[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 235 (Friday, December 8, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57867-57872]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-26519]



[[Page 57867]]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 180

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2016-0537; FRL-9970-04]


Sedaxane; Pesticide Tolerances

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of 
sedaxane in or on grain, cereal, forage, fodder and straw, group 16; 
grain, cereal, group 15; peanut; and peanut, hay. Syngenta Crop 
Protection, LLC requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, 
Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

DATES: This regulation is effective December 8, 2017. Objections and 
requests for hearings must be received on or before February 6, 2018, 
and must be filed in accordance with the instructions provided in 40 
CFR part 178 (see also Unit I.C. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION).

ADDRESSES: The docket for this action, identified by docket 
identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2016-0537, is available at http://www.regulations.gov or at the Office of Pesticide Programs Regulatory 
Public Docket (OPP Docket) in the Environmental Protection Agency 
Docket Center (EPA/DC), West William Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 3334, 
1301 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001. The Public 
Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public 
Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the OPP 
Docket is (703) 305-5805. Please review the visitor instructions and 
additional information about the docket available at http://www.epa.gov/dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael L. Goodis, Registration 
Division (7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-
0001; main telephone number: (703) 305-7090; email address: 
[email protected].

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. 
The following list of North American Industrial Classification System 
(NAICS) codes is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a 
guide to help readers determine whether this document applies to them. 
Potentially affected entities may include:
     Crop production (NAICS code 111).
     Animal production (NAICS code 112).
     Food manufacturing (NAICS code 311).
     Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS code 32532).

B. How can I get electronic access to other related information?

    You may access a frequently updated electronic version of EPA's 
tolerance regulations at 40 CFR part 180 through the Government 
Printing Office's e-CFR site at http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title40/40tab_02.tpl.

C. How can I file an objection or hearing request?

    Under FFDCA section 408(g), 21 U.S.C. 346a, any person may file an 
objection to any aspect of this regulation and may also request a 
hearing on those objections. 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-2016-0537 in the subject line on the first 
page of your submission. All objections and requests for a hearing must 
be in writing, and must be received by the Hearing Clerk on or before 
February 6, 2018. Addresses for mail and hand delivery of objections 
and hearing requests are provided in 40 CFR 178.25(b).
    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 (excluding any Confidential Business Information (CBI)) for 
inclusion in the public docket. Information not marked confidential 
pursuant to 40 CFR part 2 may be disclosed publicly by EPA without 
prior notice. Submit the non-CBI copy of your objection or hearing 
request, identified by docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2016-0537, by one of 
the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Do not submit 
electronically any information you consider to be CBI or other 
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
     Mail: OPP Docket, Environmental Protection Agency Docket 
Center (EPA/DC), (28221T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 
20460-0001.
     Hand Delivery: To make special arrangements for hand 
delivery or delivery of boxed information, please follow the 
instructions at http://www.epa.gov/dockets/contacts.html.
    Additional instructions on commenting or visiting the docket, along 
with more information about dockets generally, is available at http://www.epa.gov/dockets.

II. Summary of Petitioned-For Tolerance

    In the Federal Register of November 30, 2016 (81 FR 86312) (FRL-
9954-06), EPA issued a document pursuant to FFDCA section 408(d)(3), 21 
U.S.C. 346a(d)(3), announcing the filing of a pesticide petition (PP 
6F8458) by Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC, P.O. Box 18300, Greensboro, 
NC 27419. The petition requested that 40 CFR 180.665 be amended by 
establishing tolerances for residues of the fungicide sedaxane, in or 
on grain, cereal, forage, fodder and straw, group 16 at 0.06 parts per 
million (ppm); grain, cereal, group 15 at 0.01 ppm; peanut at 0.01 ppm; 
and peanut, hay at 0.08 ppm. The petition also requested that 
tolerances for residues of sedaxane on the following commodities be 
removed upon the establishment of the petitioned-for tolerances: 
barley, grain at 0.01 ppm; barley, hay at 0.04 ppm; barley, straw at 
0.01 ppm; corn, field, forage at 0.01 ppm; corn, field, grain at 0.01 
ppm; corn, field, stover at 0.01 ppm; corn, pop, grain at 0.01 ppm; 
corn, pop, stover at 0.01 ppm; corn, sweet, forage at 0.01 ppm; corn, 
sweet, kernel plus cob with husks removed at 0.01 ppm; corn, sweet, 
stover at 0.01 ppm; oat, forage at 0.015 ppm; oat, grain at 0.01 ppm; 
oat, hay at 0.06 ppm; oat, straw at 0.01 ppm; rye, forage at 0.015 ppm; 
rye, grain at 0.01 ppm; rye, straw at 0.01 ppm; sorghum, grain, forage 
at 0.01 ppm; sorghum, grain, grain at 0.01 ppm; sorghum, grain, stover 
at 0.01 ppm; wheat, forage at 0.015 ppm; wheat, grain at 0.01 ppm; 
wheat, hay at 0.06 ppm; and wheat, straw at 0.01 ppm. That document 
referenced a summary of the petition prepared by Syngenta Crop 
Protection, LLC, the registrant, which is available in the docket, 
http://www.regulations.gov. There were no comments received in response 
to the notice of filing.
    Based upon review of the data supporting the petition, EPA is 
establishing tolerances and removing tolerances as requested in the 
petition, with one exception. The tolerance for crop group 16 is being 
established at 0.10 ppm to harmonize with Codex Alimentarius Commission 
maximum residue level (MRL).

