[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 248 (Friday, December 28, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73803-73807]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-25226]



[[Page 73803]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OPPT-2006-0794; FRL-8345-6]


Review of Chemical Proposals for Addition under the Stockholm 
Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants; Solicitation of 
Information for the Development of Risk Management Evaluations and Risk 
Profiles

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice solicits information relevant to the development 
of risk management evaluations pursuant to the Stockholm Convention on 
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) (hereafter Convention) for the 
following chemicals which are being reviewed for possible addition to 
the Convention's Annexes A, B, and/or C as POPs: Commercial 
octabromodiphenyl ether (c-octaBDE) (CAS No. 32536-52-0 ), 
pentachlorobenzene (PeCB) (CAS No. 608-93-5), alpha-
hexachlorocyclohexane (alpha-HCH) (CAS No. 319-84-6), and beta-
hexachlorocyclohexane (beta-HCH) (CAS No. 319-85-7). Additionally, this 
notice solicits additional information relevant to the development of 
the risk profile pursuant to the Convention for the following chemical 
which is also being reviewed for possible addition to the Convention's 
Annexes A, B, and/or C as POPs: Short-chained chlorinated paraffins 
(SCCP) (CAS No. 85535-84-8). EPA is issuing this notice to alert 
interested and potentially affected persons of these proposals and the 
status of their review under the Convention, and to encourage such 
persons to provide information relevant to the development of risk 
profiles and risk management evaluations under the Convention.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 22, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by docket identification 
(ID) number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2006-0794, by one of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments.
     Mail: Document Control Office (7407M), Office of Pollution 
Prevention and Toxics (OPPT), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001.
     Hand Delivery: OPPT Document Control Office (DCO), EPA 
East Bldg., Rm. 6428, 1201 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. 
Attention: Docket ID Number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2006-0794. The DCO is open from 
8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The 
telephone number for the DCO is (202) 564-8930. Such deliveries are 
only accepted during the DCO's normal hours of operation, and special 
arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information.
    Instructions: Direct your comments to docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPPT-
2006-0794. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included 
in the docket without change and may be made available on-line at 
http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information 
provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to be 
Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose 
disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you 
consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through regulations.gov or e-
mail. The regulations.gov website is an ``anonymous access'' system, 
which means EPA will not know your identity or contact information 
unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an e-
mail comment directly to EPA without going through regulations.gov, 
your e-mail address will be automatically captured and included as part 
of the comment that is placed in the docket and made available on the 
Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you 
include your name and other contact information in the body of your 
comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your 
comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for 
clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic 
files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of 
encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses. For additional 
information about EPA's public docket, visit the EPA Docket Center 
homepage at http://www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm.
    Docket: All documents in the docket are listed in the docket index 
available in regulations.gov. To access the electronic docket, go to 
http://www.regulations.gov, select ``Advanced Search,'' then ``Docket 
Search.'' Insert the docket ID number where indicated and select the 
``Submit'' button. Follow the instructions on the regulations.gov 
website to view the docket index or access available documents. 
Although listed in the index, some information is not publicly 
available, e.g., CBI or other information whose disclosure is 
restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted 
material, will be publicly available only in hard copy. Publicly 
available docket materials are available electronically at http://www.regulations.gov, or, if only available in hard copy, at the OPPT 
Docket. The OPPT Docket is located in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC) at 
Rm. 3334, EPA West Bldg., 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. 
The EPA/DC Public Reading Room hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 
p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays. The telephone 
number of the EPA/DC Public Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the 
telephone number for the OPPT Docket is (202) 566-0280. Docket visitors 
are required to show photographic identification, pass through a metal 
detector, and sign the EPA visitor log. All visitor bags are processed 
through an X-ray machine and subject to search. Visitors will be 
provided an EPA/DC badge that must be visible at all times in the 
building and returned upon departure.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information contact: Colby 
Lintner, Regulatory Coordinator, Environmental Assistance Division 
(7408M), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-
0001; telephone number: (202) 554-1404; e-mail address: [email protected].
    For technical information contact: Amy Breedlove, Chemical Control 
Division (7405M), Office Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-
0001; telephone number: (202) 564-9823; e-mail address: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does this Action Apply to Me?

