[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 198 (Friday, October 11, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63431-63432]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-25922]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry


Panel Discussion--Health Effects of Asbestos and Synthetic 
Vitreous Fibers: The Influence of Fiber Length

AGENCY: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), 
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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

SUMMARY: ATSDR is holding a panel discussion to review and discuss the 
current state-of-the-art understanding of health effects related to 
asbestos and synthetic vitreous fibers (SVFs), especially those of less 
than 5 microns in length. ATSDR has invited a cross-section of 
scientists with expertise in the fields of toxicology, epidemiology, 
pulmonology/pathology, and medicine to participate in 1\1/2\ days of 
discussions on a variety of topics, including depositional patterns of 
fibers in the lung and mechanisms of toxic action, the relationship of 
fiber size to toxicity, irritant effects of fibers, relationships

[[Page 63432]]

between measured fiber levels and observed adverse health outcomes, and 
data gaps/research needs. ATSDR will use the scientific input received 
from the discussions of each of the individuals to aid in developing 
scientifically defensible public health evaluations for human exposures 
to smaller-than-5-micron fibers and in the formulation of future 
research proposals.

DATES: The panel discussion will be held on October 29, 2002, from 1 
p.m. to approximately 6 p.m., and October 30, 2002, from 8 a.m. to 
approximately 5:30 p.m.
    Location: The panel discussion will be held at the Jacob K. Javitz 
Federal Building, 26 Federal Plaza, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10278. It 
is located on Broadway between Worth and Duane Streets. Participants 
must enter through the Broadway Street ``Federal Employees Entrance'' 
and show picture identification and a registration confirmation e-mail 
from ERG. To make hotel reservations at the nearby Holiday Inn 
Downtown/SoHo, please call the hotel directly at 212-966-8898. 
Reference the ``ATSDR Fibers Panel'' to receive the group rate of 
$195.00/night plus 13.25 percent tax and $2.00 occupancy tax. You must 
make your reservation before October 14, 2002. After this date, any 
remaining rooms will be released from our block and sold on a space- 
and rate-available basis.
    Attending the Panel Discussion: The public is welcome to attend the 
panel discussions. There is no charge for attending the meeting; 
however, you must pre-register as seating is limited. To register, send 
your full contact information (name, affiliation, mailing address, 
phone, fax, and email) to ATSDR's contractor, Eastern Research Group, 
Inc. (ERG) by email ([email protected]) or fax (781-674-2906), 
referencing the ``ATSDR Fibers Panel.'' If you have any questions about 
registration, please call ERG directly at 781-674-7374.
    A limited amount of time will be set aside for members of the 
public to present brief oral comments regarding asbestos- and synthetic 
vitreous fiber-related scientific issues. Oral presentations will be 
limited to 5 minutes, and the number of people giving oral comments may 
be limited by the time available. Opportunity for making oral comment 
will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis; therefore, the 
public is encouraged to pre-register and sign-up to present oral 
comments by emailing ([email protected]) or faxing (781-674-2906) ERG. 
After the meeting, ATSDR will prepare a summary report that will 
capture the salient points of each of the panel members and observers. 
The agency will consider the scientific information received during the 
meeting to aid in developing scientifically defensible public health 
evaluations for human exposures to smaller-than-5-micron fibers and in 
the formulation of future research proposals.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: For general questions about the asbestos and 
synthetic vitreous fibers panel discussion, contact Dr. Allan Susten, 
Assistant Director for Science, Division of Health Assessment and 
Consultation, ATSDR, at 404-498-0007.
    For questions about logistics, contact ERG at 781-674-7374.
    Background Information: ATSDR conducts public health assessments to 
evaluate possible public health implications of contaminants associated 
with hazardous waste sites and other environmental releases. A crucial 
part of this evaluation is the understanding of toxicological 
implications of exposure to substances that may be present. Recent 
events have highlighted a need to further explore the potential for 
health effects from exposure to biopersistent fibers, specifically 
asbestos and some SVFs. ATSDR is currently involved in several site 
assessments that address the potential for residential and community 
exposures to persistent fibers from past industrial operations (e.g., 
vermiculite processing plants across the country), hazardous waste 
sites, and dust generated from the World Trade Center (WTC) collapses 
in lower Manhattan. These sites are unique in that contaminant 
materials are/may be present in people's homes and communities. 
Additionally, there are potential concerns surrounding smaller length 
fibers which may have been generated by each of these past activities, 
especially in relation to the materials found in lower Manhattan.
    Smaller fibers and non-fibrous particles may be generated as 
fibrous materials are processed, disposed of, or damaged, as in the 
case of the WTC collapses. In these situations, traditional fiber 
counting techniques may not quantify all of the materials present. 
Standard assessment methodology addresses fibers greater than 5 microns 
in length, based on the relative risk of longer fibers being greater 
than that of shorter fibers. Significant toxicology and occupational 
health research has focused on asbestos fibers and SVF greater than 5 
microns in length, however, it seems that much less is known about the 
potential health effects of smaller fibers. ATSDR has identified a need 
to understand the potential for fibers less than 5 microns in length to 
contribute to adverse health effects. ATSDR is convening this panel to 
gain a greater understanding of asbestos and SVF toxicity, especially 
as it relates to fibers less than 5 microns in length. Research needs 
identified during these deliberations may lead to the development of 
specific research projects.
    ATSDR's overall goal is to receive individual expert opinions on 
the following three general questions related to asbestos and SVF 
toxicity. A number of specific questions related to these issues will 
also be discussed. (1) What is the physiological fate of asbestos and 
vitreous fibers less than 5 microns in length? (2) What are the 
potential health effects (cancer and non-cancer) of asbestos and 
vitreous fibers less than 5 microns in length? (3) What data gaps are 
evident when addressing the above questions? What research is needed to 
fill these data gaps?

    Dated: October 4, 2002.
Georgi Jones,
Director, Office of Policy and External Affairs, Agency for Toxic 
Substances and Disease Registry.
[FR Doc. 02-25922 Filed 10-10-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-70-P