[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 179 (Friday, September 16, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54747-54748]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-18407]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[30Day-05-0494]


Proposed Data Collections Submitted for Public Comment and 
Recommendations

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) publishes a 
list of information collection requests under review by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). To request a copy of these requests, call 
the CDC Reports Clearance Officer at (404) 371-5983 or send an email to 
[email protected]. Send written comments to CDC Desk Officer, Office of 
Management and Budget, Washington,

[[Page 54748]]

DC or by fax to (202) 395-6974. Written comments should be received 
within 30 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, which 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 baseline 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.
    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.
    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. The total estimated 
total burden hours are 195.

                                       Estimate of Annualized Burden Table
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                                                                                     Number of
                           Respondents                               Number of     responses per  Average burden
                                                                    respondents     respondent     per response
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pulmonary History Questionnaire.................................               5               1           20/60
Spirometry......................................................              25               6           20/60
Nasal exudates collection/Nasal wash............................              25               6           10/60
Symptom Questionnaire...........................................              25               6            5/60
Hearing test....................................................              25               6           15/60
Beach Survey....................................................               5             160            5/60
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    Dated: September 9, 2005.
Joan Karr,
Acting Reports Clearance Officer, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention.
[FR Doc. 05-18407 Filed 9-15-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P