    This action is directed to the public in general, and may be of 
particular interest to chemical substance and pesticide manufacturers, 
importers, and processors. Since other entities may also be interested, 
the Agency has not attempted to describe all the specific entities that 
may be affected by this action. If you have any questions regarding the 
applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the person 
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

B. What Should I Consider as I Prepare My Comments for EPA?

    1. Submitting CBI. Do not submit this information to EPA through 
regulations.gov or e-mail. Clearly mark the part or all of the 
information that

[[Page 73804]]

you claim to be CBI. For CBI information in a disk or CD-ROM that you 
mail to EPA, mark the outside of the disk or CD-ROM as CBI and then 
identify electronically within the disk or CD-ROM the specific 
information that is claimed as CBI. In addition to one complete version 
of the comment that includes information claimed as CBI, a copy of the 
comment that does not contain the information claimed as CBI must be 
submitted for inclusion in the public docket. Information so marked 
will not be disclosed except in accordance with procedures set forth in 
40 CFR part 2.
    2. Procedures for preparing confidential information related to 
pesticides and industrial chemicals. Procedures for preparing 
confidential information related to pesticides and industrial chemicals 
are in Unit I.B.1. Send confidential information about industrial 
chemicals using the submission procedures under ADDRESSES. Send 
confidential information about pesticides to: Janice K. Jensen, Office 
of Pesticide Programs (7506P), Environmental Protection, 1200 
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001 or hand delivered to: 
Janice K. Jensen, Government and International Services Branch, Office 
of Pesticide Programs, Potomac Yard South, 2777 S. Crystal Dr., Rm. 
S11315, Arlington, VA 22202. If you have CBI pesticide 
information to submit or questions about delivering CBI to Janice, 
please contact her at [email protected].
    3. Incorporation of comments in U.S. response. Commenters should 
note that none of the CBI information received by EPA will be forwarded 
to the Stockholm Convention Secretariat (hereafter Secretariat). 
Information from submissions containing CBI may be considered by EPA in 
the development of the U.S. response. If commenters wish EPA to 
consider incorporating information in documents with CBI as part of the 
U.S. response, commenters should provide a sanitized copy of the 
documents. Sanitized copies must be complete except that all 
information claimed as CBI is deleted. EPA will place sanitized copies 
in the public docket.
    4. CD-ROMs. Please note that due to incoming mail being x-rayed, 
CD-ROM's tend to melt and become unusable. It is recommended that they 
not be sent through the mail.
    5. Tips for preparing your comments. When submitting comments, 
remember to:
    i. Identify the document by docket ID number and other identifying 
information (subject heading, Federal Register date and page number).
    ii. Follow directions. The Agency may ask you to respond to 
specific questions or organize comments by referencing a Code of 
Federal Regulations (CFR) part or section number.
    iii. Explain why you agree or disagree; suggest alternatives and 
substitute language for your requested changes.
    iv. Describe any assumptions and provide any technical information 
and/or data that you used.
    v. If you estimate potential costs or burdens, explain how you 
arrived at your estimate in sufficient detail to allow for it to be 
reproduced.
    vi. Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns and 
suggest alternatives.
    vii. Explain your views as clearly as possible, avoiding the use of 
profanity or personal threats.
    viii. Make sure to submit your comments by the comment period 
deadline identified.

