[Federal Register: December 3, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 233)]
[Proposed Rules]               
[Page 73632-73637]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03de08-18]                         

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 180

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-1106; FRL-8390-1]

 
Chlorothalonil; Proposed Pesticide Tolerance

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: This document proposes to establish tolerances for combined 
residues of chlorothalonil and its 4-hydroxy metabolite in or on lychee 
and starfruit under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 2, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by docket identification 
(ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-1106, 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 Facility'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.
    Instructions: Direct your comments to docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-
2007-1106. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included 
in the docket without change and may be made available on-line at 
http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information 
provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to be 
Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose 
disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you 
consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through regulations.gov or e-
mail. The regulations.gov website is an ``anonymous access'' system, 
which means EPA will not know your identity or contact information 
unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an e-
mail comment directly to EPA without going through regulations.gov, 
your e-mail address will be automatically captured and included as part 
of the comment that is placed in the docket and made available on the 
Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you 
include your name and other contact information in the body of your 
comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your 
comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for 
clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic 
files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of 
encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses.
    Docket: All documents in the docket are listed in the docket index 
available at http://www.regulations.gov. Although listed in the index, 
some information is not publicly available, e.g., 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 either 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 hours of 
operation of this Docket Facility are 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: Susan Stanton, Registration Division 
(7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 
1200 Pennsylvania Ave, NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone 
number: (703) 305-5218; e-mail address: stanton.susan@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:
     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 provides 
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. What Should I Consider as I Prepare My Comments for EPA?

    1.  Submitting CBI. Do not submit this information to EPA through 
regulations.gov or e-mail. Clearly mark the part or all of the 
information that you claim to be CBI. For CBI information in a disk or 
CD-ROM that you mail to EPA, mark the outside of the disk or CD-ROM as 
CBI and then identify electronically within the disk or CD-ROM the 
specific information that is claimed as CBI. In addition to one 
complete version of the comment that includes information claimed as 
CBI, a copy of the comment that does not contain the information 
claimed as CBI must be submitted for inclusion in the public docket. 
Information so marked will not be disclosed except in accordance with 
procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2.
    2.  Tips for preparing your comments. When submitting comments, 
remember to:
    i. Identify the document by docket ID number and other identifying

[[Page 73633]]

information (subject heading, Federal Register date and page number).
     ii. Follow directions. The Agency may ask you to respond to 
specific questions or organize comments by referencing a Code of 
Federal Regulations (CFR) part or section number.
    iii. Explain why you agree or disagree; suggest alternatives and 
substitute language for your requested changes.
    iv. Describe any assumptions and provide any technical information 
and/or data that you used.
    v. If you estimate potential costs or burdens, explain how you 
arrived at your estimate in sufficient detail to allow for it to be 
reproduced.
    vi. Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns and 
suggest alternatives.
    vii. Explain your views as clearly as possible, avoiding the use of 
profanity or personal threats.
    viii. Make sure to submit your comments by the comment period 
deadline identified.

II. Background

    EPA on its own initiative, under section 408(e) of FFDCA, 21 U.S.C. 
346a(e), is proposing to establish tolerances for combined residues of 
the fungicide, chlorothalonil, tetrachloroisophthalonitrile, and its 
metabolite, 4-hydroxy-2,5,6-trichloroisophthalonitrile, in or on lychee 
at 15 parts per million (ppm) and starfruit at 3.0 ppm. The United 
States Department of Agriculture (USDA) requested that EPA establish 
these tolerances. Because USDA did not submit a petition in support of 
establishing these tolerances, EPA did not publish a Notice of Filing 
of a petition for these tolerances.

