[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 210 (Tuesday, November 1, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-26974]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: November 1, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Public Health Service

 

National Toxicology Program; Update on the Biennial Report on 
Carcinogens; Review of the Criteria Used for Inclusion of Substances by 
an Ad Hoc Working Group of the National Toxicology Program Board of 
Scientific Counselors: Call for Nomination of Potential Members

Action--Request for Public Input

    An ad hoc working group of the National Toxicology Program (NTP) 
Board of Scientific Counselors is being established to review and make 
recommendations on the criteria for listing substances in the Biennial 
Report on Carcinogens (BRC). The working group will number 
approximately 35 members and will include representatives from 
academia, history, labor, public interest groups, state and local 
health officials, government, and the public at large. A two-day public 
meeting of the working group will be held in mid-January 1995 in 
Washington, D.C., with specific dates and location to be determined.
    Nominations of individuals for consideration for membership on the 
working group are invited and encouraged. Please forward your 
nominations by November 14, 1994, to Dr. C. W. Jameson, NIEHS, MD WC-
04, P.O. Box 12233, Research Triangle Park, N.C. 27709, or fax (919) 
541-2242.

Background

    The Biennial Report on Carcinogens (BRC) is prepared in response to 
Section 301 (b)(4) of the Public Health Service Act which stipulates 
that the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services shall 
publish a report which contains a list of all substances (i) which 
either are known to be human carcinogens or may reasonably be 
anticipated to be human carcinogens; and (ii) to which a significant 
number of persons residing in the United States are exposed.
    The selection process for listing substances in the BRC will be 
revised to add review by the NTP Board of Scientific Counselors. The 
objectives for revising the process are to: broaden the input at all 
stages throughout the process; broaden the scope of scientific review, 
and provide a review of the criteria used for inclusion on substances 
in the BRC. The review of the criteria for selecting a substance for 
listing in the BRC is the first step in the process.
    The timetable below outlines the procedures established for the 
review of the criteria used to select substances. This review includes 
the establishment of an ad hoc working group of the NTP Board of 
Scientific Counselors to initially review the criteria and make 
recommendations to the Board.

Timetable for Criteria Review Process

mid-January 1995  A two-day public meeting of the NTP Board ad hoc BRC 
working group, in Washington, D.C., to review and make recommendations 
on the criteria for listing substances in BRC. Specific location and 
dates to be determined.
mid-February 1995  A public meeting of the full NTP Board of Scientific 
Counselors to review the ad hoc working group's report and develop the 
Board's recommendations concerning the selection criteria to the 
Director, NTP.
March 1995  NIEHS review of the criteria and NTP Board recommendations.
April 1995  NTP Executive Committee BRC subcommittee review of criteria 
and the NTP Board's recommendations.
May 1995  NTP Executive Committee review all criteria recommendations.
June 1995  Submission of report and recommendations by Director, NTP, 
to the Secretary, DHHS, concerning the criteria for selection of a 
substance for listing in the BRC.

Draft Discussion Document to be Available

    A draft discussion document concerning the existing criteria for 
selection is to be provided to the NTP Board's ad hoc working group and 
will be available by December 16, 1994. Copies of the document can be 
requested by contacting Dr. Jameson at the above address.

Registration for Public Meeting

    Public comments concerning the criteria for listing a substance in 
the BRC will be accepted during the first day of the ad hoc working 
group's public meeting in mid-January. Oral comments will be limited to 
five minutes to permit maximum participation. Written comments 
accompanying oral statements are encouraged. Those wishing to submit 
only written comments to be considered by the ad hoc working group are 
requested to submit them by January 13, 1995. To register to make oral 
comments about the criteria or to attend the ad hoc working group 
meeting as an observer, contact Dr. Jameson at the above address or fax 
number. Although advance registration is not mandatory, it would be 
helpful in organizing the meeting. Specific dates and location will be 
provided upon confirmation of registration and will also be posted in 
the Federal Register in December.

    Dated: October 26, 1994.
Richard A. Griesemer,
Deputy Director, National Toxicology Program.
[FR Doc. 94-26974 Filed 10-31-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-M