NASS 2006 and 2009 

Floriculture data which reported 1,000 lbs a.i. used in 2006 and 

200 lbs a.i. used in 2009 for nursery, other reported data are 

available from Kline for a number of years. Total non-agricultural 

usage between 2004 and 2006 appears to have increased for golf 

courses, and institutional turf, but decreased for 

nursery/greenhouse; however, more recent data (post-2006) are 

not available to determine if this trend has continued since only 

one category of non-agricultural usage (institutional turf) was 

available for 2011. 

Formulation Type(s) Fluazifop-p-butyl is formulated as an emulsifiable concentrate. 

Application Method(s) Fluazifop-p-butyl is applied using ground or aerial equipment. It 

may be applied preplant, at-planting and/or postemergence to the 

plant. 
8

Table 3: Fluazifop-p-butyl Use and Usage Information

Technical Registrant(s) Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC 

No. of Registrations 24 Section 3 products3 14 Special Local Need products 

Restricted Use No 

Guidance for Commenters: Additional areas of use and usage related information

requested for this registration review, and of particular interest to EPA, are described below. 

 Except for recent usage data on consumer lawns in 2011, BEAD does not have recent 

(post-2006) data on non-agricultural usage for golf courses, nursery/greenhouse and 

turf farms. Usage data such as pounds a.i. applied and application rates would be 

useful if available. 

 It would be helpful to have more information about the benefits of this herbicide to 

carrot and garlic production. 

RECENT ACTIONS 

A Special Local Need product was registered for use on alfalfa crops in Washington State in July 

2014. 

ANTICIPATED RISK ASSESSMENTS FOR REGISTRATION REVIEW 

The most recent comprehensive human health risk assessment for fluazifop-p-butyl was 

completed in 2011 for a new use request bananas, plantains, citrus, grapes and sugarbeets. The 

most recent ecological and environmental fate risk assessment was completed for a new use 

request in 2008 for use on peanuts and dry beans, and in 2010 for use on bananas, plantains, 

citrus, grapes and sugarbeets. Findings and conclusions from these risk assessments are 

summarized in the EFED Registration Review Problem Formulation for Fluazifop-p-butyl and 

Fluazifop-P-butyl. Human Health Risk Assessment Scoping Document in Support of 

Registration Review. 

During registration review, the Agency anticipates the need to conduct a comprehensive 

ecological risk assessment for all uses of fluazifop-p-butyl. For human health, EPA anticipates 

the need to conduct revised dietary, residential, and occupational risk assessments during 

registration review. If toxicological endpoints or points of departure are revised based on the 

data that are anticipated to be required for registration review, they will be considered in the new 

assessments, as well as any changes to the standard operating procedures or default exposure 

assumptions. 

Table 4 below summarizes the anticipated registration review risk assessments based on the 

EFED Problem Formulation and HED Scoping Document. 

 

3

 Section 3 product labels can be obtained from the Pesticide Product Label System (PPLS) website 

(http://oaspub.epa.gov/pestlabl/ppls.home). 
9

Table 4: Anticipated Risk Assessments for the fluazifop-p-butyl Registration Review 

Type of Risk Assessment Conduct? Notes 

Ecological and Environmental Fate 

Comprehensive ecological 

(species to be assessed 

include terrestrial and aquatic 

organisms), including 

endangered species 

Yes EPA anticipates conducting an updated 

comprehensive ecological risk assessment during 

registration review. The new assessment will 

incorporate the most up-to-date modeling 

methodologies, updated toxicological endpoints, and 

data submitted under the anticipated registration 

review Data Call-In Notice. 

Incidents Will check for 

updates 

For a discussion of reported ecological incidents for 

fluazifop-p-butyl, see page 32 of the Problem 

Formulation. 

Human Health 

Dietary 

Food No A new dietary assessment may be required if 1) there 

are any significant changes to toxicological Points of 

Departure (PODs) or uncertainty factors, or 2) EFED 

recommends higher estimated drinking water 

concentrations (EDWCs) than the current values. 

Drinking water 

Occupational 

Handlers (mixers, loaders, 

applicators) 

Yes An updated occupational handler assessment is likely 

required under registration review to include any 

significant changes in exposure assessment 

methodology, toxicological PODs or uncertainty 

factors. 

Post-application No There is sufficient information available to assess 

post-application exposures. Updated post-application 

exposure assessments may be needed during 

Registration Review. 