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 tolerances for combined 
residues of chlorothalonil and its 4-hydroxy metabolite on lychee at 15 
ppm and starfruit at 3.0 ppm. EPA's assessment of exposures and risks 
associated with establishing these 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.
    Chlorothalonil has low acute toxicity by the oral and dermal routes 
of exposure and is moderately toxic by the inhalation route. It is 
severely irritating to the eye and moderately irritating to the skin 
but is not a skin sensitizer.
    Chlorothalonil causes gastric irritation upon ingestion. In a 
subchronic dog study, both males and females exhibited decreased body 
weights, body-weight gains and food consumption. In a chronic dog 
study, there was one death (female), decreased body-weight gain and 
food consumption, macroscopic and microscopic pathological findings in 
the stomach (including thickened appearance of the stomach and intra-
epithelial nuclear pyknosis in the mucosal epithelium of the antrum of 
the stomach) and a very slight hypertrophy of the cells in the zona 
fasciculata of the adrenal glands. In a second chronic dog study, 
vacuolated epithelium of the kidney was observed. In a subchronic mouse 
study, chlorothalonil produced hyperplasia and hyperkeratosis of the 
squamous epithelium of the stomach. In a subchronic rat study, 
chlorothalonil increased relative kidney weights and produced dilated 
renal medullary tubules as well as hyperplasia and hyperkeratosis of 
the non-glandular area of the stomach. In rodent chronic toxicity 
studies, there was an increased incidence of epithelial hyperplasia of 
the limiting ridge and non-glandular region of the stomach in rats and 
mice.
    There are two toxicology data sets, submitted by different basic 
registrants, available for chlorothalonil. There was no indication of a 
carcinogenic response in the rat chronic toxicity/carcinogenicity study 
from the newer data set; however, an increased incidence of renal 
adenomas and carcinomas and an increased incidence of papillomas and/or 
carcinomas of the forestomach were observed in both sexes of rats and 
mice with the older data set. The new carcinogenicity study in mice 
also demonstrates that chlorothalonil produces similar papillomas of 
the forestomach. Based on the increased incidence of renal adenomas and 
carcinomas observed in both sexes of rats and mice, the rarity of the 
tumor response in the kidney, and the increased incidence of papillomas 
and/or carcinomas of the forestomach in rats and mice, EPA classified 
chlorothalonil as a ``likely'' human carcinogen by all routes of 
exposure.
    Several studies are available that address the mechanism of 
carcinogenicity of chlorothalonil. Based on the mechanistic data 
submitted for the kidney tumor response demonstrating a toxic response 
of the kidney and forestomach to repeated dietary administration of 
chlorothalonil, the mode of action for tumor induction of 
chlorothalonil is likely to be non-linear. With regard to the 
forestomach tumors, data submitted by the registrant showing cell 
proliferation and non-neoplastic pathology at doses near those 
producing a tumorigenic response also support a non-linear mode of 
action for chlorothalonil. Based on the weight of the evidence 
presented to the Agency, EPA has concluded that a non-linear risk 
assessment using a Margin of Exposure (MOE) approach is appropriate for 
chlorothalonil.
    No developmental toxicity was observed in two rat developmental 
toxicity studies or in one of the two rabbit developmental toxicity 
studies available for chlorothalonil. In the other rabbit study, there 
was an increased incidence of thirteen ribs and reduced sternebrae in 
the absence of maternal toxicity. There was no evidence of reproductive 
toxicity in either rat reproduction study available for chlorothalonil.
    There is no evidence that chlorothalonil causes neurotoxicity. 
There was no evidence of neuropathology, and there were no central 
nervous system (CNS) malformations, effects on brain weights, abnormal 
behavior or effects on offspring sexual maturation observed in the 
toxicity studies available for

[[Page 73634]]

chlorothalonil, including a subchronic neurotoxicity study in rats.
    In a 90-day oral toxicity study in rats, a slight decrease in 
thymus weight was observed at the highest dose tested (HDT), a possible 
indication of immunotoxicity. However, since there were no 
histopathological findings noted in the thymus and no effects on the 
thymus observed in other subchronic or chronic/carcinogenicity studies 
in rats, EPA has concluded that the slight effect on thymus weight seen 
in this study is a spurious effect and not indicative of 
immunotoxicity.
    4-hydroxy-2,5,6-trichloroisophthalonitrile is a major metabolite of 
chlorothalonil in plants and the predominant residue in animals. 
Toxicology data available for this metabolite include acute oral and 
subchronic toxicity studies in rats, developmental toxicity studies in 
rats and rabbits, a reproduction toxicity study in rats, a chronic 
toxicity study in dogs and chronic/carcinogenicity studies in rats and 
mice. The results of these studies indicate that the toxicity of the 4-
hydroxy metabolite is similar to that of parent chlorothalonil. Based 
on this determination, EPA has concluded that the chlorothalonil risk 
assessment adequately accounts for potential toxicity resulting from 
exposure to 4-hydroxy chlorothalonil, and a separate risk assessment is 
not needed.
     Specific information on the studies received and the nature of the 
adverse effects caused by chlorothalonil and 4-hydroxy chlorothalonil, 
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 the document Chlorothalonil. 
Petition For Tolerances on Brassica Head and Stem Subgroup 5A, Cucurbit 
Vegetable Group 9, Fruiting Vegetable Group 8, Ginseng, Horseradish, 
Lentil, Lupin, Okra, Persimmon, Rhubarb, Yam, Lychee, and Starfruit. 
Human-Health Risk Assessment, page 15 in docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-
2007-1106.

