[Federal Register: December 21, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 244)]
[Notices]
[Page 75798-75799]
[DOCID:fr21de05-43]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0253- FRL-7752-6]

Propylene Oxide Risk Assessment; Notice of Availability and Risk
Reduction Options; Extension of Comment Period

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice; extension of comment period.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: EPA issued a notice in the Federal Register of November 9,
2005, concerning propylene oxide (PPO). This document is extending the
comment period for 30 days, from January 9, 2006, to February 8, 2006,
in response to a request by the Almond Board of California.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 8, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Comments, identified by docket identification (ID) EPA-HQ-
OPP-2005-0253- may be submitted electronically, by mail, or through
hand delivery/courier. Follow the detailed instructions as provided in
Unit I.C. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION of the November 9, 2005
Federal Register document.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Bartow, Special Review and
Reregistration Division (7508C), Office of Pesticide Programs,
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW.,
Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number:<PHONE_NUMBER>; fax
number:<PHONE_NUMBER>; e-mail address<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does this Action Apply to Me?

    The Agency included in the November 9, 2005 Federal Register
document notice a list of those who may be potentially affected by this
action. 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 Copies of this Document and Other Related Information?

    1. Docket. EPA has established an official public docket for this
action under docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0253-. The official
public docket consists of the documents specifically referenced in this
action, any public comments received, and other information related to
this action. Although, a part of the official docket, the public docket
does not include Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. The official
public docket is the collection of materials that is available for
public viewing at the Public Information and Records Integrity Branch
(PIRIB), Rm. 119, Crystal Mall 2, 1801 S. Bell St., Arlington,
VA. This docket facility is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday
through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The docket telephone number
is<PHONE_NUMBER>.
    2. Electronic access. You may access this Federal Register document
electronically through the EPA Internet under the ``Federal Register''
listings at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/.

    EDOCKET, EPA's electronic public docket and comment system was
replaced on November 25, 2005, by an enhanced Federal-wide electronic
docket management and comment system located at http://www.regulations.gov.
 Follow the online instructions.

    An electronic version of the public docket is available through
EPA's electronic public docket and comment system, EPA Dockets. You may
use EPA Dockets at http://www.regulations.gov/ to submit or view public

comments, access the index listing of the contents of the official
public docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that
are available electronically. Once in the system, select ``search,''
then key in the appropriate docket ID number.

C. How and to Whom Do I Submit Comments?

    To submit comments, or access the official public docket, please
follow the detailed instructions as provided in Unit I.C. of the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION of the November 9, 2005 Federal Register
document. If you have questions, consult the person listed under FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

II. What Action is EPA Taking?

    This document extends the public comment period established in the
Federal Register document of November 9, 2005 (70 FR 68031) (FRL-7740-
2). In that document, EPA made available the human health risk
assessment for PPO. PPO is an insecticidal fumigant used on several
food items such as processed

spices, cocoa (beans and powder), and in-shell and processed nutmeats
(except peanuts). PPO also has nonfood uses for bird seeds, cosmetic
articles, gums, ores, packaging, pigments, pharmaceutical materials,
and discarded nut shells prior to disposal. EPA developed the risk
assessment and risk characterization for PPO through a modified version
of its public process for making pesticide reregistration eligibility
and tolerance reassessment decisions. Through these programs, EPA is
ensuring that pesticides meet current standards under the Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Federal
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), as amended by the Food Quality
Protection Act of 1996 (FQPA). The Agency received a request from the
Almond Board of California to extend the comment period. EPA is hereby
extending the comment period, which was set to end on January 9, 2006,
to February 8, 2006. This extension is being given based on the request
to have additional time to address data gaps identified in the
preliminary human health risk assessment. In particular, the Almond
Board plans to gather and submit survey information on worker exposure
during fumigation and post fumigation, the time between fumigation and
consumption by the public, and to prepare and present residue
dissipation data on almonds. Since this is the only public comment
period, the Agency is allowing a 30 day extension.

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection, Pesticides and pests.

    Dated: December 12, 2005.
Debra Edwards,
Director, Special Review and Reregistration Division, Office of
Pesticide Programs.
[FR Doc. E5-7625 Filed 12-20-05; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560-50-S