[[Page 57868]]

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 FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(D), and the factors 
specified in FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(D), 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 sedaxane including exposure 
resulting from the tolerances established by this action. EPA's 
assessment of exposures and risks associated with sedaxane 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.
    The main target tissue for sedaxane was found to be the liver. 
Sedaxane also caused thyroid hypertrophy/hyperplasia in male rats. In 
the acute neurotoxicity (ACN) and sub-chronic neurotoxicity (SCN) 
studies, sedaxane caused decreased activity, muscle tone, rearing and 
grip strength; however, because no specific neurotoxic effects or 
adverse histopathology were observed, EPA has concluded that there is 
low concern for neurotoxicity.
    In the rat, no adverse effects in fetuses were seen in 
developmental toxicity studies at maternally toxic doses. In the 
rabbit, fetal toxicity was observed at the same doses as the dams. 
Offspring effects in the rat reproduction study occurred at the same 
doses causing parental effects.
    The available data show evidence of high dose liver tumors (in male 
rats and mice), thyroid tumors (in male rats), and uterine tumors (in 
female rats) resulting from exposure to sedaxane. Based on a weight of 
evidence of the available data, a constitutive androstane receptor/
pregnane-X receptor (CAR/PXR)-mediated mitogenic mode-of action (MOA) 
was established for liver tumors in male mice and rats and a liver-
mediated altered thyroid hormone homeostasis MOA was established for 
thyroid tumors in male rats. At this time, a MOA for the uterine tumors 
has not been identified.
    To assess the carcinogenic potential for sedaxane, EPA has 
concluded that a non-linear approach (i.e., RfD) is appropriate for the 
following reasons: (1) There is a clear understanding of the threshold 
(non-linear) doses associated with the key events in the established 
MOAs leading to liver and thyroid tumors in rodents (the key events 
occur only at doses that well exceed the chronic reference dose (0.11 
mg/kg/day)); (2) sedaxane is not mutagenic or genotoxic; (3) the dose 
at which uterine tumors was observed is at 261 mg/kg/day, which greatly 
exceeds the chronic reference dose (0.11 mg/kg/day) being used to 
assess chronic exposure to sedaxane. Sedaxane has been reclassified as 
``Suggestive Evidence of Carcinogenic Potential''.
    Sedaxane has low acute toxicity by the oral, dermal, and inhalation 
routes. It is not a dermal sensitizer, causes no skin irritation, and 
only slight eye irritation.
    Specific information on the studies received and the nature of the 
adverse effects caused by sedaxane 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 document titled ``Sedaxane Human Health Risk 
Assessment to Support New Seed Treatment Uses on Cereal Grains Crop 
Group 15; Forage, Fodder and Straw of Cereal Grains Crop Group 16; 
Peanut; and Cancer Reclassification'', pages 11-19 in docket ID number 
EPA-HQ-OPP-2016-0537.

B. Toxicological Points of Departure/Levels of Concern

    Once a pesticide's toxicological profile is determined, EPA 
identifies toxicological points of departure (POD) and levels of 
concern to use in evaluating the risk posed by human exposure to the 
pesticide. For hazards that have a threshold below which there is no 
appreciable risk, the toxicological POD is used as the basis for 
derivation of reference values for risk assessment. PODs are developed 
based on a careful analysis of the doses in each toxicological study to 
determine the dose at which no adverse effects are observed (the NOAEL) 
and the lowest dose at which adverse effects of concern are identified 
(the LOAEL). Uncertainty/safety factors are used in conjunction with 
the POD to calculate a safe exposure level--generally referred to as a 
population-adjusted dose (PAD) or a reference dose (RfD)--and a safe 
margin of exposure (MOE). 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 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/pesticide-science-and-assessing-pesticide-risks/assessing-human-health-risk-pesticides.
    A summary of the toxicological endpoints for sedaxane used for 
human risk assessment is shown in the Table of this unit.

