Literature DB >> 32626435

Updated peer review of the pesticide risk assessment for the active substance terbuthylazine in light of confirmatory data submitted.

Himdata Abdourahime, Maria Anastassiadou, Maria Arena, Domenica Auteri, Stefania Barmaz, Alba Brancato, Laszlo Bura, Luis Carrasco Cabrera, Eugenia Chaideftou, Arianna Chiusolo, Daniele Court Marques, Federica Crivellente, Chloe De Lentdecker, Mark Egsmose, Gabriella Fait, Lucien Ferreira, Valeria Gatto, Luna Greco, Alessio Ippolito, Frederique Istace, Samira Jarrah, Dimitra Kardassi, Renata Leuschner, Alfonso Lostia, Christopher Lythgo, Iris Mangas, Silvia Messinetti, Ileana Miron, Tunde Molnar, Laura Padovani, Juan Manuel Parra Morte, Ragnor Pedersen, Marianna Raczyk, Hermine Reich, Silvia Ruocco, Katri Elina Saari, Miguel Santos, Rositsa Serafimova, Rachel Sharp, Alois Stanek, Franz Streissl, Juergen Sturma, Csaba Szentes, Andrea Terron, Manuela Tiramani, Benedicte Vagenende, Patricija Vainovska, Laura Villamar-Bouza.   

Abstract

The conclusions of EFSA following the peer review of the initial risk assessment carried out by the competent authority of the rapporteur Member State, the United Kingdom, for the pesticide active substance terbuthylazine are reported. The context of the peer review was that requested by the European Commission following the submission and evaluation of confirmatory data on groundwater metabolites. The conclusions were reached on the basis of the evaluation of the representative uses of terbuthylazine as a herbicide on maize and sorghum and taking into account the scientific opinion of the EFSA Panel on Plant Protection Products and their Residues (PPR) on the setting of health-based reference values for metabolites of the active substance terbuthylazine. The reliable endpoints concluded as being appropriate for use in regulatory risk assessment, derived from the available studies and literature in the dossier peer reviewed, are presented. Concerns are identified.
© 2019 European Food Safety Authority. EFSA Journal published by John Wiley and Sons Ltd on behalf of European Food Safety Authority.

Entities:  

Keywords:  confirmatory data; herbicide; peer review; pesticide; risk assessment; terbuthylazine

Year:  2019        PMID: 32626435      PMCID: PMC7009257          DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2019.5817

Source DB:  PubMed          Journal:  EFSA J        ISSN: 1831-4732


Summary

Terbuthylazine was approved in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 820/2011, as amended by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/291. It was a specific provision of the approval that the applicant was required to submit to the European Commission further studies on by 30 June 2012 for point 1) and 2), by 30 June 2013 for point 3) and within six months from the notification of the classification decision concerning terbuthylazine for point 4). the specification of the technical material, as commercially manufactured including information on the relevance of the impurities; the equivalence between the specifications of the technical material, as commercially manufactured, and the specifications of the test material used in the toxicity studies; groundwater exposure assessment for the metabolites attributed the codes LM1, LM2, LM3, LM4, LM5 and LM6; the relevance of the metabolites MT1 (N‐tert‐butyl‐6‐chloro‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4‐diamine), MT 13 (4‐(tert‐butylamino)‐6‐(ethylamino)‐1,3,5‐triazin‐2‐ol or 6‐hydroxy‐N 2‐ethyl‐N 4‐tert‐butyl‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4‐diamine), MT14 (4‐amino‐6‐(tert‐butylamino)‐1,3,5‐triazin‐2‐ol or N‐tert‐butyl‐6‐hydroxy‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4‐diamine), and of the metabolites attributed the codes LM1, LM2, LM3, LM4, LM5 and LM6 with respect to cancer, if terbuthylazine is classified under Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 as ‘suspected of causing cancer’, In accordance with the specific provisions, the applicants, Syngenta Crop Protection AG and Oxon Italia SpA, submitted an updated dossier in June 2012 and June 2013, which was evaluated by the designated rapporteur Member State (RMS), the United Kingdom, in the form of an addendum to the draft assessment report. In compliance with guidance document SANCO 5634/2009‐rev. 6.1, the RMS distributed the addendum to Member States, the applicants and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)s for comments on 6 August 2015. The RMS collated all comments in the format of a reporting table, which was submitted to EFSA on 18 November 2015. EFSA added its scientific views on the specific points raised during the commenting phase in column 4 of the reporting table and finalised the Technical Report in December 2015 (EFSA, 2016). Concerning points (1) and (2) these points were considered addressed in the Technical Report (EFSA, 2016) and thus are not further discussed in this conclusion. Concerning point 4), the Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) confirmed in its Opinion of 5 June 2015 (ECHA, 2015) that terbuthylazine should not be classified with respect to cancer and therefore this point became obsolete (agreed classification with Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/776). As indicated in the Technical Report (EFSA, 2016) EFSA and the RMS had different views on some issues of the risk assessment of confirmatory data for terbuthylazine, in particular on the relevance of groundwater metabolites. The RMS proposed that the toxicological reference values of parent terbuthylazine could be applied to the metabolites occurring in groundwater above 0.75 μg/L (LM2, LM3, LM4, LM5 and LM6) and that based on these values, the exposure of the consumers would be acceptable. EFSA on the other hand considered that further toxicological data would be required to establish metabolite‐specific reference values to be used in consumer risk assessment (taking into account exposure from drinking water). The RMS had the opinion that in respect of both the levels of metabolites predicted to occur in groundwater and in comparison with the relatively low acceptable daily intake (ADI) for terbuthylazine, an acceptable risk to consumers is demonstrated and considered it unjustified to perform further animal studies to support the setting of metabolite‐specific reference values. Given the divergence in opinion, the European Commission requested EFSA to organise a peer review of the evaluation of the confirmatory data and to conclude on whether exposure to groundwater metabolites above 0.75 μg/L would pose an acceptable risk to consumers through consumption of drinking water. Following this request, EFSA finalised its conclusion on the basis of this peer review in May 2017 (EFSA, 2017a). It was concluded that the toxicological data on the metabolites LM2, LM3, LM4, LM5 and LM6 were insufficient to determine reference values and consequently the consumer risk assessment could still not be finalised. In September 2018, the Commission asked the EFSA Panel on Plant Protection Products and their Residues (PPR Panel) to establish health‐based reference values for the LM metabolites occurring in groundwater above 0.75 μg/L (LM2, LM3, LM4, LM5 and LM6) based on the available evidence, unless the evidence was considered insufficient to do so. Furthermore, in case the Panel established reference values, EFSA was requested to update the risk assessment for consumers to take into account exposure to the LM metabolites using the reference values established by the Panel. The Panel in its opinion (EFSA PPR Panel, 2019) concluded that for metabolites LM2, LM4 and LM5 the reference values for terbuthylazine were applicable. With regard to metabolites LM3 and LM6, the toxicological data were insufficient to determine reference values, therefore the risk assessment for consumers potentially exposed to these groundwater metabolites being predicted to occur in groundwater in concentrations above 0.75 μg/L could not be finalised. This leads to the groundwater (toxicological) relevance assessment for these metabolites being not finalised. The metabolites MT1, MT13, MT14, LM2, LM4 and LM5 have been concluded as relevant groundwater metabolites as their intakes through drinking water by toddlers and infants are calculated to be 127% and 191%, respectively, of the relevant toxicological reference value. When intakes of these metabolites from both food and drinking water by toddlers and infants are considered, the intakes account for 136% and 200% of the ADI, respectively, considering the most critical groundwater scenario (Hamburg, 850 g/ha). Exceedance of the ADI was indicated for six of the eight pertinent FOCUS groundwater scenarios. Exceedance of the ADI was not indicated for just the Porto and Sevilla scenarios. The information, data and assessments provided in relation to the confirmatory data requirements for environmental fate and behaviour satisfied the confirmatory data request made. The relevant metabolite desethyl‐terbuthylazine (MT1) (considering estimated intakes above toxicological reference values as well as herbicidal activity) is predicted to be above the parametric drinking water limit of 0.1 μg/L in geoclimatic conditions represented by the Hamburg, Kremsmunster, Okehampton and Piacenza FOCUS groundwater scenarios (80th percentile annual average recharge concentrations moving below the top 1 m). For the remaining four relevant FOCUS scenarios, the modelling indicated these concentrations being below the parametric drinking water limit. In the Italian field leaching studies, groundwater (saturated zone) concentrations of MT1 of up to 1.98 μg/L were measured, which is higher than the modelled concentration at Piacenza (0.2 μg/L), the FOCUS scenario in the geoclimatic situation closest to the Italian field leaching study sites investigated. In 20 out of 395 (or 5%) groundwater samples taken at eight sites in northern Italy where terbuthylazine had been applied at a rate of 856 g/ha (1.01N), MT1 concentrations exceeded 0.1 μg/L. This leads to a critical area of concern. There is also a critical area of concern regarding the relevant groundwater metabolites MT13, MT14, LM2, LM4 and LM5 (considering estimated intakes above toxicological reference values), predicted to be above the parametric drinking water limit of 0.1 μg/L in geoclimatic conditions represented by all eight pertinent FOCUS groundwater scenarios (80th percentile annual average recharge concentrations moving below the top 1 m). In 42 out of 144 (or 29%) groundwater samples taken at the eight sites in northern Italy where terbuthylazine had been applied, MT14 concentrations exceeded 0.1 μg/L, being up to 2.65 μg/L. In 62 out of 366 (or 17%) of groundwater samples from these sites, LM2 exceeded 0.1 μg/L. In 38 out of 366 (or 11%) of groundwater samples from these sites, LM4 exceeded 0.1 μg/L. In 96 out of 366 (or 27%) of groundwater samples from these sites, LM5 exceeded 0.1 μg/L. In German targeted monitoring studies 11 out of 29 (or 38%) of groundwater samples from 25 wells had metabolite LM5 exceeding 0.1 μg/L. Overall where there is the possibility that infants and toddlers could be exposed to residues from more than one exposure route the toxicological reference value may be exceeded (critical area of concern).

