Primisulfuron-methyl TRED Facts

                                                                          EPA 738-F-02-016
                                                                                 July 2002

EPA has assessed the risks of primisulfuron-methyl through food and drinking water and completed a
Report on FQPA Tolerance Reassessment Progress and Interim Risk Management Decision (or TRED)
for this pesticide. Primisulfuron-methyl fits into its own "risk cup" - its individual, aggregate risks are
within acceptable levels - so no risk mitigation is necessary.

Background

Because primisulfuron-methyl was initially registered as a pesticide active ingredient after November
1984, it is not subject to reregistration, but its tolerances (legal limits for residues in food) must be
reassessed as a result of the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA)  of 1996. The food uses of
primisulfuron-methyl have been reevaluated to ensure that they meet the new safety standard
effected by FQPA.

Uses

Primisulfuron-methyl is a  broad spectrum herbicide used on corn. EPA has also received a petition to
establish a a new use of primisulfuron-methyl on Kentucky bluegrass grown for seed and to establish
new tolerances for this crop.

Tolerances

Tolerances for primisulfuron-methyl exist on the following commodities: corn fodder, forage, and
grain; milk; eggs;  and fat, meat,  and meat by products of cattle, goats, hogs, horses, poultry, and
sheep. These tolerances will be reassessed at their present levels. A tolerance also exists for fresh
corn, including sweet kernels plus cobs with husks removed, but this tolerance will be revoked
because use  on sweet corn is prohibited on the labels for primisulfuron-methyl. As previously
mentioned, EPA has received a  petition to establish new tolerances for Kentucky bluegrass grown for
seed (forage and hay). The Agency is evaluating this tolerance petition and will publish a decision
regarding establishment of these  new tolerances apart from this TRED.

Regulatory Conclusion

   •   EPA has assessed the dietary risks for all current and proposed uses of primisulfuron-methyl
       and determined that risk from food and drinking water are not of concern. EPA has determined
       that current uses  meet the FQPA safety standard. Therefore, no risk mitigation or label
       changes are necessary.

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    •   EPA is reassessing 24 existing tolerances for primisulfuron-methyl at existing levels and
       proposing one tolerance (sweet corn) for revocation because the use is not supported or
       labeled.
    •   EPA will make a decision regarding establishment of new tolerances for Kentucky bluegrass
       forage and hay at a later date, separate from this TRED.


For More Information


For additional information regarding the tolerance reassessment for primisulfuron-methyl, visit the
EPA website at http://www.    .qov/pesticides/rereqistration or see
http: 7/www .epa .qov/pesticides/rereqistration/status. htm.

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