Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Notice.
This notice announces the availability of EPA's Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for the pesticide sodium carbonate; weak mineral bases, and opens a public comment period on this document, related risk assessments, and other support documents. EPA has reviewed the low risk pesticide sodium carbonate; weak mineral bases 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.
Comments must be received on or before October 29, 2007.
Submit your comments, identified by docket identification (ID)
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Diane Isbell, Antimicrobials Division (7510P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460–0001; telephone number: (703) 308–8154; fax number: (703) 308–8481; e-mail address:
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
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i. Identify the document by docket ID number and other identifying information (subject heading,
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.
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 low risk pesticide, sodium carbonate, weak mineral bases under section 4(g)(2)(A) of FIFRA. Sodium carbonate is registered as an active ingredient fungicide that is used as a neutralizer and buffering agent in industrial and manufacturing processes. In addition, sodium carbonate is used as a hard surface disinfectant and sanitizer in institutional and residential settings.
EPA has determined that the data base to support reregistration is substantially complete and that products containing sodium carbonate; weak mineral bases will be eligible for reregistration. Upon submission of any required product
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
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 in finding ways to effectively mitigate pesticide risks. Sodium carbonate; weak mineral bases, however, poses no risks that require mitigation. The Agency therefore is issuing the sodium carbonate; weak mineral bases 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
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
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 end-use products and either reregistering products or taking other “appropriate regulatory action.”
Environmental protection, Pesticides and pests, sodium carbonate; weak mineral bases.