Background

Terbuthylazine was approved in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1107/20091 by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 820/20112, as amended by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2913. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) previously finalised a Conclusion on this active substance on 10 January 2011 (EFSA, 2011). It was a specific provision of the approval that the applicant was required to submit to the European Commission further studies on the specification of the technical material, as commercially manufactured including information on the relevance of the impurities; the equivalence between the specifications of the technical material, as commercially manufactured, and the specifications of the test material used in the toxicity studies; groundwater exposure assessment for the metabolites attributed the codes LM1, LM2, LM3, LM4, LM5 and LM6; the relevance of the metabolites MT1 (N‐tert‐butyl‐6‐chloro‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4‐diamine), MT 13 (4‐(tert‐butylamino)‐6‐(ethylamino)‐1,3,5‐triazin‐2‐ol or 6‐hydroxy‐N 2‐ethyl‐N 4‐tert‐butyl‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4‐diamine), MT14 (4‐amino‐6‐(tert‐butylamino)‐1,3,5‐triazin‐2‐ol or N‐tert‐butyl‐6‐hydroxy‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4‐diamine), and of the metabolites attributed the codes LM1, LM2, LM3, LM4, LM5 and LM6 with respect to cancer, if terbuthylazine is classified under Regulation (EC) No 1272/20084 as ‘suspected of causing cancer’, by 30 June 2012 for point 1) and 2), by 30 June 2013 for point 3) and within six months from the notification of the classification decision concerning terbuthylazine for point 4). In accordance with the specific provisions, the applicant, Syngenta Crop Protection AG and Oxon Italia SpA, submitted an updated dossier in June 2012, which was evaluated by the designated rapporteur Member State (RMS), the United Kingdom, in the form of an addendum to the draft assessment report (United Kingdom, 2015). In compliance with guidance document SANCO 5634/2009‐rev. 6.1 (European Commission, 2013), the RMS distributed the addendum to Member States, the applicants and EFSA for comments on 6 August 2015. The RMS collated all comments in the format of a reporting table, which was submitted to EFSA on 18 November 2015. EFSA added its scientific views on the specific points raised during the commenting phase in column 4 of the reporting table and finalised the Technical Report in December 2015 (EFSA, 2016). Concerning points (1) and (2) these points were considered addressed in the Technical Report (EFSA, 2016) and thus are not further discussed in this conclusion. Concerning point 4), the Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) confirmed in its Opinion of 5 June 2015 (ECHA, 2015) that terbuthylazine should not be classified with respect to cancer and therefore this point became obsolete (agreed classification with Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/7765). As indicated in the Technical Report (EFSA, 2016) EFSA and the RMS had different views on some issues of the risk assessment of confirmatory data for terbuthylazine, in particular on the relevance of groundwater metabolites. The RMS proposed that the reference values of parent terbuthylazine could be applied to the metabolites occurring in groundwater above 0.75 μg/L (LM2, LM3, LM4, LM5 and LM6) and that based on these values, the exposure of the consumers would be acceptable. EFSA on the other hand considered that further toxicological data would be required to establish metabolite‐specific reference values to be used in consumer risk assessment (taking into account exposure from drinking water). The RMS had the opinion that in respect of both the levels of metabolites predicted to occur in groundwater and in comparison with the relatively low ADI for terbuthylazine, an acceptable risk to consumers is demonstrated and considered it unjustified to perform further animal studies to support the setting of metabolite‐specific reference values. Given the divergence in opinion, the European Commission requested EFSA to organise a peer review of the RMS's evaluation of the confirmatory data and in particular to conclude on whether the available data are sufficient to conclude on whether exposure to groundwater metabolites above 0.75 μg/L would pose an acceptable risk to consumers through consumption of drinking water. The addendum and the reporting table were discussed at the pesticides peer review meeting on mammalian toxicology in February 2017. Details of the issues discussed, together with the outcome of these discussions were recorded in the meeting report. A final consultation on the conclusions arising from the peer review took place with Member States via a written procedure in April‐May 2017, leading to the conclusions set out in EFSA (2017a). In the EFSA (2017a), it was concluded that the toxicological data on the metabolites LM2, LM3, LM4, LM5 and LM6 were insufficient to determine reference values and consequently the consumer risk assessment could still not be finalised. In September 2018, the Commission asked the EFSA PPR Panel to establish health‐based reference values for the LM metabolites occurring in groundwater above 0.75 μg/L (LM2, LM3, LM4, LM5 and LM6) based on the available evidence, unless the evidence was considered insufficient to do so. Furthermore, in case the Panel establishes reference values, EFSA was requested to update the risk assessment for consumers to take into account exposure to the LM metabolites using the reference values established by the Panel. The PPR Panel in its opinion finalised on 4 April 2019 (EFSA PPR Panel, 2019) concluded that for the metabolites LM2, LM4 and LM5 the reference values for terbuthylazine were applicable. Substance specific reference values could not be derived for metabolites LM3 and LM6. The conclusions laid down in this report were reached on the basis of the peer review of the RMS's evaluation of the confirmatory data and taking into account the outcome of the PPR Panel opinion (EFSA PPR Panel, 2019). A key supporting document to this conclusion is the peer review report, which is a compilation of the documentation developed to evaluate and address all issues raised in the peer review. The peer review report (EFSA, 2019) comprises the following documents, in which all views expressed during the course of the peer review, including minority views, can be found: the report of the scientific consultation with Member State experts; the comments received on the draft EFSA conclusion (May 2017); the comments received on the draft EFSA conclusion (July 2019). Given the importance of the addendum to the assessment report (United Kingdom, 2015) and the peer review report, these documents are considered as background documents to this conclusion. It is recommended that this conclusion report and its background documents would not be accepted to support any registration outside the EU for which the applicant has not demonstrated to have regulatory access to the information on which this conclusion report is based.

The active substance and the formulated product

Terbuthylazine is the ISO common name for N ‐tert‐butyl‐6‐chloro‐N ‐ethyl‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4‐diamine (IUPAC). The representative formulated products for the evaluation were ‘Gardo® Gold®’ (A9476C), a suspoemulsion (SE) containing 187.5 g/L terbuthylazine and 312.5 g/L S‐metolachlor, and ‘Terbuthylazine 500 g/L SC’, a suspension concentrate (SC) containing 500 g/L terbuthylazine, both registered under different trade names in Europe. The representative uses evaluated comprise foliar spraying on maize and sorghum against annual and perennial monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous weeds. Full details of the Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) can be found in the list of end points in Appendix A.

