United States
                  Environmental Protection
                  Agency	
                       Prevention, Pesticides
                       And Toxic Substances
                       (7508W)	
EPA-738-F-95-007
April 1995
                   R.E.D.    FACTS
                   Metolachlor
      Pesticide
Reregistration
    Use Profile
     All pesticides sold or distributed in the United States must be
registered by EPA, based on scientific studies showing that they can be used
without posing unreasonable risks to people or the environment. Because of
advances in scientific knowledge, the law requires that pesticides which
were first registered years ago be reregistered to ensure that they meet
today's more stringent standards.
     In evaluating pesticides for reregistration, EPA obtains and reviews a
complete set of studies from pesticide producers, describing the human
health and environmental effects of each pesticide. The Agency imposes
any regulatory controls that are needed to effectively manage each
pesticide's risks.  EPA then reregisters pesticides that can be used without
posing unreasonable risks to human health or the environment.
     When a pesticide is eligible for reregistration, EPA announces this and
explains why in a Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) document.  This
fact sheet summarizes the information in the RED document for
reregistration case 0001 , metolachlor.

     Metolachlor is a broad spectrum herbicide used for general weed
control in many agricultural food and feed crops (primarily corn, soybeans
and sorghum), and on lawns and turf, ornamental plants, trees, shrubs and
vines, rights of way, fencerows and hedgerows, and in forestry. The
emulsifiable concentrate formulation is most commonly used, but granular
formulations also are available.  Ground application is the use method of
choice for all sites, although aerial, irrigation, and chemigation application
methods also are permitted.
     Use practice limitations prohibit applying metolachlor in greenhouses
or other enclosed structures, on muck or peat soils, on sweet potatoes or
yams, to trees or vines transplanted less than 30 days (and only after
depressions around the trees and vines have been filled in), on sand or
loamy sand soils, to trees or vines that will bear harvestable fruit within 12
months, to Taloka Sill Loam, on English peas in Northeastern U.S., and on
sorghum grown under dry-mulch tillage. They also prohibit grazing
livestock in treated areas, feeding or grazing cover crops grown in treated
orchards, and grazing or feeding peanut forage or fodder to livestock for 30
days following application.
           Recycled/Recyclable • Printed with Vegetable Based Inks on Recycled Paper (20% Postconsumer)

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Regulatory
     History
      Metolachlor was first registered in the U.S. in 1976 for general weed
control on turf.  This pesticide was the subject of EPA's first Registration
Standard, in March 1980. The Agency issued a second Registration
Standard for metolachlor in January 1987, and Data Call-in notices in
December 1993  and May 1994.

Toxicity
    -  Metolachlor displayed a low level of toxicity in acute tests.  It is
slightly toxic by  the oral, dermal, and inhalation routes, and has been placed
in Toxicity Category III (the second-lowest of four categories) for these
effects.   It is non-irritating to the eyes and skin (Toxicity Category IV), but
is positive for  skin sensitization in guinea pigs.
      While a  three-month subchronic feeding study in beagle dogs
produced no effects, a six-month study resulted in reduced body weight
gains and food consumption in the high dose dogs. A dermal toxicity study
using New Zealand white rabbits resulted in increased bilirubin, increased
liver weights in males, and increased kidney weights in females.  In a
chronic feeding study using beagle dogs, metolachlor caused decreased body
weight gain.
      Metolachlor has been evaluated for carcinogenic activity in both rats
and mice.  No treatment-related cancer effects were observed in two studies
using mice.  In studies using rats, metolachlor caused a significant increase
in liver nodules and carcinomas in high dose females.  In 1991, the
Agency's HED Peer Review Committee recommended that  metolachlor be
classified as a Group C  possible human carcinogen, based on increases in
liver tumors in the female rat. However, a Peer Review conducted in July
1994 recommended a margin of exposure (MOE) approach  to assessing
chronic risk since there  was no supportable mutagenicity concern, and in
light of new information on the relative metabolism of metolachlor
indicating that formation of the derivative presumed to be the ultimate
carcinogen actually is very low.
      Metolachlor shows some evidence of causing developmental toxicity
effects in rats  but none in rabbits. It was not  mutagenic in several tests.
Dietary  Exposure
      People may be exposed to residues of metolachlor through the diet.
Tolerances or  maximum residue limits have been established for residues
in/on a variety of food and feed commodities  including corn, cotton,
peanuts,  pod crops, potatoes,  safflower, sorghum, soybeans, stone fruits,
tree nuts, nonbearing citrus and grapes, and cabbage; straw, forage and
grain of  barley, buckwheat, oats, rice, rye, and wheat; several types of
peppers;  and eggs, milk, and the fat, meat and meat byproducts of poultry,
cattle, goats, hogs, horses, and sheep (please see 40 CFR 180.368(a),(b)
and (c)).

