FILE NAME:  Valent.doc (August 6, 2012)

EPA Registration Division contact:  Marianne Lewis (703-308-8043) 

[Insert Petition Number] amend 40 CFR 

Summary of Petition 

EPA has received a pesticide petition (Insert Petition Number) from  
SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1 Valent U.S.A. Corporation, P.O. Box 8025 Walnut
Creek, CA 94596 , proposing, pursuant to section 408(d) of the Federal
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), 21 U.S.C. 346a(d), to amend 40 CFR
part 180.586 (a), by  deleting the tolerances for residues of the
insecticide chemical clothianidin,
(E)-1-(2-chloro-1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl)-3-methyl-2-nitroguanidine, in or
on the vegetable, fruiting , group 8 and fruit, pome  and establishing 
the tolerances for residues of the insecticide chemical clothianidin,
(E)-1-(2-chloro-1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl)-3-methyl-2-nitroguanidine, in or
on the following agricultural commodities: 

Commodity	Proposed Tolerance

Parts per million

(For parent only unless indicated otherwise)

Vegetables, fruiting , group (08-10) 	0.2

 Fruit , pome, group (11-10)	1.0

Rice, grains 	 0.01 



EPA has determined that the petition contains data or information
regarding the elements set forth in section 408(d)(2) of the FFDCA;
however, EPA has not fully evaluated the sufficiency of the submitted
data at this time or whether the data supports granting of the petition.
 Additional data may be needed before EPA rules on the petition.

A. Residue Chemistry  

1. Plant metabolism. The metabolism of clothianidin is adequately
understood for the purpose of granting the proposed tolerances.

2.  Analytical method.  Adequate enforcement methodology (liquid
chromatography/mass spectroscopy/mass spectroscopy, LC/MS/MS analysis)
is available to enforce the tolerance expression.  

3. Magnitude of residues.  No additional residue data is needed to
support the updated crop groupings of vegetables, fruiting , group
(08-10) and fruit , pome, group (11-10)  since the proposed tolerance
levels remain the same as the established tolerances for vegetable,
fruiting , group 8 and fruit, pome.    A rational along wit residue data
have been submitted which adequately support the requested tolerances
for rice grains.

B. Toxicological Profile

A complete, valid and reliable database of mammalian and genetic
toxicology studies has been submitted to EPA that supports the proposed
tolerances for clothianidin. The nature of the toxic effects caused by
clothianidin, as well as the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL)
and the lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) from the toxicity
studies reviewed, are discussed in the Federal Register of May 30, 2003
(68 FR 32390) (FRL-7306-8)
[http://www.epa.gov/EPA-PEST/2003/May/Day-30/p13564.htm and in the HED
memorandum dated 8/13/2009 from Dr. Michael Doherty to Kable Davis/Venus
Eagle “Clothianidin: Human Health Risk Assessment for Proposed Uses on
Berries (Group 13-07H), Brassica Vegetables (Group 5), Cotton, Cucurbit
Vegetables (Group 9), Fig, Fruiting Vegetables (Group 8), Leafy Green
Vegetables (Group 4A), Peach, Pomegranate, Soybean, Tree Nuts (Group
14), and Tuberous and Corm Vegetables (Group 1C). PC Code: 044309” (DP
Barcodes: D355373, D362354).

C. Aggregate Exposure and Risk Assessment

 i. Dietary Exposure.  Dietary exposure (food and water) assessments
were conducted by EPA to evaluate the potential risk due to acute and
chronic dietary exposure of the U.S. population and various subgroups to
combined residues of clothianidin and its metabolite TMG plus residues
of clothianidin resulting from the use of thiamethoxam.  . Details of
the model parameters can be found in the HED risk assessment memorandum
mentioned above (M. Doherty, D355373, D362354, 08/13/2009). No
additional dietary exposure is anticipated since the proposed tolerance
levels for the updated crop groupings of vegetables, fruiting , group
(08-10) and fruit , pome, group (11-10)  remain the same as the
established tolerances for vegetable, fruiting , group 8 and fruit,
pome.  .  Residues from the use of clothianidin on rice were not
included in the current assessment because the contribution to the
overall aggregate exposure is considered negligible. The residues in
rice grains are less than, LOQ (Limit of Quantitation) of 0.01 ppm.  

ii. Non-Dietary Exposure – residential/recreational turf.  Non-dietary
exposure to clothianidin from residential or recreational (turf grass)
application scenarios was assessed using conservative residential adult
applicator and post-application assumptions.  

iii. Aggregate Assessment of Risks.  The aggregate acute risk assessment
includes food, water and residential exposures.  Because chronic
exposure scenarios are not expected from residential uses of
clothianidin, the chronic exposure risk assessment only includes food
and water exposures.  No additional exposure is anticipated since the
proposed tolerance levels for the updated crop groupings of vegetables,
fruiting , group (08-10) and fruit , pome, group (11-10) remain the same
as the established tolerances for vegetable, fruiting , group 8 and
fruit, pome.   Residues from use of clothianidin on rice were not
included in the current assessment because the contribution to the
overall aggregate exposure is considered negligible. 

For acute risk assessment scenarios, the acute population adjusted dose
(aPAD) of 0.25 mg/kg was used to assess risks from acute dietary
exposure to the general population and to various sub-populations.  The
aPAD is based on the NOAEL of 25 mg/kg/day from an acute neurotoxicity
study (general population) or a developmental toxicity study (females
13-49 years of age) with an FQPA safety factor of 1.   

For chronic risk assessment scenarios, the chronic population adjusted
dose (cPAD) used for the U.S. population and all subpopulations is 0.098
mg/kg/day based on a 2-generation reproduction study NOAEL of 9.8
mg/kg/day and an FQPA safety factor of 1.

Based on these risk assessments, the margins of exposure (MOE) for all
routes of exposure and all population subgroups exceed 100 and therefore
do not exceed EPA’s level of concern.  

D. Cumulative Effects.  Section 408(b) (2) (D) (v) requires that the
Agency must consider available information concerning the cumulative
effects of a particular pesticide's residues and other substances that
have a common mechanism of toxicity. Clothianidin is a member of the
neonicotinoid class of pesticides and is a metabolite of thiamethoxam.
Structural similarities or common effects do not constitute a common
mechanism of toxicity and there is currently no evidence that
neonicotinoids share a common mechanism of toxicity.  For purposes of
this petition, clothianidin residues from use of clothianidin and
thiamethoxam have been considered.  

E. Safety Determination.  The toxicological database for clothianidin is
complete.  The available data indicate that there are no consistent
specific target organs in mammals.  Based on the completeness of the
database and the observed effects, the FQPA Safety Factor has been
reduced to 1X, leaving a 100X safety factor to account for
within-species (10X) and across-species (10X) variability.  Clothianidin
has been classified as not likely to be carcinogenic to humans.

The results of the aggregate exposure risk assessment indicate the
MOE’s do not exceed EPA’s level of concern.  There is therefore a
reasonable certainty that no harm will result to the general population
or to any population subgroup resulting from aggregate exposure to
residues of clothianidin.  

F. International Tolerances   Canadian maximum residue limits (MRL) have
been established for residues of clothianidin at 0.01 milligram/kilogram
(mg/kg) in milk, corn, canola, stone fruits, grape, potato and pome
fruits. Clothianidin is being evaluated by the JMPR and there are no
Codex Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) established. 

