[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 10 (Thursday, January 15, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2350-2351]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-895]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7610-2]


Draft Toxicological Review of Toluene: In Support of Summary 
Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice of external peer-review panel meeting.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing 
an external peer-review panel meeting to review the external review 
draft document entitled, ``Toxicological Review of Toluene: In Support 
of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System 
(IRIS)'' (NCEA-S-1264). The document was prepared by EPA's National 
Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) of the Office of Research 
and Development. EPA will use comments and recommendations from the 
expert panel meeting to finalize the draft document.

DATES: The peer-review panel meeting will begin on February 5, 2004, at 
8:30 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. Members of the public may attend as 
observers.

ADDRESSES: The external peer-review panel meeting will be held at the 
Jurys Washington Hotel, 1500 New Hampshire Ave., NW., Washington, DC. 
Under an Interagency Agreement with EPA and the Department of Energy, 
the Oak Ridge Institute of Science and Education (ORISE) is organizing, 
convening, and conducting the peer-review panel meeting. To attend the 
meeting, register by January 23, 2004, by calling ORISE, PO Box 117, MS 
17, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-0117, at (865) 241-5784 or (865) 241-3168 
(facsimile). Interested parties may also register on-line at: 
[email protected]. Space is limited, and reservations will be accepted 
on a first-come, first-served basis.
    A limited number of paper copies are available by contacting the 
IRIS Hotline at (202) 566-1676 or (202) 566-1749 (facsimile). If you 
are requesting a paper copy, please provide your name, mailing address, 
and the document title and number, ``Draft Toxicological Review of 
Toluene: In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk 
Information System (IRIS)'' (NCEA-S-1264). Copies are not available 
from ORISE.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions regarding registration and 
logistics should be directed to Leslie Shapard, ORISE, PO Box 117, MS 
17, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-0117, at 865-241-5784 (telephone), (865) 241-
3168 (facsimile), [email protected] (email).
    If you have questions about the document, contact Lynn Flowers, 
IRIS Staff, National Center for Environmental Assessment, 1200 
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone: (202) 564-
1537; facsimile: (202) 565-0075; e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The draft report is a reassessment of the 
chronic health effects of toluene which was first entered into the IRIS 
data base in 1987. The report provides the scientific basis for 
deriving an oral reference dose (RfD) and inhalation reference 
concentration (RfC) for the noncancer health risk from exposure to 
toluene. A cancer assessment is also included in the draft report.
    IRIS is a data base that contains scientific Agency consensus 
positions on potential adverse human health effects that may result 
from chronic (or lifetime) exposure to specific chemical substances 
found in the environment. The data base (available on the Internet at 
http://www.epa.gov/iris) contains qualitative and quantitative health 
effects information for more than 500 chemical substances that may be 
used to support the first two steps (hazard identification and dose-
response evaluation) of the risk assessment process. When supported by 
available data, the data base provides RfDs and RfCs for chronic health 
effects, and oral slope factors and inhalation unit risks for 
carcinogenic effects. Combined with specific exposure information, 
government and private entities use IRIS to help characterize public 
health risks of chemical substances in a site-specific situation and 
thereby support risk management decisions designed to protect public 
health.
    Toluene (CASRN 108-88-3) or methylbenzene is used as a gasoline 
additive to increase octane ratings, in benzene production, and as a 
solvent in paints, coatings, inks, adhesives, and cleaners. Toluene is 
also used in the production of nylon, plastics and polyurethanes. 
Toluene is released to the environment, mostly into the atmosphere 
during the production, transport, and use of gasoline. Toluene has been 
detected in drinking water supplies, particularly in locations near 
leaking underground storage tanks containing fuel products. Toluene has 
also been detected in soil and water at or near certain hazardous waste 
sites and in smoke from wood and cigarettes.

[[Page 2351]]

    EPA has established an official public docket for this action under 
Docket ID No. ORD-2003-0015. The official public docket consists of the 
document referenced in this notice and a list of charge questions that 
have been submitted to the external peer reviewers. Both documents are 
available on the Internet at http://www.epa.gov/edocket/. Once in the 
system, select ``search,'' then key in the appropriate docket 
identification number.
    Although a part of the official docket, the public docket does not 
include Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information 
whose disclosure is restricted by statute.

    Dated: January 7, 2004.
Peter W. Preuss,
Director, National Center for Environmental Assessment.
[FR Doc. 04-895 Filed 1-14-04; 8:45 am]
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