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      Sufficient data are available to determine the adequacy of most
established tolerances.  (Certain studies generated by Craven Laboratories
are being replaced.)  However,  some tolerances need to be revoked, some
need to be replaced,  and some separate ones need to be established to bring
them up  to date with current commodity definitions.
      New food/feed additive tolerances are needed  for processed potatoes
(dry peel, wet peel, granules, and waste from processing) and  soybean
hulls, and,  based on  some replacement studies, will  likely be needed for
peanuts.  Under the Delaney clause of the Federal Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), however, food and feed additive tolerances may
not be established for pesticides that induce cancer in man or animals.
Although its cancer-causing potential in humans is weak, EPA still considers
metolachlor to be a chemical that "induces cancer" within the meaning of
the Delaney clause   Therefore, under current policy EPA would  not issue
these  food and feed additive tolerances, and would not continue in effect
tolerances for the associated raw agricultural commodities potatoes,
soybeans, and peanuts.
      EPA currently  is evaluating its policies regarding pesticide tolerances,
registrations, and the Delaney clause in light of ongoing legal challenges.
Because  of these issues, the Agency is unable to make a reregistration
eligibility decision at this time regarding the potato,  soybean, and peanut
uses of metolachlor.
      EPA has assessed the dietary risk posed by metolachlor.  The
Anticipated Residue Concentration (ARC) for the overall U.S.  population
represents less than 0.2% of the Reference Dose (RfD), or amount believed
not to cause adverse  effects if consumed daily over a 70-year lifetime.  The
most highly exposed subgroup, non-nursing infants less than one year old,
has an ARC which represents less than 0.6% of the  RfD. This low fraction
of the allowable RID is considered to be an acceptable dietary exposure risk.
Occupational and Residential Exposure
      Based on current use patterns, handlers (mixers, loaders  and
applicators) may be exposed to  metolachlor during normal use of both
granular  and liquid formulations.  The potential for  post-application
exposure also exists for people entering treated sites. For many uses of
metolachlor, however, this potential is diminished since the herbicide is
incorporated into the soil following application.  For post-emergent
applications, especially applications to turf, there is  more of a risk  of post-
application exposure.
      Because metolachlor is a possible human carcinogen and systemic
toxicity may result from intermediate exposure (one  week to several
months), EPA assessed exposure and risk to workers using several major
exposure scenarios   Margins of Exposure (MOEs) for subchronic systemic
effects are unacceptable (less than 100) for mixers/loaders during aerial
applications of liquid metolachlor.  In addition, MOEs for

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Environmental
   Assessment
mixers/loaders/applicators during ground applications of liquid metolachlor
are acceptable only when certain personal protective equipment (PPE)
(gloves and coveralls) is worn by those handlers.
     To mitigate these risks to metolachlor handlers, EPA is requiring use
of a closed mixing and loading system by mixers/loaders supporting aerial
applications of liquid formulations.  In addition, mixers/loader/applicators
must wear appropriate PPE—chemical-resistant gloves and coveralls over
short-sleeved shirts and short pants—during/supporting ground applications
of liquid metolachlor formulations.
     Post-application exposures do not appear to pose an unreasonable risk
to people entering treated areas, as long as they do not reenter immediately
after application.  Therefore, for all uses within the scope of the Worker
Protection Standard (WPS), EPA is requiring a 24-hour restricted entry
interval (REI), strengthening the interim 12-hour REI in place  until now, as
well as PPE for  workers who enter treated areas before the REI has
expired.
     For uses outside the scope of the WPS, EPA is requiring, for liquid
applications, a prohibition on entry until sprays have dried, and for granular
applications, a prohibition on entry until dusts have settled or the treated
area is dry following watering-in.
Human Risk Assessment
     Metolachlor is of low acute toxicity but can  cause dermal sensitization.
It is classified as a "Group C," possible human carcinogen based on
increases in liver tumors in the female rat.  Metolachlor also shows some
evidence of causing developmental toxicity in rats.
     Although people may be exposed to residues of metolachlor through
the diet,  dietary  risks appear to be minimal. Systemic toxicity  risks to
certain handlers  (mi xers/loaders/applicators) are of concern from
intermediate exposure to metolachlor, but will be mitigated by  requiring use
of closed mixing and loading systems for aerial applications of liquid
formulations, and use of certain minimum,  baseline PPE (gloves and
coveralls) for all handlers during ground use of liquid formulations.  To
reduce post-application exposure and risk, a more stringent 24-hour REI is
being imposed, as is early entry PPE.