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                   Table--Summary of Toxicological Doses and Endpoints for Sedaxane for Use in
                                          Human Health Risk Assessment
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                                    Point of departure
        Exposure/scenario            and uncertainty/     RfD, PAD, LOC for     Study and toxicological effects
                                      safety factors       risk assessment
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acute dietary (General population  NOAEL = 30 mg/kg/day  Acute RfD = 0.30 mg/ Rat ACN Study NOAEL = 30 mg/kg
 including infants and children    UFA = 10x...........   kg/day.             LOAEL = 250 mg/kg based on reduced
 and Females 13-49 years of age).  UFH = 10x...........  aPAD = 0.30 mg/kg/    activity, decreased rearing,
                                   FQPA SF = 1x........   day..                initial inactivity, piloerection,
                                                                               ruffled fur and recumbency,
                                                                               decreased body weight (BW),
                                                                               decreased body weight gain (BWG)
                                                                               and food consumption (males). In
                                                                               females, weakened condition,
                                                                               swaying gait, decreased activity,
                                                                               reduced muscle tone, and
                                                                               decreased locomotor activity and
                                                                               rearing. The weakened condition,
                                                                               swaying gait and decreased
                                                                               activity were observed on days 2-
                                                                               7, while the other effects were
                                                                               on day 1.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chronic dietary (All populations)  NOAEL= 11 mg/kg/day.  Chronic RfD = 0.11   Chronic Rat Study
                                   UFA = 10x...........   mg/kg/day.          NOAEL = 11/14 mg/kg bw/day [male]/
                                   UFH = 10x...........  cPAD = 0.11 mg/kg/    [female]
                                   FQPA SF = 1x........   day..               LOAEL = 67/86 mg/kg bw/day [male]/
                                                                               [female] in males based on
                                                                               decreased hind limb grip
                                                                               strength, increased liver weight,
                                                                               increased incidences of
                                                                               hepatocyte hypertrophy and
                                                                               eosinophilic foci, and thyroid
                                                                               follicular cell hypertrophy,
                                                                               basophilic colloid, epithelial
                                                                               desquamation and increased
                                                                               phosphate levels ([male]). In
                                                                               females, it was based on
                                                                               decreased BW and BWG, increased
                                                                               liver weight and the same thyroid
                                                                               histopathology noted above for
                                                                               males.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cancer (Oral, dermal, inhalation)  Classification: ``Suggestive Evidence of Carcinogenic Potential''. A non-
                                    linear approach (i.e., RfD) would adequately account for all chronic
                                    toxicity, including carcinogenicity, that could result from exposure to
                                    sedaxane.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FQPA SF = Food Quality Protection Act Safety Factor. LOAEL = lowest-observed-adverse-effect-level. LOC = level
  of concern. mg/kg/day= milligram/kilogram/day. MOE = margin of exposure. NOAEL = no-observed-adverse-effect-
  level. PAD = population adjusted dose (a = acute, c = chronic). RfD = reference dose. UF = uncertainty factor.
  UFA = extrapolation from animal to human (interspecies). UFH = potential variation in sensitivity among
  members of the human population (intraspecies).

