Request for Information on Waste Halogenated Anesthetic Agents: Isoflurane, Desflurane, and Sevoflurane, 8859-8860 [06-1542]
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 34 / Tuesday, February 21, 2006 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
Office of the National Coordinator;
American Health Information
Community Chronic Care Workgroup
Meeting
Office of the National Coordinator;
American Health Information
Community Consumer Empowerment
Workgroup Meeting
ACTION:
ACTION:
Announcement of meeting.
Announcement of meeting.
SUMMARY: This notice announces the
third meeting of the American Health
Information Community Chronic Care
Workgroup in accordance with the
Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub.
L. 92–463, 5 U.S.C., App.)
DATES: March 22, 2006 from 1 p.m. to
5 p.m.
ADDRESSES: Hubert H. Humphrey
Building (200 Independence Ave., SW.,
Washington, DC 20201), Conference
Room 705A.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
https://www.hhs.gov/healthit.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A web
address for the meeting will be available
at: https://www.hhs.gov/healthit.
SUMMARY: This notice announces the
third meeting of the American Health
Information Community Consumer
Empowerment Workgroup in
accordance with the Federal Advisory
Committee Act (Pub. L. 92–463, 5
U.S.C., App.)
DATES: March 20, 2006 from 1 p.m. to
5 p.m.
ADDRESSES: Hubert H. Humphrey
Building (200 Independence Ave., SW.,
Washington, DC 20201), Conference
Room 705A.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
https://www.hhs.gov/healthit.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A Web
address for the meeting will be available
at: https://www.hhs.gov/healthit.
Dated: February 10, 2006.
Dana Haza,
Office of Programs and Coordination, Office
of the National Coordinator.
[FR Doc. 06–1552 Filed 2–17–06; 8:45am]
Dated: February 10, 2006.
Dana Haza,
Office of Programs and Coordination, Office
of the National Coordinator.
[FR Doc. 06–1554 Filed 2–17–06 8:45am]
BILLING CODE 4150–24–M
BILLING CODE 4150–24–M
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
Office of the National Coordinator;
American Health Information
Community Biosurveillance
Workgroup Meeting
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention
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SUMMARY: This notice announces the
third meeting of the American Health
Information Community Biosurveillance
Workgroup in accordance with the
Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub.
L. 92–463, 5 U.S.C., App.)
DATES: March 23, 2006 from 1 p.m. to
5 p.m.
ADDRESSES: Hubert H. Humphrey
Building (200 Independence Ave., SW.,
Washington, DC 20201), Conference
Room 800.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
https://www.hhs.gov/healthit.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A Web
address for the meeting will be available
at: https://www.hhs.gov/healthit.
Dated: February 10, 2006.
Dana Haza,
Office of Programs and Coordination, Office
of the National Coordinator.
[FR Doc. 06–1553 Filed 2–17–05; 8:45am]
BILLING CODE 4150–24–M
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Board of Scientific Counselors,
National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health
In accordance with section 10(a)(2) of
the Federal Advisory Committee Act
(Pub. L. 92–463), the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC)
announces the following committee
meeting:
Name: Board of Scientific Counselors
(BSC), National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH).
Time and Date: 9 a.m.–3 p.m., March
30, 2006.
Place: Holiday Inn Capitol, 550 C
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20024.
Status: Open to the public, limited
only by the space available. The meeting
room accommodates approximately 50
people.
Purpose: The Secretary, Department
of Health and Human Services, the
Assistant Secretary for Health, and by
delegation the Director, CDC, are
authorized under Sections 301 and 308
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8859
of the Public Health Service Act to
conduct directly or by grants or
contracts, research, experiments, and
demonstrations relating to occupational
safety and health and to mine health.
The BSC shall provide guidance to the
Director, NIOSH on research and
prevention programs. Specifically, the
board shall provide guidance on the
institute’s research activities related to
developing and evaluating hypotheses,
systematically documenting findings
and disseminating results. The board
shall evaluate the degree to which the
activities of NIOSH: (1) Conform to
appropriate scientific standards, (2)
address current, relevant needs, and (3)
produce intended results.
Matters to be Discussed: Agenda items
include a report from the Director,
NIOSH; progress report by BSC working
group on the health hazard evaluation
program; update on revisions to the
National Occupational Research
Agenda; Research to Practice Strategic
Plan; and closing remarks.
Agenda items are subject to change as
priorities dictate.