Conclusions of the evaluation

The assessment of the information was presented in a confirmatory data addendum (United Kingdom, 2015). The conclusions laid down in this report were reached on the basis of the peer review of the RMS's evaluation of the confirmatory data submitted on whether exposure to groundwater metabolites above 0.75 μg/L would pose an acceptable risk to consumers through consumption of drinking water and taking into account the outcome of the PPR Panel opinion (EFSA PPR Panel, 2019). For clarity, the assessment in relation to the confirmatory data for environmental fate and behaviour is presented as stand‐alone assessment including part of the results already agreed (EFSA, 2011, 2016).

Mammalian toxicity

The following guidance document was followed in the production of this conclusion: SANCO/221/2000 – rev.10‐final (European Commission, 2003). Terbuthylazine has been discussed during the pesticides peer review meeting 151 on mammalian toxicology 151 in February 2017. Additionally, the groundwater metabolites of terbuthylazine (LM2, LM3, LM4, LM5 and LM6) have been discussed by the PPR Panel of EFSA for the setting of toxicological reference values (EFSA PPR Panel, 2019). For terbuthylazine, the acceptable daily intake (ADI) is 0.004 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day, based on the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of the 1‐year dog and 2‐year rat studies, and applying an uncertainty factor of 100. The acute reference dose (ARfD) is 0.008 mg/kg bw, based on the maternal NOAEL of 0.8 mg/kg bw per day from the developmental toxicity study in rabbits, and applying an uncertainty factor of 100 (EFSA, 2011). In the previous conclusion (EFSA, 2011), it was concluded that the reference values of terbuthylazine are applicable to the metabolites desethyl‐terbuthylazine (MT1), hydroxy‐terbuthylazine (MT13) and desethyl‐hydroxy‐terbuthylazine (MT14). On the basis of the agreed classification of terbuthylazine (ECHA, 2015 as implemented in Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/776), none of the groundwater metabolites is considered toxicologically relevant at step 3 (hazard assessment) of the guidance (European Commission, 2003). In accordance with this guidance and considering the available data (negative genotoxicity studies), the majority of the experts in the pesticides peer review meeting 151 agreed that more information on the repeat‐dose toxicity for the groundwater metabolites LM2, LM3, LM4, LM5 and LM6 is needed in order to conclude on the relevant toxicological reference values to be used for the consumer risk assessment which is triggered for these compounds being predicted to occur in groundwater at concentrations of above 0.75 μg/L for the representative uses being assessed (data gap). The groundwater metabolite LM1, not predicted as being above 0.75 μg/L, was concluded as not relevant at stage 3 of step 3 of the guidance (European Commission, 2003) that relates to mammalian toxicological relevance. The RMS disagreed and considered that, overall, the available information is sufficient to conclude on the acceptability of the groundwater metabolites. On the basis of additional literature review and applying the methodologies and approaches described in the Guidance document on residue definition (EFSA PPR Panel, 2016), the experts of the PPR Panel of EFSA in the context of the new mandate agreed that the toxicological reference values of terbuthylazine were also applicable to metabolites LM2, LM4 and LM5, whereas such a conclusion could not be drawn for the metabolites LM3 and LM6, and no specific reference values could be derived on the basis of the available data. For these last two metabolites, taking also into account the TTC approach as recommended in the Guidance document on residue definition (EFSA PPR Panel, 2016), the experts recommended to address further the specific toxicity of LM3 and LM6, confirming the remaining data gap for these two metabolites.

Residues (consumer risk assessment)

The following guidance document was followed in the production of this conclusion: SANCO/221/2000 – rev.10‐final (European Commission, 2003). With regard to the relevant metabolite in groundwater desethyl‐terbuthylazine (MT1) (see Table 3) and the metabolites hydroxy‐terbuthylazine (MT13) and desethyl‐hydroxy‐terbuthylazine (MT14) that have passed step 3 of the sequential assessment approach in the guidance (see European Commission, 2003) a consumer exposure and risk assessment had previously been conducted for the sum of these metabolites as they were predicted as co‐occurring above 0.1 μg/L in all eight FOCUS groundwater scenarios, they are found among the residues on treated commodities (EFSA, 2011) and the same toxicological reference values are applicable to these metabolites. Following the opinion of the EFSA PPR Panel (EFSA PPR Panel, 2019) that the toxicological reference values of terbuthylazine were also applicable to groundwater metabolites LM2, LM4 and LM5, these three metabolites had to be included in an updated consumer exposure and risk assessment in addition to MT1, MT13 and MT14. For metabolites LM3 and LM6, a consumer exposure assessment with regard to drinking water was conducted within the remit of a separate mandate to the PPR Panel. Full details regarding this exposure assessment can be found in that opinion (EFSA PPR Panel, 2019).
Table 3

Groundwater

Compound (name and/or code)Mobility in soil> 0.1 μg/L at 1 m depth for the representative usesa Pesticidal activityToxicological relevanceEcotoxicological activity
Terbuthylazine

Medium mobility

191–318 mL/g

FOCUS: No

Lysimeter: No

The trigger value of 0.1 μg/L was not exceeded in the 8 lysimeters available

YesYesA high risk to the aquatic environment was indicated in the risk assessment for surface water
Desethyl‐terbuthylazine MT1

High to very high mobility

44–122 mL/g

FOCUS: Yes

The number of FOCUS scenarios exceeding the trigger value of 0.1 μg/L was 4, (0.163–0.4 μg/L)

Lysimeter: No

The trigger value of 0.1 μg/L was not exceeded in the 8 lysimeters available

Yes, so this groundwater metabolite is considered relevant

No genotoxic potential

From the consumer exposure assessment point of view, the toxicological reference values of the parent are applicable to this metabolite. Intakes for MT1 + MT13 + MT14 + LM2 + LM4 + LM5 account for 191% of the ADI (infant) and 127% of the ADI (toddler). Therefore, MT1 is considered a relevant metabolite in groundwater

The risk to aquatic organisms in surface water was assessed as low

Hydroxy‐terbuthylazine

MT13

Medium mobility

104–280 mL/g

FOCUS: Yes

The number of FOCUS scenarios exceeding the trigger values of 0.1, 0.75 and 10 μg/L was 8, 8 and 6, respectively

Lysimeter: No

The trigger value of 0.1 μg/L was not exceeded in the 6 lysimeters available

No

No genotoxic potential

From the consumer exposure assessment point of view, the reference values of the parent are applicable to this metabolite. Intakes for MT1 + MT13 + MT14 + LM2 + LM4 + LM5 account for 191% of the ADI (infant) and 127% of the ADI (toddler). Therefore, MT13 is considered a relevant metabolite in groundwater

The risk to aquatic organisms in surface water was assessed as low

Desethyl‐hydroxy‐terbuthylazine

MT14

Low to very high mobility

22–1,010 mL/g

FOCUS: Yes

The number of FOCUS scenarios exceeding the trigger values of 0.1, 0.75 and 10 μg/L was 8, 7 and 0, respectively

Lysimeter: Yes

The trigger value of 0.1 μg/L was exceeded in 1 lysimeter and in 42 samples in field leaching study, concentrations up to 2.65 μg/L

No

No genotoxic potential

From the consumer exposure assessment point of view, the reference values of the parent are applicable to this metabolite. Intakes for MT1 + MT13 + MT14 + LM2 + LM4 + LM5 account for 191% of the ADI (infant) and 127% of the ADI (toddler). Therefore, MT14 is considered a relevant metabolite in groundwater

The risk to aquatic organisms in surface water was assessed as low

LM1

MT24

Very high mobility

30–37 mL/g

FOCUS: No

Lysimeter: Yes

The trigger value of 0.1 μg/L was exceeded in 3 of 5 lysimeters

No, based on the argumentation that it is a breakdown product of LM5 that did not exhibit pesticidal activity

No (at stage 3 of step 3) of European Commission (2003) guidance

No genotoxic potential

The risk to aquatic organisms in surface water was assessed as low

LM2

MT28

Very high mobility

6–13 mL/g

pH dependent

FOCUS: Yes

The number of FOCUS scenarios exceeding the trigger values of 0.1, 0.75 and 10 μg/L was 8, 7 and 0, respectively