C. Exposure Assessment

    1. Dietary exposure from food and feed uses. In evaluating dietary 
exposure to sedaxane, EPA considered exposure under the petitioned for 
tolerances as well as all existing sedaxane tolerances in 40 CFR 
180.665. EPA assessed dietary exposures from sedaxane 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.
    Such effects were identified for sedaxane. In estimating acute 
dietary exposure, EPA used food consumption information from the United 
States Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the Continuing Surveys of 
Food Intake by Individuals (CSFII) and the CDC under the National 
Health and Nutrition Examination Survey What We Eat in America (NHANES/
WEIA) 2003-2008. EPA assumed tolerance-level residues for all 
commodities and 100% crop treated. Default processing factors were used 
with the exception of peanut butter.
    ii. Chronic exposure. In conducting the chronic dietary exposure 
assessment EPA used the food consumption data from the USDA NHANES/WEIA 
2003-2008. EPA assumed tolerance-level residues for all commodities and 
100% crop treated (CT). Default processing factors were used with the 
exception of peanut butter.
    iii. Cancer. Based on the data summarized in Unit III.A., EPA has 
concluded that a nonlinear RfD approach is appropriate for assessing 
cancer risk to sedaxane. Cancer risk was assessed using the same 
exposure estimates as discussed in Unit III.C.1.ii.
    iv. Anticipated residue and percent crop treated (PCT) information. 
EPA did not use anticipated residue and/or PCT information in the 
dietary assessment for sedaxane. Tolerance-level residues and/or 100% 
CT were assumed for all food commodities.
    2. Dietary exposure from drinking water. The Agency used screening-
level water exposure models in the dietary exposure analysis and risk 
assessment for sedaxane in drinking water. These simulation models take 
into account data on the physical, chemical, and fate/transport 
characteristics of sedaxane. Further information regarding EPA drinking 
water models used in pesticide exposure assessment can be found at 
https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-science-and-assessing-pesticide-risks/about-water-exposure-models-used-pesticide.
    Based on the FQPA Index Reservoir Screening Tool (FIRST) and 
Pesticide Root Zone Model Ground Water (PRZM GW), the estimated 
drinking water concentrations (EDWCs) of sedaxane for acute exposures 
are estimated to be 4.1 parts per billion (ppb) for surface water and 
15.1 ppb for ground water and for chronic exposures for non-cancer 
assessments are estimated to be 1.2 ppb for surface water and 13.0 ppb 
for ground water. The surface water estimates include contributions 
from all drinking water residues of concern identified for risk 
assessment purposes; nevertheless, the ground water EDWCs were higher 
than the surface water EDWCs and were selected for use in the dietary 
exposure assessments.
    Modeled estimates of drinking water concentrations were directly 
entered into the dietary exposure model. For acute dietary risk 
assessment, the water concentration value of 15.1 ppb was used to 
assess the contribution to drinking water. For chronic dietary risk 
assessment, the water concentration of value 13.0 ppb was used to 
assess the contribution to drinking water.
    3. From non-dietary exposure. The term ``residential exposure'' is 
used in this document to refer to non-

[[Page 57870]]

occupational, non-dietary exposure (e.g., for lawn and garden pest 
control, indoor pest control, termiticides, and flea and tick control 
on pets). Sedaxane is not registered for any specific use patterns that 
would result in residential exposure.
    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.''
    Unlike other pesticides for which EPA has followed a cumulative 
risk approach based on a common mechanism of toxicity, EPA has not made 
a common mechanism of toxicity finding as to sedaxane and any other 
substances, and sedaxane does not appear to produce a toxic metabolite 
produced by other substances. For the purposes of this tolerance 
action, therefore, EPA has assumed that sedaxane 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 Web site at https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-science-and-assessing-pesticide-risks/cumulative-assessment-risk-pesticides.

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 Food Quality 
Protection Act Safety Factor (FQPA 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. There is no evidence for 
increased susceptibility following prenatal or post-natal exposures to 
sedaxane based on effects seen in developmental toxicity studies in 
rabbits or rats. In range-finding and definitive developmental toxicity 
studies in rats, neither quantitative nor qualitative evidence of 
increased susceptibility of fetuses to in utero exposure to sedaxane 
was observed. In these studies, there were no single-dose effects. 
There was no evidence of increased susceptibility in a two-generation 
reproduction study in rats following prenatal or post-natal exposure to 
sedaxane. There was no evidence of neuropathology or abnormalities in 
the development of the fetal nervous system from the available toxicity 
studies conducted with sedaxane. Clear NOAELs/LOAELs were established 
for the developmental effects seen in rats and rabbits as well as for 
the offspring effects seen in the two-generation reproduction study. 
The dose-response relationship for the effects of concern is well 
characterized.
    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 sedaxane is complete.
    ii. Given the available information, there is low concern that 
sedaxane is a neurotoxic chemical and there is no need for a 
developmental neurotoxicity study or additional uncertainty factors 
(UFs) to account for neurotoxicity.
    iii. In the rat, no adverse effects in fetuses were seen in 
developmental toxicity at maternally toxic doses. In the rabbit, fetal 
toxicity was observed at the same doses as the dam (increased 
unossified sternebrae and 13th rudimentary ribs and a decrease in fetal 
weights of -9% and increased abortions). In the dam, at the same doses, 
the effects were decreased body weight, reduced food consumption, and 
decreased defecation. In reproduction studies, offspring effects 
occurred at the same doses causing parental effects; thus, there was no 
quantitative increase in sensitivity in rat pups. The LOAELs and NOAELs 
for the developmental and reproduction studies were clearly defined. 
The NOAEL used for the acute dietary risk assessment (30 mg/kg/day), 
based on effects observed in the ACN study, is protective of the 
developmental and offspring effects seen in rabbits and rats with the 
NOAELs of 100-200 mg/kg/day. Based on these considerations, there are 
no residual uncertainties for pre-and/or post-natal susceptibility.
    iv. There were no residual uncertainties identified in the exposure 
databases. The dietary food exposure assessments were performed based 
on 100% CT and tolerance-level residues. EPA made conservative 
(protective) assumptions in the ground and surface water modeling used 
to assess exposure to sedaxane in drinking water. These assessments 
will not underestimate the exposure and risks posed by sedaxane.

