[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 176 (Wednesday, September 10, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52662-52663]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-20913]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[60Day-08-0494]


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 404-639-5960 
and send comments to Maryam I. Daneshvar, CDC Acting 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.)

Background and Brief Description

    Karenia brevis (formerly Gymnodinium breve) is the marine 
dinoflagellate responsible for extensive blooms (called Florida red 
tides) that forms 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 still 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.
    NCEH administered a baseline respiratory health survey and 
conducted pre- and post-shift pulmonary function tests (PFTs) during a 
time when there is no red tide reported near the area. When a red tide 
developed, NCEH administered a symptom survey and conducted PFTs. NCEH 
compared symptoms reported before the shift with symptoms reported 
after the shift. NCEH also examined changes in PFT test results (post-
shift values compared to pre-shift values). NCEH did these comparisons 
during a time when there was no red tide and during a time when

[[Page 52663]]

there was a red tide and then examined the data to see if red tide 
exposure had an effect on symptom reports or PFT results.
    NCEH requests a revision of data collection procedures for the 
currently approved project and an additional three year extension. 
Unfortunately, the exposures experienced by the study cohort have been 
minimal, and NCEH plans to conduct another study (using the same 
symptom surveys and PFTs) during a more severe red tide event. First, 
NCEH wants 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. NCEH will collect nasal exudates at the same 
time the PFTs are done.
    NCEH plans to include the study subjects who have been involved in 
the earlier studies and any new individuals (n=25) who have been hired 
to work at the relevant beaches.
    There is no cost to respondents other than their time.

                                        Estimated Annualized Burden Hours
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                                                                     Number of    Average burden
                 Instrument type                     Number of     responses per   per response    Total burden
                                                    respondents     respondent      (in hours)      (in hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pulmonary History Survey........................              10               1           20/60               3
Symptom survey..................................              25               6            5/60              13
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.......................................  ..............  ..............  ..............              16
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Catina Conner,
Assistant Reports Clearance Officer, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention.
[FR Doc. E8-20913 Filed 9-9-08; 8:45 am]
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