[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 171 (Friday, September 3, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48401-48402]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-22986]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[INFO-99-33]


Proposed Data Collections Submitted for Public Comment and 
Recommendations

    In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 for opportunity for public comment on 
proposed data collection projects, the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects. 
To request more information on the proposed projects or to obtain a 
copy of the data collection plans and instruments, call the CDC Reports 
Clearance Officer on (404) 639-7090.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways 
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, 
including through the use of automated collection techniques for other 
forms of information technology. Send comments to Seleda Perryman, CDC 
Assistant Reports Clearance Officer, 1600 Clifton Road, MS-D24, 
Atlanta, GA 30333. Written comments should be received within 60 days 
of this notice.

Proposed Project

    1. Interstate shipment of etiologic agents are regulated by 42 CFR 
part 7. This rule establishes minimal packaging requirements for all 
viable microorganisms, illustrates the appropriate shipping label, and 
provides reporting instructions regarding damaged packages and failure 
to receive a shipment. In recent years the threat of illegitimate use 
of infectious agents has attracted increasing interest from the 
perspective of public health. CDC is concerned about the possibility 
that the interstate transportation of certain infectious agents could 
have adverse consequences for human health and safety. CDC has already 
requested that all those entities that ship dangerous human infectious 
agents exercise increased vigilance prior to shipment to minimize the 
risk of illicit access to infectious agents. Of special concern are 
pathogens and toxins causing anthrax, botulism brucellosis, plague, Q 
fever, tularemia, and all agents classified for work at Biosafety Level 
4. This information collection ensures that selected infectious agents 
are not shipped to parties ill-equipped to handle them appropriately, 
or who do not have legitimate reasons to use them and to implement a 
system whereby scientists and researchers involved in legitimate 
research may continue transferring and receiving these agents without 
undue burdens. Respondents include laboratory facilities such as those 
operated by government agencies, universities, research institutions, 
and commercial entities. This request is for the information collection 
requirements contained in 42 CFR 71.54, 72.3(e) and 72.4 relating to 
the importation and shipment of etiologic agents. The complete request 
for clearance is currently under development at CDC and this request 
for a 6-month extension will ensure that data collection activities 
remain in effect through the clearance process. The total maximum cost 
to respondents is $1,000,000.

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                                                                     Number of    Average burden/
                   CFR section                       Number of      responses/    responses  (in   Total burden
                                                    respondents     respondents        hrs.)         (in hrs.)
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Application for Permit..........................           1,000               1           20/60             333
72.3(3).........................................              50               1            3/60               3
72.4............................................               2               1            3/60               1
72.6 (a)........................................           1,000               1           15/60             250
72.6 (d)........................................           1,000               3           30/60           1,500
72.6 (e)........................................             120              21           10/60             420
72.6 (f)........................................           1,000               3            8/60             400
                                                                                                 ---------------
    Total.......................................  ..............  ..............  ..............           2,907
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[[Page 48402]]

    Dated: August 30, 1999.
Nancy Cheal,
Acting Associate Director for Policy Planning and Evaluation, Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 99-22986 Filed 9-2-99; 8:45 am]
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