Notice of Filing a Pesticide Petition To Establish a Tolerance for Certain Pesticide Chemicals in or on Food

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

This notice announces the initial filing of a pesticide petition proposing the establishment of regulations for residues of a certain pesticide chemical in or on various food commodities.

DATES:

Comments, identified by docket control number PF-922, must be received on or before April 17, 2000.

ADDRESSES:

Comments may be submitted by mail, electronically, or in person. Please follow the detailed instructions for each method as provided in Unit I.C. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, it is imperative that you identify docket control number PF-922 in the subject line on the first page of your response.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

By mail: Treva Alston, Minor Use, Inerts, and Emergency Response Branch, Registration Division (7505C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, Ariel Rios Bldg., 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (703) 308-8373; e-mail address: alston.treva@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does this Action Apply to Me?

You may be affected by this action if you are an agricultural producer, food manufacturer or pesticide manufacturer. Potentially affected categories and entities may include, but are not limited to:

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 the table could also be affected. The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) codes have been provided to assist you and others in determining whether or not this action might apply to certain entities. If you have questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

B. How Can I Get Additional Information, Including Copies of this Document and Other Related Documents?

1. Electronically. You may obtain electronic copies of this document, and certain other related documents that might be available electronically, from the EPA Internet Home Page at http://www.epa.gov/. To access this document, on the Home Page select “Laws and Regulations” and then look up the entry for this document under the “Federal Register Environmental Documents.” You can also go directly to the Federal Register listings at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/.

2. In person. The Agency has established an official record for this action under docket control number PF-922. The official record consists of the documents specifically referenced in this action, any public comments received during an applicable comment period, and other information related to this action, including any information claimed as confidential business information (CBI). This official record includes the documents that are physically located in the docket, as well as the documents that are referenced in those documents. The public version of the official record does not include any information claimed as CBI. The public version of the official record, which includes printed, paper versions of any electronic comments submitted during an applicable comment period, is available for inspection in the Public Information and Records Integrity Branch (PIRIB), Rm. 119, Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The PIRIB telephone number is (703) 305-5805.

C. How and to Whom Do I Submit Comments?

You may submit comments through the mail, in person, or electronically. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, it is imperative that you identify docket control number PF-922 in the subject line on the first page of your response.

1. By mail. Submit your comments to: Public Information and Records Integrity Branch (PIRIB), Information Resources and Services Division (7502C), Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP), Environmental Protection Agency, Ariel Rios Bldg., 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460.

2. In person or by courier. Deliver your comments to: Public Information and Records Integrity Branch (PIRIB), Information Resources and Services Division (7502C), Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP), Environmental Protection Agency, Rm. 119, Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA. The PIRIB is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The PIRIB telephone number is (703) 305-5805.

3. Electronically. You may submit your comments electronically by e-mail to: “opp-docket@epa.gov,” or you can submit a computer disk as described above. Do not submit any information electronically that you consider to be CBI. Avoid the use of special characters and any form of encryption. Electronic submissions will be accepted in Wordperfect 6.1/8.0 or ASCII file format. All comments in electronic form must be identified by docket control number PF-922. Electronic comments may also be filed online at many Federal Depository Libraries.

D. How Should I Handle CBI That I Want to Submit to the Agency?

Do not submit any information electronically that you consider to be CBI. You may claim information that you submit to EPA in response to this document as CBI by marking any part or all of that information as CBI. Information so marked will not be disclosed except in accordance with procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2. In addition to one complete version of the comment that includes any 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 version of the official record. Information not marked confidential will be included in the public version of the official record without prior notice. If you have any questions about CBI or the procedures for claiming CBI, please consult the person identified under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

E. What Should I Consider as I Prepare My Comments for EPA?

You may find the following suggestions helpful for preparing your comments:

1. Explain your views as clearly as possible.

2. Describe any assumptions that you used.

3. Provide copies of any technical information and/or data you used that support your views.

4. If you estimate potential burden or costs, explain how you arrived at the estimate that you provide.

5. Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns.

6. Make sure to submit your comments by the deadline in this notice.

7. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, be sure to identify the docket control number assigned to this action in the subject line on the first page of your response. You may also provide the name, date, and Federal Register citation.

II. What Action is the Agency Taking?

EPA has received a pesticide petition as follows proposing the establishment and/or amendment of regulations for residues of certain pesticide chemical in or on various food commodities under section 408 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Comestic Act (FFDCA), 21 U.S.C. 346a. EPA has determined that this petition contains data or information regarding the elements set forth in section 408(d)(2); 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.

List of Subjects

• Environmental protection
• Agricultural commodities
• Feed additives
• Food additives
• Pesticides and pests
• Reporting and recordkeeping requirements

Summary of Petition

The petitioner summary of the pesticide petition is printed below as required by section 408(d)(3) of the FFDCA. The summary of the petition was prepared by the petitioner and represents the view of the petitioner. EPA is publishing the petition summary verbatim without editing it in any way. The petition summary announces the availability of a description of the analytical methods available to EPA for the detection and measurement of the pesticide chemical residues or an explanation of why no such method is needed.

Rohm and Haas Company

8E4957

A. Residue Chemistry

Analytical method. Rohm and Haas is petitioning that butyl acrylate/vinyl acetate/acrylic acid copolymer be exempt from the requirement of a tolerance based upon the low risk polymer as per 40 CFR 723.250. Therefore, an analytical method to determine residues of butyl acrylate/vinyl acetate/acrylic acid copolymer in RACs has not been proposed.

