[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 37 (Monday, February 27, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 11919]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-03738]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Docket Number CDC-2017-0014, NIOSH-292]


Draft Chapter: Analysis of Carbon Nanotubes and Nanofibers on 
Filters by Transmission Electron Microscopy; Request for Comments

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 comments.

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SUMMARY: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of 
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announces the 
availability of a draft chapter to be published in the NIOSH Manual of 
Analytical Methods entitled, ``Analysis of Carbon Nanotubes and 
Nanofibers on Filters by Transmission Electron Microscopy,'' for public 
comment. The document and instructions for submitting comments can be 
found at www.regulations.gov.

DATES: Electronic or written comments must be received by April 28, 
2017.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by CDC-2017-0014 and 
docket number NIOSH-292, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Mail: National Institute for Occupational Safety and 
Health, NIOSH Docket Office, 1090 Tusculum Avenue, MS C-34, Cincinnati, 
Ohio 45226-1998.
    Instructions: All information received in response to this notice 
must include the agency name and docket number [CDC-2017-0014; NIOSH-
292]. All relevant comments received will be posted without change to 
www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. For 
access to the docket to read background documents or comments received, 
go to www.regulations.gov. All information received in response to this 
notice will also be available for public examination and copying at the 
NIOSH Docket Office, 1150 Tusculum Avenue, Room 155, Cincinnati, OH 
45226-1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: M. Eileen Birch, Ph.D., CDC/NIOSH, 
1090 Tusculum Avenue, MS R-7, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226; (513) 841-4298 
(this is not a toll free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Background: The NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods (NMAM) was first 
published in 1974 and currently contains over 300 methods that can be 
used by occupational safety and health professionals to measure worker 
exposures to chemical and biological agents. In addition to the 
methods, the NMAM contains chapters that offer guidance on workplace 
air sampling, instrumentation, analytical protocols, and quality 
assurance. The draft chapter entitled, ``Analysis of Carbon Nanotubes 
and Nanofibers on Mixed Cellulose Ester Filters by Transmission 
Electron Microscopy,'' is proposed for addition to NMAM and provides 
standardized approaches for the analysis of carbon nanoparticles. These 
standardized approaches are meant to harmonize analytical techniques, 
enabling comparison of results between studies and fostering optimal 
data quality. NIOSH scientists published studies on the microanalysis 
of airborne carbonaceous nanomaterials, and this research has led to 
the procedures described in this chapter. The chapter provides detailed 
guidance on effective means to perform transmission electron 
microscopic analysis on carbon nanotubes and nanofibers that are 
sampled from occupational atmospheres. This draft chapter has 
previously undergone scientific peer review and is proposed for 
inclusion in the 5th edition of NMAM (www.cdc.gov/niosh/nmam).
    Information Needs: NIOSH is seeking public review and comment on 
this document from anyone with an interest in analysis of carbon 
nanoparticles.

John Howard,
Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2017-03738 Filed 2-24-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4163-19-P