Environmental Fate
     Parent  metolachlor appears to be moderately persistent to persistent.
It ranges from mobile to highly mobile in different soils, and has been
detected in ground water.  Metolachlor is stable to hydrolysis under normal
environmental conditions.  Degradation is dependent on microbially
mediated and abiotic processes.  Five major degradates have been identified.
     Metolachlor has the potential to range from  a moderately mobile to a
highly  mobile material in different types of soil.  It is persistent in surface
soil with a half-life in the 6-12 inch soil layer ranging from 7 to 292 days.

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Detections were made as far as the 36-48 inch soil layer in some tests.
Metolachlor has a low potential to bioaccumulate in fish.
      Residues of metolachlor have been detected in ground water in 20
states. Detections in three states have been found to contain residues that
exceed the lifetime Health Advisory of 100 ppb for metolachlor. In five
other states, concentrations in well water exceed 10%  of the Health
Advisory Level (HAL).  Because of these detections,  EPA is concerned
about the degradation of water quality that occurs in metolachlor use areas.
      Metolachlor is among the top five pesticides found in surface water in
the mid-western corn belt. It is detected in a high percentage of surface
water samples collected from  numerous locations within the corn belt for
several months post-application.  Comparable levels are found in streams,
rivers, and reservoirs.
      It appears unlikely that metolachlor concentrations will exceed the 1-
10 day or lifetime Health Advisory levels.  Although metolachlor is not yet
formally regulated by the Safe Drinking Water Act, water supply systems
are required to sample and analyze for it. EPA will review these data when
they become available.
Ecological Effects
      Metolachlor is practically nontoxic to birds on both an acute and a
subacute dietary basis. New avian reproduction studies are required to
determine its chronic toxicity to birds.  Metolachlor is moderately toxic to
freshwater fish on an acute basis.  It is slightly toxic to aquatic  invertebrates
on an acute basis. A reproduction study is required to confirm that chronic
risks to aquatic invertebrates are similar to risks to fish.  Metolachlor is
slightly toxic to estuarine fish  in acute exposures. Since metolachlor is a
herbicide, potential risk to nontarget plants is likely.
Ecological Effects Risk Assessment
      Metolachlor is registered for many outdoor uses. Acute as well as
chronic exposures to nontarget organisms can result from direct
applications, spray drift,  and runoff from treated areas.
      The level of concern (LOG) for endangered birds is exceeded at an
application rate of 6 Ibs active ingredient (ai) per acre. In addition, the
LOG is exceeded for waterfowl at 6 Ibs. ai/acre in short grass.
      In addition, the endangered species LOG is exceeded for small
mammals eating short grass at an application rate of 2 Ibs/acre. The
endangered species and restricted use LOCs are exceeded for small
mammals eating short grass at an application rate of 4 Ibs./acre and higher.
      Although no acute effects to aquatic organisms are expected as a result
of exposure to metolachlor in deeper water, freshwater fish (the most
sensitive  aquatic species) trigger the endangered  species LOG in a shallow
water body one foot deep or less.   Risk to non-target plants also is expected.
     In summary, endangered species levels of concern are exceeded in
some circumstances for birds,  small mammals, and endangered fish.

