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EPA ID: [EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0190; FRL-8339-4]

NOTICE: NOTICES

ACTION: Pesticide registration, cancellation, etc.:

DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice.

SUBJECT CATEGORY: Polypropylene Glycol Reregistration Eligibility Decision; Notice of Availability

DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 22, 2008.

DOCUMENT SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of EPA's Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for the pesticide polypropylene glycol, and [[Page 72714]]
opens a public comment period on this document. The Agency's risk assessments and other related documents also are available in the polypropylene glycol Docket. Butoxypolypropylene glycol (BPG) is the only active ingredient in the polypropylene glycol chemical case with any registered products. BPG is a repellant that is used to control flying and crawling insects. BPG was first registered for use in 1960, and can be applied to animals such as pets or horses directly, or to areas where animals live, like animal housing, bedding, or other areas animals may occupy. There are no food uses, and no uses on animals intended for slaughter. EPA has reviewed the polypropylene glycol chemical case through 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: Polypropylene glycol,

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.

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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. EPA has completed a RED for the pesticide, polypropylene glycol under section 4(g)(2)(A) of FIFRA. Butoxypolypropylene glycol (BPG) is the only active ingredient in the polypropylene glycol chemical case with any registered products. BPG is a repellant that is used to control flying and crawling insects. BPG was first registered for use in 1960, and can be applied to animals such as pets or horses directly, or to areas where animals live, like animal housing, bedding, or other areas animals may occupy. There are no food uses, and no uses on animals intended for slaughter.
EPA has determined that the data base to support reregistration is substantially complete and that products containing polypropylene glycol are eligible for reregistration, provided the risks are mitigated in the manner described in the RED. 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 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 polypropylene glycol.

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, EPA 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. Due to its uses, risks, and other factors, polypropylene glycol was reviewed through the modified 4Phase process. Through this process, EPA worked extensively with stakeholders and the public to reach the regulatory decisions for polypropylene glycol.

The reregistration program is being conducted under congressionally mandated time frames, and EPA recognizes the need both to make timely decisions and to involve the public. The Agency is issuing the polypropylene glycol RED for public comment. This comment period is intended to provide an additional 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 polypropylene glycol. Comments received after the close of the comment period will be marked ``late.'' EPA is not required to consider these late comments.

The Agency 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 polypropylene glycol 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 12, 2007.
Steven Bradbury,
Director, Special Review and Reregistration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.
[FR Doc. E724771 Filed 122007; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 656050S

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Cathryn O'Connell, Special Review and Reregistration Division (7508P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 204600001; telephone number: (703) 3080136; fax number: (703) 3087070; email address: oconnell.cathryn@epa.gov.