Lysimeter: Yes

The trigger value of 0.1 μg/L was exceeded in 3 of 5 lysimeters

No

No genotoxic potential

From the consumer exposure assessment point of view, the reference values of the parent are applicable to this metabolite. Intakes for MT1 + MT13 + MT14 + LM2 + LM4 + LM5 account for 191% of the ADI (infant) and 127% of the ADI (toddler). Therefore, LM2 is considered a relevant metabolite in groundwater

The risk to aquatic organisms in surface water was assessed as low
LM3

Very high mobility

3.3–4.2 mL/g

FOCUS: Yes

The number of FOCUS scenarios exceeding the trigger values of 0.1, 0.75 and 10 μg/L was 8, 7 and 0 respectively

Lysimeter: Yes

The trigger value of 0.1 μg/L was exceeded in all 5 lysimeters

No

No genotoxic potential

Reference values for consumer risk assessment could not be derived

Therefore, the relevance of LM3 in groundwater cannot be concluded

The risk to aquatic organisms in surface water was assessed as low
LM4

Very high mobility

4–15 mL/g

FOCUS: Yes

The number of FOCUS scenarios exceeding the trigger values of 0.1, 0.75 and 10 μg/L was 8, 8 and 1 respectively

Lysimeter: Yes

The trigger value of 0.1 μg/L was exceeded in all 5 lysimeters

No

No genotoxic potential

From the consumer exposure assessment point of view, the reference values of the parent are applicable to this metabolite. Intakes for MT1 + MT13 + MT14 + LM2 + LM4 + LM5 account for 191% of the ADI (infant) and 127% of the ADI (toddler). Therefore, LM4 is considered a relevant metabolite in groundwater

The risk to aquatic organisms in surface water was assessed as low

LM5

MT23

Very high mobility

13–19 mL/g

FOCUS: Yes

The number of FOCUS scenarios exceeding the trigger values of 0.1, 0.75 and 10 μg/L was 8, 7 and 0 respectively

Lysimeter: Yes

The trigger value of 0.1 μg/L was exceeded in all 5 lysimeters

No

No genotoxic potential

From the consumer exposure assessment point of view, the reference values of the parent are applicable to this metabolite. Intakes for MT1 + MT13 + MT14 + LM2 + LM4 + LM5 account for 191% of the ADI (infant) and 127% of the ADI (toddler). Therefore, LM5 is considered a relevant metabolite in groundwater

The risk to aquatic organisms in surface water was assessed as low
LM6

Very high mobility

13–14 mL/g

FOCUS: Yes

The number of FOCUS scenarios exceeding the trigger values of 0.1, 0.75 and 10 μg/L was 8, 8 and 0 respectively

Lysimeter: Yes

The trigger value of 0.1 μg/L was exceeded in all 5 lysimeters

No

No genotoxic potential

Reference values for consumer risk assessment could not be derived

Therefore, the relevance of LM6 in groundwater cannot be concluded

The risk to aquatic organisms in surface water was assessed as low

At least one FOCUS scenario or a relevant lysimeter.

The consumer exposure estimates for groundwater metabolites MT1, MT13, MT14, LM2, LM4 and LM5 were based on the default assumptions laid down in the WHO Guidelines (WHO, 2011) for drinking water quality for (a) a 60‐kg adult drinking 2 L of water per day, (b) a 10‐kg child drinking 1 L of water per day and (c) a 5‐kg bottle‐fed infant drinking 0.75 L of water per day. The combined intake of MT1, MT13, MT14, LM2, LM4 and LM5 through drinking water, expressed as terbuthylazine equivalents, is estimated for (a) adults as 1.70 μg/kg bw, (b) for toddlers as 5.09 μg/kg bw and (c) for infants as 7.63 μg/kg bw corresponding to (a) 42.4%, (b) 127.2% and (c) 190.7% of the ADI of terbuthylazine applicable to the metabolites considering the most critical scenario (Hamburg, 850 g/ha). In five further scenarios (i.e. 6 out of 8) with regard to each of the assessed application rates of 750 g/ha and 850 g/ha, an exceedance of the ADI is noted for infants in the consumer risk assessment (see Appendix A). The guidance (European Commission, 2003) requests potential exposure for consumers via other sources but drinking water to be considered when assessing the relevance of metabolites in groundwater. The metabolites MT1, MT13 and MT14 are major crop metabolites with MT1 and MT14 included in the residue definition for dietary risk assessment in addition to terbuthylazine because of significant residues of these metabolites (EFSA, 2011). According to the available data in the draft assessment report (United Kingdom, 2015), metabolites LM2, LM4 and LM5 are not occurring as major metabolites in crops. Chronic dietary exposure from the representative uses was recalculated by EFSA with EFSA PRIMO rev. 2 and the critical result was selected for each of the population subgroups of infants, toddlers and adults considering comparable body weights as used in the drinking water exposure assessment. Dietary exposure considering residues at or below limit of quantification (LOQ) level in accordance with the residue definition for dietary risk assessment for maize and rotated cereals, root crops and oilseeds was reported as 12.6% (IE adult), 9.1% (FR toddler) and 9.0% (UK infant) of the ADI. Therefore, considering the most critical groundwater scenario (Hamburg, 850 g/ha), total intakes of MT1, MT13, MT14, LM2, LM4 and LM5 (from food and drinking water) for the population subgroups of infants, toddlers and adults can be estimated as corresponding to 200% (infant), 136% (toddler) and 55% (adult) of the ADI. An exceedance of the ADI for total intakes (from food and drinking water) was found for toddlers in two additional scenarios (Thiva 850 g/ha and Hamburg 750 g/ha) and for infants in all scenarios with exception of Porto 850 g/ha and 750 g/ha, and Sevilla 850 g/ha and 750 g/ha. In conclusion, for the vulnerable population subgroups infants and toddlers where there is the possibility they could be exposed to residues from more than one exposure route, an exceedance of the ADI has been calculated for a number of scenarios, and this was identified as a critical area of concern. Considering the SANCO/221/2000 – rev.10‐final (European Commission, 2003) guidance, metabolites MT1, MT13, MT14, LM2, LM4 and LM5 should be considered relevant groundwater metabolites. As the toxicological data on metabolites LM3 and LM6 were insufficient to determine reference values (EFSA PPR Panel, 2019), the risk assessment for consumers potentially exposed to these groundwater metabolites being predicted to occur in groundwater in concentrations above 0.75 μg/L could not be finalised.

