[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 78 (Tuesday, April 23, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16856-16857]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-08147]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

[30-Day-19-19GW]


Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Agency 
for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has submitted the 
information collection request titled ``Exposure Characterization and 
Measurements during Activities Conducted on Synthetic Turf Fields with 
Tire Crumb Rubber Infill'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
for review and approval. ATSDR previously published a ``Proposed Data 
Collection Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations'' notice on 
December 26, 2018 to obtain comments from the public and affected 
agencies. ATSDR received one comment related to the previous notice. 
This notice serves to allow an additional 30 days for public and 
affected agency comments.
    ATSDR will accept all comments for this proposed information 
collection project. The Office of Management and Budget is particularly 
interested in comments that:
    (a) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    (b) Evaluate the accuracy of the agencies estimate of the burden of 
the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
    (c) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected;
    (d) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are to respond, including, through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting 
electronic submission of responses; and
    (e) Assess information collection costs.
    To request additional information on the proposed project or to 
obtain a copy of the information collection plan and instruments, call 
(404) 639-7570 or send an email to [email protected]. Direct written comments 
and/or suggestions regarding the items contained in this notice to the 
Attention: CDC Desk Officer, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th 
Street NW, Washington, DC 20503 or by fax to (202) 395-5806. Provide 
written comments within 30 days of notice publication.

Proposed Project

    Exposure Characterization and Measurements during Activities 
Conducted on Synthetic Turf Fields with Tire Crumb Rubber Infill--New--
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).

Background and Brief Description

    Currently in the United States, there are more than 12,000 
synthetic turf fields in use. While the Synthetic Turf Council has set 
guidelines for the content of crumb rubber used as infill in synthetic 
turf fields, manufacturing processes result in differences among types 
of crumb rubber. Additionally, the chemical composition may vary highly 
between different processes and source materials and may vary even 
within granules from the same origin.
    From 2016-2018, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease 
Registry and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (ATSDR/
US EPA) conducted pilot-scale research under the protocol titled 
``Collections Related to Synthetic Turf Fields with Crumb Rubber 
Infill,'' and under two information collection requests (ICRs). 
Activity 1, under OMB Control No. 0923-0054 (expiration date 01/31/
2017), aimed to collect tire crumb rubber samples from 40 synthetic 
turf fields across the U.S. and from nine manufacturing facilities. 
Under OMB Control No. 0923-0058 (expiration date 08/13/2018), ATSDR/US 
EPA aimed to evaluate and characterize the human exposure potential to 
constituents in crumb rubber infill among a convenience sample of 60 
field users (Activity 2) and to collect biological specimens (blood and 
urine) from 45 participants (Activity 3). Preliminary results from the 
pilot-scale study indicate the need for further investigation for a 
select group of chemicals to which field users may potentially be 
exposed.
    ATSDR is requesting a new two-year PRA clearance to conduct a 
supplemental data collection, titled ``Exposure Characterization and 
Measurements during Activities Conducted on Synthetic Turf Fields with 
Tire Crumb Rubber Infill''. The supplemental study will be a larger-
scale assessment of exposure potential for individuals who use or play 
on synthetic turf fields with tire crumb rubber infill. The new ICR 
will address key limitations of the pilot-scale study, specifically, 
the small sample size, the lack of a comparison population, and an 
extremely short data collection period needed to meet early reporting 
requirements.
    As before, the supplemental study will include field users who are 
persons who use synthetic turf fields with crumb rubber infill and who 
routinely perform activities that would result in a high level of 
contact to crumb rubber. The study will also include persons who play 
on natural grass fields to provide a comparison group.
    The field users will be administered a detailed questionnaire about 
activity patterns on synthetic turf with crumb rubber infill; the 
questionnaire is largely the same as the one approved under OMB Control 
No. 0923-0058 with minor modifications. This instrument will be used to 
characterize exposure scenarios, including the nature and duration of 
potential exposures. Additionally, the questionnaire will include 
queries on potential external sources, such as dietary sources, to 
select chemicals.

[[Page 16857]]

    ATSDR will collect urine samples pre- and post-activity. The urine 
samples will be analyzed for polyaromatic hydrocarbons and will also be 
archived in case of future development of new analytical methods for 
potential chemicals of interest.
    The research study will screen a total of 220 participants for 
eligibility. The target sample size is 150 for synthetic turf field 
users and is 50 for the natural grass field users. The total burden 
hours for the research study is 184 hours among all of the 220 
respondents. There is no cost to the respondents other than their time 
in the study.

                                        Estimated Annualized Burden Hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      Average
                                                                     Number of       Number of      burden per
          Type of respondents                   Form name           respondents    responses per   response  (in
                                                                                    respondent         hrs.)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adult/Adolescent Field Users..........  Eligibility Screening                110               1            5/60
                                         Form.
                                        Adult and Adolescent                 100               1           30/60
                                         Questionnaire.
                                        Exposure Measurement                 100               1           20/60
                                         Form.
Parents/Guardians of Youth/Child Field  Eligibility Screening                110               1            5/60
 Users.                                  Form.
                                        Youth and Child                      100               1           30/60
                                         Questionnaire.
Youth/Child Field Users...............  Exposure Measurement                 100               1           20/60
                                         Form.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Jeffrey M. Zirger,
Lead, Information Collection Review Office, Office of Scientific 
Integrity, Office of Science, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2019-08147 Filed 4-22-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P