II. Background

A. What Action is the Agency Taking?

    The Agency is issuing this notice to increase awareness of the 
proposals concerning the chemicals subject to this notice, and to 
provide interested persons with an opportunity to provide relevant 
information to EPA for its consideration in the development of the 
United States' submissions relevant to Convention Annexes E and F for 
the chemical substances under review at this time for possible addition 
to Annexes A, B, and/or C of the Convention. On December 3 and 4, 2007, 
the Secretariat invited Parties and observers to submit to the POPs 
Review Committee (POPRC) (via the Secretariat) information specified in 
Annex E and Annex F of the Convention, and other relevant information 
(the Secretariat's invitation letters can be found at http://www.pops.int/documents/meetings/poprc/docs/comments.htm). The United 
States is an observer. EPA is requesting that any information be 
submitted to EPA no later than January 22, 2008. The United States 
intends to make a submission by February 4, 2008, to meet the 
Secretariat's deadline. In addition, EPA will consider the information 
during its review of the draft risk management evaluations developed by 
ad hoc working groups established under POPRC in the coming months. The 
chemical listing process is discussed in more detail in Unit II.B. 
Individuals or organizations that wish to submit information directly 
to POPRC via the Secretariat should work through their respective 
observer organizations, if any.

B. The Convention Chemical Listing Process

    The Convention is a multilateral environmental agreement designed 
to protect human health and the environment from persistent organic 
pollutants. The United States signed the Convention in May of 2001 but 
has not yet ratified it (and thus is not a Party to the Convention). 
The United States currently participates as an observer in Convention 
activities. The Convention, which went into force in May of 2004, 
requires the Parties to reduce or eliminate the production and use of a 
number of intentionally produced POPs used as pesticides or industrial 
chemicals. The Convention also calls upon Parties to take certain 
specified measures to reduce releases of certain unintentionally 
produced POPs with the goal of their continuing minimization and, where 
feasible, ultimate elimination. The Convention also imposes controls on 
the handling of POPs wastes and on trade in POPs chemicals.
    In addition, there are specific science-based procedures that 
Parties to the Convention must use when considering the addition of new 
chemicals to the Convention's Annexes. Article 8 of the Convention 
provides the process that must be followed for listing new chemicals in 
Annexes A, B, and/or C, and is described in summary in this unit with 
certain associated implementation procedures being followed by POPRC:
    1. A Party to the Convention may submit a proposal to the 
Secretariat for listing a chemical in Annexes A, B and/or C of the 
Convention. The proposal shall contain the information specified in 
Annex D of the Convention (``Information Requirements and Screening 
Criteria'').
    2. The Secretariat verifies that the proposal contains the 
information specified in Annex D of the Convention, and if the 
Secretariat is satisfied, the proposal is forwarded to POPRC.
    3. POPRC examines the proposal, applies the Convention Annex D 
screening criteria, and determines whether the screening criteria have 
been fulfilled.
    4. If POPRC is satisfied that the criteria have been fulfilled, 
POPRC, through the Secretariat, will make the proposal and POPRC's 
evaluation available to all Parties and observers and invite them to 
submit the information specified in Annex E (``Information Requirements 
for the Risk Profiles'') of the Convention.
    5. Draft risk profiles are prepared by ad hoc working groups under 
POPRC in accordance with Annex E of the

[[Page 73805]]

Convention for consideration by POPRC and made available to all Parties 
and observers to collect technical comments.
    6. POPRC reviews the draft risk profile and technical comments, 
completes the risk profile, and determines whether the chemical is 
likely, as a result of its long-range environmental transport, to lead 
to significant adverse human health and/or environmental effects, such 
that global action is warranted.
    7. If POPRC determines that action is warranted, then POPRC, 
through the Secretariat, will ask Parties and observers to provide 
information specified in Annex F (``Information on Socio-Economic 
Considerations'') of the Convention to aid in the development of risk 
management evaluations (that include an analysis of possible control 
measures).
    8. Draft risk management evaluations are prepared by ad hoc working 
groups under POPRC in accordance with Annex F of the Convention for 
consideration by POPRC and made available to Parties and observers to 
collect technical comments.
    9. POPRC reviews the draft risk management evaluation prepared by 
the ad hoc working group and completes it.
    10. On the basis of the risk profile and the risk management 
evaluation for each chemical, POPRC recommends whether the chemical 
should be considered by the Conference of the Parties (COP) for listing 
in Convention Annexes A, B, and/or C. (The type(s) of control 
measure(s) that might be introduced for a specific chemical would 
dictate whether the chemical would be listed in Annex A (elimination), 
Annex B (restriction), and/or Annex C (unintentional production) of the 
Convention.)
    11. The COP makes the final decision on listing the chemical in 
Annexes A, B, and/or C of the Convention.
    EPA anticipates issuing Federal Register notices soliciting 
information, when appropriate, during the listing process.

