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EPA ID: [EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0937; FRL-8153-1]

NOTICE: NOTICES

ACTION: Pesticide registration, cancellation, etc.:

DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice.

SUBJECT CATEGORY: Para-dichlorobenzene; Reregistration Eligibility Decision for Low-Risk Pesticide; Notice of Availability

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 11, 2008.

DOCUMENT SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of EPA's Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for the pesticide paradichlorobenzene, and opens a public comment period on this document, related risk assessments, and other support documents. EPA has reviewed the lowrisk pesticide paradichlorobenzene through a modified, streamlined version of the public participation process that the Agency uses to involve the public in developing pesticide reregistration and tolerance reassessment decisions. Through these programs, EPA is ensuring that all pesticides meet current health and safety standards.

SUMMARY: Para-dichlorobenzene,

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

A. Does this Action Apply to Me?

This action is directed to the public in general, and may be of interest to a wide range of stakeholders including environmental, human health, and agricultural advocates; the chemical industry; pesticide users; and members of the public interested in the sale, distribution, or use of pesticides. Since others also may be interested, the Agency has not attempted to describe all the specific entities that may be affected by this action. 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 email. Clearly mark the part or all of the information that you claim to be CBI. For CBI information in a disk or CDROM that you mail to EPA, mark the outside of the disk or CDROM as CBI and then identify electronically within the disk or CDROM 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 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

A. What Action is the Agency Taking?

Under section 4 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA is reevaluating existing pesticides to ensure that they meet current scientific and regulatory standards. Using a modified, streamlined version of its public participation process, EPA has completed a RED for the lowrisk pesticide, para dichlorobenzene under section 4(g)(2)(A) of FIFRA. Paradichlorobenzene is a fumigant insecticide, and is registered for use on indoor use sites only. It is used as a moth and beetle repellant in products which are applied to commercial and residential use sites such as closets and storage containers, and to repel lice and mites from bird cages. It is also used in empty bee supers (stored indoors), to repel wax moths. When formulated into varpal rope, it is used in attics to repel snakes, mice, rats, squirrels, and attic wombats. EPA has determined that the database to support reregistration is substantially complete and that products containing paradichlorobenzene will be eligible for reregistration, provided the risks are mitigated either in the manner described in the RED or by another means that achieves equivalent risk reduction. Upon submission of any required product specific data under section 4(g)(2)(B) of FIFRA and any necessary changes to the registration and labeling (either to address any concerns identified in the RED or as a result of product specific data), EPA will make a final reregistration decision under section 4(g)(2)(C) of FIFRA for products containing paradichlorobenzene.

EPA is applying the principles of public participation to all pesticides undergoing reregistration and tolerance reassessment. The Agency's Pesticide Tolerance Reassessment and Reregistration; Public Participation Process, published in the Federal Register on May 14, 2004, (69 FR 26819) (FRL73579) explains that in conducting these programs, the Agency is tailoring its public participation process to be commensurate with the level of risk, extent of use, complexity of issues, and degree of public concern associated with each pesticide. EPA can expeditiously reach decisions for pesticides like para dichlorobenzene, which pose few risks of concern. Once EPA assesses uses and risks for such low risk pesticides, the Agency may go directly to a decision and prepare a document summarizing its findings, such as the paradichlorobenzene RED.

The reregistration program is being conducted under congressionally mandated timeframes, and EPA recognizes the need both to make timely decisions and to involve the public in finding ways to effectively mitigate pesticide risks. Paradichlorobenzene,
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however, poses few risks that require mitigation. The Agency therefore is issuing the paradichlorobenzene RED, its risk assessments, and related support materials simultaneously for public comment. The comment period is intended to provide an opportunity for public input and a mechanism for initiating any necessary amendments to the RED. All comments should be submitted using the methods in ADDRESSES, and must be received by EPA on or before the closing date. These comments will become part of the Agency Docket for paradichlorobenzene. Comments received after the close of the comment period will be marked ``late.'' EPA is not required to consider these late comments.

EPA will carefully consider all comments received by the closing date and will provide a Response to Comments Memorandum in the Docket and regulations.gov. If any comment significantly affects the document, EPA also will publish an amendment to the RED in the Federal Register. In the absence of substantive comments requiring changes, the para dichlorobenzene RED will be implemented as it is now presented. B. What is the Agency's Authority for Taking this Action?

Section 4(g)(2) of FIFRA, as amended, directs that, after submission of all data concerning a pesticide active ingredient, ``the Administrator shall determine whether pesticides containing such active ingredient are eligible for reregistration,'' before calling in product specific data on individual enduse products and either reregistering products or taking other ``appropriate regulatory action.'' List of Subjects

Environmental protection, Pesticides and pests.

Dated: December 5, 2007.
Steven Bradbury,
Director, Special Review and Reregistration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.
[FR Doc. E724082 Filed 121107; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 656050S

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Molly Clayton, Special Review and Reregistration Division (7508P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 204600001; telephone number: (703) 6030522; fax number: (703) 3087070; email address: clayton.molly@epa.gov.