For Further Information Contact:
Roger Rosa, Executive Secretary, BSC,
NIOSH, CDC, 200 Independence
Avenue, SW., Room 715H, Washington,
DC 20201, telephone (202) 205–7856,
fax (202) 260–4464.
The Director, Management Analysis
and Services Office, has been delegated
the authority to sign Federal Register
notices pertaining to announcements of
meetings and other committee
management activities for both CDC and
the Agency for Toxic Substances and
Disease Registry.
Dated: February 14, 2006.
Alvin Hall,
Director, Management Analysis and Services
Office, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention.
[FR Doc. 06–1543 Filed 2–17–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163–18–P
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention
Request for Information on Waste
Halogenated Anesthetic Agents:
Isoflurane, Desflurane, and
Sevoflurane
SUMMARY: NIOSH intends to review and
evaluate toxicity data for the
halogenated anesthetic agents of
isoflurane, desflurane, and sevoflurane.
The current NIOSH recommended
exposure limit (REL) of 2 parts per
million (ppm) as a 60-minute ceiling for
E:\FR\FM\21FEN1.SGM
21FEN1
8860
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 34 / Tuesday, February 21, 2006 / Notices
the halogenated gases (chloroform,
trichloroethylene, halothane,
methoxyflurane, fluroxene, and
enflurane) was established in 1977
[NIOSH 1977]. The halogenated
anesthetic agents, isoflurane, desflurane,
and sevoflurane, were subsequently
introduced and are not included in the
1977 NIOSH recommendation.
Isoflurane, desflurane, and sevoflurane
are commonly used for anesthesia in
modern hospitals; however, no
occupational exposure limits exist for
these agents. NIOSH is requesting: (1)
Comments and information relevant to
the evaluation of health risks associated
with occupational exposure to
isoflurane, desflurane, and sevoflurane,
(2) reports or other data that
demonstrate adverse health effects in
workers exposed to isoflurane,
desflurane, and sevoflurane, and (3)
information pertinent to establishing a
REL for isoflurane, desflurane, and
sevoflurane.
Comments should be
transmitted to the NIOSH Docket Office,
M/S C–34, Robert A. Taft Laboratories,
4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati,
Ohio 45226, telephone 513/533–8303,
fax: 513/533–8285.
Comments may also be submitted
directly through the Web site (https://
www.cdc.gov/niosh/review/public/
Waste-Anesthetic-Gases/), by e-mail to
nioshdocket@cdc.gov, or by fax to 513/
533–8285. E-mail attachments should be
formatted as Microsoft Word. Comments
concerning this notice must be received
on or before April 18, 2006 and should
reference docket number NIOSH–064.
All information received in response
to this notice will be available for public
examination and copying at the NIOSH
Docket Office, Room 111, 4676
Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio
45226.
ADDRESSES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Henryka Nagy, Ph.D., M/S C–32, Robert
A. Taft Laboratories, 4676 Columbia
Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226,
telephone 513/533–8369, e-mail
HUB1@cdc.gov.
During
patient anesthetization, small amounts
of anesthetic gases can escape from the
anesthetic delivery system and the
patient’s respiratory system. Waste
anesthetic gases may become a source of
harmful exposures for operating room
personnel.
Anesthesiologists, veterinarians,
dentists, anesthetic nurses, operating
room nurses, surgeons, operating room
technicians, and other operating room
personnel are at risk of exposure to
waste anesthetic gases. A concern about
rmajette on PROD1PC67 with NOTICES1
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
VerDate Aug<31>2005
13:48 Feb 17, 2006
Jkt 208001
harm to the reproductive system, central
nervous system, liver, and kidneys
prompted NIOSH to develop RELs for
waste anesthetic gases [NIOSH 1977]. In
1977, the current NIOSH REL of 2 parts
per million (ppm) as a 60-minute ceiling
was established for the halogenated
gases chloroform, trichloroethylene,
halothane, methoxyflurane, fluroxene,
and enflurane [NIOSH 1977]. Isoflurane,
desflurane, and sevoflurane were
subsequently introduced and are not
included in the 1977 NIOSH
recommendation.
NIOSH has not yet developed RELs
for isoflurane, desflurane, and
sevoflurane. Furthermore, the
Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) has no
permissible exposure limits (PELs) for
these agents. The Netherlands’ 1998
Dutch Expert Committee on
Occupational Standards (DECOS)
derived an occupational exposure limit
of 20 ppm for enflurane on the basis of
reproductive toxicologic data [DECOS
1998]. For isoflurane (an isomer of
enflurane), DECOS also recommended
an occupational exposure limit of 20
ppm on the basis of assumed structurerelated activity [DECOS 1998]. No
epidemiologic studies are available on
the health effects of the halogenated
agents, isoflurane, desflurane, and
sevoflurane.
