[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 116 (Monday, June 16, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 34015]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-13484]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-ORD-2003-0002; FRL-8579-7]


 Notice of Availability for the Framework for Application of the 
Toxicity Equivalence Methodology for Polychlorinated Dioxins, Furans, 
and Biphenyls in Ecological Risk Assessment

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of document availability.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing 
the availability of the final ``Framework for Application of the 
Toxicity Equivalence Methodology for Polychlorinated Dioxins, Furans, 
and Biphenyls in Ecological Risk Assessment'' (EPA/100/R-08/004). The 
purpose of the Framework is to assist EPA scientists in using the 
toxicity equivalence methodology to assess ecological risks from 
mixtures of dioxin-like chemicals, i.e., polychlorinated dibenzo-p-
dioxins (PCDDs), dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and biphenyls (PCBs), as well 
as to inform EPA decision makers, other agencies, and the public about 
this methodology. This framework provides an introduction to the 
toxicity equivalence methodology, offers considerations for how and 
when to apply the methodology, and presents practical examples of its 
use. The Framework thus serves to enhance the application of the best 
available science. This document is not intended to serve as guidance 
on how to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment for dioxin-like 
chemicals or to act as a regulation or binding policy. EPA's Risk 
Assessment Forum oversaw the development of this document, 
incorporating input obtained from an expert workshop, scientists 
throughout the Agency, stakeholders, and a peer review by twelve 
experts from a range of scientific disciplines.

ADDRESSES: The final document is available electronically through the 
EPA Office of the Science Advisor's Web site at: http://www.epa.gov/osa/raf/tefframework/. A limited number of paper copies will be 
available from 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 301-604-3408; e-mail 
lmit.com">NSCEP@bps-lmit.com. Please provide your name and mailing addresses and 
the title and EPA number (as given above) of the requested publication.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Seema Schappelle, Risk Assessment 
Forum, Mail Code 8105R, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.,Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (202) 
564-3372; fax number: (202) 564-2070, E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: For more than a decade, EPA and other 
organizations have estimated the combined risks that mixtures of PCDDs, 
PCDFs, and PCBs pose to human health using the toxicity equivalence 
methodology. As both data and experience with the methodology have 
accumulated, experts have come to the consensus that the toxicity 
equivalence methodology can strengthen assessments of ecological risks 
as well. In 1998, EPA and DOI sponsored a workshop that recommended the 
development of further guidance on application of the toxicity 
equivalence methodology in ecological risk assessment. This framework 
has been developed in direct response to that workshop recommendation. 
EPA consulted with other federal agencies at key points during the 
document's development. In July 2003, EPA released a draft Framework 
for a 60-day public comment period. An external peer review was 
conducted in 2004 by twelve experts from a range of scientific 
disciplines.

    Dated: May 15, 2008.
George M. Gray,
EPA Science Advisor.
[FR Doc. E8-13484 Filed 6-13-08; 8:45 am]
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