Environmental fate and behaviour

For clarity, the assessment in relation to the confirmatory data for environmental fate and behaviour is presented as stand‐alone assessment including part of the results already agreed (EFSA, 2011, 2015). In soil laboratory incubations under aerobic conditions in the dark, terbuthylazine exhibits medium to high persistence forming the major (> 10% applied radioactivity (AR)) metabolites desethyl‐terbuthylazine (MT1, max. 25.1% AR) and hydroxy‐terbuthylazine (MT13, max. 34.5% AR). The persistence of these two metabolites ranged from moderate to high for desethyl‐terbuthylazine (MT1) and high to very high for hydroxy‐terbuthylazine (MT13). Mineralisation of the triazine ring radiolabel to carbon dioxide accounted for 0.4–10.4% AR after 112–120 days. The formation of unextractable residues (not extracted using acetonitrile:water) for this radiolabel accounted for 17–31% AR after 112–120 days. In anaerobic soil incubations, terbuthylazine was essentially stable. In the available field dissipation studies (spray application to the soil surface on bare soil plots in late spring), the persistence of terbuthylazine was moderate to high (23 European sites) while that of desethyl‐terbuthylazine (MT1) was low to high (10 European sites). Terbuthylazine and hydroxy‐terbuthylazine (MT13) exhibited medium mobility in soils, while the mobility of desethyl‐terbuthylazine (MT1) and desethyl‐hydroxy‐terbuthylazine (MT14) was high to very high and low to very high respectively. There was no evidence that the adsorption of these metabolites was pH dependent. Leaching assessments (modelling) for terbuthylazine were completed assuming a pH dependence for adsorption as it is apparent that adsorption may be lower under alkaline soil conditions. Terbuthylazine, desethyl‐terbuthylazine (MT1) and hydroxy‐terbuthylazine (MT13) did not leach in average concentrations exceeding 0.1 μg/L in any of the available lysimeter studies (n = 8 for terbuthylazine and desethyl‐terbuthylazine (MT1), n = 6 for hydroxy‐terbuthylazine (MT13)), whereas the metabolite desethyl‐hydroxy‐terbuthylazine (MT14) leached in average annual concentration exceeding 0.1 μg/L in one of the three lysimeters analysing this metabolite. Moreover, five lysimeter studies identified a high leaching risk of six additional metabolites, which were not triggered as metabolites requiring further consideration via the standard laboratory route of degradation studies. Annual average leaching exceeding 0.1 μg/L was observed for LM3, LM4, LM5 (MT23), LM6 (5 out of 5 lysimeters) and LM2 (MT28), and LM1 (MT24, 3 out of 5 lysimeters). In these five lysimeters, the application rate was 5–15% higher than the representative use. Nevertheless, measured concentration suggested that, had the application rate been similar to the representative use of 850 g/ha average, the leaching concentration of all metabolites would still exceed 0.1 μg/L. In the lysimeters, the concentration of LM1 was always < 0.75 μg/L (max 0.33 μg/L). Laboratory aerobic soil incubations were carried out for metabolites desethyl‐hydroxy‐terbuthylazine (MT14), LM1 (MT24), LM2 (MT28), LM3, LM4, LM5 (MT23) and LM6 generating the DT50 that can be found in Appendix A. The geomeans of these DT50 included in Appendix A were agreed as appropriate for use as input parameters in groundwater modelling. Batch soil adsorption studies were also provided for the lysimeter metabolites LM1 (MT24), LM2 (MT28), LM3, LM4, LM5 (MT23) and LM6 resulting in the soil mobility being characterised for all of them, as very high. The necessary groundwater exposure assessments were appropriately carried out using FOCUS (FOCUS, 2009) scenarios and the models PEARL 4.4.4 and PELMO 4.4.36 for the active substance terbuthylazine and the metabolites desethyl‐terbuthylazine (MT1), hydroxy‐terbuthylazine (MT13), desethyl‐hydroxy‐terbuthylazine (MT14), LM1 (MT24), LM2 (MT28), LM3, LM4, LM5 (MT23) and LM6. Only results from the PEARL 4.4.4 simulations are reported in Appendix A, PELMO 4.4.3 results were comparable but were lower at every FOCUS scenario. For terbuthylazine, the potential for groundwater exposure from the representative uses above the parametric drinking water limit of 0.1 μg/L was concluded to be low in geoclimatic situations that are represented by all eight FOCUS groundwater scenarios. The potential for groundwater exposure by the metabolites desethyl‐terbuthylazine (MT1), hydroxy‐terbuthylazine (MT13) and desethyl‐hydroxy‐terbuthylazine (MT14) was however concluded to be high over a wide range of geoclimatic conditions represented by the FOCUS groundwater scenarios (see Table 3). It should be noted that for desethyl‐terbuthylazine (MT1) and hydroxy‐terbuthylazine (MT13) the high leaching risk calculated with the FOCUS scenario modelling tools was not consistent with the result from the individual lysimeter studies, which all suggested a low leaching risk of these two metabolites. However, because terbuthylazine has an extensive metabolic pathway, a limited number of applications was made (perennial use not investigated), and the observation that leachate concentrations of some of the metabolites were increasing in the second year, the pattern of leaching observed in these lysimeter studies does not provide a definitive picture of leaching that would enable the first tier FOCUSgw exposure estimates to be overruled. A large number of groundwater monitoring data were presented in the original dossier, and the experts’ meeting (PRAPeR 84) discussed to what extent these monitoring data should be taken into account in the groundwater risk assessment. The experts considered that FOCUS scenario modelling results should not normally be overruled by using monitoring data unless there is a very strong justification. In the case of terbuthylazine, information on the extent of uses (both the proportion of the monitored area and the application rate) and the average travel time to the monitoring screen was generally not provided in many of the monitoring exercises presented in the dossier. Without this information, it becomes very difficult to justify that the monitoring data actually reflect a realistic use condition that will continue should terbuthylazine be continued to be approved, and so it is difficult to use in a regulatory context. However, among the available studies, the experts considered that two monitoring exercises provided data of sufficient quality and quantity and should be viewed alongside the FOCUS modelling results in order to establish the most representative picture possible of the overall leaching potential. The two monitoring studies comprised a targeted monitoring study in Germany (samples taken from shallow wells mostly situated less than 5 m below ground surface) and field leaching studies comprising eight field sites in northern Italy (samples taken from the saturated zone via piezometers, with an average depth to groundwater ranging from 1.1 to 6.2 m). As had been agreed previously in the context of the use of residue levels in samples taken from the saturated zone (EFSA, 2011), it was considered appropriate to compare regulatory triggers with concentrations measured in individual samples and not with the annual averages that are relevant when assessing concentrations in leachate recharge leaving the upper layers of the soil column. A summary of the monitoring and modelling results are presented in the following bullets and in Table 1.
Table 1

Results from the FOCUS modelling as well as the field leaching study in northern Italy and targeted monitoring data from Germany

TerbuthylazineDesethyl‐terbuthylazine MT1Hydroxy‐terbuthylazine MT13Desethyl‐hydroxy‐terbuthylazine MT14
FOCUS modelling results
Number of scenarios > 0.1 μg/L0488
Number of scenarios < 0.1 μg/L8400
Monitoring data
Northern Italy (8 field leaching studya, 395 samples)
‘–Detection (% of analysed samples) 16%32%1%c 40%c
‘–Detection > 0.1 μg/L (% of analysed samples) 3%5%0%c 29%c
Germanyb (targeted monitoring, 25 wells, 29 samples)
‘–Detection (% of analysed samples) 7%7%3%14%
‘–Detection > 0.1 μg/L (% of analysed samples) 0%0%0%0%
LM2LM3LM4LM5LM6
FOCUS modelling results
Number of scenarios > 0.1 μg/L88888
Number of scenarios < 0.1 μg/L00000
Monitoring data
Northern Italy (7 field leaching studya, 366 samples)
‘–Detection (% of analysed samples) 37%39%22%52%41%
‘–Detection > 0.1 μg/L (% of analysed samples) 17%22%11%27%30%
Germanyb (targeted monitoring, 25 wells, 29 samples)
‘–Detection (% of analysed samples) na36%na52%48%
‘–Detection > 0.1 μg/L (% of analysed samples) na28%na38%38%

Na: not analyse.

The two sites receiving ‘basin irrigation’ are not included.

Monitored area being treated with terbuthylazine ranges between 8% and 80% (average 25%).

Only 144 samples were analysed for hydroxy‐terbuthylazine and desethyl‐hydroxy‐terbuthylazine.