NIOSH seeks to obtain materials,
including published and unpublished
reports and research findings, to
evaluate the possible health risks of
occupational exposure to these gases.
Examples of requested information
include, but are not limited to, the
following: (1) Identification of
industries or occupations in which
exposures to isoflurane, desflurane, or
sevoflurane may occur; (2) trends in
production and use of isoflurane,
desflurane, or sevoflurane over the past
10 years; (3) descriptions of procedures
with a potential for exposure to
isoflurane, desflurane, or sevoflurane;
(4) current occupational exposure
concentrations of isoflurane, desflurane,
or sevoflurane in various types of
occupational scenarios and, if available,
data to document these concentrations
(5) case reports or other health data that
demonstrate adverse health effects in
workers exposed to isoflurane,
desflurane, or sevoflurane, or animal
data (published or peer-reviewed data
are preferred); (6) descriptions of work
practices and engineering controls used
to reduce or prevent workplace
exposure; (7) educational materials for
worker safety or training on the safe
handling of these halogenated agents;
(8) data pertaining to the technical
feasibility of establishing a more
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
protective REL for isoflurane,
desflurane, and sevoflurane.
NIOSH will use this information to
determine the need for developing
recommendations for reducing
occupational exposure to isoflurane,
desflurane, and sevoflurane.
References: DECOS [1998]. Enflurane,
isoflurane and cyclopropane: healthbased recommended occupational
exposure limits. Report of the Dutch
Expert Committee on Occupational
Standards, a committee of the Health
Council of the Netherlands.
NIOSH [1977]. Criteria for a
recommended standard * * *
occupational exposure to waste
anesthetic gases and vapors. Cincinnati,
OH: U.S. Department of Health,
Education, and Welfare, Public Health
Service, Center for Disease Control,
National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health, DHEW (NIOSH)
Publication No. 77–140.
The Director, Management Analysis
and Services Office has been delegated
the authority to sign Federal Register
notices pertaining to announcements of
meetings and other committee
management activities for both CDC and
the Agency for Toxic Substances and
Disease Registry.
Dated: February 14, 2006.
Alvin Hall,
Director, Management Analysis and Services
Office, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention.
[FR Doc. 06–1542 Filed 2–17–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163–18–P
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
[Docket No. 2005N–0488]
Animal Drug User Fee Act; Public
Meeting; Cancellation
AGENCY:
Food and Drug Administration,
HHS.
ACTION:
Notice.
SUMMARY: The Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) is canceling the
meeting on the Animal Drug User Fee
Act scheduled for February 24, 2006.
This meeting was announced in the
Federal Register of December 28, 2005
(70 FR 76851). FDA will continue to
seek public comments relative to the
program’s overall performance and
reauthorization as directed by Congress.
FDA will publish another notice in the
Federal Register announcing any plans
for rescheduling the public meeting.
DATES: Written comments may be
submitted at any time.
E:\FR\FM\21FEN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 34 (Tuesday, February 21, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8859-8860]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-1542]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Request for Information on Waste Halogenated Anesthetic Agents:
Isoflurane, Desflurane, and Sevoflurane
SUMMARY: NIOSH intends to review and evaluate toxicity data for the
halogenated anesthetic agents of isoflurane, desflurane, and
sevoflurane.
The current NIOSH recommended exposure limit (REL) of 2 parts per
million (ppm) as a 60-minute ceiling for
[[Page 8860]]
the halogenated gases (chloroform, trichloroethylene, halothane,
methoxyflurane, fluroxene, and enflurane) was established in 1977
[NIOSH 1977]. The halogenated anesthetic agents, isoflurane,
desflurane, and sevoflurane, were subsequently introduced and are not
included in the 1977 NIOSH recommendation. Isoflurane, desflurane, and
sevoflurane are commonly used for anesthesia in modern hospitals;
however, no occupational exposure limits exist for these agents. NIOSH
is requesting: (1) Comments and information relevant to the evaluation
of health risks associated with occupational exposure to isoflurane,
desflurane, and sevoflurane, (2) reports or other data that demonstrate
adverse health effects in workers exposed to isoflurane, desflurane,
and sevoflurane, and (3) information pertinent to establishing a REL
for isoflurane, desflurane, and sevoflurane.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be transmitted to the NIOSH Docket Office,
M/S C-34, Robert A. Taft Laboratories, 4676 Columbia Parkway,
Cincinnati, Ohio 45226, telephone 513/533-8303, fax: 513/533-8285.
