[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 203 (Friday, October 21, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-26189]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: October 21, 1994]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-5095-1; ECAO-RTP-0671]

 

Workshop on Particulate Matter Mortality Epidemiological Research

agency: Environmental Protection Agency.

action: Notice of public meeting.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

summary: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is sponsoring a 
workshop to review selected epidemiology studies of relationships 
between particulate matter (PM) and mortality among human populations. 
The Environmental Criteria and Assessment Office (ECAO), within EPA's 
Office of Research and Development, is conducting the workshop to 
critically examine the subject studies to determine the extent to which 
these studies and supporting materials provide an adequate quantitative 
basis for determining PM exposure characteristics (particle sizes, 
concentrations, etc.) associated with any increased risk of human 
mortality/morbidity effects. This workshop is being held as part of the 
process for reviewing and, as appropriate, revising the EPA document 
Air Quality Criteria for Particulate Matter, to meet statutory 
requirements of the Clean Air Act.

dates: The workshop will be held November 9 through 11, 1994, from 8:00 
a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at the North Raleigh Hilton, Raleigh, NC. The 
workshop is open to the public, although seating will be limited and 
advanced registration is required. Interested parties should contact 
Ms. Emily Lee, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ECAO, MD-52, 
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711; telephone: 919-541-4169; fax 919-541-
5078.

for further information contact: Dr. Allan Marcus, manager for the 
section of the chapter on epidemiological mortality studies, U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, ECAO, MD-52, Research Triangle Park, 
NC 27711; telephone 919-541-0636.

supplemental information: As discussed in a previous call for 
information (59 FR 17375, April 12, 1994), EPA is undertaking to review 
and where appropriate, update and revise the document, Air Quality 
Criteria for Particulate Matter. As part of this process, the 
scientific literature is reviewed for information that will help form 
the scientific bases on which decisions can be made with regard to 
possible revision of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) 
for Particulate Matter (PM) under section 109(d) of the Clean Air Act. 
This workshop will include presentation and review of methodological 
aspects and analytical results from newly emerging epidemiology studies 
that evaluate the potential health effects from PM exposure and are 
likely to be of much importance in addressing health effects issues in 
the revised PM criteria document. The 1994 workshop discussions and 
associated peer-review comments will provide inputs for consideration 
in the drafting of epidemiology chapter materials to be included in an 
initial draft of the revised PM criteria document. The epidemiology 
chapter (and other chapters) of that initial document draft will later 
undergo review at another experts' workshop to be held in early 1995 
(as will be announced in a later Federal Register notice) before 
release of an external review draft of the document for public review 
and comment, and review by the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee 
(CASAC).
    Copies of the research studies to be covered at the November 1994 
workshop will be made available to the public at the time of the 
workshop. Members of the public will have an opportunity at the 
workshop to make brief, oral statements pertinent to the technical 
evaluation of the epidemiologic studies under review at the workshop. 
The workshop will not address the issue of possible revision of the 
current PM NAAQS per se. Interested parties also are invited to assist 
the EPA in developing and refining the scientific information base for 
PM by submitting new information on the topics covered at the workshop. 
To be considered for inclusion in the review process, submitted 
information should have been published or accepted for publication in a 
peer-reviewed, scientific journal. Such information should be submitted 
to Allan Marcus at the address provided.

    Dated: October 17, 1994.
Carl R. Gerber,
Acting Assistant Administrator for Research and Development.
[FR Doc. 94-26189 Filed 10-20-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-M