Residential 

Handlers Yes Updated residential handler and conventional 

residential post application exposure assessments are 

expected to be needed during Registration Review. Post-application Yes 

Other 

Aggregate No Evaluates the combined risk from dietary and 

residential exposures. 

Cumulative No Fluazifop-p-butyl has not been identified as a member 

of a cumulative group that shares a common 

mechanism of toxicity. 

Tolerances No update 

needed. 

Tolerances are currently established under 40 CFR 

§180.411 for residues of fluazifop-P-butyl in/on many 

commodities. 
10

Incidents Will check for 

updates 

For a discussion of reported human incidents for 

fluazifop-p-butyl, see Fluazifop-Butyl & Fluazifop-Pbutyl: Tier I Review of Human Incidents.

TIMELINE 

EPA has created the following estimated timeline for the completion of the fluazifop-p-butyl 

registration review in Table 5 below. 

Table 5: Projected Fluazifop-p-butyl Registration Review Timeline

Activities Estimated Date

Opening the Docket 

Open Docket and 60-day Public Comment Period December 2014 

Close Public Comment February 2015 

Case Development 

Final Work Plan May 2015 

Issue DCI July-September 2015 

Data Submission July-September 2017 

60-day Public Comment Period for Draft Risk 

Assessments4

January-March 2019 

Registration Review Decision 

60-day Public Comment Period for Proposed 

Registration Review Decision 

October - December 2019 

Registration Review Decision and Begin Post-Decision 

Follow-up 

2020 

Total (years) 6 years 

NEXT STEPS 

After the 60-day public comment period closes, the Agency will review and respond to any 

comments received in a timely manner and then issue a Final Work Plan for the registration 

review of fluazifop-p-butyl. 

 

 

4

 The regulations governing Registration Review generally require the Agency to provide a public comment period 

of at least 30 calendar days for draft risk assessments; see 40 CFR Part 155.53(c). For conventional pesticides, the 

Agency plans to provide a 60 calendar day public comment period generally for draft risk assessments. 
11

Appendix – Additional Areas Considered in the Fluazifop-p-butyl 

Registration Review 

PUBLIC COMMENTS AND FEEDBACK: 

Guidance for Commenters: The areas below highlight topics of special interest to the Agency 

where your comments, data submissions, or reference to sources of additional information could 

be of particular use.

Trade Irritants: 

Through the registration review process, the Agency intends to solicit information on trade 

irritants and, to the extent feasible, take steps toward facilitating irritant resolution. The Agency 

will work to harmonize tolerances and international maximum residue limits (MRLs) and may 

modify tolerance levels to do so, when possible. Growers and other stakeholders are asked to 

comment on any trade irritant issues resulting from lack of MRLs or disparities between U.S. 

tolerances and MRLs in key export markets, providing as much specificity as possible regarding 

the nature of the concern 

Water Quality: 

Fluazifop-p-butyl is not identified as a cause of impairment for any water bodies listed as 

impaired under section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act.5

 In addition, no Total Maximum Daily 

Loads (TMDL) have been developed for fluazifop-p-butyl.6 More information on impaired 

water bodies and TMDLs can be found at the Agency’s website.7 The Agency invites 

submission of water quality data for this pesticide. To the extent possible, data should 

conform to the quality standards in Appendix A of the OPP Standard Operating Procedure: 

Inclusion of Impaired Water Body and Other Water Quality Data in OPP’s Registration Review 

Risk Assessment and Management Process8 in order to ensure they can be used quantitatively or 

qualitatively in pesticide risk assessments. 

Environmental Justice: 

EPA seeks to achieve environmental justice, the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all 

people, regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, in the development, implementation, 

and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. To help address potential 

environmental justice issues, the Agency seeks information on any groups or segments of the 

population who, as a result of their location, cultural practices, or other factors, may have 

atypical, unusually high exposure to fluazifop-p-butyl compared to the general population. 

Please comment if you are aware of any sub-populations that may have atypical, unusually 

high exposure compared to the general population.

