Pesticide programs: Organophosphates; risk assessments and public participation in risk management— Coumaphos and fenitrothion,

[Federal Register: September 2, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 170)]

[Notices]

[Page 48164-48165]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr02se99-68]

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[OPP-34198; FRL-6380-9]

Availability of Preliminary Risk Assessment for the Organophosphate Pesticides Coumaphos and Fenitrothion

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of documents that were developed as part of the EPA's process for making reregistration eligibility decisions for the organophosphate pesticides and for tolerance reassessments consistent with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), as amended by the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 (FQPA). These documents are the preliminary human health risk assessments and related documents for coumaphos and fenitrothion. This notice also starts a 60-day public comment period for the preliminary risk assessments. By allowing access and opportunity for comment on the preliminary risk assessments, EPA is seeking to strengthen stakeholder involvement and help ensure our decisions under FQPA are transparent and based on the best available information. The tolerance reassessment process will ensure that the United States continues to have the safest and most abundant food supply.

DATES: Comments, identified by docket control number OPP-34196 for coumaphos and OPP-34197 for fenitrothion, must be received by EPA on or before November 1, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by mail, electronically, or in person. Please follow the detailed instructions for each method as provided in Unit I. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, it is imperative that you identify docket control number OPP-34196 for coumaphos and OPP-34197 for fenitrothion in the subject line on the first page of your response.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Angulo, Special Review and Reregistration Division (7508C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (703) 308-8004; e-mail address: angulo.karen@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. General Information

   1. Does this Action Apply to Me?

      This action applies to the public in general. As such, the Agency has not attempted to specifically describe all the entities potentially affect by this action. If you have any questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.

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

      1. Electronically. You may obtain electronic copies of this document and certain other available documents from the EPA Internet Home Page at http://www.epa.gov/. 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/. To access information about the risk assessments for coumaphos and fenitrothion organophosphate pesticides, go directly to the Home Page for the Office of Pesticide Programs at http: www.epa.gov/pesticides/ op.

      2. In person. The Agency has established an official record for this action under the docket control number OPP-34196 for coumaphos and OPP-34197 for fenitrothion. 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 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 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 Rm. 119, Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The Public Information and Records Integrity Branch (PIRIB) telephone number is (703) 305-5805.

   3. 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 OPP-34196 for coumaphos and OPP- 34197 for fenitrothion in the subject line on the first page of your response.

      1. By mail. Submit your comments to: Public Information and Records Integrity Branch, Information Resources and Services Division (7502C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460.

      2. In person or by courier. Deliver your comments to: Public Information and Records Integrity Branch, Information Resources and Services Division (7502C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, Rm. 119, Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA., between 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 mail or deliver your standard computer disk to the appropriate address in this unit. Do not submit any information electronically that you consider to be CBI. Electronic comments must be submitted as an ASCII file, avoiding the use of special characters and any form of encryption. Comments and data will also be accepted on standard computer disks in WordPerfect 5.1/6.1 or ASCII file format. All comments in electronic form must be identified by the docket control number OPP-34196 for coumaphos and OPP-34197 for fenitrothion. Electronic comments may also be filedonline at many Federal Depository Libraries.

   4. How Should I Handle CBI Information 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

      [[Page 48165]]

      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 in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.

2. What Action is EPA Taking?

   EPA is making available preliminary risk assessments that have been developed as part of EPA's process for making reregistration eligibility decisions for the organophosphate pesticides and for tolerance reassessments consistent with the FFDCA, as amended by the FQPA. The Agency's preliminary human health effects risk assessments for these organophosphate pesticides are available in the OPP docket. As additional comments, reviews, and risk assessment modifications become available, these will also be docketed for the two organophosphate pesticides listed in this notice. The Agency cautions that these risk assessments are preliminary assessments only and that further refinements of the risk assessments may be appropriate for the coumaphos and fenitrothion organophosphate pesticides. This document reflects only the work and analysis conducted as of the time it was produced and it is appropriate that, as new information becomes available and/or additional analyses are performed, the conclusions in it may change. As the preliminary risk assessments for the remaining organophosphate pesticides are completed and registrants are given a 30-day review period to identify possible computational or other clear errors in the risk assessment, these risk assessments and registrant responses will be placed in the individual organophosphate pesticide dockets. A notice of availability for subsequent assessments will appear in the Federal Register. The Agency is providing an opportunity, through this notice, for interested parties to provide written comments and input to the Agency on the preliminary risk assessments for the chemicals specified in this notice. Such comments and input could address, for example, the availability of additional data to further refine the risk assessments, such as percent crop treated information or submission of residue data from food processing studies, or could address the Agency's risk assessment methodologies and assumptions as applied to this specific chemical. Comments should be limited to issues raised within the preliminary risk assessments and associated documents. EPA will provide other opportunities for public comment on other science issues associated with the organophosphate tolerance reassessment program. Failure to comment on any such issues as part of this opportunity will in no way prejudice or limit a commenter's opportunity to participate fully in later notice and comment processes. All comments should be submitted by November 1, 1999 at the address given under ADDRESSES. Comments will become part of the Agency record for each individual organophosphate pesticide to which they pertain.

   List of Subjects

   Environmental protection, Chemicals, Pesticides and pests.

   Dated: August 25, 1999. Lois Rossi, Director, Special Review and Reregistration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.

   [FR Doc. 99-22746Filed9-1-99; 8:45 am]

   BILLING CODE 6560-50-F