Comments may also be submitted directly through the Web site
(https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/review/public/Waste-Anesthetic-Gases/), by e-
mail to nioshdocket@cdc.gov, or by fax to 513/533-8285. E-mail
attachments should be formatted as Microsoft Word. Comments concerning
this notice must be received on or before April 18, 2006 and should
reference docket number NIOSH-064.
All information received in response to this notice will be
available for public examination and copying at the NIOSH Docket
Office, Room 111, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Henryka Nagy, Ph.D., M/S C-32, Robert
A. Taft Laboratories, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226,
telephone 513/533-8369, e-mail HUB1@cdc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: During patient anesthetization, small
amounts of anesthetic gases can escape from the anesthetic delivery
system and the patient's respiratory system. Waste anesthetic gases may
become a source of harmful exposures for operating room personnel.
Anesthesiologists, veterinarians, dentists, anesthetic nurses,
operating room nurses, surgeons, operating room technicians, and other
operating room personnel are at risk of exposure to waste anesthetic
gases. A concern about harm to the reproductive system, central nervous
system, liver, and kidneys prompted NIOSH to develop RELs for waste
anesthetic gases [NIOSH 1977]. In 1977, the current NIOSH REL of 2
parts per million (ppm) as a 60-minute ceiling was established for the
halogenated gases chloroform, trichloroethylene, halothane,
methoxyflurane, fluroxene, and enflurane [NIOSH 1977]. Isoflurane,
desflurane, and sevoflurane were subsequently introduced and are not
included in the 1977 NIOSH recommendation.
NIOSH has not yet developed RELs for isoflurane, desflurane, and
sevoflurane. Furthermore, the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) has no permissible exposure limits (PELs) for
these agents. The Netherlands' 1998 Dutch Expert Committee on
Occupational Standards (DECOS) derived an occupational exposure limit
of 20 ppm for enflurane on the basis of reproductive toxicologic data
[DECOS 1998]. For isoflurane (an isomer of enflurane), DECOS also
recommended an occupational exposure limit of 20 ppm on the basis of
assumed structure-related activity [DECOS 1998]. No epidemiologic
studies are available on the health effects of the halogenated agents,
isoflurane, desflurane, and sevoflurane.
NIOSH seeks to obtain materials, including published and
unpublished reports and research findings, to evaluate the possible
health risks of occupational exposure to these gases. Examples of
requested information include, but are not limited to, the following:
(1) Identification of industries or occupations in which exposures to
isoflurane, desflurane, or sevoflurane may occur; (2) trends in
production and use of isoflurane, desflurane, or sevoflurane over the
past 10 years; (3) descriptions of procedures with a potential for
exposure to isoflurane, desflurane, or sevoflurane; (4) current
occupational exposure concentrations of isoflurane, desflurane, or
sevoflurane in various types of occupational scenarios and, if
available, data to document these concentrations (5) case reports or
other health data that demonstrate adverse health effects in workers
exposed to isoflurane, desflurane, or sevoflurane, or animal data
(published or peer-reviewed data are preferred); (6) descriptions of
work practices and engineering controls used to reduce or prevent
workplace exposure; (7) educational materials for worker safety or
training on the safe handling of these halogenated agents; (8) data
pertaining to the technical feasibility of establishing a more
protective REL for isoflurane, desflurane, and sevoflurane.
NIOSH will use this information to determine the need for
developing recommendations for reducing occupational exposure to
isoflurane, desflurane, and sevoflurane.
References: DECOS [1998]. Enflurane, isoflurane and cyclopropane:
health-based recommended occupational exposure limits. Report of the
Dutch Expert Committee on Occupational Standards, a committee of the
Health Council of the Netherlands.
NIOSH [1977]. Criteria for a recommended standard * * *
occupational exposure to waste anesthetic gases and vapors. Cincinnati,
OH: U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Public Health
Service, Center for Disease Control, National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health, DHEW (NIOSH) Publication No. 77-140.
The Director, Management Analysis and Services Office has been
delegated the authority to sign Federal Register notices pertaining to
announcements of meetings and other committee management activities for
both CDC and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
Dated: February 14, 2006.
Alvin Hall,
Director, Management Analysis and Services Office, Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 06-1542 Filed 2-17-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P
