Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2008/03/28/E8-6404/s-abscisic-acid-temporary-exemption-from-the-requirement-of-a-tolerance
Timestamp: 2018-07-19 06:57:39
Document Index: 237264986

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 178', 'ART 180', 'art 178', 'art 178', 'art 178', 'art 2', 'art 180']

Federal Register :: S-Abscisic Acid, Temporary Exemption From the Requirement of a Tolerance
This regulation is effective March 28, 2008. Objections and requests for hearings must be received on or before May 27, 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).
73 FR 16559
16559-16562 (4 pages)
EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0092
FRL-8357-4
E8-6404
PART 180—AMENDED]
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/E8-6404 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/E8-6404
This regulation establishes a temporary exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of the biochemical pesticide S-Abscisic Acid, (S)-5-(1-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4-oxo-1-cyclohex-2-enyl)-3-methyl-penta-(2Z,4E)-dienoic Acid in or on grapes when applied or used as a plant regulator in accordance with the terms of Experimental Use Permit 73049-EUP-4. Valent Biosciences Corporation submitted a petition to EPA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), as amended by the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 (FQPA), requesting the temporary tolerance exemption. This regulation eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of S-Abscisic Acid, (S)-5-(1-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4-oxo-1-cyclohex-2-enyl)-3-methyl-penta-(2Z,4E)-dienoic Acid. The temporary tolerance exemption expires on October 1, 2010.
EPA has established a docket for this action under docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0092. 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.
Chris Pfeifer, Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division (7511P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: 703-308-0031; e-mail address: pfeifer.chris@epa.gov.
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:Start Printed Page 16560
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-2008-0092 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 27, 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 your copies, identified by docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0092, by one of the following methods.
In the Federal Register of April 30, 2007 (72 FR 21263) (FRL-8124-7), 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 tolerance petition (PP 7G7202) by Valent Biosciences Corporation, 870 Technology Way, Libertyville, IL 60048. The petition requested that 40 CFR part 180 be amended by establishing a temporary exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of S-Abscisic Acid, (S)-5-(1-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4-oxo-1-cyclohex-2-enyl)-3-methyl-penta-(2Z,4E)-dienoic Acid in or on grapes when used in accordance with the terms set forth in Experimental Use Permit 73049-EUP-4. Valent has requested an Experimental Use Permit (EUP)--EPA Experimental Use Permit Number 73049-EUP-4, under which it seeks to apply ABA to grapes in the vineyard to enhance color production of the grape berries. The terms of 73049-EUP-4 provide for a maximum rate of 8.8185 oz. per acre for a maximum annual application of 10.681 oz. per acre. This notice included a summary of the petition prepared by the petitioner, Valent BioSciences Corporation. There were no comments received in response to the notice of filing.
Acute toxicity for S-Abscisic Acid, (S)-5-(1-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4-oxo-1-cyclohex-2-enyl)-3-methyl-penta-(2Z,4E)-dienoic Acid (commonly abbreviated as ABA): Acute oral toxicity, acute dermal toxicity, acute inhalation toxicity, and acute dermal irritation are all Toxicity Category IV; Start Printed Page 16561acute eye irritation is Toxicity Category III; ABA is not a dermal sensitizer.
The LD50 for acute oral toxicity using the rat was greater than 5,000 milligrams/kilogram (mg/kg) of body weight in female rats. The LD50 for acute dermal toxicity using the rat was greater than 5,000 mg/kg body weight in male and female rats. The LC50 for acute inhalation toxicity was greater than 2.06 milligram/liter (mg/L) in male and female rats. Primary eye irritation, tested in rabbits, showed mild irritation to the eye. Iritis and conjunctivitis cleared after 24 hours. Primary skin irritation, tested in the rabbit, showed this material to be slightly irritating. This irritation cleared within 24 hours after treatment. ABA was tested for Sensitization in the Guinea Pig and found not to be a skin sensitizer.
1. Genotoxicity. Three mutagenicity studies determined that ABA was not mutagenic. (The three studies: an Ames test, a mouse micronucleus assay, and an unscheduled DNA synthesis assay in the rat.)
2. Developmental toxicity and subchronic toxicity. The Agency accepted the applicant's request to waive the data requirements for teratogenicity and 90-day feeding for the active ingredient based on the rationales, data and public information submitted. The Agency granted a waiver for teratogenicity on the basis of limited exposure for females because of directed applications, a lack of residues, and the pre-existing ubiquity of ABA in our diet without issue. Ninety day feeding was waived based on the limited application, virtual non-toxicity of oral exposure to ABA, and the commonality of ABA in our diets in excess of what would be present on treated grapes. Waiver requests for 90-day feeding emphasized the lack of potential oral exposure, and the relative non-toxicity of ABA through this route of exposure. In short, developmental toxicity and subchronic toxicity are not considered to be of concern.
ABA is a plant regulator present in all vascular plants, algae and some fungi. It is naturally present in fruits and vegetables at various levels, generally not in excess of 10 ppm, and has always been a component of any diet containing plant materials. The proposed uses of this product are not expected to result in residues in or on grapes, above the natural background levels typically found in other commonly consumed fruits or vegetables.
