[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 13 (Friday, January 18, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4150-4151]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-00994]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[CDC-2013-0001; NIOSH-134-B]


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

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SUMMARY: The 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 FY2013-FY2016 
nanotechnology strategic plan. This draft strategic plan (Protecting 
the Nanotechnology Workforce: NIOSH Nanotechnology Research and 
Guidance Strategic Plan 2013-2016) can be found in Docket CDC-2013-0001 
at http://www.regulations.gov.

DATES: Comments must be received March 19, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by CDC-2013-0001 and 
Docket Number NIOSH-134-B, by either of the two following methods:
     Federal erulemaking portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Mail: NIOSH Docket Office, Robert A. Taft Laboratories, 
MS-C34, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45226.
    Instructions: All information received in response to this notice 
must include the agency name and docket number (CDC-2013-0001; NIOSH-
134-B). All relevant comments received will be posted without change to 
http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information 
provided. For access to prior background documents or previous comments 
received, go to http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docket/archive/docket134.html 
and http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docket/archive/docket134A.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles L. Geraci, NIOSH, Robert A. 
Taft Laboratories, MS-C14, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 
45226, telephone (513) 533-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Since 2004, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and 
Health

[[Page 4151]]

(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/docs/2010-105] 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 the public and stakeholder input. NIOSH would like 
to build on the accomplishments of ongoing research [http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2013-101/ and http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2010-104/] to develop strategic research goals and objectives for 
nanotechnology occupational safety and health research through 2016. 
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) global 
collaborations, and (10) applications.
    NIOSH is considering focusing the overarching strategic research 
goals for these critical areas on 5 key objectives: (1) Increase 
understanding of new hazards and related health risks to nanomaterial 
workers; (2) Expand understanding of the initial hazard findings on 
engineered nanomaterials; (3) Support the creation of guidance 
materials to inform nanomaterial workers, employers, health 
professionals, regulatory agencies, and decision-makers about hazards, 
risks, and risk management approaches; (4) Support epidemiologic 
studies for nanomaterial workers, including medical and exposure 
studies; and 5) Assess and promote national adherence with risk 
management guidance.
    NIOSH requests public input to address the following:
    (1) What is the basis or rationale for priorities that NIOSH should 
give for studies of toxicity evaluation and/or workplace exposure 
characterization for engineered nanoparticles?
    (2) What rationale can be provided for recommending needs and types 
of technical and educational guidance materials?

    Dated: January 14, 2013.
John Howard,
Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2013-00994 Filed 1-17-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-19-P