[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