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 NOAEL in the toxicology study 
identified as appropriate for use in risk assessment. However, if a 
NOAEL cannot be determined, 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-
term, intermediate-term, 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 chlorothalonil used 
for human risk assessment can be found at http://www.regulations.gov in 
the document Chlorothalonil. Petition For Tolerances on Brassica Head 
and Stem Subgroup 5A, Cucurbit Vegetable Group 9, Fruiting Vegetable 
Group 8, Ginseng, Horseradish, Lentil, Lupin, Okra, Persimmon, Rhubarb, 
Yam, Lychee, and Starfruit. Human-Health Risk Assessment, page 36 in 
docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-1106.

C. Exposure Assessment

    1. Dietary exposure from food and feed uses. In evaluating dietary 
exposure to chlorothalonil and its 4-hydroxy metabolite, EPA considered 
exposure under the proposed tolerances as well as all existing 
chlorothalonil tolerances in 40 CFR 180.275. EPA assessed dietary 
exposures from chlorothalonil and its metabolite 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 chlorothalonil; 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 Nationwide Continuing Surveys of Food Intakes by Individuals 
(CSFII). As to residue levels in food, EPA assumed 100% crop treated, 
tolerance-level residues and default processing factors for all foods 
except tomatoes (average field-trial residues and empirical processing 
factors used), peppers (average field-trial residues used) and snap 
beans (average field-trial residues used).
    iii. Cancer. Because chlorothalonil's cancer effects are the result 
of chronic exposure, EPA is using the chronic exposure assessment to 
assess chlorothalonil's cancer risk.
    iv. Anticipated residue information. Section 408(b)(2)(E) of FFDCA 
authorizes EPA to use available data and information on the anticipated 
residue levels of pesticide residues in food and the actual levels of 
pesticide residues that have been measured in food. If EPA relies on 
such information, EPA must require pursuant to FFDCA section 408(f)(1) 
that data be provided 5 years after the tolerance is established, 
modified, or left in effect, demonstrating that the levels in food are 
not above the levels anticipated. For the present action, EPA will 
issue such data call-ins as are required by FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(E) 
and authorized under FFDCA section 408(f)(1). Data will be required to 
be submitted no later than 5 years from the date of issuance of these 
tolerances.
    2. Dietary exposure from drinking water. The residues of concern in 
drinking water include parent chlorothalonil and its 4-hydroxy 
metabolite. The Agency used screening level water exposure models in 
the dietary exposure analysis and risk assessment for chlorothalonil 
and 4-hydroxy chlorothalonil in drinking water. These simulation models 
take into account data on the physical, chemical, and fate/transport 
characteristics of chlorothalonil and 4-hydroxy chlorothalonil. 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 Pesticide Root Zone Model/Exposure Analysis Modeling 
System (PRZM/EXAMS) and Screening Concentration in Ground Water (SCI-
GROW) models, the estimated drinking water concentrations (EDWCs) of 
chlorothalonil and its 4-hydroxy