Both monitoring data and modelling results suggested that the potential for groundwater exposure above the parametric drinking water limit of 0.1 μg/L is expected to be low in geoclimatic and use situations represented by the monitoring study in northern Italy and Germany and 8 FOCUS groundwater scenarios (Table 1). The potential for groundwater exposure above the parametric drinking water limit of 0.1 μg/L is expected to be: High in geoclimatic and use situations represented by four FOCUS groundwater scenarios. Low in geoclimatic and use situations represented by four FOCUS groundwater scenarios, six of the eight monitoring sites in northern Italy and the monitoring in Germany. While desethyl‐terbuthylazine (MT1) was rarely detected in a German monitoring study (and never above 0.1 μg/L), the potential for leaching of desethyl‐terbuthylazine (MT1) in Italian field sites seems to be higher than that of terbuthylazine (Table 1). The latter finding is consistent with the FOCUS scenarios suggesting that desethyl‐terbuthylazine (MT1) would leach to a higher degree than terbuthylazine. At two of the eight Italian field sites, frequency of exceedance of 0.1 μg/L reached 12% and 14% indicating that leaching below the root zone in concentrations above 0.1 μg/L is likely to occur in some areas. However, when averaging all sites, the frequency of exceedance of 0.1 μg/L was only 5% so it was concluded that the overall potential for groundwater exposure from the representative uses above the parametric drinking water limit of 0.1 μg/L is expected to be low under conditions represented by the two monitoring exercises (excluding 2 Italian sites) and the Chateaudun, Porto, Sevilla and Thiva FOCUS scenarios. : The potential for groundwater exposure above the parametric drinking water limit of 0.1 μg/L is expected to be: High in geoclimatic and use situations represented by the monitoring study in northern Italy and eight FOCUS groundwater scenarios. Low in geoclimatic and use situations represented targeted monitoring in Germany. Consistent with the FOCUS modelling result, the monitoring data suggest that the potential for leaching of desethyl‐hydroxy‐terbuthylazine (MT14) is higher than for desethyl‐terbuthylazine (MT14) and terbuthylazine. However, it should be noted that groundwater concentrations exceeding 0.1 μg/L were not observed in the German monitoring study. : The potential for groundwater exposure above the parametric drinking water limit of 0.1 μg/L is expected to be: High in geoclimatic and use situations represented by the eight FOCUS groundwater scenarios. Low in geoclimatic and use situations represented by the monitoring study in northern Italy and Germany. The FOCUS scenarios suggest that leaching of hydroxy‐terbuthylazine is approximately five times higher than that of desethyl‐hydroxy‐terbuthylazine. This is noted to be a relative tendency which (unlike the information for the other metabolites) is not reflected in the available monitoring data. : The potential for groundwater exposure above the parametric drinking water limit of 0.1 μg/L is expected to be: High in geoclimatic and use situations represented by the eight FOCUS groundwater scenarios. High in geoclimatic and use situations represented by the monitoring study in northern Italy and Germany where concentrations of all these metabolites were found in water samples from the saturated zone with maxima in the range 0.26–1.58 μg/L with metabolite LM6 being present at > 0.75 μg/L at three of the Italian field leaching study sites. Results from the FOCUS modelling as well as the field leaching study in northern Italy and targeted monitoring data from Germany Na: not analyse. The two sites receiving ‘basin irrigation’ are not included. Monitored area being treated with terbuthylazine ranges between 8% and 80% (average 25%). Only 144 samples were analysed for hydroxy‐terbuthylazine and desethyl‐hydroxy‐terbuthylazine. Considering the consumer risk assessment and the SANCO/221/2000 – rev.10‐final (European Commission, 2003) guidance, metabolites MT1, MT13, MT14, LM2, LM4 and LM5 should be considered relevant groundwater metabolites (see residues section). Soil Medium to high persistence Single first order DT50 65–167 days; 20°C, soil moisture 13–36% w/w) (Field dissipation studies: single first‐order DT50 10–148 days; 20°C, pF 2 soil moisture) Moderate to high persistence Single first order DT50 27–113 days (20°C, soil moisture 11–29% w/w) (Field dissipation studies: single first‐order DT50 2–223 days; 20°C, pF 2 soil moisture) High to very high persistence Single first‐order DT50 207 to > 1,000 days (20°C, soil moisture 11–29% w/w) DT50: period required for 50% dissipation. Groundwater Medium mobility 191–318 mL/g FOCUS: No Lysimeter: No The trigger value of 0.1 μg/L was not exceeded in the 8 lysimeters available High to very high mobility 44–122 mL/g FOCUS: Yes The number of FOCUS scenarios exceeding the trigger value of 0.1 μg/L was 4, (0.163–0.4 μg/L) Lysimeter: No The trigger value of 0.1 μg/L was not exceeded in the 8 lysimeters available No genotoxic potential From the consumer exposure assessment point of view, the toxicological reference values of the parent are applicable to this metabolite. Intakes for MT1 + MT13 + MT14 + LM2 + LM4 + LM5 account for 191% of the ADI (infant) and 127% of the ADI (toddler). Therefore, MT1 is considered a relevant metabolite in groundwater Hydroxy‐terbuthylazine MT13 Medium mobility 104–280 mL/g FOCUS: Yes The number of FOCUS scenarios exceeding the trigger values of 0.1, 0.75 and 10 μg/L was 8, 8 and 6, respectively Lysimeter: No The trigger value of 0.1 μg/L was not exceeded in the 6 lysimeters available No genotoxic potential From the consumer exposure assessment point of view, the reference values of the parent are applicable to this metabolite. Intakes for MT1 + MT13 + MT14 + LM2 + LM4 + LM5 account for 191% of the ADI (infant) and 127% of the ADI (toddler). Therefore, MT13 is considered a relevant metabolite in groundwater Desethyl‐hydroxy‐terbuthylazine MT14 Low to very high mobility 22–1,010 mL/g FOCUS: Yes The number of FOCUS scenarios exceeding the trigger values of 0.1, 0.75 and 10 μg/L was 8, 7 and 0, respectively Lysimeter: Yes The trigger value of 0.1 μg/L was exceeded in 1 lysimeter and in 42 samples in field leaching study, concentrations up to 2.65 μg/L No genotoxic potential From the consumer exposure assessment point of view, the reference values of the parent are applicable to this metabolite. Intakes for MT1 + MT13 + MT14 + LM2 + LM4 + LM5 account for 191% of the ADI (infant) and 127% of the ADI (toddler). Therefore, MT14 is considered a relevant metabolite in groundwater LM1 MT24 Very high mobility 30–37 mL/g FOCUS: No Lysimeter: Yes The trigger value of 0.1 μg/L was exceeded in 3 of 5 lysimeters No (at stage 3 of step 3) of European Commission (2003) guidance No genotoxic potential LM2 MT28 Very high mobility 6–13 mL/g pH dependent FOCUS: Yes The number of FOCUS scenarios exceeding the trigger values of 0.1, 0.75 and 10 μg/L was 8, 7 and 0, respectively Lysimeter: Yes The trigger value of 0.1 μg/L was exceeded in 3 of 5 lysimeters No genotoxic potential From the consumer exposure assessment point of view, the reference values of the parent are applicable to this metabolite. Intakes for MT1 + MT13 + MT14 + LM2 + LM4 + LM5 account for 191% of the ADI (infant) and 127% of the ADI (toddler). Therefore, LM2 is considered a relevant metabolite in groundwater Very high mobility 3.3–4.2 mL/g FOCUS: Yes The number of FOCUS scenarios exceeding the trigger values of 0.1, 0.75 and 10 μg/L was 8, 7 and 0 respectively Lysimeter: Yes The trigger value of 0.1 μg/L was exceeded in all 5 lysimeters No genotoxic potential Reference values for consumer risk assessment could not be derived Therefore, the relevance of LM3 in groundwater cannot be concluded Very high mobility 4–15 mL/g FOCUS: Yes The number of FOCUS scenarios exceeding the trigger values of 0.1, 0.75 and 10 μg/L was 8, 8 and 1 respectively Lysimeter: Yes The trigger value of 0.1 μg/L was exceeded in all 5 lysimeters No genotoxic potential From the consumer exposure assessment point of view, the reference values of the parent are applicable to this metabolite. Intakes for MT1 + MT13 + MT14 + LM2 + LM4 + LM5 account for 191% of the ADI (infant) and 127% of the ADI (toddler). Therefore, LM4 is considered a relevant metabolite in groundwater LM5 MT23 Very high mobility 13–19 mL/g FOCUS: Yes The number of FOCUS scenarios exceeding the trigger values of 0.1, 0.75 and 10 μg/L was 8, 7 and 0 respectively Lysimeter: Yes The trigger value of 0.1 μg/L was exceeded in all 5 lysimeters No genotoxic potential From the consumer exposure assessment point of view, the reference values of the parent are applicable to this metabolite. Intakes for MT1 + MT13 + MT14 + LM2 + LM4 + LM5 account for 191% of the ADI (infant) and 127% of the ADI (toddler). Therefore, LM5 is considered a relevant metabolite in groundwater Very high mobility 13–14 mL/g FOCUS: Yes The number of FOCUS scenarios exceeding the trigger values of 0.1, 0.75 and 10 μg/L was 8, 8 and 0 respectively Lysimeter: Yes The trigger value of 0.1 μg/L was exceeded in all 5 lysimeters No genotoxic potential Reference values for consumer risk assessment could not be derived Therefore, the relevance of LM6 in groundwater cannot be concluded At least one FOCUS scenario or a relevant lysimeter.

Data gaps

This is a list of data gaps identified in the focussed peer review process of confirmatory data. Data gaps identified in the previously finalised EFSA conclusion on the active substance (EFSA, 2011) that were not part of the focussed peer review process of confirmatory data remain unchanged. Data to address the specific toxicity of the groundwater metabolites LM3 and LM6 in order to conclude on the toxicological reference values to be used for the consumer risk assessment (relevant for all representative uses; see mammalian toxicity Section).

