[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 182 (Wednesday, September 19, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48257-48258]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-23310]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7057-9]


Trichloroethylene Health Risk Assessment

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice of Availability and Public Comment Period.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announces the 
availability of a report titled, ``Trichloroethylene Health Risk 
Assessment: Synthesis and Characterization,'' External Review Draft, 
(EPA/600/P-01/002A). The draft assessment was prepared by EPA's 
National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA), a part of the 
Office of Research and Development. This report is a draft for review 
purposes only and does not constitute Agency policy.
    EPA is also announcing a 60-day public comment period on the draft 
assessment.
    EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB) will convene an external peer-
review panel to review the draft assessment in the Fall. The SAB will 
publish a subsequent Federal Register notice to announce the time and 
place of the peer-review meeting, including information on how the 
public can participate. After the peer-review meeting, NCEA will 
address the panel's comments and the public's comments and issue a 
final assessment. At that time, a summary of the final assessment will 
be included on EPA's Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS).

DATES: Comments should be in writing and must be postmarked by November 
19, 2001.

ADDRESSES: The draft assessment will be available on the Internet at 
http://www.epa.gov/ncea. A limited number of paper copies are available 
from NCEA's Technical Information Staff, telephone: 202-564-3261; 
facsimile:

[[Page 48258]]

202-565-0050. If you request a paper copy, please provide your name, 
mailing address, and the report title, Trichloroethylene Health Risk 
Assessment.
    Comments may be mailed to NCEA's Technical Information Staff at the 
mailroom address: Technical Information Staff (8623-D), U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., 
Washington, DC 20460. Comments may also be delivered to the NCEA's 
Technical Information Staff at the office address: 808 17th Street NW., 
5th Floor, Washington, DC 20006; telephone: 202-564-3261; facsimile: 
202-565-0050. Electronic comments may be e-mailed to: 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Jim Cogliano, National Center for 
Environmental Assessment, telephone: 202-564-3288; facsimile: 202-565-
0079; e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This assessment presents EPA's most current 
evaluation of the potential health risks from exposure to 
trichloroethylene (TCE). TCE exposure is associated with several 
adverse health effects, including neurotoxicity, immunotoxicity, 
developmental toxicity, liver toxicity, kidney toxicity, endocrine 
effects, and several forms of cancer. Mechanistic research indicates 
that TCE-induced carcinogenesis is complex, involving multiple 
carcinogenic metabolites acting through multiple modes of action. Under 
EPA's proposed (1996, 1999) cancer guidelines, TCE can be characterized 
as ``highly likely to produce cancer in humans.''
    For effects other than cancer, an oral reference dose (RfD) of 
3 x 10-4 mg/kg-d was based on critical effects in the liver, 
kidney, and developing fetus. An inhalation reference concentration 
(RfC) of 4 x 10-2 mg/m\3\ was based on critical effects in 
the central nervous system, liver, and endocrine system. Several cancer 
slope factors were developed, with most between 2 x 10-2 and 
4 x 10-1 per mg/kg-d. Several sources of uncertainty have 
been identified and quantified.
    The mechanistic information suggests some risk factors that may 
make some populations more sensitive. There are suggestions that TCE 
could affect children and adults differently. In addition, several 
chemicals have the potential to alter TCE's metabolism and clearance 
and subsequent toxicity, conversely, TCE exposure can augment the 
toxicity of other chemicals. Widespread environmental exposure to some 
of TCE's metabolites makes it important to consider the cumulative 
effect of TCE along with other environmental contaminants.

    Dated: August 31, 2001.
Art Payne,
Acting Director, National Center for Environmental Assessment.
[FR Doc. 01-23310 Filed 9-18-01; 8:45 am]
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