E. Aggregate Risks and Determination of Safety

    EPA determines whether acute and chronic dietary pesticide 
exposures are safe by comparing aggregate exposure estimates to the 
acute PAD (aPAD) and chronic PAD (cPAD). For linear cancer risks, EPA 
calculates the lifetime probability of acquiring cancer given the 
estimated aggregate exposure. Short-, intermediate-, and chronic-term 
risks are evaluated by comparing the estimated aggregate food, water, 
and residential exposure to the appropriate PODs to ensure that an 
adequate MOE exists.
    1. Acute risk. Using the exposure assumptions discussed in this 
unit for acute exposure, the acute dietary exposure from food and water 
to sedaxane will occupy <1% of the aPAD for all infants (<1-year-old), 
the population group receiving the greatest exposure.
    2. Chronic risk. Using the exposure assumptions described in this 
unit for chronic exposure, EPA has concluded that chronic exposure to 
sedaxane from food and water will utilize <1% of the cPAD for all 
population subgroups. There are no residential uses for sedaxane.
    3. Short-term risk. Short-term aggregate exposure takes into 
account short-term residential exposure plus chronic exposure to food 
and water (considered to be a background exposure level). Because there 
are no proposed or registered residential uses of sedaxane, a short-
term risk assessment was not performed. The chronic risk assessment is 
protective for any short-term exposures from food and drinking water.
    4. Intermediate-term risk. Intermediate-term aggregate exposure 
takes into account intermediate-term residential exposure plus chronic 
exposure to food and water (considered to be a background exposure 
level). Because there are no proposed or registered residential uses of 
sedaxane, an intermediate-term risk assessment was not performed. The 
chronic risk assessment is protective for any intermediate-term 
exposures from food and drinking water.
    5. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S. population. As discussed in Unit 
III.A., EPA has concluded that using the nonlinear approach based on 
the chronic RfD will be protective of potential carcinogenicity.

[[Page 57871]]

    6. 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 sedaxane residues.

IV. Other Considerations

A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology

    An adequate analytical method is available to enforce the proposed 
tolerances for sedaxane in plant commodities. A modification of the 
Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe (QuEChERS) method was 
developed for the determination of residues of sedaxane (as its isomers 
SYN508210 and SYN508211) in/on various crops. The sedaxane isomers 
(SYN508210 and SYN508211) are quantitatively determined by LC/MS/MS. 
The validated limit of quantitation (LOQ) reported in the method is 
0.005 ppm for both sedaxane isomers.
    The analytical standard for sedaxane, with an expiration date of 
February 28, 2018, is currently available in the EPA National Pesticide 
Standards Repository.

B. International Residue Limits

    In making its tolerance decisions, EPA seeks to harmonize U.S. 
tolerances with international standards whenever possible, consistent 
with U.S. food safety standards and agricultural practices. EPA 
considers the international MRL established by the Codex Alimentarius 
Commission (Codex), as required by FFDCA section 408(b)(4). The Codex 
is a joint United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization/World 
Health Organization food standards program, and it is recognized as an 
international food safety standards-setting organization in trade 
agreements to which the United States is a party. EPA may establish a 
tolerance that is different from a Codex MRL; however, FFDCA section 
408(b)(4) requires that EPA explain the reasons for departing from the 
Codex level.
    Codex has established MRLs for sedaxane in or on grain, cereal, 
forage, fodder and straw, group 16 at 0.10 ppm and grain, cereal, group 
15 at 0.01 ppm. Codex has not established a MRL for sedaxane in or on 
peanut. Tolerances are harmonized with the Codex MRLs for groups 16 and 
15.