[[Page 73635]]

metabolite for chronic exposures are estimated to be 68.2 parts per 
billion (ppb) for surface water and 3.2 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 68.2 ppb was used to 
assess the contribution from 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).
    Chlorothalonil is currently registered for the following uses that 
could result in residential exposures: As a fungicide on golf courses 
and as a preservative in paints. EPA assessed residential exposure 
using the following assumptions: There is potential for short-term or 
intermediate-term dermal exposure of adults and children on golf 
courses that have been treated with chlorothalonil. There is also 
potential for short-term/intermediate-term dermal and inhalation 
exposure of handlers of paints containing chlorothalonil and potential 
for short-term/intermediate-term postapplication dermal exposure of 
adults, as well as short-/intermediate-term postapplication dermal and 
episodic incidental oral exposures of children from the use of 
chlorothalonil-treated paints in residential buildings. Postapplication 
inhalation exposures to chlorothalonil on treated golf courses and in 
buildings from treated paint are expected to be negligible, and the 
Agency has not identified a hazard of concern for short-term or 
intermediate-term dermal exposures; therefore, EPA assessed only short-
term and intermediate-term inhalation exposures of handlers using 
chlorothalonil-treated paints and episodic postapplication incidental 
oral exposures of children from the use of chlorothalonil-treated 
paints in residential buildings.
    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.''
    Chlorothalonil is a polychlorinated fungicide. Other members of 
this class include hexachlorobenzene (HCB), pentachlorophenol (PCP) and 
pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB). This is a very loose classification of 
compounds related only in being polychlorinated and acting as 
fungicides. Available data do not support a finding for a common 
mechanism of toxicity for chlorothalonil and the other pesticides in 
the polychlorinated fungicide class. Chlorothalonil produces renal 
(kidney) tubular adenomas and carcinomas and papillomas of the stomach 
in rats. Chlorothalonil also produces gastric lesions and kidney 
toxicity due to perturbation of mitochondrial respiration. The other 
pesticides in the class do not have the same toxic effects and do not 
have the same mode of action. For the purposes of this tolerance 
action, therefore, EPA has assumed that chlorothalonil 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. The prenatal and postnatal 
toxicity database for chlorothalonil includes rat and rabbit 
developmental toxicity studies (two of each) and two reproduction 
toxicity studies in rats, as well as a subchronic neurotoxicity study 
in rats. In addition, there are developmental toxicity studies in rats 
and rabbits and reproduction toxicity studies in rats available for the 
4-hydroxy metabolite as well as the major soil degradate, SDS-46851.
    There was no evidence of increased qualitative or quantitative 
susceptibility of fetuses or offspring in any of the submitted 
developmental or reproduction studies for chlorothalonil or its 
metabolites, except in one of the chlorothalonil developmental toxicity 
studies in rabbits. In the newer of the two rabbit studies, there was a 
slight increase in the incidence of two variations (13th rib and 
reduced sternebrae) in fetuses in the high-dose group. No maternal 
effects occurred at any dose in this study. EPA's concern for this 
equivocal evidence of quantitative susceptibility is low, and there are 
no residual uncertainties with regard to prenatal and postnatal 
susceptability, for the following reasons: The variations were only 
observed in one of the two developmental toxicity studies conducted in 
the same strain of rabbit at the same dose levels; these variations are 
known to occur spontaneously within this strain (New Zealand White) of 
rabbit, as evidenced by the fact that the concurrent controls had high 
incidences of both variations; and there is a well-defined NOAEL for 
the study that is protective of these effects.
    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:
    i. The toxicity database for chlorothalonil is complete, except for 
acute neurotoxicity and immunotoxicity studies, and EPA has determined 
that an additional uncertainty factor is not required to account for 
potential neurotoxicity or immunotoxicity. The reasons for this 
determination are explained as follows:
    a. EPA began requiring functional immunotoxicity testing of all 
food and non-food use pesticides on December 26, 2007. Since this 
requirement went into effect after the tolerance petition was 
submitted, these studies are not yet available for chlorothalonil. In 
the absence of specific immunotoxicity studies, EPA has evaluated the 
available chlorothalonil toxicity data to determine whether an 
additional database uncertainty factor is needed to account for 
potential immunotoxicity. In a 90-day oral toxicity study in rats, a 
slight decrease in thymus weight was observed at the HDT, a possible 
indication of immunotoxicity. However, since there were no 
histopathological findings noted in the thymus and no effects on the 
thymus observed in other subchronic or chronic/carcinogenicity studies 
in rats, EPA has concluded that the slight effect on thymus weight seen 
in this study is a spurious effect and not indicative of 
immunotoxicity. Due to the lack of evidence of immunotoxicity for 
chlorothalonil, EPA does not believe that conducting immunotoxicity 
testing will result in a NOAEL less than the NOAEL of 2 milligrams/
kilogram/day