C. What Information is Being Requested for Risk Management Evaluations?

    For the chemicals currently at the risk management stage (see Unit 
II.G.), EPA is seeking information that is supplementary to the 
information provided during previous stages in the review process; 
i.e., information relevant to Convention Annexes D and E; the 
proposals, evaluations and risk profiles. These documents, as well as 
the Secretariat's letter soliciting information, are available at the 
Convention website (http://www.pops.int/documents/meetings/poprc/poprc.htm). In addition, POPRC identified specific areas where 
information and data relevant to the chemicals under consideration 
would be particularly useful for the future process. This information 
is discussed in Unit II.G.
    When providing information, keep in mind that the possible control 
measures under the Convention include, among others, the prohibition or 
severe restriction of production and use. Therefore, the provision of 
accurate, high-quality information, as described in this notice and in 
the Secretariat letter soliciting information, is a priority for 
POPRC's evaluation.
    Commenters are invited to provide information they deem relevant to 
POPRC's development of the risk management evaluation, such as that 
specified in Annex F of the Convention and other related information, 
as described in this unit and in Unit II.G. Provide summary information 
and relevant references for:
    1. Efficacy and efficiency of possible control measures in meeting 
risk reduction goals:
    i. Describe possible control measures.
    ii. Technical feasibility.
    iii. Costs, including environmental and health costs.
    2. Alternatives (products and processes):
    i. Describe alternatives.
    ii. Technical feasibility.
    iii. Costs, including environmental and health costs.
    iv. Efficacy.
    v. Risk.
    vi. Availability.
    vii. Accessibility.
    3. Positive and/or negative impacts on society of implementing 
possible control measures:
    i. Health, including public, environmental and occupational health.
    ii. Agriculture, including aquaculture and forestry.
    iii. Biota (biodiversity).
    iv. Economic aspects.
    v. Movement towards sustainable development.
    vi. Social costs.
    4. Waste and disposal implications (in particular, obsolete stocks 
of pesticides and clean-up of contaminated sites):
    i. Technical feasibility.
    ii. Cost.
    5. Access to information and public education.
    6. Status of control and monitoring capacity.
    7. Any national or regional control actions taken, including 
information on alternatives, and other relevant risk management 
information.
    8. Other relevant information for the risk management evaluation.
    9. Other information requested by POPRC.
    POPRC would also like to collect more Convention Annex E 
information and has requested additional or updated information for the 
following:
     Production data, including quantity and location.
     Uses.
     Releases, such as discharges, losses and emissions.

D. What Information is Being Requested for Risk Profiles?

    For chemicals at the risk profile stage (see Unit II.H.), EPA is 
seeking information that is supplementary to the information in the 
proposals on the chemicals and POPRC's evaluation of the proposals 
against the Convention`s Annex D screening criteria. The proposals and 
the evaluations, as well as the Secretariat's letter inviting Parties 
and observers to provide information, are available at the Convention 
website: http://www.pops.int/documents/meetings/poprc/poprc.htm.
    Commenters are invited to provide information they deem relevant to 
POPRC's development of risk profiles, such as that specified in Annex E 
of the Convention and other related information, as described in this 
unit and in Unit II.H.:
    1. Sources, including as appropriate:
    i. Production data, including quantity and location.
    ii. Uses.
    iii. Releases, such as discharges, losses and emissions.
    2. Hazard assessment for the endpoint(s) of concern (as identified 
in the proposals and/or POPRC's evaluation of the proposals against the 
screening criteria of Convention Annex D), including a consideration of 
toxicological interactions involving multiple chemicals.
    3. Environmental fate, including data and information on the 
chemical and physical properties of a chemical as well as its 
persistence and how they are linked to its environmental transport, 
transfer within and between environmental compartments, degradation and 
transformation to other chemicals.
    4. Monitoring data.
    5. Exposure in local areas and, in particular, as a result of long 
range environmental transport, and including information regarding bio-
availability.