V. Conclusion

    Therefore, tolerances are established for residues of sedaxane in 
or on grain, cereal, forage, fodder and straw, group 16 at 0.10 ppm; 
grain, cereal, group 15 at 0.01 ppm; peanut at 0.01 ppm; and peanut, 
hay at 0.08 ppm. In addition, EPA is removing the following existing 
tolerances for residues of sedaxane as they are superseded by the 
tolerances established in this rulemaking: Barley, grain at 0.01 ppm; 
barley, hay at 0.04 ppm; barley, straw at 0.01 ppm; corn, field, forage 
at 0.01 ppm; corn, field, grain at 0.01 ppm; corn, field, stover at 
0.01 ppm; corn, pop, grain at 0.01 ppm; corn, pop, stover at 0.01 ppm; 
corn, sweet, forage at 0.01 ppm; corn, sweet, kernel plus cob with 
husks removed at 0.01 ppm; corn, sweet, stover at 0.01 ppm; oat, forage 
at 0.015 ppm; oat, grain at 0.01 ppm; oat, hay at 0.06 ppm; oat, straw 
at 0.01 ppm; rye, forage at 0.015 ppm; rye, grain at 0.01 ppm; rye, 
straw at 0.01 ppm; sorghum, grain, forage at 0.01 ppm; sorghum, grain, 
grain at 0.01 ppm; sorghum, grain, stover at 0.01 ppm; wheat, forage at 
0.015 ppm; wheat, grain at 0.01 ppm; wheat, hay at 0.06 ppm; and wheat, 
straw at 0.01 ppm.

VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    This action establishes tolerances under FFDCA section 408(d) 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 action has been 
exempted from review under Executive Order 12866, this action 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) or Executive Order 13045, entitled 
``Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety 
Risks'' (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997). This action does not contain any 
information collections subject to OMB approval under the Paperwork 
Reduction Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), 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).
    Since tolerances and exemptions that are established on the basis 
of a petition under FFDCA section 408(d), such as the tolerance in this 
final rule, do not require the issuance of a proposed rule, the 
requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601 et 
seq.), do not apply.
    This action directly regulates growers, food processors, food 
handlers, and food retailers, not States or tribes, nor does this 
action alter the relationships or distribution of power and 
responsibilities established by Congress in the preemption provisions 
of FFDCA section 408(n)(4). As such, the Agency has determined that 
this action will not have a substantial direct effect on States or 
tribal governments, on the relationship between the national government 
and the States or tribal governments, or on the distribution of power 
and responsibilities among the various levels of government or between 
the Federal Government and Indian tribes. Thus, the Agency has 
determined that Executive Order 13132, entitled ``Federalism'' (64 FR 
43255, August 10, 1999) and Executive Order 13175, entitled 
``Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments'' (65 FR 
67249, November 9, 2000) do not apply to this action. In addition, this 
action does not impose any enforceable duty or contain any unfunded 
mandate as described under Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act 
(UMRA) (2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.).
    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 (NTTAA) (15 U.S.C. 272 note).

VII. Congressional Review Act

    Pursuant to the Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), 
EPA will submit a report containing this rule and other required 
information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, and 
the Comptroller General of the United States prior to publication of 
the rule in the Federal Register. This action is not a ``major rule'' 
as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).

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 22, 2017.
Michael L. Goodis,
Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.

    Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is amended as follows:

PART 180--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for part 180 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.

0
2. In Sec.  180.665, revise the table in paragraph (a) to read as 
follows:

[[Page 57872]]

Sec.  180.665   Sedaxane; tolerances for residues.

    (a) * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Parts per
                          Commodity                             million
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beet, sugar, roots..........................................        0.01
Canola, seed................................................        0.01
Cotton, gin byproducts......................................        0.01
Cotton, undelinted seed.....................................        0.01
Grain, cereal, forage, fodder and straw, group 16...........        0.10
Grain, cereal, group 15.....................................        0.01
Pea and bean, dried shelled, except soybean, subgroup 6C....        0.01
Peanut......................................................        0.01
Peanut, hay.................................................        0.08
Potato......................................................        0.02
Potato, wet peel............................................       0.075
Rapeseed, subgroup 20A......................................        0.01
Soybean, forage.............................................        0.05
Soybean, hay................................................        0.04
Soybean, seed...............................................        0.01
Vegetable, foliage of legume, except soybean, subgroup 7A...        0.01
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2017-26519 Filed 12-7-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P


