UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY WASHINGTON, D

.C. 20460 

## DEC 13 201Z

MEMORANDUM OFFICE OF CHEMICAL SAFETY AND POLLUTION PREVENTION



### SUBJECT: BEAD Chemical Profile for Registration Review: Sulfometuron-methyl (122001) FROM:

THRU: Sunil Ratnayake, Biologist

### ~ .

# A- ., .() Biological Analysis Branch 

# l; ,.**'"W~ ~**  Jihad Alsadek, Economist

### fwe_.**~** 

# fn'**~.(/~a.hL** Science Information and Analysis

### Br**ch** Stephen Smearman, Economist 

### j 1 () 

### Economic Analysis Branch

### ·~**~** Biological and Economic Analysis Division (7503P) 

### /!

# ~ Arnet Jones, Chief**~** 

### Biological Analysis Branch

. ""· Diann Sims, Chief

# 0~ Science Information and Analysis Branch

TO: Russell Wasem, Chemical Review Manager Risk Management and Implementation Branch 1 Pesticide Re-evaluation Division (7508P)


### Product Review Panel date: May 30, 2012 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 ofsulfometuron-methyl, and eventually the general public. This document builds upon the data already provided in the "Usage and Label Use DataPackages" that are also provided to. 

# .

Registration Reviewteams by BEAD. The document is based oninformation and data available to BEAD as ofMay 22, 2012. Sulfometuron-methyl was originally registered as a pesticide active ingredient in the United States in February 1982 (USEPA, 2008). This herbicide belongs to the sulfonylurea herbicide family·and it provides a broad spectrum pre and post-emergence control ofannual and perennial grasses and broad-leafweeds in many non-agricultural sites described below. Similar to other sulfonylurea herbicides, the mode ofaction ofthis herbicide is inhibition ofacetolactate synthase (ALS) enzyme which is needed for the production ofbranch chained amino acids required for the growth and development ofplant cells. 

### COMMON FORMULATIONS AND APPLICATION METHODS Sulfometuron-methyl is formulated as a water dispersible granular and soluble concentrate. This herbicide is applied using ground or aerial (helicopter only) application methods. 

### USE SITES Agricultural Use Sites Sulfometuron-methyl is not labeled for agricultural use sites. Non-Agricultural Use Sites Sulfometuron-methyl is registered for use onnon-crop areas, airports, asphalt paving, bare ground, barrier strips, fence rows, farm yards, industrial sites, lumber yards, railroads, right-ofway, roadsides, sewage disposal areas, swamps, tank farms, forest trees, ornamental lawns and turf, drainage systems, drained canals, uncultivated areas, loading docks (outdoor) and storage areas (outdoor). 

### USAGE Sulfometuron-methyl is registered for use in non-agricultural areas as a general weed and brush control herbicide for terrestrial use only. There is limited information onnon-agricultural sites. BEAD did find that in 2006 there was use ofsulfometuron-methyl by Lawn Care Operators (LCOs) totaling an estimated 38,000 lbs. a.i. (Kline and Company, Inc., 2006). BEAD also found that sulfometuron-methyl was applied to over 1.5 million non-agricultural acres inthe late 1990's and that sulfometuron-methyl was considered one ofthe top ten herbicides for forestry and timberland between 2001 and 2006. No otherdata ormore recent information is available. 

### BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS RELEVANT TO SULFOMETURON-METHYL Sulfometuron-methyl belongs to the sulfonylurea herbicide family and itprovides a broad spectrum pre- and post-emergence control ofannual and perennial grasses and broad-leafweeds. This herbicide inhibits the

.enzyme acetolactate synthase (ALS) and interferes with the production of amino acids required for plant growth. Presence ofmany weed species resistant to ALS inhibitors has beenreported inthe United States (Heap et al. 2011). The control ofweed species resistant
Page2to sulfometuron-methyl may be achieved bytank mixing a compatible registered herbicide with a different mode ofaction to sulfometuron. It has been reported that sulfometuron-methyl can persist in soil more than a year and damage rotational crops. Drift from the application ofsulfometuron-methyl has resulted in widespread crop damages (Cox, 2002). Application timing ofthis herbicide depends onthe target plant and application may be made at any time the ground is not frozen. The applied herbicide must move to the root zone for pre-emergent control ofweeds and adequate soil moisture is necessary for the effectiveness ofthis herbicide. HISTORY OF BEAD ASSESSMENTS FOR SULFOMETURON-METHYL There were no section 18's assessments found in the BEAD data base. A RED for sulfometuronmethyl was completed 09/18/2008. An assessment for sulfometuron-methyl entitled "Benefits ofSulfometuron methyl for Vegetation Management for Rights ofWay and Non-Crop Sites was completed 08/28/2008. It summarizes the use sites as follows to control unwanted vegetation, remove trees and brush under power lines, improve visibility along highways, and reduce competition from other plants for forest and warm season turfgrass establishment. The most recent usage data available to BEAD dates from the late 1990's and indicates that sulfometuron methyl was one ofthe top 10 products based on acres treated for: forestry, roadside, railroad, electric utilities, and pipeline and industrial usage. Atthe time, sulfometuron methyl was applied to over 1.5 million acres. Little recent data are available for these sites. Compared to agricultural uses, they represent a small proportion oftotal pesticide use and demand for usage information is low. C8liforniapesticide usage reports for forestry/timberland (2001 -2006) indicate that sulfometuron was one ofthe top 1

0 herbicides for that site during that time period. INFORMATION THAT MAY BE USEFUL FOR BEAD'S FUTURE WORK ON SULFOMETURON-METHYL Obtaining additional information onthe following items would improve future BEAD assessments ofthe importance ofsulfometuron-methyl and may be required as part ofthe registration review ofthis pesticide. Additional information for the use ofsulfometuron-methyl onnon-agricultural sites such as: ornamental forest trees, loading docks (outdoor), storage areas (outdoor) would improve future BEAD assessments ofthe importance ofsulfometuron-methyl and may be required as part ofthe registration review ofthis pesticide. · REFERENCES California Department ofpesticide regulation, 2010. http://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/pur/purmain.htm. Accessed on May 23, 2012. Cox, C. 2002. Herbicide Fact Sheet. Sulfometuron-methyl. J. ofPesticide Reform. 22:4. Pp. 15- 19.http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/BOARD/docs/FFAC 120707 Comment JPR Oust.pdf?ga=t. Accessed on May23, 2012.
Page 3' I

Heap, I, H. Glick, L Glasglow, and W. Vencill. 2011. Herbicide Resistant Weeds by Country and Site ofAction. 2011. http://www.weedscience.org/summary/countrysummary.asp

. Accessed on May 21,2012. Kline and Company, Inc., 2006. Proprietary Data, 2000-2010. USDOE-Bonneville Power Administration, 2000. http:/I efw.bpa.govI environmental services/Document Library/Vegetation Management/sheets/S ulfometuron.pdf

. Accessed on May 21, 2012. USEPA. 2008. Benefits ofSulfometuron-methyl for Vegetation Management for Rights ofWay and Non-Crop Sites (PC CODE 122001). USEPA. 2008. Sulfometuron-Methyl. Registration Eligibility Decision. http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1!REDs/sulfometuron methyl red.pdf

. Accessed on May 21, 2012.

Page4