[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 191 (Monday, October 4, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59226-59227]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-22254]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7823-5]


Papers Addressing Scientific Issues in the Risk Assessment of 
Metals

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announces the 
availability of five scientific papers on metals risk assessment. The 
papers include: (1) Issue Paper on the Environmental Chemistry of 
Metals; (2) Issue Paper on Metal Exposure Assessment; (3) Issue Paper 
on the Ecological Effects of Metals; (4) Issue Paper on the Human 
Health Effects of Metals; and (5) Issue Paper on the Bioavailability 
and Bioaccumulation of

[[Page 59227]]

Metals. Development of these papers was led by Eastern Research Group 
Inc., a contractor to EPA. These papers will inform EPA's continuing 
discussion of practices and methods for the risk assessment of metals.

DATES: The scientific papers will be available on or about October 4, 
2004.

ADDRESSES: The issue papers are available primarily via the Internet on 
the Risk Assessment Forum's Web page http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/raf/recordisplay.cfm?deid=86119. A limited number of paper copies will be 
available from the EPA's National Service Center for Environmental 
Publications (NSCEP), P.O. Box 42419, Cincinnati, OH 45242; telephone: 
1-800-490-9198 or 513-489-8190; facsimile: 513-489-8695. Please provide 
your name and mailing address and the title and EPA number of the 
requested publication, ``Papers Addressing Scientific Issues in the 
Risk Assessment of Metals'' (EPA/630/R-04/118).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For technical information, contact Dr. 
William P. Wood, Executive Director, Risk Assessment Forum, National 
Center for Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and 
Development; telephone: (202) 564-3361; facsimile: (202) 565-0062; or 
e-mail: [email protected]@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA has recognized the need for consistent 
application of methods and data to metals risk assessment in 
consideration of the unique properties of metals. Early in 2002, the 
Agency's Science Policy Council initiated the development a framework 
to assess the risks of metals to humans and the environment. An Agency 
Action Plan was developed and reviewed by EPA's Science Advisory Board 
(SAB) in September 2002. The SAB emphasized the importance of focusing 
on the unique properties of metals as they relate to environmental 
chemistry, bioavailability, bioaccumulation, exposure, and toxicity. 
The SAB also emphasized the importance of engaging the outside 
community so as to contribute to the knowledge base the Agency would 
draw from in developing guidance on the risk assessment of metals.
    To inform the consideration of metals properties, and to engage the 
external scientific community, the Agency commissioned external experts 
to lead the development of a series of issue papers. (Some individual 
EPA experts contributed specific discussions on topic(s) for which he 
or she has scientific expertise or knowledge of current Agency 
practice.) A public comment period was held on the draft papers from 
September 22 through November 7, 2003, wherein comments were collected 
utilizing the Agency's on-line commenting system (E-Docket). 
Additionally, comment was received via a public meeting held October 
28, 2003, in Washington, DC (comments remain available for viewing at 
www.epa.gov/edocket, Docket Number OAR-2003-0192.) Comments were 
requested on technical issues including the level of detail in the 
papers, the chemical, biological and physical processes addressed or 
omitted, models and approaches that might reduce uncertainty, and other 
considerations that would improve the utility of the papers to the 
development of the framework. To finalize the papers, authors were 
directed to EPA's E-Docket to review and consider public comments 
received. The final papers reflect the authors responses to scientific 
comments received during the public comment period. Therefore, the 
views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect 
the views or policies of the EPA and should not be construed as 
implying EPA consent or endorsement.
    Having engaged the external community to broaden our knowledge 
base, the Agency is working to develop a framework for metals risk 
assessment. The framework will be provided for public comment, and SAB 
review.

    Dated: September 27, 2004.
Peter W. Preuss,
Director, National Center for Environmental Assessment.
[FR Doc. 04-22254 Filed 10-1-04; 8:45 am]
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