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  Risk Mitigation
  Additional Data
          Required
Limitations may be imposed on the use of metolachlor in the future to
protect threatened and endangered species when EPA implements the
Endangered Species Protection Program.

     EPA is requiring the following risk mitigation measures for
metolachlor, as discussed earlier:
°  An environmental hazard statement is required on product labeling to
protect endangered plants.
o  Metolachlor will be considered a candidate for classification as a
restricted use pesticide for groundwater concerns when the Restricted Use
Rule for Ground Water goes into effect.
o  Since metolachlor has been detected in ground water as a result of normal
agricultural use, EPA will consider metolachlor as a candidate for state
management plans when the State Management Plan rule is promulgated.
o  The ground water advisory on existing product labels must be modified
to reflect current advisory language.
o  A surface water advisory also is required since metolachlor can
contaminate surface water through ground spray drift and run-off.
o  Interim spray drift advisory language must be placed on product labels.
o  Metolachlor products applied  as liquids that have uses within the scope of
the WPS warrant the establishment of minimum PPE requirements for
handlers.  In addition, mixers and loaders must use closed mixing systems to
support aerial  applications (see discussion above).
o  EPA also is requiring a strengthened 24-hour REI for uses that are within
the scope of the WPS.
o  Early entry PPE for dermal protection also is required for emulsifiable
concentrate formulations.
o  Certain entry restrictions also are required for uses outside the scope of
the WPS and for homeowner use products.
o  To protect ground water, EPA is requiring two  small-scale prospective
ground water  studies on metolachlor, as well as a report on the results of a
19-state monitoring program.
Label statements also are required to reduce mixing and loading risks.

      EPA is requiring the following generic studies for metolachlor  to
confirm its regulatory assessments and conclusions: a Foliar Residue
Dissipation study and a Dermal Passive Dosimetry Exposure study for use
on residential  turf.  The Agency also is requiring product-specific data
including product chemistry and acute toxicity studies, revised Confidential
Statements of  Formula (CSFs), and revised labeling for reregistration.
Product Labeling
      All metolachlor end-use products must comply with EPA's current

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            Changes   pesticide product labeling requirements, and with the following (for detailed
Required              labeling instructions, please see the metolachlor RED):
                         Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements for Pesticide
                         Handlers
                               Sole-active-ingredient products must be revised to adopt the PPE
                         requirements set forth in this section.  Any conflicting PPE requirements on
                         current labeling must be removed.   Multiple-active-ingredient products must
                         compare these handler PPE requirements to those on current labeling and
                         retain the more protective.
                               Handler PPE for Occupational-Use Products (products NOT
                               intended primarily for home use):
                         Minimum (Baseline) Personal Protective Equipment Requirements: Some
                         uses of metolachlor are within the scope of the Worker Protection Standard
                         (WPS) and some are outside its scope.  The minimum (baseline) PPE
                         requirements pertain to both the WPS and nonWPS uses by occupational
                         handlers, since potential exposure is similar.
                               Granular Formulations: The Agency is establishing no minimum
                         (baseline) PPE for  WPS and nonWPS uses of metolachlor products
                         formulated  as granules.
                               EC Formulations:  The minimum (baseline) PPE for all WPS and
                         nonWPS occupational uses of metolachlor products formulated as liquids is:
                               "Applicators  and other handlers must wear:
                               --Coveralls over short-sleeved shirt and short pants
                               -Chemical-resistant gloves (see instructions * below)
                               —Chemical-resistant footwear plus socks
                               --Chemical-resistant headgear for overhead exposure
                               —Chemical-resistant apron when cleaning equipment, mixing, or
                               loading" (see instructions ** below)
                               * The glove statement for metolachlor is the statement established
                         through instructions in Supplement Three of PR Notice 93-7.
                               ** The words "mixing, or loading" may be removed if the product is
                         formulated  as "ready-to-use."
                         Actual End-Use Product Personal Protective Equipment Requirements:  The
                         PPE that would otherwise be established based on the acute toxicity of each
                         end-use product must be compared to the minimum (baseline) PPE specified
                         above, and the more protective must be placed on product labeling.
                         Placement in Labeling: The PPE must  be placed on end-use product
                         labeling in the location specified in PR  Notice 93-7,  and the format and
                         language of the PPE requirements must be the same as specified there.
                              Products Intended  Primarily for Homeowner Use:

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EPA is not establishing minimum (baseline) handler PPE for metolachlor
end-use products intended primarily for homeowner use.  Any necessary
PPE will be established based on the acute toxicity of the end-use product.
Placement in Labeling:  PPE requirements, if any, must be placed on end-
use product  labeling immediately following the precautionary statements in
"Hazards to Humans (and domestic animals)."