[[Page 73636]]

(mg/kg/day) already established for chlorothalonil, and an additional 
factor (UFDB) for database uncertainties is not needed to account for 
potential immunotoxicity.
    b. Acute neurotoxicity testing is also required as a result of 
changes made to the pesticide data requirements in December of 2007. 
Although an acute study has not yet been submitted, there is no 
evidence of neurotoxicity in any study in the toxicity database for 
chlorothalonil, including a subchronic neurotoxicity study. Therefore, 
EPA has concluded that an additional uncertainty factor is not needed 
to account for the lack of these data.
    ii. Although there was equivocal evidence of increased quantitative 
susceptibility of fetuses to chlorothalonil exposure in one of two 
rabbit developmental toxicity studies, the Agency did not identify any 
residual uncertainties after establishing toxicity endpoints and 
traditional UFs to be used in the risk assessment.
    iii. There are no residual uncertainties identified in the exposure 
databases. The dietary food exposure assessments utilized tolerances or 
anticipated residues that are based on reliable field trial data. EPA 
made conservative (protective) assumptions in the ground and surface 
water modeling used to assess exposure to chlorothalonil in drinking 
water. EPA used similarly conservative assumptions to assess 
postapplication incidental oral exposure of toddlers. These assessments 
will not underestimate the exposure and risks posed by chlorothalonil.

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-term, intermediate-term, 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, 
chlorothalonil 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 
chlorothalonil from food and water will utilize 94% of the cPAD for 
children, 1 to 2 years old, the population group receiving the greatest 
exposure. Based on the explanation in Unit III.C.3., regarding 
residential use patterns, chronic residential exposure to residues of 
chlorothalonil is not expected.
    3. Short-term/intermediate-term risk. Short-term or intermediate-
term aggregate exposure takes into account short-term or intermediate-
term residential exposure plus chronic exposure from food and water 
(considered to be a background exposure level).
    Chlorothalonil is currently registered for uses that could result 
in short-term and intermediate-term residential exposure and the Agency 
has determined that it is appropriate to aggregate chronic exposure 
through food and water with short-term and intermediate-term 
residential exposures to chlorothalonil. Since the doses and endpoints 
selected for chlorothalonil to assess short-term and intermediate-term 
exposure are identical, the short-term and intermediate-term risk 
estimates for chlorothalonil are the same.
    Using the exposure assumptions described in this unit for short-
term/intermediate-term exposures, EPA has concluded the combined short-
term/intermediate-term food, water, and residential exposures 
aggregated result in an aggregate MOE of 270 for adults. The MOE for 
adults includes food, drinking water and short-/intermediate-term 
inhalation exposure of individuals mixing, loading and applying 
chlorothalonil-treated paint with an airless sprayer, the handler 
exposure scenario resulting in the highest estimated exposure to 
chlorothalonil.
    As discussed in Unit III.C.3., there is potential for short and 
intermediate-term post-application dermal exposure of children on golf 
courses and in residential areas where chlorothalonil-treated paints 
have been used; however, EPA has not identified a toxicological 
endpoint of concern for short or intermediate-term dermal exposures. 
Therefore, for children, the short and intermediate-term aggregate risk 
is the sum of the risk from food and water, which does not exceed the 
Agency's level of concern.
    EPA did assess incidental oral exposures of children from ingestion 
of paint chips containing chlorothalonil. The estimated incidental oral 
MOE for children is 1,200. Ingestion of paint chips is considered to be 
an episodic, rather than a routine behavior; therefore, EPA has 
determined that it is not appropriate to aggregate incidental oral 
exposures with chronic exposures from food and drinking water.
    4. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S. population. As discussed in Unit 
III.A., EPA classified chlorothalonil as a ``likely'' human carcinogen 
by all routes of exposure, based on the increased incidence of renal 
adenomas and carcinomas observed in both sexes of rats and mice, the 
rarity of the tumor response in the kidney, and the increased incidence 
of papillomas and/or carcinomas of the forestomach in rats and mice. 
EPA has determined that the mechanism of carcinogenicity of 
chlorothalonil is non-linear (i.e. not a non-threshold effect) and that 
the Point of Departure used in calculating the cPAD is protective of 
the cancer effects. Since there are no uses of chlorothalonil expected 
to result in chronic residential exposure, and since chronic dietary 
exposure for the overall U.S. population is less than the cPAD (43% of 
the cPAD), EPA concludes that aggregate cancer risk from exposure to 
chlorothalonil is below the level of concern.
    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 chlorothalonil residues.

