[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 175 (Thursday, September 10, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 48503]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-24333]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6158-5]


Notice of Public Meeting: Workshop on Sulfate in Drinking Water

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 
coordination with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), will 
be holding a workshop on sulfate in drinking water to review and 
discuss the relevant scientific studies and literature as a basis for 
evaluating the dose-response relationship for sulfate, in particular 
for sensitive groups within the general population (e.g., infants, 
travelers). Information provided from the workshop will supplement the 
dose-response studies being conducted by CDC, in collaboration with 
EPA, on the health effects from exposure to high levels of sulfate in 
drinking water.

DATES: The workshop will be held at the Wyndham Garden Hotel in 
Atlanta, Georgia on Monday, September 28, 1998, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
EDT, and Tuesday, September 29, 1998, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. EDT. Members of 
the public may attend as observers at the workshop and provide comments 
during 30-minute periods on Monday and Tuesday. Individual comments 
should be limited to 3 to 5 minutes.

ADDRESSES: The workshop will be held at the Wyndham Garden Hotel, which 
is located at 3340 Peachtree Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30326. To attend 
this workshop as an observer, please contact the Safe Drinking Water 
Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 or 703-285-1093 between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. 
EDT. There is no charge for attending this workshop as an observer, but 
seats are limited, so register as soon as possible. Each registrant 
will receive a preliminary agenda and logistical fact sheet. The 
Wyndham Garden Hotel is holding a block of rooms until Friday, 
September 11 at the special rate of $97 per day. Attendees should make 
their own room reservations by calling (404) 231-1234 and mention the 
``Sulfate Workshop'' to get the special rate.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information, please 
contact the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 or 703-285-
1093 between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. EDT.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the workshop is to review and 
discuss the scientific data on adverse health effects of exposure to 
sulfate and the dose-response relationship of sulfate. The panel will 
consist of scientists with expertise in sulfate biochemistry, 
intestinal physiology, dose-response studies, and animal studies. The 
panel will discuss the following questions: (1) Do the studies suggest 
that a certain contaminant level would not be likely to cause adverse 
effects?; (2) Does the literature support acclimatization or resistance 
to sulfate?; and (3) Can an infant study be done for dose-response 
anywhere in the United States or Canada?. The product of this workshop 
will be a summary report of the discussion of each of the issues.
    The Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended in 1996, requires EPA and 
CDC to jointly conduct an additional study to establish a reliable 
dose-response relationship for sulfate, including sensitive sub-
populations (e.g., infants, travelers). The study must be based on the 
best available peer-reviewed science and supporting studies, be 
conducted in consultation with interested States, and be completed by 
February 1999. The workshop report will supplement results from this 
dose-response study.

    Dated: September 3, 1998.
Cynthia C. Dougherty,
Director, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water.
[FR Doc. 98-24333 Filed 9-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P