B. Toxicological Profile

Acute toxicity. In the case of certain chemical substances that are defined as “polymers,” the Agency has established a set of criteria which identifies categories of polymers that present low risk. These criteria (described in 40 CFR 723.250) identify polymers that are relatively unreactive and stable compounds compared to other chemical substances as well as polymers that typically are not readily absorbed. These properties generally limit a polymer's ability to cause adverse effects. In addition, these criteria exclude polymers about which little is known. The Agency believes that polymers meeting the criteria noted above will present minimal or no risk. Butyl acrylate/vinyl acetate/acrylic acid copolymer conforms to the definition of a polymer given in 40 CFR 723.250(b) and meets the following criteria that are used to identify low risk polymers.

1. Butyl acrylate/vinyl acetate/acrylic acid copolymer is not a cationic polymer, nor is it capable of becoming a cationic polymer in the natural aquatic environment.

2. Butyl acrylate/vinyl acetate/acrylic acid copolymer contains as an integral part of its composition the atomic elements carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and less than 0.10% sulfur.

3. Butyl acrylate/vinyl acetate/acrylic acid copolymer does not contain as an integral part of its composition, except as impurities, any element other than those listed in 40 CFR 723.250 (d)(2)(iii).

4. Butyl acrylate/vinyl acetate/acrylic acid copolymer is not designed, nor is it reasonably anticipated to substantially degrade, decompose or depolymerize.

5. Butyl acrylate/vinyl acetate/acrylic acid copolymer is not manufactured or imported from monomers and/or other reactants that are not already included on the TSCA Chemical Substance Inventory or manufactured under an applicable TSCA section 5 exemption.

6. Butyl acrylate/vinyl acetate/acrylic acid copolymer is not a water absorbing polymer with a number average molecular weight greater than or equal to 10,000 daltons.

7. The minimum number average molecular weight of butyl acrylate/vinyl acetate/acrylic acid copolymer is 18,500 daltons. Substances with molecular weights greater than 400 generally are not absorbed through the intact skin, and substances with molecular weights greater than 1,000 generally are not absorbed through the intact gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Chemicals not absorbed through the skin or GI tract generally are incapable of eliciting a toxic response.

8. Butyl acrylate/vinyl acetate/acrylic acid copolymer has a minimum number average molecular weight of 18,500 and contains less than 2% oligomeric material below molecular weight 500 and less than 5% oligomeric material below 1,000 molecular weight.

9. Butyl acrylate/vinyl acetate/acrylic acid copolymer does contain aliphatic ester groups as reactive functional groups. However, these reactive groups are not intended or reasonably anticipated to undergo further reactions under usual environmental conditions.

10. In addition, butyl acrylate/vinyl acetate/acrylic acid copolymer is compliant with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations under 21 CFR for contact with food as a component in adhesives (21 CFR 175.105), as a component of paper and paperboard in contact with dry foods (21 CFR 176.180) and aqueous and fatty foods (21 CFR 176.170) with limitations as set forth in 21 CFR 176.170(c).

C. Metabolite Toxicology

Endocrine disruption. There is no evidence that butyl acrylate/vinyl acetate/acrylic acid copolymer is an endocrine disrupter, where as substances with molecular weights greater than 400 generally are not absorbed through the intact skin, and substances with molecular weights greater than 1,000 generally are not absorbed through the intact GI tract. Chemicals not absorbed through the skin or GI tract generally are incapable of eliciting a toxic response.

D. Aggregate Exposure

1. Dietary exposure. Butyl acrylate/vinyl acetate/acrylic acid copolymer is not absorbed through the intact GI tract and is considered incapable of eliciting a toxic response.

Drinking water. Based upon the aqueous insolubility of butyl acrylate/vinyl acetate/acrylic acid copolymer, there is no reason to expect human exposure to residues in drinking water.

2. Non-dietary exposure. Butyl acrylate/vinyl acetate/acrylic acid copolymer is widely used in multilayer paper packaging production, as a component in box and packaging sealant, and to a lesser extent in the “casing” found on books for protection. Although there may be exposures to the compound through dietary, non-occupational and most likely not through drinking water, the chemical characteristics of this compound are such that there is reasonable certainty of no harm from aggregate exposure.

E. Cumulative Effects

There are data to support cumulative risk from butyl acrylate/vinyl acetate/acrylic acid copolymer, since polymers with molecular weights greater than 400 generally are not absorbed through the intact skin, and substances with molecular weights greater than 1,000 generally are not absorbed through the intact GI tract. Chemicals not absorbed through the skin or GI tract generally are incapable of eliciting a toxic response. Therefore, there is no reasonable expectations of increased risk due to cumulative exposure.

F. Safety Determination

1. U.S. population. Butyl acrylate/vinyl acetate/acrylic acid copolymer causes no safety concerns because it conforms to the definition of a low risk polymer given in 40 CFR 723.250(b) and as such is considered incapable of eliciting a toxic response. Also, there are no additional pathways of exposure (non-occupational, drinking water, etc.) where there would be additional risk.

2. Infants and children. Butyl acrylate/vinyl acetate/acrylic acid copolymer causes no additional concern to infants and children because it conforms to the definition of a low risk polymer given in 40 CFR 723.250(b) and as such is considered incapable of eliciting a toxic response. Also there are no additional pathways of exposure (non-occupational, drinking water, etc.) where infants and children would be at additional risk.

G. International Tolerances

We are not aware of any country requiring a tolerance for butyl acrylate/vinyl acetate/acrylic acid copolymer. Nor have there been any CODEX Maximum Residue Levels established for any food crops at this time.