Entry Restrictions
      Sole-active-ingredient products must be revised to adopt the entry
restrictions set forth in this section. Any conflicting entry restrictions on
current  labeling must be removed.  Multiple-active-ingredient products must
compare the entry restrictions set forth in this section to  those on current
labeling and retain the more protective.  A specific time-period in hours or
days is considered more protective  than "sprays have dried"  or "dusts have
settled."
      Occupational-Use Products (products NOT intended primarily for
      home use):
           -Uses Within the Scope of the WPS:
Restricted-Entry Interval:  A 24-hour restricted entry interval (REI)  is
required for uses within the  scope of the WPS on all end-use products.
Early-Entry Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
      EC Formulations:   The PPE required for early entry following
applications of the emulsifiable concentrate is:
           —coveralls over short-sleeve shirt and short pants,
           ~chemical-/resistant gloves,
           —chemical-resistant footwear plus socks,
           —chemical-resistant headgear for overhead exposures.
      Granular Formulations:   The PPE required for early entry following
applications of granular formulation is:
           —coveralls,
           —chemical-resistant gloves,
           —shoes plus socks.
Placement in Labeling: The  REI must be inserted into the standardized  REI
statement and the PPE required for early entry must be inserted into the
standardized early entry PPE statement required by Supplement Three of  PR
Notice 93-7.
           -Uses Not Within the Scope of the WPS:
For liquid applications:
      "Do not enter or allow others to enter the treated area until
      sprays have dried."
For granular applications:

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      "Do not enter or allow others to enter the treated area until dusts
      have settled.  If soil incorporation is required following the
      application, do not enter or allow others to enter the treated area
      (except those  persons involved in the incorporation) until the
      incorporation is complete. If the incorporation is accomplished
      by watering-in, do not enter or allow others to enter the treated
      area until the surface is dry following the watering-in."
Placement in Labeling:
      If WPS uses also are on label: Follow instructions in PR Notice 93-7
for establishing Non-Agricultural Use Requirements box and place
appropriate  nonWPS entry restriction in that box.
      If no WPS uses are on label:  Add appropriate nonWPS entry
restriction to labels of all end-use products, except products primarily
intended for homeowner use, in a section in the Directions For Use with the
heading: "Entry Restrictions:"
      Products Primarily Intended for Home Use:
For liquid applications:
      "Do not enter or allow others to enter the treated area until
      sprays have dried."
For granular applications:
      "Do not enter or allow others to enter the treated area until dusts
      have settled.  If soil incorporation is required following the
      application, do not enter or allow others to enter the treated area
      (except those  persons involved in the incorporation) until the
      incorporation is complete. If the incorporation is accomplished
      by watering-in, do not enter or allow others to enter the treated
      area until the  surface is dry following the watering-in."
Placement in Labeling: Add entry restriction to labels of products primarily
intended for homeowner use in section in Directions For Use with the
heading: "Entry Restrictions:"

Other Labeling Requirements
      The Agency is requiring the following labeling statements on all
metolachlor end-use products intended primarily for occupational use:
Application  Restrictions:
      "Do not apply this product in a way that will contact workers or other
      persons, either directly or through drift.  Only protected handlers may
      be in the area during application."
Engineering Controls:
      "Mixers and loaders supporting aerial applications are required to use
      closed systems The closed system must be used in a manner that
      meets  the requirements listed in the Worker Protection Standard
      (WPS) for agricultural pesticides (40 CFR 170.240(d)(4). When

