[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 222 (Thursday, November 18, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 63035]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-30154]


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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6477-4]


Nominations for Peer Reviewers for Toxicological Testing 
Initiative for Styrene Acrylonitrile Trimer

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice; request for nominations.

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

SUMMARY: EPA's Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response has 
retained the Eastern Research Group (ERG) to conduct a scientific peer 
review of the proposed toxicological testing initiative and associated 
experimental protocols for styrene acrylonitrile trimer 
(SAN2), a contaminant at the Reich Farm Superfund site in 
Ocean County, New Jersey, which has migrated into the ground water. The 
peer review workshop is being organized to assist in conducting the 
most scientifically credible and relevant testing for carcinogenicity 
of the trimer, particularly during the perinatal period, and for 
chronic non-cancer health effects. It is tentatively scheduled to be 
held in late February or early March 2000, in Toms River, New Jersey, 
and will be open to members of the public as observers. It will be a 
one-day meeting and will be conducted in accordance with EPA's 1998 
Peer Review Handbook. ERG is seeking nominations of highly qualified 
scientists with expertise in one or more of the following nine 
disciplines: general toxicology, carcinogenesis, developmental 
toxicology, neurotoxicity, pharmacokinetics, genetic toxicology, 
veterinary pathology, biostatistics, and analytical chemistry. ERG will 
select 10-13 objective peer reviewers based upon demonstrated expertise 
of the scientists and the need for balance in affiliation among the 
peer reviewers. ERG will consider potential conflicts of interest in 
screening nominees for suitability as peer reviewers. All nominations 
will be carefully considered, but the source of peer reviewer 
nominations will not be a factor in the selection of peer reviewers, 
and stakeholders are not guaranteed that any of their nominees will be 
selected. A second Federal Register document will be published about 
one month prior to the peer review workshop to provide the actual 
meeting date, location, and registration information.

DATES: Nominations for peer reviewers must be submitted December 20, 
1999. A detailed resume for each nominated scientist should be included 
with the submission. The projected date for the peer review workshop is 
late February or early March 2000, depending on the availability of the 
peer reviewers.

ADDRESSES: Peer reviewer nominations should be sent to Ms Meg Vrablik 
at Eastern Research Group, 110 Hartwell Avenue, Lexington, MA 02421. 
Peer reviewer nominations may also be submitted by facsimile at 781-
674-2906, or by E-mail at [email protected]. The peer review workshop 
will be held in Toms River, New Jersey.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For technical and logistical inquires, 
contact Ms. Vrablik or Ms. Kate Schalk at Eastern Research Group, by 
telephone, at 781-674-7272; by facsimile, at 781-674-2906; or by E-
mail, at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Spent process streams from the manufacture of styrene acrylonitrile 
polymer by Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) were disposed of at the 
Reich Farm property in Ocean County, New Jersey. The waste contains 
SAN2 trimer, a chemical mixture which has migrated from the 
Reich Farm property into groundwater. Levels of SAN2 trimer 
measured in water drawn from groundwater wells have been in the parts 
per billion and lower. The site is on the National Priorities List 
(NPL) of hazardous waste sites, and remedial activities are currently 
underway.
    Increased incidences of certain forms of cancer in children, 
specifically types of leukemia and neurological cancers, have been 
observed in Ocean County, Dover Township and Toms River. To develop 
scientific data on the toxicologic and carcinogenic potential of the 
SAN trimer and to address concerns of citizens in the area about the 
toxicity of this previously untested mixture, Union Carbide undertook 
an initial round of toxicology experiments, which consisted of 
genotoxicity studies, an acute toxicity study in rats and a 14-day 
repeated dose study in rats. The results from these studies are now 
available.
    The Workgroup for the Toxicity Testing of the SAN2 
Trimer was formed to provide guidance to Union Carbide on the testing 
of the SAN2 trimer. In late 1998 the National Toxicology 
Program (NTP) of the National Institute of Environmental Health 
Sciences joined the workgroup based upon its commitment to perform 
rodent carcinogenicity studies which include perinatal exposures. The 
current governmental agencies represented on the workgroup are the US 
Environmental Protection Agency, the Agency for Toxic Substances and 
Disease Registry, NTP, the New Jersey Department of Environmental 
Protection, and the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior 
Services. Representatives of Union Carbide Corporation and the 
consultant representing the Ocean County Department of Health also 
participate in the workgroup.
    The workgroup has met four times since November 1998, evaluating 
the results of the studies previously performed by UCC, and reviewing 
additional studies proposed to be performed by the NTP and UCC. The 
Workgroup has developed a consensus testing strategy with associated 
experimental protocols. A key step in the finalization of this testing 
strategy will be an external peer review, in the form of a workshop, to 
be held in late February or early March 2000.
    The peer review will focus on existing data pertaining to the 
toxicology of the SAN2 trimer, the proposed additional 
studies and associated protocols, and the variability in composition of 
the different batches of SAN2 trimer isolated to date from 
spent process streams. Following the peer review workshop, ERG will 
issue a report summarizing the workshop. The Workgroup for the Toxicity 
Testing of the SAN2 Trimer will consider the results of the 
workshop prior to finalizing the testing initiative and experimental 
protocols.

    Dated: November 8, 1999.
Timothy Fields, Jr.,
Assistant Administrator, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response.
[FR Doc. 99-30154 Filed 11-17-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P