[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 44 (Monday, March 7, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12361-12362]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-5110]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Docket Number NIOSH 134-A]


Request for Information: Update of NIOSH Nanotechnology Strategic 
Plan for Research and Guidance

AGENCY: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 
of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of 
Health and Human Services (HHS).

ACTION: Notice of public comment period.

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SUMMARY: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 
of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) seeks comment 
on the types of hazard identification and risk management research that 
should be considered for updating the NIOSH 2009 nanotechnology 
strategic plan.
    Public Comment Period: Comments must be received by April 15, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Written comments, identified by docket number NIOSH 134-A, 
may be submitted by any of the following ways:
     Mail: NIOSH Docket Office, Robert A. Taft Laboratories, 
MS-C-34, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226.
     Facsimile: (513) 533-8285.
     E-mail: [email protected].
    All information received in response to this notice will be 
available for public examination and copying at the NIOSH Docket 
Office, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Room 109, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226. A 
complete electronic docket containing all comments submitted will be 
available thirty days after the public comment period on the NIOSH Web 
page at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docket, and comments will be available 
in writing by request. NIOSH includes all comments received without 
change in the docket, including any personal information provided. All 
electronic comments should be formatted as Microsoft Word. Please make 
reference to docket number NIOSH 134-A.
    Background: Since 2004, the National Institute for Occupational 
Safety and Health (NIOSH) of the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC) has pioneered research on the toxicological properties 
and characteristics of nanoparticles. This research has involved 
characterizing occupationally relevant nanoparticles for predicting 
whether these particles pose a risk of adverse health effects and for 
providing guidance on controlling workplace exposures. In September 
2005, NIOSH developed a strategic plan to further guide the Institute 
in identifying and prioritizing nanotechnology research. In 2009 this 
strategic plan [http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/nanotech/strat_plan.html] was updated based on knowledge gained from results of 
ongoing NIOSH research [see Progress Toward Safe Nanotechnology in the 
Workplace; A Report from the NIOSH Nanotechnology Research Center 
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2007-123/] and from stakeholder input.
    NIOSH would like to build on the accomplishments of ongoing 
research [see http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2010-104/] to develop 
strategic research goals and objectives through 2015. NIOSH has 
identified 10 critical research areas for nanotechnology research and 
communication. These 10 critical research areas are (1) toxicity and 
internal dose, (2) measurement methods, (3) exposure assessment, (4) 
epidemiology and surveillance, (5) risk assessment, (6) engineering 
controls and personal protective equipment (PPE), (7) fire and 
explosion safety, (8) recommendations and guidance, (9) communication 
and information, and (10) applications.
    NIOSH is considering focusing the overarching strategic research 
goals for these critical areas on 5 key goals: (1) Provide guidance to 
protect workers, (2) alert workers, employers, governments, and the 
public about possible new hazards, (3) assess the hazards of 
nanomaterials and the risks to workers, (4) help workers by assessing 
and implementing exposure registries, and (5) assess the level of 
protection practiced in US workplaces.
    NIOSH requests comment on how research in these 10 critical areas 
and the 5 overarching goals can be enhanced. Examples of requested 
information include, but are not limited to:
    (1) The need for toxicity evaluation and/or workplace exposure 
characterization of engineered nanoparticles not currently being 
studied*.

[[Page 12362]]

    (2) Development of technical and educational guidance materials*.
    (3) Development of additional partnerships and collaborations*.
    (4) Research in the development of risk management strategies 
(e.g., exposure assessment, engineering controls)*.

    Note: * provide rationale for recommendations.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles L. Geraci, NIOSH, Robert A. 
Taft Laboratories, MS-C32, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 
45226, telephone (513) 533-8339.

    Dated: February 28, 2011.
John Howard,
Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2011-5110 Filed 3-4-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-19-P