[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 241 (Thursday, December 17, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66963-66964]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-30043]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-9093-1; Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-ORD-2009-0115]


Draft Toxicological Review of 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane: In 
Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information 
System (IRIS)

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of peer-review workshop.

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SUMMARY: EPA is announcing that Eastern Research Group, Inc. (ERG), an 
EPA contractor for external scientific peer review, will convene an 
independent panel of experts and organize and conduct an external peer-
review workshop to review the external review draft document titled, 
``Toxicological Review of 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane: In Support of 
Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)'' 
(EPA/635/R-09/001). The draft document was prepared by the National 
Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) within EPA's Office of 
Research and Development. EPA previously announced the 60-day public 
comment period (ending November 23, 2009) for the draft document in the 
Federal Register on September 24, 2009 (74 FR 48731). EPA will consider 
public comments and recommendations from the expert panel workshop as 
EPA finalizes the draft document.
    The public comment period and the external peer-review workshop are 
separate processes that provide opportunities for all interested 
parties to comment on the document. EPA intends to forward public 
comments submitted in accordance with the September 24, 2009, Federal 
Register notice (74 FR 48731) to ERG, for consideration by the external 
peer-review panel prior to the workshop.
    EPA is releasing this draft document solely for the purpose of pre-
dissemination peer review under applicable information quality 
guidelines. This document has not been formally disseminated by EPA. It 
does not represent and should not be construed to represent any Agency 
policy or determination.
    ERG invites the public to register to attend this workshop as 
observers. In addition, ERG invites the public to give oral and/or 
provide written comments at the workshop regarding the draft document 
under review. Space is limited, and reservations will be accepted on a 
first-come, first-served basis. The draft document and EPA's

[[Page 66964]]

peer-review charge are available primarily via the Internet on NCEA's 
home page under the Recent Additions and Publications menus at http://www.epa.gov/ncea. In preparing a final report, EPA will consider ERG's 
report of the comments and recommendations from the external peer-
review workshop and any public comments that EPA receives.

DATES: The peer-review panel workshop will begin on Wednesday, January 
27, 2010, at 8:30 a.m., and will end at approximately 4 p.m. Eastern 
Standard Time.

ADDRESSES: The peer-review workshop will be held at the Holiday Inn 
Capitol, 550 C Street, SW., Washington, DC 20024. The EPA contractor, 
ERG, is organizing, convening, and conducting the peer-review workshop. 
To attend the workshop, register by Wednesday, January 20, 2010, by 
calling ERG at 781-674-7374 or toll free at 800-803-2833 (ask for the 
1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane peer-review coordinator, Laurie Waite), 
sending a facsimile to 781-674-2906 (please reference: ``1,1,2,2-
Tetrachloroethane peer-review workshop'' and include your name, title, 
affiliation, full address, and contact information), or sending an e-
mail to [email protected] (subject line: ``1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane 
peer-review workshop'' and include your name, title, affiliation, full 
address, and contact information). You may also register via the 
Internet at https://www2.ergweb.com/projects/conferences/peerreview/register-tetraworkshop.htm.
    The draft ``Toxicological Review of 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane: In 
Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information 
System (IRIS)'' is available primarily via the Internet on the National 
Center for Environmental Assessment's home page under the Recent 
Additions and Publications menus at http://www.epa.gov/ncea. A limited 
number of paper copies are available from the Information Management 
Team, NCEA; telephone: 703-347-8561; facsimile: 703-347-8691. If you 
are requesting a paper copy, please provide your name, mailing address, 
and the document title, ``Toxicological Review of 1,1,2,2-
Tetrachloroethane: In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated 
Risk Information System (IRIS).'' Copies are not available from ERG.
    Information on Services for Individuals with Disabilities: EPA 
welcomes public attendance at the ``1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane peer-
review workshop'' and will make every effort to accommodate persons 
with disabilities. For information on access or services for 
individuals with disabilities, please contact ERG, 110 Hartwell Avenue, 
Lexington, MA 02421-3136; telephone: 781-674-7374; facsimile: 781-674-
2906; or e-mail: [email protected] (subject line: 1,1,2,2-
Tetrachloroethane peer-review workshop), preferably at least 10 days 
prior to the meeting, to give as much time as possible to process your 
request.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions regarding information, 
registration, access or services for individuals with disabilities, or 
logistics for the external peer-review workshop should be directed to 
ERG, 110 Hartwell Avenue, Lexington, MA 02421-3136; telephone: 781-674-
7374; facsimile: 781-674-2906; or e-mail: [email protected] (subject 
line: 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane peer-review workshop).
    If you have questions about the document, please contact Martin 
Gehlhaus, National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA), 1200 
Pennsylvania Ave, NW., 8601P, Washington, DC 20460; telephone: 703-347-
8579; facsimile: 703-347-8689; or e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Information About IRIS

    IRIS is a database that contains potential adverse human health 
effects information that may result from chronic (or lifetime) exposure 
to specific chemical substances found in the environment. The database 
(available on the Internet at http://www.epa.gov/iris) contains 
qualitative and quantitative health effects information for more than 
540 chemical substances that may be used to support the first two steps 
(hazard identification and dose-response evaluation) of a risk 
assessment process. When supported by available data, the database 
provides oral reference doses (RfDs) and inhalation reference 
concentrations (RfCs) for chronic health effects, and oral slope 
factors and inhalation unit risks for carcinogenic effects. Combined 
with specific exposure information, government and private entities can 
use IRIS data to help characterize public health risks of chemical 
substances in a site-specific situation and thereby support risk 
management decisions designed to protect public health.

    Dated: December 8, 2009.
Rebecca Clark,
Acting Director, National Center for Environmental Assessment.
[FR Doc. E9-30043 Filed 12-16-09; 8:45 am]
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