[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 104 (Tuesday, June 2, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26404-26406]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-12746]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[60Day-09-0920-09BQ]


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

[[Page 26405]]

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

    Examining In-vehicle Exposures to Air Pollutants and Corresponding 
Health Outcomes of Commuters--New--National Center for Environmental 
Health, (NCEH) and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 
(ATSDR), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

    Numerous studies have found associations between ambient fine 
particulate matter (PM2.5) and adverse cardiovascular 
outcomes. Several recent epidemiologic studies suggest that vehicle-
related emissions, in particular, may be linked to many of the these 
adverse effects and that specific sub-populations may be more 
susceptible to health risks due to their enhanced exposures to vehicle-
related PM2.5 sources. Commuters are a potentially 
susceptible, yet poorly characterized, sub-population. Importantly, 
recent epidemiologic studies indicate that specific sub-groups, 
including those with asthma, may be at risk to cardiorespiratory health 
effects due to their pre-existing health condition. A more complete 
understanding of in-vehicle exposures for the commuter population, 
especially those with asthma, is therefore becoming increasingly 
necessary as commuting durations and roadway congestion have steadily 
increased throughout the U.S. during the last 20 years. The National 
Center for Environmental Health (NCEH), Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC) will conduct this study to characterize in-vehicle 
exposures to traffic-related air pollutants among commuters, with and 
without asthma, and any health impacts that these exposures may have on 
the commuter.
    A total of 40 participants (20 adults with physician-diagnosed 
asthma and 20 healthy adults) living in the Atlanta metro area will be 
recruited for participation in this study. Participants will be 
excluded if they meet specific criteria including: ever being diagnosed 
with severe asthma, ever suffering a myocardial infarction, smoking 
tobacco products, or ever being diagnosed with a pulmonary disease such 
as emphysema, COPD, or any type of lung cancer.
    Approximately one week prior to their scheduled commute, 
participants will complete a one-time baseline questionnaire to assess 
medical history and general exposures. Additionally, a short symptom 
diary recording any respiratory symptoms will be completed by the 
participant each day for the seven days prior to the commute and on the 
day of the commute. On the day of the planned commute, health 
measurements for lung function, lung inflammatory markers, heart rate, 
and biomarkers of systemic inflammation will also be conducted by a 
trained field technician. In-vehicle exposures to particulate matter 
and other air pollutants will then be measured for all participants 
during their commute. After the commute, the symptom diary and health 
measurements will be conducted again to assess any potential changes in 
respiratory and cardiovascular health effects. The information learned 
from the health measurements and diary entries before and after the 
commute will be important in better understanding the potential acute 
health impacts associated with exposures to in-vehicle traffic 
pollutants and respiratory and cardiovascular health, and whether urban 
commuters--especially those with asthma--should be viewed as a 
susceptible sub-population given their enhanced exposures to 
PM2.5 and gas-phased pollutants.
    There is no cost to participants other than their time.

                                        Estimated Annualized Burden Hours
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                                                                                      Average
                                                     Number of       Number of      burden per     Total burden
        Instrument type            Respondents      respondents    responses per   response  (in    (in hours)
                                                                    respondent        hours)
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Baseline questionnaire........  Eligible                      40               1           30/60              20
                                 participants
                                 with and
                                 without asthma.
Symptom diary.................  Eligible                      40               8            5/60              27
                                 participants
                                 with and
                                 without asthma.
    Total.....................  ................  ..............  ..............  ..............              47
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[[Page 26406]]

    Dated: May 26, 2009.
Maryam I. Daneshvar,
Acting Reports Clearance Officer, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention.
[FR Doc. E9-12746 Filed 6-1-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P