[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 162 (Monday, August 23, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 51815]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-20865]



[[Page 51815]]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


National Toxicology Program (NTP); Center for the Evaluation of 
Risks to Human Reproduction (CERHR); Evaluation of the Health Effects 
of Low-Level Lead Exposure: Call for Information and Nomination of 
Scientific Experts

AGENCY: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS); 
National Institutes of Health (NIH), HHS.

ACTION: Call for information and nomination of scientific experts.

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

SUMMARY: CERHR is evaluating the scientific evidence regarding the 
potential health effects associated with low-level lead exposure 
(defined as having blood lead levels < 10 [mu]g/dL). CERHR invites the 
submission of information about ongoing studies or upcoming 
publications on the health effects of low-level lead exposure that 
might be considered for inclusion in the evaluation. CERHR also invites 
the nomination of scientific experts to potentially serve as technical 
advisors in conducting the evaluation or as members of an ad hoc expert 
panel to be convened to peer review the draft NTP Monograph on Low-
level Lead (see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION below). This expert panel 
peer review meeting is tentatively scheduled for Spring 2011. When set, 
the date and location of the meeting will be announced in the Federal 
Register and posted on the CERHR Web site (http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov). 
CERHR expert panel peer review meetings are open to the public with 
time scheduled for oral public comment.

DATES: All information and nominations should be received by CERHR by 
October 7, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Information may be submitted to Dr. Andrew A. Rooney, NTP/
CERHR, NIEHS, P.O. Box 12233, MD K2-04, Research Triangle Park, NC 
27709 (mail), 919-316-4704 (telephone), or [email protected] (e-
mail). Courier address: NIEHS, 530 Davis Drive, Room K2163, 
Morrisville, NC 27560.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The main uses of lead are in manufacture of storage batteries, 
ammunition, nuclear and x-ray shielding devices, cable coverings, 
pipes, and solders. Lead may be present in paint pigments, ceramics, 
caulk, plastics, and electronic devices. Exposure to the general 
population can occur through inhalation of lead in dust and industrial 
emissions, intake of lead in drinking water, consumption of 
contaminated food, ingestion of lead dust, eating of paint flakes by 
children, occupational exposure, and secondary exposure in families of 
workers exposed occupationally to lead. Lead exposure remains a 
significant health concern despite policies and practices that have 
resulted in continued progress in reducing exposures and lowering blood 
lead levels in the U.S. population. CERHR selected low-level lead for 
evaluation because of: (1) Widespread human exposure, (2) published 
studies on health effects associated with low blood lead levels (< 10 
[mu]g/dL) in humans, and (3) public concern. An evaluation of low-level 
lead was initially discussed by the NTP Board of Scientific Counselors 
(BSC) on December 6, 2007 (72 FR 58854) and the approach for the 
evaluation was discussed at the May 10, 2010 BSC meeting (75 FR 12244). 
BSC meeting minutes are available at http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/9741.

Request for Information

    CERHR invites the public and other interested parties to submit 
information on low-level lead including toxicology information from 
completed and ongoing studies, information on planned studies, and 
information about current production levels, human exposure, use 
patterns, and environmental occurrence. This information will be 
considered in evaluating the potential health effects of exposure to 
low-level lead. Information should be submitted to CERHR (see 
ADDRESSES).

Request for Nomination of Scientific Experts

    CERHR invites nominations of qualified scientists to serve as 
technical advisors and/or as members of an ad hoc expert panel to peer 
review the draft NTP Monograph on Low-level Lead. Scientists serving as 
technical advisors or on the peer review panel should represent a wide 
range of expertise including, but not limited to, developmental 
toxicology, neurotoxicology, reproductive toxicology, cardiovascular 
toxicology, renal toxicology, immunotoxicology, epidemiology, general 
toxicology, medicine, pharmacokinetics, exposure assessment, and 
biostatistics. Technical advisors and expert panel members should meet 
criteria to serve as an expert including, but not limited to, formal 
academic training and experience in a relevant scientific field, 
publications in peer-reviewed journals, and membership in relevant 
professional societies. Nominations should include contact information 
and current curriculum vitae (if possible) and be forwarded to CERHR 
(see ADDRESSES). Final selection of individuals to serve on the peer 
review panel will be made in accordance with the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act and Department of Health and Human Services implementing 
regulations. All technical advisors and panel members serve as 
individual experts and not as representatives of their employers or 
other organizations.

Background Information on CERHR

    The NTP established CERHR in 1998 (63 FR 68782). CERHR is a 
publicly accessible resource for information about adverse reproductive 
and/or developmental health effects associated with exposure to 
environmental and/or occupational exposures. CERHR publishes monographs 
that assess the evidence regarding whether environmental chemicals, 
physical substances, or mixtures (collectively referred to as 
``substances'') cause adverse effects on reproduction and/or 
development and provide opinion on whether these substances are 
hazardous for humans. Information about CERHR can be obtained from its 
homepage (http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov).

    Dated: August 12, 2010.
John R. Bucher,
Associate Director, National Toxicology Program.
[FR Doc. 2010-20865 Filed 8-20-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P