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     using the closed system, the mixers' and loaders' PPE requirements
     may be reduced or modified as specified in the WPS."
     "When handlers use closed systems, enclosed cabs, or aircraft in a
     manner that meets the requirements listed in the Worker Protection
     Standard (WPS) for agricultural pesticides (40 CFR 170.240(d)(4-6),
     the handler PPE requirements may be reduced or modified as
     specified in the WPS."
User Safety Requirements:
     "Follow manufacturer's instructions for cleaning/maintaining PPE. If
     no such instructions for washables, use detergent and hot water. Keep
     and wash PPE separately from other laundry."
User Safety Recommendations:
     "Users should wash hands before eating, drinking, chewing gum,
     using tobacco, or using the toilet."
     "Users should remove clothing immediately if pesticide gets inside.
     Then wash thoroughly and put on clean clothing."
     "Users should remove PPE immediately after handling this product.
     Wash the outside of gloves before removing. As soon as possible,
     wash thoroughly and change into  clean clothing."
Skin Sensitizer Statement:
     Because metolachlor is classified  as a skin sensitizer, EPA is requiring
     the following statement in the "Hazards to Humans (and Domestic
     Animals)" section of the Precautionary Statements on the labeling of
     all end-use products:
     "This product may cause skin sensitization  reactions in some people."
Soil Incorporation Statement:
     Registrants may add the following statement to their labeling in the
Agricultural Use Requirements box immediately following the restricted
entry interval:
     "Exception: if the product is soil-incorporated, the Worker Protection
     Standard, under certain circumstances, allows workers to enter the
     treated area if there will be no contact with anything that has been
     treated."
Environmental Hazard Statement
     "Do not apply directly to water, or to areas where surface water is
     present or to intertidal areas below the mean high-water mark.  Do not
     contaminate water when disposing of equipment wash water or
     rinsate."
Rotational Crops Restriction
      'Do not rotate to food or feed crops other than those listed on this
     label."
Ground Water Labeling/Mitigation; Mixing/Loading
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      The following language regarding mixing/loading setbacks must
appear in Precautionary Statements in the Environmental Hazards section of
the label:
      "This product may not be mixed or loaded within 50 ft. of perennial
      or  intermittent streams and rivers, natural or impounded lakes and
      reservoirs.  This product may not be mixed/loaded or used within 50
      ft.  of all wells, including abandoned wells, drainage wells, and sink
      holes. Operations that involve mixing, loading, rinsing, or washing of
      this product into or from pesticide handling or application equipment
      or  containers within 50 ft. of any well are prohibited unless conducted
      on  an impervious pad constructed to withstand the weight of the
      heaviest load that may be positioned on or moved across the pad.
      Such a pad shall be designed and maintained to contain  any product
      spills or equipment leaks, container or equipment rinse  or wash-water,
      and rain water that may fall on the pad.  Surface water shall not be
      allowed  to either flow over or from the pad, which means the pad
      must be self-contained.  The pad shall be sloped to facilitate material
      removal. An unroofed pad shall be of sufficient capacity to contain at
      a minimum 110% of the capacity of the largest pesticide container or
      application equipment on the pad. A pad that is covered by a roof of
      sufficient size to completely exclude precipitation from contact with
      the pad shall have  a minimum containment capacity of 100% of the
      capacity of the largest pesticide container or application equipment on
      the pad. Containment capacities as described above shall be
      maintained at all times.  The above-specified minimum containment
      capacities do not apply to vehicles when  delivering pesticide shipments
      to the mixing/loading site."
Ground Water Advisory
      The following ground water advisory language must be placed on all
metolachlor labels
      "This chemical is known to leach through soil into ground water under
      certain conditions as a result of agricultural use.  Use of this chemical
      in areas where soils are permeable, particularly where the water table
      is shallow, may result in ground-water contamination."
Surface Water Advisory
      The following surface water advisory language must be placed on all
metolachlor labels:
      "Metolachlor can contaminate surface water through ground spray
      drift.  Under some  conditions, metolachlor may also have a high
      potential for runoff into surface water (primarily via dissolution in
      runoff water), tor several months post-application.  These include
      poorly draining or wet soils with readily visible slopes toward adjacent