IV. Other Considerations

A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology

    Adequate enforcement methodology (gas chromatography (GC) method 
with electron-capture detection (ECD)) 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 established or proposed Codex MRLs for residues of 
chlorothalonil on lychee or starfruit.

V. Conclusion

    A tolerance is proposed for combined residues of chlorothalonil, 
tetrachloroisophthalonitrile, and its metabolite, 4-hydroxy-2,5,6-
trichloroisophthalonitrile, in or on lychee at 15 ppm and starfruit at 
3.0 ppm.

[[Page 73637]]

VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    This proposed rule establishes a tolerance 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 proposed rule has 
been exempted from review under Executive Order 12866 due to its lack 
of significance, this proposed rule is not subject to Executive Order 
13211, entitled Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly 
Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001). 
This proposed rule does not contain any information collections subject 
to OMB approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501 
et seq., or 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). 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); or OMB review or any 
Agency action under Executive Order 13045, entitled Protection of 
Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks (62 FR 19885, 
April 23, 1997). 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). Pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) 
(5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the Agency hereby certifies that this proposed 
action will not have significant negative economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities. Establishing a pesticide 
tolerance or an exemption from the requirement of a pesticide tolerance 
is, in effect, the removal of a regulatory restriction on pesticide 
residues in food and thus such an action will not have any negative 
economic impact on any entities, including small entities. In addition, 
the Agency has determined that this action will not have a substantial 
direct effect on States, on the relationship between the national 
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government, as specified 
in Executive Order 13132, entitled Federalism (64 FR 43255, August 10, 
1999). Executive Order 13132 requires EPA to develop an accountable 
process to ensure ``meaningful and timely input by State and local 
officials in the development of regulatory policies that have 
federalism implications.'' ``Policies that have federalism 
implications'' is defined in the Executive order to include regulations 
that have ``substantial direct effects on the States, on the 
relationship between the national government and the States, or on the 
distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of 
government.'' This proposed rule directly regulates growers, food 
processors, food handlers, and food retailers, not States. This action 
does not alter the relationships or distribution of power and 
responsibilities established by Congress in the preemption provisions 
of section 408(n)(4) of the FFDCA. For these same reasons, the Agency 
has determined that this proposed rule does not have any ``tribal 
implications'' as described in Executive Order 13175, entitled 
Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments (65 FR 
67249, November 9, 2000). Executive Order 13175, requires EPA to 
develop an accountable process to ensure ``meaningful and timely input 
by tribal officials in the development of regulatory policies that have 
tribal implications.'' ``Policies that have tribal implications'' is 
defined in the Executive order to include regulations that have 
``substantial direct effects on one or more Indian tribes, on the 
relationship between the Federal Government and the Indian tribes, or 
on the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal 
Government and Indian tribes.'' This proposed rule will not have 
substantial direct effects on tribal governments, on the relationship 
between the Federal Government and Indian tribes, or on the 
distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal 
Government and Indian tribes, as specified in Executive Order 13175. 
Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not apply to this proposed rule.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180

    Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure, 
Agricultural commodities, Pesticides and pests, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: November 13, 2008.
Lois Rossi,
Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.
    Therefore, it is proposed that 40 CFR chapter I be 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 180.275 is amended by alphabetically adding the 
following commodities to the table in paragraph (a)(1) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  180.275  Chlorothalonil; tolerances for residues.

    (a) * * *
    (1) * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Commodity                        Parts per million
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                * * * * *
Lychee...............................................                 15
                                * * * * *
Starfruit............................................                3.0
                                * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
[FR Doc. E8-28593 Filed 12-2-08; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560-50-S