[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 43 (Tuesday, March 5, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9980-9981]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-5138]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Public Health Service


National Toxicology Program (NTP); National Institute of 
Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)

    The NTP Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction 
(CERHR) 1. Announces a Future Evaluation of Ethylene Glycol (CASRN: 
107-21-1) and Propylene Glycol (CASRN: 57-55-6), 2. Requests Public 
Input on These Chemicals, and 3. Solicits the Nomination of Individuals 
Qualified to Serve on an Expert Panel.

Evaluation of Ethylene Glycol and Propylene Glycol

    The CERHR plans to hold an expert panel evaluation of ethylene 
glycol (CASRN: 107-21-1) and propylene glycol (CASRN: 57-55-6). The 
exact date for this expert panel meeting is not yet set, but is 
tentatively planned for the fall of 2002. Additional details about the 
meeting, including the date and location, will be published in a future 
Federal Register notice.
    The CERHR will convene an expert panel to evaluate the reproductive 
and developmental toxicity of ethylene glycol and propylene glycol. The 
expert panel will consist of approximately 12 scientists, selected for 
their scientific

[[Page 9981]]

expertise in various aspects of reproductive and developmental 
toxicology and other relevant areas of science. The expert panel 
meeting will be open to the public with time scheduled for oral public 
comment.
    Ethylene glycol is a high production volume chemical used chiefly 
in antifreeze for heating and cooling systems. There is widespread 
exposure to ethylene glycol due to its use as an automotive antifreeze 
and as a de-icer for aircraft. The toxicology database on ethylene 
glycol includes recent mechanistic data and occupational exposure 
information. Propylene gylcol, similar in structure to ethylene glycol, 
is used as an antifreeze, de-icing solution, and in various paints and 
coatings. Unlike ethylene glycol, propylene glycol is approved for use 
in various food additives, drugs, and cosmetics.

Request for Public Input

    The CERHR invites input from the public and other interested 
parties on ethylene glycol and propylene glycol including toxicology 
information from completed and ongoing studies, information on planned 
studies, as well as information about current production levels, human 
exposure, use patterns, and environmental occurrence. Information and 
comments should be forwarded to the CERHR at P.O. Box 12233, MD EC-32, 
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 (mail), (919) 541-3455 (phone), (919) 
316-4511 (fax), or [email protected] (email). Information and 
comments received by May 6, 2002 will be made available to the CERHR 
staff and the expert panel for consideration in the evaluation.
    The CERHR also invites nominations of qualified scientists to serve 
on the expert panel for the ethylene glycol/propylene glycol 
evaluation. Panelists are primarily drawn from the CERHR Expert 
Registry and/or the nomination of other scientists who meet the 
criteria for listing in that registry. Criteria for listing in the 
CERHR Expert Registry include: formal academic training and experience 
in a relevant scientific field, publications in peer-reviewed journals, 
membership in relevant professional societies, certification by an 
appropriate scientific Board or other entities, and participation in 
similar committee activities. All panel members serve as individual 
experts in their specific areas of expertise, not as representatives of 
their employer or other organization. Scientists on the expert panel 
will represent a wide range of expertise including developmental 
toxicology, reproductive toxicology, epidemiology, general toxicology, 
pharmacokinetics, exposure assessment, and biostatistics. Nominations 
received by May 6, 2002 will be considered for the Ethylene Glycol/
Propylene Glycol Expert Panel and inclusion in the CERHR Expert 
Registry. Nominations should be forwarded to the CERHR at the address 
given above.

Additional Information about CERHR

    The NTP and the NIEHS established the CERHR in June 1998 [FR (Vol. 
63, No. 239, p. 68782, December 1998)]. The purpose of the CERHR is to 
provide scientifically-based, uniform assessments of the potential for 
adverse effects on reproduction and development caused by agents to 
which humans may be exposed. The CERHR also serves as a resource for 
information on various environmental exposures and their potential to 
affect pregnancy and child development. Its Web site (http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov) has information about common concerns related to 
fertility, pregnancy and the health of unborn children, and links to 
other resources for information about public health.
    The CERHR follows a formal, open process for the selection and 
review of chemicals nominated for evaluation of potential reproductive 
and/or developmental hazards. This process includes an evaluation of 
the chemical(s) by an external scientific panel that follows specific 
guidelines in conducting its assessment and provides multiple 
opportunities for public input. As a final step in the process, the 
CERHR publishes a NTP-CERHR report on each chemical that includes the 
expert panel report, public comments, and a NTP brief. A summary of the 
review process was recently published in the Federal Register (Vol. 66, 
No. 136, pp. 37047-37048, July 16, 2001). The process and guidelines 
are posted on the CERHR Web site and are available in hard copy by 
contacting the CERHR (address provided above). The CERHR welcomes the 
nomination of chemicals to be considered for future evaluation or 
qualified scientists for its expert registry. These nominations can be 
made through the CERHR Web site or by contacting the CERHR directly 
(see address above).

    Dated: February 8, 2002.
Samuel H. Wilson,
Deputy Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
[FR Doc. 02-5138 Filed 3-4-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P