EPA has completed its review of public comments on the revised risk assessments and is issuing its risk management decisions for acephate. The decisions outlined in this document do not include the final tolerance reassessment decision for acephate; however, some tolerance actions will be undertaken prior to completion of the final tolerance reassessment. The Agency now recommends expressing the acephate tolerances in terms of acephate per se under 40 CFR part 180.108. Residues of methamidophos resulting from the metabolism of acephate are more appropriately placed under the tolerance expression for methamidophos in 40 CFR part 180.315(c). In addition, the Agency recommends lowering the tolerance level for cottonseed, as suggested by the data. The final tolerance reassessment decision for this chemical will be issued once the cumulative assessment for all of the organophosphates is complete. The Agency may need to pursue further risk management measures for acephate once the cumulative risks from organophosphates are considered. Additionally, since acephate degrades to another, registered organophosphate pesticide, methamidophos, further risk management measures for acephate may be necessary once the methamidophos assessment itself is completed.

EPA Docket Number: EPA-HQ-OPP-2006-0618