Issues that could not be finalised

An issue is listed as an issue that could not be finalised where there is not enough information available to perform an assessment, even at the lowest tier level, for the representative uses in line with the Uniform Principles in accordance with Article 29(6) of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 and as set out in Commission Regulation (EU) No 546/20117, and where the issue is of such importance that it could, when finalised, become a concern (which would also be listed as a critical area of concern if it is of relevance to all representative uses). As the toxicological data on metabolites LM3, and LM6 were insufficient to determine toxicological reference values, the risk assessment for consumers potentially exposed to these groundwater metabolites being predicted to occur in groundwater in concentrations above 0.75 μg/L could not be finalised. This leads to the groundwater (toxicological) relevance assessment for these metabolites being not finalised, in geoclimatic situations represented by 8/8 FOCUS groundwater scenarios.

Critical areas of concern

An issue is listed as a critical area of concern where there is enough information available to perform an assessment for the representative uses in line with the Uniform Principles in accordance with Article 29(6) of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 and as set out in Commission Regulation (EU) No 546/2011, and where this assessment does not permit to conclude that, for at least one of the representative uses, it may be expected that a plant protection product containing the active substance will not have any harmful effect on human or animal health or on groundwater or any unacceptable influence on the environment. An issue is also listed as a critical area of concern where the assessment at a higher tier level could not be finalised due to lack of information, and where the assessment performed at the lower tier level does not permit to conclude that, for at least one of the representative uses, it may be expected that a plant protection product containing the active substance will not have any harmful effect on human or animal health or on groundwater or any unacceptable influence on the environment. The potential for groundwater exposure by the herbicidally active, and relevant groundwater metabolite: desethyl‐terbuthylazine (MT1) above the parametric drinking water limit of 0.1 μg/L is predicted to be high over a wide range of geoclimatic conditions. For the representative uses assessed: 4 out of the 8 pertinent FOCUS groundwater scenarios exceeded the 0.1 μg/L limit. In 20 out of 395 (or 5%) of groundwater samples taken at eight sites in northern Italy where terbuthylazine had been applied at a rate of 856 g/ha (1.01N), desethyl‐terbuthylazine concentrations exceeded 0.1 μg/L. The potential for groundwater exposure by the relevant groundwater metabolites that have passed beyond step 3 of the guidance (European Commission, 2003): hydroxy‐terbuthylazine (MT13) and desethyl‐hydroxy‐terbuthylazine (MT14), LM2, LM4 and LM5 above the parametric drinking water limit of 0.1 μg/L is predicted to be high over a wide range of geoclimatic conditions. For the representative uses assessed all eight pertinent FOCUS groundwater scenarios exceeded the 0.1 μg/L limit. In 42 out of 144 (or 29%) of groundwater samples taken at eight sites in northern Italy where terbuthylazine had been applied at a rate of 856 g/ha (1.01N), desethyl‐hydroxy‐terbuthylazine (MT14) concentrations exceeded 0.1 μg/L. In 62 out of 366 (or 17%) of groundwater samples from these sites, LM2 exceeded 0.1 μg/L. In 38 out of 366 (or 11%) of groundwater samples from these sites, LM4 exceeded 0.1 μg/L. In 96 out of 366 (or 27%) of groundwater samples from these sites, LM5 exceeded 0.1 μg/L. In German targeted monitoring studies 11 out of 29 (or 38%) of groundwater samples from 25 wells had metabolite LM5 exceeding 0.1 μg/L. The combined intake of MT1, MT13, MT14, LM2, LM4 and LM5 through drinking water alone for the population subgroups infants and toddlers exceeded the toxicological reference value for six out of eight and one out of eight pertinent FOCUS scenarios, respectively, regardless of whether the high (850 g/ha) or low (750 g/ha) application rate was considered. Moreover, total intakes of metabolites MT1, MT13, MT14, LM2, LM4, LM5 from food and drinking water for the population subgroups infants and toddlers were identified as exceeding the toxicological reference value for six out of eight and two out of eight pertinent FOCUS scenarios, respectively, for the high (850 g/ha) application rate and, for the most critical of the pertinent FOCUS groundwater scenarios (Hamburg, 850 g/ha), corresponding to 200% and 136% of the ADI, respectively. Overview of concerns The superscript numbers relate to the numbered points indicated in Sections 1 and 2 under the Concerns Section. Value for non‐relevant metabolites prescribed in SANCO/221/2000‐rev. 10 final, European Commission, 2003.

Abbreviations

acceptable daily intake applied radioactivity acute reference dose body weight draft assessment report period required for 50% dissipation (define method of estimation) European Chemicals Agency European Economic Community Forum for the Co‐ordination of Pesticide Fate Models and their Use Good Agricultural Practice International Chemical Identifier Key International Organization for Standardization International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry limit of quantification (determination) no observed adverse effect level Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development EFSA Panel on Plant Protection Products and their Residues rapporteur Member State suspension concentrate suspoemulsion simplified molecular‐input line‐entry system Appendix A can be found in the online version of this output (‘Supporting information’ section): https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2019.5817 MT1 desethyl‐terbuthylazine GS 26379 N‐tert‐butyl‐6‐chloro‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4‐diamine Nc1nc(NC(C)(C)C)nc(Cl)n1 LMKQNTMFZLAJDV‐UHFFFAOYSA‐N MT13 hydroxy‐terbuthylazine or 2‐hydroxy‐terbuthylazine GS 23158 4‐(tert‐butylamino)‐6‐(ethylamino)‐1,3,5‐triazin‐2‐ol or 6‐hydroxy‐N ‐tert‐butyl‐N ‐tert‐butyl‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4‐diamine Oc1nc(NCC)nc(NC(C)(C)C)n1 OYTCZOJKXCTBHG‐UHFFFAOYSA‐N MT14 desethyl‐hydroxy‐terbuthylazine or desethyl‐2‐hydroxy terbuthylazine GS 28620 4‐amino‐6‐(tert‐butylamino)‐1,3,5‐triazin‐2‐ol or N‐tert‐butyl‐6‐hydroxy‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4‐diamine Nc1nc(NC(C)(C)C)nc(O)n1 NUISVCFZNCYUIM‐UHFFFAOYSA‐N MT19 de‐t‐butyl‐hydroxy‐terbuthylazine or atrazine‐desisopropyl‐2‐hydroxy GS17792 4‐amino‐6‐(ethylamino)‐1,3,5‐triazin‐2‐ol or N‐ethyl‐6‐hydroxy‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4‐diamine Nc1nc(NCC)nc(O)n1 XRVCXZWINJOORX‐UHFFFAOYSA‐N MT20 diamino‐chlorotriazine or atrazine‐desethyl desisopropyl GS28273 6‐chloro‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4‐diamine Nc1nc(N)nc(Cl)n1 FVFVNNKYKYZTJU‐UHFFFAOYSA‐N MT22 de‐t‐butyl‐terbuthylazine or atrazine‐desisopropyl‐2‐hydroxy G28279 6‐chloro‐N‐ethyl‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4‐diamine Nc1nc(NCC)nc(Cl)n1 IVENSCMCQBJAKW‐UHFFFAOYSA‐N LM1 MT24 amino‐dihydroxy‐triazine GS 35713 CSAA404936 6‐amino‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4‐diol Oc1nc(N)nc(O)n1 YSKUZVBSHIWEFK‐UHFFFAOYSA‐N terbutryn MT26 GS 14260 N ‐tert‐butyl‐N ‐ethyl‐6‐methylthio‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4‐diamine CSc1nc(NCC)nc(NC(C)(C)C)n1 IROINLKCQGIITA‐UHFFFAOYSA‐N LM2 MT28 CSAA036479 CGA046571 N‐(4‐amino‐6‐hydroxy‐1,3,5‐triazin‐2‐yl)‐2‐methylalanine Nc1nc(NC(C)(C)C(=O)O)nc(O)n1 QKOJUBFULGSCQS‐UHFFFAOYSA‐N LM3 SM9 CSCD692760 SYN546009 2,6‐dihydroxy‐7,7‐dimethyl‐6,8‐dihydroimidazo[1,2‐a][1,3,5]triazin‐4(6H)‐one O=C1N=C(O)N=C2NC(C)(C)C(O)N12 SDFNUIRNRULFGI‐UHFFFAOYSA‐N LM4 SM4 CSAA404949 GS40436 N‐[4‐(ethylamino)‐6‐hydroxy‐1,3,5‐triazin‐2‐yl]‐2‐methylalanine Oc1nc(NCC)nc(NC(C)(C)C(=O)O)n1 AXUUYNNVNOSTRP‐UHFFFAOYSA‐N LM5 MT23 SM12 GS 16984 6‐(tert‐butylamino)‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4‐diol Oc1nc(NC(C)(C)C)nc(O)n1 RMGNIWIYFYKTDC‐UHFFFAOYSA‐N LM6 SM6 CSCD648241 SYN545666 4‐(tert‐butylamino)‐6‐hydroxy‐1‐methyl‐1,3,5‐triazin‐2(1H)‐one O=C1N=C(NC(C)(C)C)N=C(O)N1C SKWILWLBILDCEB‐UHFFFAOYSA‐N LM7 GS31398 N‐[4‐chloro‐6‐(ethylamino)‐1,3,5‐triazin‐2‐yl]‐2‐methylalanine Clc1nc(NCC)nc(NC(C)(C)C(=O)O)n1 WYIJTMNAAMADHT‐UHFFFAOYSA‐N IUPAC: International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; SMILES: simplified molecular‐input line‐entry system; InChiKey: International Chemical Identifier Key. The metabolite name in bold is the name used in the conclusion. ACD/Name 2017.2.1 ACD/Labs 2017.2.1 Release (File version N40E41, Build 96719, 6 September 2017). ACD/ChemSketch 2017.2.1 ACD/Labs 2017.2.1 Release (File version C40H41, Build 99535, 14 February 2018). List of end points for the active substance and the representative formulation (relevant for the current assessment) Click here for additional data file.
Table 2

