[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 65 (Thursday, April 5, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16792-16793]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-6344]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[60 Day-07-06AP]


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 404-639-4766 
and 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

    Aerosol Generation by Cough--NEW--The National Institute for 
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

    The Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, section 
501, enables NIOSH to carry out research relevant to the health and 
safety of workers. NIOSH is conducting a two-year study of airborne 
clouds of particles or droplets called ``aerosols''. Some diseases like 
influenza and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) can be spread 
when people produce infectious aerosols by coughing or sneezing. 
Aerosol transmission of infectious diseases is especially important to 
health-care workers and emergency responders, who face a much greater 
risk of exposure to these hazards than does the general public. Cough-
generated aerosols are of particular concern because coughing is one of 
the most common symptoms of respiratory infections. However, 
substantial gaps exist in our understanding about the generation of 
aerosols during coughing. This lack of information hampers the ability 
of health scientists to model and predict the generation of infectious 
aerosols by coughing and to understand whether or not cough-generated 
aerosols are likely to be an important means of transmission of 
particular diseases.
    The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of the 
production of aerosols by coughing. The results of this research will 
give scientists and health professionals greater insight into the 
airborne transmission of disease and allow them to better assess the 
potential effectiveness of preventive measures.
    The first part of this study will measure the quantity and size 
distribution of aerosol produced during human coughs. To accomplish 
this, volunteers will cough into a spirometer, which is a commonly used 
piston-like medical device that measures the volume of air exhaled by a 
patient. After the volunteer coughs into the spirometer, the air in the 
spirometer will be drawn into a commercial aerosol measurement device. 
These experiments will also provide information on how much cough 
aerosols vary over time for individuals and how much aerosol generation 
varies between individuals.
    The second part of this study will determine how effectively 
surgical masks and N95 respirators block cough-generated aerosols. N95 
respirators are dust masks that are certified to filter out at least 
95% of airborne material during normal breathing. N95 respirators are 
known to be more effective than surgical masks at filtering out 
airborne particles during inhalation, but it is not known whether masks 
or respirators are more effective at blocking cough-generated aerosols. 
For this work, masks and respirators will be placed in a special holder 
with a disposable mouthpiece, and human subjects will cough into the 
mouthpiece and through the mask. The aerosol produced by each subject 
will be analyzed before and after flowing through the mask. These 
experiments will determine how effective each mask or respirator is at 
preventing the release of cough-generated aerosols.
    Volunteers from part 1 may also participate in part 2 if they wish. 
There will be no costs to study participants other than their time.

                                       Estimate of Annualized Burden Hours
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                                                                                      Average
                                                     Number of       Number of      burden  per    Total burden
                   Respondents                      respondents    responses per   response  (in    (in hours)
                                                                    respondent        hours)
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Part 1 participants.............................              20               5             1.5             150
Part 2 participants.............................             120               1             1.5             180
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    Total.......................................  ..............  ..............  ..............             330
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[[Page 16793]]

    Dated: March 29, 2007.
Joan F. Karr,
Acting Reports Clearance Officer, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention.
[FR Doc. E7-6344 Filed 4-4-07; 8:45 am]
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