E. How Should the Information be Provided?

    1. EPA requests that commenters, where possible, use the 
questionnaire developed by POPRC to provide their information. The 
questionnaire with

[[Page 73806]]

explanatory notes can be found on the Convention website at: http://www.pops.int/documents/meetings/poprc/request.htm. Information does not 
need to be provided for each item in the questionnaire. The explanatory 
notes under each item have been developed by POPRC and are meant to 
guide and assist the providers of information. Commenters are requested 
to include clear and precise references for all sources. Without the 
exact source of the information, POPRC will not be able to use the 
information. If the information is not readily available in the public 
literature, commenters may consider attaching the original source of 
the information to their submission. Commenters should indicate clearly 
on the questionnaire which chemical the information concerns and use 
one questionnaire per chemical. If for some reason the questionnaire 
does not provide an adequate mechanism for a type of comment or 
information, EPA requests that such comment or information be submitted 
using a similar format.
    2. Although POPRC has developed provisional arrangements for the 
treatment of confidential information, as mentioned in Unit I.B.3., no 
CBI will be forwarded to the Secretariat. EPA will, however, consider 
such information in development of the U.S. response to the 
Secretariat. Instructions on where and how to submit comments and 
confidential information can be found in Unit I.B.2. and 3. and 
ADDRESSES.
    3. Anyone wishing to have an opportunity to communicate with EPA 
orally on this issue should consult the technical person listed under 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

F. What is the Agency's Authority for Taking this Action?

    EPA is requesting comment and information under the authority of 
section 102(2)(F) of the National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. 
4321 et seq., which directs all agencies of the Federal Government to 
``[r]ecognize the worldwide and long-range character of environmental 
problems and, where consistent with the foreign policy of the United 
States, lend appropriate support to initiatives, resolutions and 
programs designed to maximize cooperation in anticipating and 
preventing a decline in the quality of mankind's world environment.'' 
Section 17(d) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act 
(FIFRA) also provides additional support in that it directs the 
Administrator of the EPA ``in cooperation with the Department of State 
and any other appropriate Federal agency, [to] participate and 
cooperate in any international efforts to develop improved pesticide 
research and regulations.''