1. Food. Residues of ABA applied to grapes can be expected to rapidly dissipate to levels consistent with those observed naturally. Data submitted by the registrant confirm ABA's dissipation through rapid metabolism, photo-isomerization, and rapid degradation. Because of its ability to dissipate rapidly, ABA, when used in accordance with the terms of the EUP 73049-EUP-4, is not expected to result in residues in or on grapes, above the natural background levels typically found in other commonly consumed fruits or vegetables. As mentioned above, it is noted that ABA is already commonly consumed. It is naturally present in fruits and vegetables at various levels (up to 10 ppm) and has always been a component of any diet containing plant materials.
2. Drinking water exposure. Pursuant to the terms of the EUP 73049-EUP-4, applications are expected to be made to grape vineyards using a maximum application rate of 200 ppm per acre (using a maximum of 200 gallons). Due to the low concentration and volume of application solution, leaching into groundwater is unlikely. Applications are directed to the grape fruit clusters; therefore, accidental application to lakes or steams is unlikely. However, even if ABA leached into groundwater, data show that ABA is rapidly metabolized and photo-isomerized, further diminishing the likelihood of any extra-normal ABA residues being transferred to water. Data submitted to the Agency show ABA is also naturally present in water. The Agency therefore concludes that any residues resulting from the application of ABA to grapes are not expected to result in any significant drinking water exposure beyond natural background levels of ABA already present in water.
Potential non-occupational exposure is considered unlikely for this distinctly agricultural use.
1. Dermal exposure. Non-occupational dermal exposures to ABA when used as a pesticide are expected to be negligible because it is limited to an agricultural use.
2. Inhalation exposure. Non-occupational inhalation exposures to ABA when used as a pesticide are expected to be negligible because it is limited to an agricultural use.
Section 408(b)(2)(D)(v) of FFDCA requires the Agency, when considering whether to establish, modify, or revoke a tolerance, to consider “available information” concerning the cumulative effects of pesticide residues and “other substances that have a common mechanism of toxicity.” These considerations include the cumulative effects of such residues on infants and children. Because there is no indication of mammalian toxicity from ABA, the Agency concludes that ABA cannot share a common mechanism of toxicity with other substances. Therefore, section 408(b)(2)(D)(v) does not apply.
1. U.S. population. The Agency has determined that there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result from aggregate exposure to residues of ABA to the U.S. population. This includes all anticipated dietary exposures and other non- occupational exposures for which there is reliable information. The Agency arrived at this conclusion based on the relatively low levels of mammalian dietary toxicity associated with ABA, the natural ubiquity of ABA in our food stuffs, and data indicating that the pesticidal use of ABA on grapes results in residues that approximate natural background levels. For these reasons, the Agency has determined that ABA residues on grapes will be safe, i.e., there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result from aggregate exposure to residues of ABA when used in accordance with the terms of EUP 73049-EUP-4.
2. Infants and children. FFDCA section 408 provides that EPA shall apply an additional tenfold margin of exposure (safety) for infants and children in the case of threshold effects to account for prenatal and postnatal toxicity and the completeness of the database unless the EPA determines that a different margin of exposure (safety) will be safe for infants and children. Based on all the reliable available information the Agency reviewed on ABA, the Agency concludes that there are no residual uncertainties for prenatal/postnatal toxicity resulting from ABA and that ABA has relatively low toxicity to mammals from a dietary standpoint, including infants and children. Accordingly, there are no threshold effects of concern and an Start Printed Page 16562additional margin of safety is not necessary to protect infants and children.
Based on available data, no endocrine system-related effects have been identified with the consumption of S-Abscisic Acid, (S)-5-(1-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4-oxo-1-cyclohex-2-enyl)-3-methyl-penta-(2Z,4E)-dienoic Acid.
Through this action, the Agency proposes a temporary exemption from the requirement of a tolerance of ABA when used on grapes without any numerical limitations for residues. It has determined that residues resulting from the pesticidal uses of S-Abscisic Acid, (S)-5-(1-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4-oxo-1-cyclohex-2-enyl)-3-methyl-penta-(2Z,4E)-dienoic Acid, would be so low as to be indistinguishable from natural background levels. As a result, the Agency has concluded that an analytical method is not required for enforcement purposes for this proposed use of ABA.
There are no codex maximum residue levels established for residues of S-Abscisic Acid, (S)-5-(1-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4-oxo-1-cyclohex-2-enyl)-3-methyl-penta-(2Z,4E)-dienoic Acid.
2. Section 180.1281 is added to subpart D to read as follows:
S-Abscisic Acid; exemption from the requirement of a tolerance.
S-Abscisic Acid, (S)-5-(1-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4-oxo-1-cyclohex-2-enyl)-3-methyl-penta-(2Z,4E)-dienoic Acid, is temporarily exempt from the requirement of a tolerance when used as a plant regulator in or on grape in accordance with the Experimental Use Permit 73049-EUP-4. This temporary exemption from tolerance will expire October 1, 2010.
[FR Doc. E8-6404 Filed 3-27-08; 8:45 am]