[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 174 (Tuesday, September 9, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 47494]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-23844]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-5890-3]


Establishment of the Children's Health Protection Advisory 
Committee

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Establishment of Federal Advisory Committee.

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SUMMARY: As required by section 9(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.II. section 9(a)(2), we are giving notice 
that the Environmental Protection Agency is establishing the Children's 
Health Protection Advisory Committee. The purpose of this balanced, 
broad-based committee is to advise the Agency on children's 
environmental health issues as it develops regulations, guidance and 
policies; communicates with the public; and conducts research.
    Copies of the Committee Charter will be filed with the appropriate 
committees of Congress and the Library of Congress.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Persons needing further information 
should contact Paula R. Goode, Office of Children's Health Protection, 
USEPA (G 50), 401 M Street SW., Washington, DC 20460, (202) 260-3356, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background: Children face significant and 
unique health threats from a range of environmental hazards. They are 
often more heavily exposed and more vulnerable than adults to toxins in 
the environment, from asthma-exacerbating air pollution and lead-based 
paint in older homes, to treatment-resistant microbes in drinking 
water, and to persistent chemicals that may cause cancer or induce 
developmental changes, or may affect an individual's ability to 
reproduce as a healthy adult. Children's developing immune and nervous 
systems can be highly vulnerable to disruption by toxins in the 
environment and the consequences may be lifelong.
    The Environmental Protection Agency has created a new Office of 
Children's Health Protection (OCHP) and its mission is to make the 
protection of children's health a fundamental goal of public health and 
environmental protection in the United States. This goal will be 
achieved by setting strong standards to protect children's health, 
conducting scientific research to better understand environmental 
threats to children's health, and by increasing public education and 
community outreach on children's issues. This Office will help 
implement the President's Executive Order to Protect Children from 
Environmental Health and Safety Threats, which was signed on April 21, 
1997.
    The creation of an advisory committee on children's environmental 
health will provide the structured environment for meaningful 
information exchanges and consensus building discussions.
    The Committee will be composed of approximately 25 members. OCHP 
will ensure that there is a balanced, broad-based representation among 
the membership of this advisory committee.

PARTICIPANTS: EPA anticipates that the committee will include 
representatives of public health and health practitioner communities, 
academia, State and local government, other Federal agencies, 
environmental and public interest groups, industry, and the general 
public.

    Dated: September 2, 1997.
E. Ramona Trovato,
Director, Office of Children's Health Protection.
[FR Doc. 97-23844 Filed 9-8-97; 8:45 am]
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