 

5 http://iaspub.epa.gov/tmdl_waters10/attains_nation_cy.cause_detail_303d?p_cause_group_id=885

6

http://iaspub.epa.gov/tmdl_waters10/attains_nation.tmdl_pollutant_detail?p_pollutant_group_id=885&p_pollutant_

group_name=PESTICIDES 7 http://www.epa.gov/owow/tmdl/

8 http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/registration_review/water_quality_sop.htm
12

ENDANGERED SPECIES: 

A risk assessment that supports a complete endangered species determination has not been 

conducted for fluazifop-p-butyl. The ecological risk assessment planned during registration 

review will allow the Agency to determine whether use of fluazifop-p-butyl has “no effect” or 

“may affect” federally listed threatened or endangered species (listed species) or their designated 

critical habitats. When an assessment concludes that a pesticide’s use “may affect” a listed 

species or its designated critical habitat, the Agency will consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service and/or National Marine Fisheries Service (the Services), as appropriate. 

ENDOCRINE DISRUPTOR SCREENING PROGRAM: 

As required by FIFRA and FFDCA, EPA reviews numerous studies to assess potential adverse 

outcomes from exposure to chemicals. Collectively, these studies include acute, subchronic and 

chronic toxicity, including assessments of carcinogenicity, neurotoxicity, developmental, 

reproductive, and general or systemic toxicity. These studies include endpoints which may be 

susceptible to endocrine influence, including effects on endocrine target organ histopathology, 

organ weights, estrus cyclicity, sexual maturation, fertility, pregnancy rates, reproductive loss, 

and sex ratios in offspring. For ecological hazard assessments, EPA evaluates acute tests and 

chronic studies that assess growth, developmental and reproductive effects in different 

taxonomic groups. As part of its most recent registration decision for fluazifop-p-butyl, EPA 

reviewed these data and selected the most sensitive endpoints for relevant risk assessment 

scenarios from the existing hazard database. However, as required by FFDCA section 408(p), 

fluazifop-p-butyl is subject to the endocrine screening part of the Endocrine Disruptor Screening 

Program (EDSP). 

EPA has developed the EDSP to determine whether certain substances (including pesticide 

active and other ingredients) may have an effect in humans or wildlife similar to an effect 

produced by a “naturally occurring estrogen, or other such endocrine effects as the Administrator 

may designate.” The EDSP employs a two-tiered approach to making the statutorily required 

determinations. Tier 1 consists of a battery of 11 screening assays to identify the potential of a 

chemical substance to interact with the estrogen, androgen, or thyroid (E, A, or T) hormonal 

systems. Chemicals that go through Tier 1 screening and are found to have the potential to 

interact with E, A, or T hormonal systems will proceed to the next stage of the EDSP where EPA 

will determine which, if any, of the Tier 2 tests are necessary based on the available data. Tier 2 

testing is designed to identify any adverse endocrine-related effects caused by the substance, and 

establish a dose-response relationship between the dose and the E, A, or T effect. 

Under FFDCA section 408(p), the Agency must screen all pesticide chemicals. Between 

October 2009 and February 2010, EPA issued test orders/data call-ins for the first group of 67 

chemicals, which contains 58 pesticide active ingredients and 9 inert ingredients. A second list 

of chemicals identified for EDSP screening was published on June 14, 20139

 and includes some 

 

9

 See http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=EPA-HQ-OPPT-2009-0477-0074 for the final second list of 

chemicals. 
13

pesticides scheduled for registration review and chemicals found in water. Neither of these lists 

should be construed as a list of known or likely endocrine disruptors. 

For further information on the status of the EDSP, the policies and procedures, the lists of 

chemicals, future lists, the test guidelines and the Tier 1 screening battery, please visit our 

website.10

AGRICULTURAL HEALTH STUDY:

Fluazifop-p-butyl is among several agricultural chemicals included in the Agricultural Health 

Study (AHS). The AHS began in 1993 and is a collaboration of the National Institute of 

Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the EPA, and the 

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Designed as a large long-term 

epidemiological study, the AHS collects and analyzes data on the health and work practices of 

nearly 90,000 farmers and their families in Iowa and North Carolina who enrolled in the study 

before any disease developed. The study focuses particularly on farmers' exposure to 50 

chemicals including many of the most widely used pesticides. As data are collected over a 

period of years, scientists can compare overall health outcomes for people who differ in whether 

they have had exposure to various chemicals. While these comparisons cannot conclusively 

demonstrate how exposure affects health, they can show some statistical associations. More 

information on the AHS can be found at: http://aghealth.nci.nih.gov. EPA is monitoring the 

results of the AHS and will consider this study in the registration review of fluazifop-p-butyl as 

appropriate. 

 

10 http://www.epa.gov/endo/