                        11

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     surface waters, frequently flooded areas, areas over-laying extremely
     shallow ground water, areas with in-field canals or ditches that drain
     to surface water,  areas not separated from adjacent surface waters
     with vegetated filter strips, and areas over-laying tile drainage systems
     that drain to surface water."
Endangered Plants Labeling
     The following is  required in the general information section of label:
     "Do not apply under conditions which favor runoff or wind erosion of
     soil containing this product to non-target areas."
     To prevent off-site movement due to run-off or wind erosion:
     "Avoid treating powdery dry or light sand soils when conditions are
     favorable for wind erosion. Under these conditions, the soil surface
     should first be settled by rainfall or irrigation."
     "Do not apply to impervious substrates such as paved  or highly
     compacted surfaces."
     "Do not use tailwater from the first flood or furrow irrigation of
     treated fields to treat non-target crops unless at least 1/2 inch of
     rainfall has occurred between application and the first irrigation."
Spray Drift Labeling
     The following language must be placed on the label of each product
that can be applied aerially:
     "Avoiding spray drift at the application site is the responsibility of the
     applicator.  The interaction of many equipment-and-weather-related
     factors determine the potential for spray drift.  The applicator and the
     grower are responsible for considering  all these factors when making
     decisions.
     "The following drift management requirements must be followed to
     avoid off-target drift movement from aerial applications to agricultural
     field crops.  These requirements do not apply to forestry  applications,
     public health uses or to applications using dry formulations.
      1.    The distance of the outer most nozzles on the boom must not
     exceed 3/4 the length of the wingspan or rotor.
     2.    Nozzles must always point backward parallel with the air stream
     and never be pointed downwards more  than 45 degrees.
     Where states have more  stringent regulations, they  should be
     observed.
     "The applicator should be familiar with and take into account the
     information covered in the Aerial Drift Reduction Advisory
     Information,."
     Aerial drift reduction advisory information must be contained in
product labeling.  See the metolachlor RED document for this additional
required labeling
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 Regulatory
Conclusion
   For More
Information
     The use of currently registered products containing metolachlor, in
accordance with labeling amended to reflect the risk mitigation measures
imposed by this RED, generally will not pose unreasonable risks or adverse
effects 10 humans or the environment.  Therefore, all uses of these products,
except on potatoes, soybeans, and peanuts, are eligible for reregistration.
     EPA is unable to make a reregistration eligibility decision regarding
the potato, soybean, and peanut uses because, under current policy, the food
and feed additive tolerances needed  to support these uses appear to be barred
by the Delaney clause in the FFDCA.
     Metolachlor products with eligible uses will be reregistered once the
required product-specific data, revised Confidential Statements of Formula,
and revised labeling are received and accepted by EPA.

     EPA is requesting public comments on the Reregistration Eligibility
Decision  (RED) document for meiolachlor during a 60-day time period, as
announced in a Notice of Availability published in the Federal Register. To
obtain a copy of the RED document or to submit written comments, please
contact the Pesticide Docket, Public Response and Program Resources
Branch, Field Operations Division (7506C), Office of Pesticide Programs
(OPP), US EPA, Washington, DC 20460, telephone            703-305-
5805.
                      Electronic copies of the RED and this fact sheet can be downloaded
                 from the Pesticide Special Review and Reregistration Information System at
                 703-308-7224. They also are available on the Internet on EPA's gopher
                 server, GOPHER.EPA. GOV, or using ftp on FTP.EPA.GOV, or using
                 WWW (World Wide Web) on WWW.EPA.GOV.
                      Printed copies of the RED and fact sheet can be obtained from EPA's
                 National Center for Environmental Publications and Information
                 (EPA/NCEPI), PO Box 42419, Cincinnati, OH 45242-0419, telephone
                 513-489-8190, fax 513-489-8695.
                      Following the comment period, the metolachlor RED document also
                 will be available from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS),
                 5285 Port  Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161, telephone 703-487-4650.
                      For more information  about EPA's pesticide reregistration program,
                 the metolachlor RED, or reregistration of individual products containing
                 metolachlor, please contact the Special Review and Reregistration Division
                 (7508W),  OPP, US EPA, Washington, DC 20460, telephone
                 703-308-8000.
                      For information about the health effects of pesticides, or for assistance
                 in recognizing and managing pesticide poisoning symptoms, please contact
                 the National Pesticides Telecommunications Network  (NPTN).  Call toll-

                                        is

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free 1-800-858-7378, between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm Eastern Standard
Time, Monday through Friday.
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