[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 54 (Monday, March 20, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14997-14998]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-6768]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
Solicitation of Comments and Nominations
National Toxicology Program; National Institute of Environmental
Health Sciences; Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human
Reproduction solicits comments on eleven chemicals being considered for
further evaluation by the Center; solicits nominations of other
chemicals for future consideration; and describes the Center's
evaluation process.
Background
The National Toxicology Program (NTP) and the National Institute of
Environmental Health Sciences have established the NTP Center for the
Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction (63 FR 68782, No. 239). The
purpose of the Center is to provide timely and unbiased, scientifically
sound evaluations of human and experimental evidence for adverse
effects on reproduction, including development, caused by agents to
which humans may be exposed. The goals of the individual assessments
are to (1) interpret for and provide to the general public information
about the strength of scientific evidence that a given exposure or
exposure circumstance poses a hazard to reproduction and the health and
welfare of children: (2) provide regulatory agencies with objective and
scientifically credible assessments of reproductive/development health
effects associated with exposure to specific chemicals or classes of
chemicals, including descriptions of any uncertainties associated with
the assessment of risks, and (3) identify knowledge gaps to help
establish research and testing priorities.
Chemicals Recommended for Further Consideration
The CERHR Core Committee, made up of representatives of NTP-
participating agencies, reviewed chemical nominations for further study
and recommended the following eleven chemicals for further
consideration. Dossiers will be prepared on these chemicals reviewing
information on their use, production volume, and general, reproductive,
and developmental toxicity. Selection of candidate chemicals will be
based upon production volume, extent of human exposures, public concern
about chemical hazard, published evidence of reproductive or
developmental toxicity, and evaluation of any additional information
submitted by the public in response to this announcement. The chemicals
to be considered for Expert Panel evaluation in the year 2000 are
listed below with their Chemical Abstracts Service registry numbers
(where available).
1-Bromopropane (106-94-5)
2-Bromopropane (75-26-3)
Dimethyl Methyl Phosphonate (DMMP) (756-79-6)
Ethylene glycol (107-21-1)
Glycol ethers (not available)
Glyphosate (1071-83-6)
Methanol (67-56-1)
Nicotine (54-11-5)
Phenol (108-95-2)
Thimerosal (54-64-8)
Toluene (108-88-3)
Request for Public Comment on Candidate Chemicals
The Center invites public comment on the candidate chemicals listed
above, including toxicology information from completed or ongoing
studies, and information on planned studies, as well as current
production data, human exposure information, use patterns, and
environmental occurrence. Written comments received May 4, 2000, will
be considered in the review. Please forward comments and chemical
information to: Dr. John Moore, CERHR, 1800 Diagonal Road, Suite 500,
Alexandria, VA 22314-2808, Phone: (703) 838-9440.
Request for Nominations for Future Reviews
Nominations of chemicals for future evaluations are also
encouraged. Any individual or organization may nominate. Nominations
should include the chemical name, Chemical Abstract Service registry
number (if known), reason for the nomination, and references or
articles on the chemical, when possible. The nominator's name, address,
telephone number and e-mail address should be included with the
nomination. Nominations can be made through the Center's web site or by
mail to Dr. John Moore at the address listed above.
Review Process
The Center's review process is outlined below:
Chemical Nominations
--open nomination process includes interested individuals, NTP
Executive Committee, Federal Agencies, NTP Staff, Labor Unions,
Industry
CERHR multi-agency Core Committee
--nominations reviewed quarterly by Core Committee made up of NTP
[[Page 14998]]
Agency representatives.
--highest priority chemicals identified based on production volume,
evidence of reproductive or developmental toxicity, human exposure,
public concern.
--candidate chemicals transmitted to Associate Director, NTP
--Center staff prepares dossiers on candidate chemicals
First Solicitation of Public Comment
--notice of candidate chemicals and request for public comment
published in Federal Register, NTP Newsletter and listserver, and CERHR
website
--public comments are compiled by Center staff for review by the
Core Committee
CERHR Core Committee Review
--reviews dossiers and material submitted in public comments
--recommends list of prioritized chemicals to Associate Director,
NTP, for final selection.
Second Solicitation of Public Comment
--Federal Register notice announces selected chemical(s) and
solicits public comment, new data, information on exposure, and
nominations of individuals qualified to serve on the Expert Panel.
Expert Panel Meeting
--the Panel meets in public session to discuss their review of the
literature and to prepare the Panel report.
--meeting includes time for presentation of public comments.
Final Solicitation of Public Comment
--Federal Register notice announces availability of Expert Panel
report and requests public comment.
Expert Panel Report is submitted for publication in
Environmental Health Perspectives, monograph section
NTP Center Report Transmitted and Published
--NTP staff prepares an NTP Center Report on the chemical(s)
evaluated (intended for a readership of non-scientists). This report
integrates background information on the chemical evaluated, the
findings in the Expert Panel Report, a summary of the public comments,
and a discussion of any recent relevant study findings.
--the Center Report is distributed to Federal and state agencies,
interested stakeholders, and the public, and is published in EHP,
monthly section.
Further information about the NTP Center for the Evaluation of
Risks to Human Reproduction can be obtained through the Center's web
site: http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov or by contacting: Michael D. Shelby,
Ph.D., Director, CERHR, NIEHS/NTP B3-09, P.O. Box 12233, Research
Triangle Park, NC 27709, telephone 919-541-3455, facismile 919-541-4634
or John A. Moore, D.V.M., Principal Investigator, CERHR, 1800 Diagonal
Road, Suite 500, Alexandria, VA 22314, 703-838-9440, 703-684-2223.
Dated: Janaury 10, 2000.
Kenneth Olden,
Director, NIEHS.
[FR Doc. 00-6768 Filed 3-17-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P