[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 104 (Thursday, May 30, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37808-37809]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-13420]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[60Day-02-57]


Proposed Data Collections Submitted for Public Comment and 
Recommendations

    In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 for opportunity for public comment on 
proposed data collection projects, the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects. 
To request more information on the proposed projects or to obtain a 
copy of the data collection plans and instruments, call the CDC Reports 
Clearance Officer on (404)498-1210.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways 
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, 
including through the use of automated collection techniques or other 
forms of information technology. Send comments to Anne O'Connor, CDC 
Assistant Reports Clearance Officer, 1600 Clifton Road, MS-D24, 
Atlanta, GA 30333. Written comments should be received within 60 days 
of this notice.
    Proposed Project: Gene-Environment Interactions in Beryllium 
Sensitization and Disease Among Current and Former Beryllium Industry 
Workers (OMB No. 0920-0463)--Extension--National Institute for 
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)--Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC).
    Background: Beryllium is a light weight metal with wide application 
in modern technology. The size of the USA workforce at risk of 
beryllium exposure is estimated at approximately one million, with 
exposed workers in primary production, nuclear power and weapons, 
aerospace, scrap metal reclaiming, specialty ceramics, and electronics 
industries. Demand for beryllium is growing worldwide, which means that 
increasing numbers of workers are likely to be exposed. An acute 
pneumonitis due to occupational exposure to beryllium was common in the 
1940s and 1950s, but has virtually disappeared with improvements in 
work-site control measures. However, even with improved controls, as 
many as 5% of currently-exposed workers will develop chronic beryllium 
disease (CBD).
    CBD is a chronic granulomatous lung disease mediated through a 
poorly understood immunologic mechanism in workers who become 
sensitized. Sensitization can be detected using a blood test, that is 
used by the industry as a surveillance tool. The blood test for 
sensitization was first reported in 1989, but many questions remain 
about the natural history of sensitization and disease, as well as 
exposure risk factors. Sensitized workers, identified through workplace 
surveillance programs, undergo clinical diagnostic tests to determine 
whether they have CBD. The proportion of sensitized workers who have 
beryllium disease at initial clinical evaluation has varied from 41-
100% in different workplaces. Sensitized workers often develop CBD with 
follow-up, but whether all sensitized workers will eventually develop 
beryllium disease is unknown. Early diagnosis at the subclinical stage 
and careful follow-up seems prudent in that CBD usually responds to 
corticosteroid treatment. However, the efficacy of screening in 
preventing adverse outcomes of the disease has not yet been evaluated. 
Research has indicated certain genetic determinants in the risk of CBD; 
follow-up studies will be invaluable for further characterizing the 
genetic contribution to sensitization and disease.
    The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 
wants to determine how beryllium workers and former workers develop 
beryllium disease and how to prevent it. Through the proposed study, 
NIOSH has the opportunity to contribute to the scientific understanding 
of this disease in the context of environmental and genetic etiologic 
factors. The goals of this investigation are to: (1) Determine the 
occurrence of beryllium sensitization or disease; (2) seek an 
association with exposure measurements; (3) explore genetic 
determinants of susceptibility to CBD; and (4) characterize genetic 
determinants to ascertain if they are associated with clinical 
impairment or progression of disease. Through a greater understanding 
of the environmental and genetic risk factors associated with the onset 
and progression of CBD, NIOSH will be able to develop strategies for 
both primary and secondary prevention applicable to beryllium-exposed 
workers. There is no cost to respondents.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     Number of     Avg. burden/
                   Respondents                       Number of      responses/     response  (in   Total burden
                                                    respondents     respondent        hours)        (in hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Former Workers..................................             525               1           30/60           262.5
                                                 -----------------
    Total.......................................  ..............  ..............  ..............           262.5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



[[Page 37809]]

    Dated: May 21, 2002.
Nancy E. Cheal,
Acting Associate Director for Policy, Planning and Evaluation, Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 02-13420 Filed 5-29-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P