[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 160 (Wednesday, August 19, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50298-50299]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-20474]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health


Proposed Collection; 60-Day Comment Request; National Toxicology 
Program (NTP) Level of Concern Categories Study (NIEHS)

    Summary: In compliance with the requirement of Section 
3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, for opportunity 
for public comment on proposed data collection projects, the National 
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes 
of Health (NIH), will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects 
to be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review 
and approval.
    Written comments and/or suggestions from the public and affected 
agencies are invited on one or more of the following points: (1) 
Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the 
proper performance of the function of the agency, including whether the 
information will have practical utility; (2) The accuracy of the 
agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions 
used; (3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (4) Ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on those who are to respond, including the 
use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other 
technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    To Submit Comments and for Further Information: To obtain a copy of 
the data collection plans and instruments, submit comments in writing, 
or request more information on the proposed project, contact: Dr. 
Kristina Thayer, Director of the Office of Health Assessment and 
Translation, Division of National Toxicology Program, NIEHS, P.O. Box 
12233, Mail Drop K2-04, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, or call non-
toll-free number (919) 541-5021, or Email your request, including your 
address to: [email protected]. Formal requests for additional plans 
and instruments must be requested in writing.
    Comment Due Date: Comments regarding this information collection 
are best assured of having their full effect if received within 60 days 
of the date of this publication.
    Proposed Collection: National Toxicology Program Level of Concern 
Categories, 0925-NEW, National Institute of Environmental Health 
Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH).
    Need and Use of Information Collection: The National Toxicology 
Program (NTP) has used a 5-point level of concern (LoC) framework to 
communicate NTP's assessment of the degree of concern regarding the 
potential human health effects of selected substances given what is 
known about their toxicity, level of human exposure, and 
pharmacokinetics. As part of its systematic review methodologies, the 
NTP is updating its LoC framework to enhance transparency in what the 
LoC categories mean, describing the factors considered in reaching 
conclusions and identifying strategies for improving their use as a 
risk communication tool. This study will use expert solicitation from 
five NTP stakeholder sectors (academia, industry, non-government 
organizations, and federal and state agencies) to aid in determining 
the optimal number of LoC categories for an updated LoC framework.
    OMB approval is requested for 3 years. There are no costs to 
respondents other than their time. The total estimated annualized 
burden hours are 300.

[[Page 50299]]



                                                            Estimated Annualized Burden Hours
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                                                                                                        Number of      Average burden
                   Form name                           Type of respondent             Number of       responses per   per response (in    Total annual
                                                                                     respondents       respondent          hours)          burden hour
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LoC ``Cards''.................................  Experts.........................              200                 2             90/60               600
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    Dated: August 11, 2015.
Joellen M. Austin,
Associate Director for Management, NIEHS, NIH.
[FR Doc. 2015-20474 Filed 8-18-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4140-01-P