[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 46 (Thursday, March 10, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11983-11984]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-4683]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[60Day-05-0494]


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 404-371-5973 or 
send comments to Seleda Perryman, CDC Assistant Reports Clearance 
Officer, 1600 Clifton Road, MS-D74, Atlanta, GA 30333 or send an e-mail 
to [email protected].
    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. Written comments should be received 
within 60 days of this notice.

Proposed Project

    Exposure to Aerosolized Brevetoxins during Red Tide Events (OMB No. 
0920-0494)--Revision--National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH), 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
    Karenia brevis (formerly Gymnodinium breve) is the marine 
dinoflagellate responsible for extensive blooms (called red tides) that 
form in the Gulf of Mexico. K. brevis produces potent toxins, called 
brevetoxins, that have been responsible for killing millions of fish 
and other marine organisms. The biochemical activity of brevetoxins is 
not completely understood and there is very little information 
regarding human health effects from environmental exposures, such as 
inhaling brevetoxin that has been aerosolized and swept onto the coast 
by offshore winds. The National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH), 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recruited people 
who work along the coast of Florida and who are periodically 
occupationally exposed to aerosolized red tide toxins.
    We have administered a base-line respiratory health questionnaire 
and conducted pre- and post-shift pulmonary function tests during a 
time when there is no red tide reported near the area. When a red tide 
developed, we administered a symptom survey and conducted pulmonary 
function testing (PFT). We compared (1) symptom reports before and 
during the red tide and (2) the changes in baseline PFT values during 
the work shift (differences between pre- and post-shift PFT results) 
without exposure to red tide with the changes in PFT values during the 
work shift when individuals are exposed to red tide.
    Unfortunately, the exposures experienced by our study cohort have 
been minimal, and we plan to conduct another study (using the same 
symptom questionnaires and spirometry tests) during a more severe red 
tide event.

[[Page 11984]]

    In addition, we are now planning to quantify the levels of 
cytokines in nasal exudates to assess whether they can be used to 
verify exposure and to demonstrate a biological effect (i.e., allergic 
response) following inhalation of aerosolized brevetoxins. We plan to 
include not only the study subjects who have been involved in our 
earlier studies, but also any new individuals who are hired to work at 
the relevant beaches. As mentioned above, we have collected part data 
on occupational exposure to red tides. However, because we are dealing 
with natural phenomena and are subject literally to the tides, and 
because the scientific questions are evolving as we learn more, we must 
extend our data collection time for an additional three years. There 
are no costs to respondents except for their time.
    Annualized Burden Table:

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                                                       Number of        Average
            Respondents                Number of     responses per    burden per     Total burden
                                      respondents     respondent       response
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pulmonary History Questionnaire...               5               1           20/60               2
Spirometry........................              25               6           20/60              50
Nasal exudates collection/Nasal                 25               6           10/60              25
 wash.............................
Symptom Questionnaire.............              25               6            5/60              13
Hearing test......................              25               6           15/60              38
Beach Survey......................               5             160            5/60              67
                                   -----------------
    Total.........................  ..............  ..............  ..............             195
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    Dated: March 3, 2005.
Betsey Dunaway,
Acting Reports Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Science Officer, 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 05-4683 Filed 3-9-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P