G. What is the Status of Chemicals at the Risk Management Stage?

    The second meeting of POPRC took place on November 6-10, 2006, in 
Geneva, Switzerland. EPA provided notice of this meeting and POPRC's 
intention to consider proposals for the five chemicals listed in this 
unit in the Federal Register notice of October 6, 2006 (71 FR 59108) 
(FRL-8099-2). Information about the November 2006 POPRC meeting is 
available at the Convention website http://www.pops.int. POPRC had 
before it five proposals which were submitted for its consideration by 
Parties to the Convention for addition to Annexes A, B, and/or C of the 
Convention.
    1. Two of the five proposals were for industrial chemicals:
    i. Octabromodiphenyl ether.
    ii. Short-chained chlorinated paraffins.
    2. One of the five proposals was for a chemical with both 
industrial and pesticidal uses: Pentachlorobenzene.
    3. Two of the five proposals were for pesticides:
    i. Alpha-hexachlorocyclohexane.
    ii. Beta-hexachlorocyclohexane.
    In accordance with the procedure in Article 8 of the Convention and 
discussed in Unit II.B., during the November 2006 meeting, POPRC 
examined the proposals and applied the screening criteria in Annex D of 
the Convention. With regard to all five chemicals, POPRC decided that 
it was satisfied that the screening criteria had been fulfilled and, 
that further work should therefore be undertaken to develop risk 
profiles. Therefore, POPRC, through the Secretariat, on December 8, 
2006, requested that Parties and observers provide information relevant 
to POPRC's development of risk profiles for the five chemicals listed 
in this unit. In addition to the Convention Annex E information 
discussed in Unit II.D., POPRC determined, and the Secretariat 
requested in their December 2006 letter, that additional information on 
the environmental fate of SCCP or information relating to their 
properties which would enable a fuller evaluation of environmental fate 
as being particularly useful for the future process. In the Federal 
Register notice of December 20, 2006 (71 FR 76325) (FRL-8109-1), EPA 
invited commenters to provide EPA with information for the risk 
profiles.
    Using the information in the proposal and information submitted by 
Parties and observers in response to the Secretariat's request in 
December 2006 in accordance with paragraph 4(a) of Article 8 of the 
Convention, risk profiles were prepared for each of the chemicals to, 
as noted in Convention Annex E, ``evaluate whether the chemical is 
likely, as a result of its long-range environmental transport, to lead 
to significant adverse human health and/or environmental effects, such 
that global action is warranted.'' The risk profile must further 
evaluate and elaborate on the information referred to in Annex D of the 
Convention and include, as far as possible, the information listed in 
Convention Annex E. A draft outline of the risk profile has been 
developed by POPRC, available at http://www.pops.int/documents/meetings/poprc/request.htm. The draft risk profiles developed by ad hoc 
working groups established by POPRC were presented in November 2007 at 
the third meeting of the POPRC (POPRC 3) for consideration.
    In accordance with the procedure in Article 8 of the Convention and 
described Unit II.B., POPRC 3 examined the risk profiles and decided 
that the chemicals, except for SCCP, are likely, as a result of their 
long-range environmental transport, to lead to significant adverse 
human health and/or environmental effects such that global action is 
warranted. At that meeting, POPRC 3 also examined the draft risk 
profile for SCCP, but considered that the information available was 
insufficient to support the Convention Annex E-related decision on 
likely significant adverse effects from long-range environmental 
transport and did not approve the risk profile for the chemical. 
Therefore, POPRC 3 agreed to defer its final Convention Annex E- 
related decision on SCCP to its fourth meeting. POPRC, through the 
Secretariat, as described in Unit II.H., has asked for additional 
information for the SCCP risk profile.
    The next step in the process for substances found by POPRC to be 
likely, as a result of their long-range environmental transport, to 
lead to significant adverse human health and/or environmental effects 
such that global action is warranted is for POPRC to prepare a risk 
management evaluation that includes an analysis of possible control 
measures, which as noted in Annex F (``Information on Socio-Economic 
Considerations'') of the Convention should encompass ``the full range 
of options, including management and elimination.'' The risk management 
evaluation shall further evaluate and elaborate on the information 
referred to in Annexes D and E of the Convention. Relevant information 
should include socio-economic considerations

[[Page 73807]]