Soil

Compound (name and/or code)Persistence
Terbuthylazine

Medium to high persistence

Single first order DT50 65–167 days; 20°C, soil moisture 13–36% w/w)

(Field dissipation studies: single first‐order DT50 10–148 days; 20°C, pF 2 soil moisture)

Desethyl‐terbuthylazine (MT1)

Moderate to high persistence

Single first order DT50 27–113 days (20°C, soil moisture 11–29% w/w)

(Field dissipation studies: single first‐order DT50 2–223 days; 20°C, pF 2 soil moisture)

Hydroxy‐terbuthylazine (MT13)

High to very high persistence

Single first‐order DT50 207 to > 1,000 days (20°C, soil moisture 11–29% w/w)

DT50: period required for 50% dissipation.

Table 4

Overview of concerns

Representative useMaizeSorghum
Consumer risk Risk identifiedX4 X4
Assessment not finalisedX1 X1
Groundwater exposure to active substance Legal parametric value breached
Assessment not finalised
Groundwater exposure to metabolites Legal parametric value breachedX2,3 X2,3
Parametric value of 10 μg/La breached
Assessment not finalisedX1 X1

The superscript numbers relate to the numbered points indicated in Sections 1 and 2 under the Concerns Section.

Value for non‐relevant metabolites prescribed in SANCO/221/2000‐rev. 10 final, European Commission, 2003.

Code/trivial namea Chemical nameb/SMILESc notation/InChI Keyc Structural formula

MT1

desethyl‐terbuthylazine

GS 26379

Ntert‐butyl‐6‐chloro‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4‐diamine

Nc1nc(NC(C)(C)C)nc(Cl)n1

LMKQNTMFZLAJDV‐UHFFFAOYSA‐N

MT13

hydroxy‐terbuthylazine

or

2‐hydroxy‐terbuthylazine

GS 23158

4‐(tert‐butylamino)‐6‐(ethylamino)‐1,3,5‐triazin‐2‐ol

or

6‐hydroxy‐N 2tert‐butyl‐N 4tert‐butyl‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4‐diamine

Oc1nc(NCC)nc(NC(C)(C)C)n1

OYTCZOJKXCTBHG‐UHFFFAOYSA‐N

MT14

desethyl‐hydroxy‐terbuthylazine

or

desethyl‐2‐hydroxy terbuthylazine

GS 28620

4‐amino‐6‐(tert‐butylamino)‐1,3,5‐triazin‐2‐ol

or

N‐tert‐butyl‐6‐hydroxy‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4‐diamine

Nc1nc(NC(C)(C)C)nc(O)n1

NUISVCFZNCYUIM‐UHFFFAOYSA‐N

MT19

de‐t‐butyl‐hydroxy‐terbuthylazine

or

atrazine‐desisopropyl‐2‐hydroxy

GS17792

4‐amino‐6‐(ethylamino)‐1,3,5‐triazin‐2‐ol

or

N‐ethyl‐6‐hydroxy‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4‐diamine

Nc1nc(NCC)nc(O)n1

XRVCXZWINJOORX‐UHFFFAOYSA‐N

MT20

diamino‐chlorotriazine

or

atrazine‐desethyl desisopropyl

GS28273

6‐chloro‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4‐diamine

Nc1nc(N)nc(Cl)n1

FVFVNNKYKYZTJU‐UHFFFAOYSA‐N

MT22

de‐t‐butyl‐terbuthylazine

or

atrazine‐desisopropyl‐2‐hydroxy

G28279

6‐chloro‐N‐ethyl‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4‐diamine

Nc1nc(NCC)nc(Cl)n1

IVENSCMCQBJAKW‐UHFFFAOYSA‐N

LM1

MT24

amino‐dihydroxy‐triazine

GS 35713

CSAA404936

6‐amino‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4‐diol

Oc1nc(N)nc(O)n1

YSKUZVBSHIWEFK‐UHFFFAOYSA‐N

terbutryn

MT26

GS 14260

N 2 ‐tert‐butyl‐N 4‐ethyl‐6‐methylthio‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4‐diamine

CSc1nc(NCC)nc(NC(C)(C)C)n1

IROINLKCQGIITA‐UHFFFAOYSA‐N

LM2

MT28

CSAA036479

CGA046571

N‐(4‐amino‐6‐hydroxy‐1,3,5‐triazin‐2‐yl)‐2‐methylalanine

Nc1nc(NC(C)(C)C(=O)O)nc(O)n1

QKOJUBFULGSCQS‐UHFFFAOYSA‐N

LM3

SM9

CSCD692760

SYN546009

2,6‐dihydroxy‐7,7‐dimethyl‐6,8‐dihydroimidazo[1,2‐a][1,3,5]triazin‐4(6H)‐one

O=C1N=C(O)N=C2NC(C)(C)C(O)N12

SDFNUIRNRULFGI‐UHFFFAOYSA‐N

LM4

SM4

CSAA404949

GS40436

N‐[4‐(ethylamino)‐6‐hydroxy‐1,3,5‐triazin‐2‐yl]‐2‐methylalanine

Oc1nc(NCC)nc(NC(C)(C)C(=O)O)n1

AXUUYNNVNOSTRP‐UHFFFAOYSA‐N

LM5

MT23

SM12

GS 16984

6‐(tert‐butylamino)‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4‐diol

Oc1nc(NC(C)(C)C)nc(O)n1

RMGNIWIYFYKTDC‐UHFFFAOYSA‐N

LM6

SM6

CSCD648241

SYN545666

4‐(tert‐butylamino)‐6‐hydroxy‐1‐methyl‐1,3,5‐triazin‐2(1H)‐one

O=C1N=C(NC(C)(C)C)N=C(O)N1C

SKWILWLBILDCEB‐UHFFFAOYSA‐N

LM7

GS31398

N‐[4‐chloro‐6‐(ethylamino)‐1,3,5‐triazin‐2‐yl]‐2‐methylalanine

Clc1nc(NCC)nc(NC(C)(C)C(=O)O)n1

WYIJTMNAAMADHT‐UHFFFAOYSA‐N

IUPAC: International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; SMILES: simplified molecular‐input line‐entry system; InChiKey: International Chemical Identifier Key.

The metabolite name in bold is the name used in the conclusion.

ACD/Name 2017.2.1 ACD/Labs 2017.2.1 Release (File version N40E41, Build 96719, 6 September 2017).

ACD/ChemSketch 2017.2.1 ACD/Labs 2017.2.1 Release (File version C40H41, Build 99535, 14 February 2018).

  1 in total

1.  Comparative Effect of UV, UV/H2O2 and UV/H2O2/Fe on Terbuthylazine Degradation in Natural and Ultrapure Water.

Authors:  José Antonio Andrades; Manuel Lojo-López; Agata Egea-Corbacho; José María Quiroga
Journal:  Molecules       Date:  2022-07-14       Impact factor: 4.927

  1 in total

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