[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 212 (Friday, November 1, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 66631]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-27829]



[[Page 66631]]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7392-3]


Asthma Research Strategy

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice of availability of a final document.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing 
the availability of a final document, Asthma Research Strategy, EPA 
600/R-01/061. The Asthma Research Strategy serves to guide the planning 
of EPA research efforts led by the Office of Research and Development 
(ORD) to address the significant issues of exposures, effects, risk 
assessment, and risk management of environmental pollutants relevant to 
asthma.

ADDRESSES: A limited number of copies of the Asthma Research Strategy 
are available from EPA's National Service Center for Environmental 
Publications (NSCEP) in Cincinnati, Ohio (telephone: 1-800-490-9198 or 
513-489-8190). Please provide the title and the EPA number when 
ordering from NSCEP. Internet users may download a copy from EPA's ORD 
home page at http://www.epa.gov/ORD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Raub, National Center for 
Environmental Assessment/Research Triangle Park Office (MD-B-243-01), 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711; 
telephone: 919-541-4157; facsimile: 919-541-1818; e-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Asthma Research Strategy was developed 
in light of increasing rates of asthma, particularly in children, in 
the United States. Since the EPA is required to set pollutant standards 
to protect susceptible populations, a coordinated research effort is 
needed to study environmental pollutants that influence the incidence 
and severity of asthma. EPA has developed a plan to coordinate research 
efforts aimed at addressing the following issues: Factors contributing 
to the induction and exacerbation of asthma (e.g., combustion-related 
products, bioaerosols, and air toxics); susceptibility factors 
contributing to asthma (e.g., genetics, health status, socioeconomic 
status, residence and exposure history, and lifestyle and activity 
patterns); and risk assessment and risk management of environmental 
pollutants relevant to asthma. The Asthma Research Strategy identifies 
and prioritizes the research needed to provide information to close the 
gaps in our knowledge of asthma and to control environmental factors 
that contribute to the prevalence and severity of asthma. The Strategy 
supplements and expands on other U.S. agency efforts to better 
understand this complex disease.
    Asthma is characterized by chronic airway inflammation, mucus 
secretion, airway remodeling, and reversible airway obstruction. The 
disease has a definite genetic component, and can be caused by a 
variety of factors. In susceptible individuals, the inflammation causes 
recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and 
cough particularly at night and/or early morning. Airflow obstruction 
usually associated with these symptoms is partly reversible either 
spontaneously or with treatment. Inflammation also causes an increase 
in airway responsiveness to a variety of stimuli. Most types of asthma 
are linked to allergic responses to common aeroallergens present in the 
indoor and outdoor environment. Common allergens include: house-dust 
mites, cockroaches, animal secretions, pollens, and molds. Exacerbation 
of asthma may occur with subsequent re-exposure to allergens or by 
exposure to a number of nonspecific triggers such as respiratory 
viruses, tobacco smoke, or certain air pollutants.
    EPA has prepared the Asthma Research Strategy to strengthen the 
scientific foundation of the EPA risk assessments and risk management 
decisions. Agency research strategies provide a framework of research 
needs and priorities to guide its programs over the next 5 to 10 years. 
The Strategy includes a stable, long-term, core program of research in 
hazard identification, dose-response and exposure assessment, and risk 
reduction, as well as problem-oriented research that addresses current 
critical needs identified by EPA program offices and regions.
    This Asthma Research Strategy was subjected to external peer review 
by independent scientific experts. The final Strategy reflects the 
comments of both internal and external peer review.

    Dated: October 2, 2002.
Paul Gilman,
Assistant Administrator for Research and Development.
[FR Doc. 02-27829 Filed 10-31-02; 8:45 am]
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