associated with possible control measures (see Unit II.C.) and should 
reflect due regard for the differing capabilities and conditions among 
the Parties. A draft outline of the risk management evaluation has been 
developed by POPRC and is available at http://www.pops.int/documents/meetings/poprc/request.htm. The risk management evaluation will take 
into account information to be submitted by Parties and observers as 
requested by POPRC through the Secretariat on December 4, 2007. Draft 
risk management evaluations developed by ad hoc working groups 
established under POPRC will be considered by the full POPRC and 
proceed as discussed in Unit II.B.
    In addition to the Convention Annex F information discussed in Unit 
II.C., POPRC 3 identified the following specific areas where 
information and data relevant to the chemicals under consideration 
would be particularly useful for the future process.
    1. Commercial octabromodiphenyl ether (c-octaBDE). When evaluating 
commercial c-octaBDE against the criteria contained in Annex D of the 
Convention and during the preparation of the risk profile as described 
in Annex E of the Convention, there was a further need identified for 
information on octabromodiphenyl ether (octaBDE) and nonabromodiphenyl 
ether (nonaBDE) related to risk estimations and bioaccumulation, 
including the environmental and health relevance of debromination. The 
POPRC 3 invited the intersessional working group on c-octaBDE to 
explore the information and if appropriate revise the risk profile for 
consideration by POPRC at its fourth meeting. Therefore, in addition to 
Convention Annex F information, POPRC is seeking:
    i. Information on octa-BDE and nona-BDE related to risk estimation 
and bioaccumulation.
    ii. Information on quantitative assessments of the role of 
debromination.
    iii. Toxicological and ecotoxicological information for the 
commercial mixture and its components.
    Further, EPA notes that:
     The POPRC 3 Convention Annex E/risk profile-related 
decision on c-octaBDE actually was based on the hexabromodiphenyl ether 
(hexaBDE) through nonaBDE congeners that are components of the 
commercial mixture.
     The POPRC 3 Convention Annex F/risk management-related 
recommendation that related to the commercial pentabromodiphenyl ether 
risk management evaluation actually covered the tetrabromodiphenyl 
ether and pentabromodiphenyl ether congener components of that 
commercial mixture. (These decisions will be reflected in the POPRC 3 
final report which will be available at: http://www.pops.int/documents/meetings once it is finalized.)
Given this history, EPA believes there is a reasonable possibility that 
the POPRC will consider recommending the listing of the component 
congeners of c-octaBDE at its next meeting in October 2008 (POPRC 4). 
As such, EPA believes the type of information described in Annex F of 
the Convention (as described in Unit II.C.) relating to the hexaBDE 
through nonaBDE congeners that are components of the commercial mixture 
would be of use to POPRC, and is interested in information in this 
regard to inform its decisions and recommendations at POPRC 4.
    2. Pentachlorobenzene (PeCB). At its third meeting of POPRC, it was 
noted that there were information gaps in the risk profile regarding 
environmental burden caused by intentional use and unintentional 
releases of PeCB. It was discussed that the comparison of exposure and 
effect data would provide a more complete basis for decisionmaking on 
the relative risk posed by a substance and such information is 
particularly important with a substance like PeCB that has both 
intended uses and unintentional sources. Quantitative data would 
provide useful understanding of the toxicity of the chemical and enable 
a clearer estimation of the costs and benefits that might be expected 
from listing it. Therefore, in addition to seeking information under 
the headings listed in Convention Annex F information, POPRC is 
seeking:
    i. Information related to environmental burden caused by 
intentional use of PeCB.
    ii. Information related to environmental burden caused by 
unintentional releases of PeCB.

H. What is the Status of the Chemical at the Risk Profile Stage?

    In accordance with paragraph 7(a) of Article 8 of the Convention 
POPRC at its third meeting in November 2007 examined the draft risk 
profile for SCCP and considered that the information available was 
insufficient to support a decision on the risk profile. Therefore, 
POPRC agreed to defer its final decision to its fourth meeting and in 
its letter of December 3, 2007, the Secretariat invited Parties and 
observers to submit to the Secretariat additional information specified 
in Annex E of the Convention, particularly information on toxicity and 
ecotoxicity.
    In addition, EPA is interested in receiving other information that 
would help support a determination of whether SCCP are likely, as a 
result of long-range environmental transport, to lead to significant 
adverse human health and/or environmental effects, such that global 
action is warranted. In particular, EPA would be interested in 
comparisons of toxicity or ecotoxicity data with detected or predicted 
levels of the substances resulting or anticipated from long-range 
environmental transport.

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection, Chemicals, Hazardous substances.


    Dated: December 20, 2007.
Wendy C. Hamnett,
Acting Director, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics.
[FR Doc. E7-25226 Filed 12-27-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-S