Revised Draft Document “Asbestos Fibers and Other Elongated Mineral Particles: State of the Science and Roadmap for Research”, 43242-43243 [E8-16946]

Download as PDF 43242 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 143 / Thursday, July 24, 2008 / Notices development, delivery and communication of public health services and information at CDC and to address emerging programmatic needs. Every National Center and Office at CDC will have the opportunity to utilize this generic clearance. There is no cost to the respondents other than their time. The total estimated burden hours are 38,700. ESTIMATED ANNUALIZED BURDEN HOURS Type of respondents Number of respondents Number of responses per respondent Average burden per response (in hours) CDC Partners, Public Health Professionals, Health Care Professionals, General Public .................................................................................................................................. 86,000 1 27/60 Dated: July 16, 2008. Maryam I. Daneshvar, Acting Reports Clearance Officer, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. [FR Doc. E8–16945 Filed 7–23–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4163–18–P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [Docket Number NIOSH 099-A] Revised Draft Document ‘‘Asbestos Fibers and Other Elongated Mineral Particles: State of the Science and Roadmap for Research’’ 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: Notice of Draft Document Available for Public Comment. ebenthall on PRODPC60 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the following revised draft document available for public comment entitled ‘‘Asbestos Fibers and Other Elongated Mineral Particles: State of the Science and Roadmap for Research.’’ The document and instructions for submitting comments can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/review/ public/099-A/. Public Comment Period: July 24, 2008 through September 30, 2008. Status: Written comments may be mailed to the attention of Diane Miller, NIOSH Docket Office, Robert A. Taft Laboratories, 4676 Columbia Parkway, MS-C34, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226, telephone (513) 533–8450, facsimile (513) 533–8285. Comments may also be submitted by e-mail to nioshdocket@cdc.gov. All material submitted to the Agency should reference the NIOSH Docket number VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:14 Jul 23, 2008 Jkt 214001 099-A. All electronic comments should be formatted as Microsoft Word. All information received in response to this notice will be available for public examination and copying at the NIOSH Docket Office, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226. Purpose: To obtain comments from the public on the revised draft document entitled, ‘‘Asbestos Fibers and Other Elongated Mineral Particles: State of the Science and Roadmap for Research,’’ referred to as Roadmap. Asbestos has been a highly visible issue in public health for over three decades. Many advances have been made in the scientific understanding of worker health effects from exposure to asbestos and other elongated mineral particles (EMPs), and it is now well documented that fibers of asbestos minerals, when inhaled, can cause serious diseases in exposed workers. Yet, many questions and areas of scientific uncertainty remain. Background: As the Federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of worker injury and illness, NIOSH is undertaking a reappraisal of how to ensure appropriate protection of workers from exposure to asbestos fibers and other EMPs. NIOSH prepared a first draft of the document ‘‘Asbestos and Other Mineral Fibers: A Roadmap for Scientific Research,’’ and invited comments at a public meeting, from the Internet, and from selected expert peer reviewers on the occupational health issues identified and the framework for research. As a result of comments received during the public and expert peer review process, NIOSH has substantially revised the earlier draft and is now inviting comments on a revised draft of the document with the new title ‘‘Asbestos Fibers and Other Elongated Mineral Particles: State of the Science and Roadmap for Research.’’ The previous draft, public comments, peer review comments, and the responses to peer reviewers’ comments on the previous draft can be found at PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docket/ NIOSHdocket0099.html. The purpose of the revised draft Roadmap is to outline major areas of controversy and to recommend a research agenda that can serve as a guide for the development of specific research programs within and across disciplines. The intended goal is to provide answers to current scientific questions, reduce scientific uncertainties, and provide a sound scientific foundation for future policy development so that optimal health protection can be assured. NIOSH is seeking comments on the scope and information used to support the development of a research framework for asbestos fibers and other EMPs. Of special interest are comments on the following revisions to the draft document: 1. A discussion of particle characteristics (e.g., dimension, chemistry) and their potential influence on biological responses (Sections 1.6.1, 1.6.2, 1.6.3, and 1.6.4). 2. Toxicological research with EMPs (Section 2.2). 3. Epidemiological studies of workers exposed to EMPs (Section 2.3.3). 4. Capabilities and limitations of analytical instruments used to identify EMPs (Section 2.4.2). Also of special interest are comments on the entirely new content in the document: 1. A rephrasing of the NIOSH recommended exposure limit (REL) for asbestos and related EMPs (Section 1.8.2). 2. The inclusion of ‘‘How the proposed research could lead to the development of improved public health policies for asbestos and other EMPs’’ (Section 2.5). 3. Clinical issues (Section 1.4). 4. Recommendations for clinical research (Section 2.3.4). NIOSH continues to be interested in available and forthcoming research results that can help answer the questions set forth in the Roadmap, as well as information on existing E:\FR\FM\24JYN1.SGM 24JYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 143 / Thursday, July 24, 2008 / Notices workplace exposure data, health effects, and control technologies. Submitted comments on the revised draft Roadmap should indicate the pertinent page(s) and line(s) in the draft document being addressed. Contact Person for Technical Information: Paul Middendorf, Office of the Director, NIOSH, CDC, telephone (513) 533–8606, e-mail pmiddendorf@cdc.gov. Dated: July 16, 2008. James D. Seligman, Chief Information Officer, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. [FR Doc. E8–16946 Filed 7–23–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4163–19–P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Prospective Grant of Exclusive License: Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine or Therapeutic Technology Transfer Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). ACTION: Notice. and other materials relating to the contemplated license should be directed to Andrew Watkins, J.D., Ph.D., Director, Technology Transfer Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 4770 Buford Highway, Mailstop K–79, Atlanta, GA 30341, telephone: (770) 488–8600; facsimile: (770) 488–8615. Applications for a license filed in response to this notice will be treated as objections to the grant of the contemplated license. Only written comments and/or applications for a license which are received by CDC within thirty days of this notice will be considered. Comments and objections submitted in response to this notice will not be made available for public inspection, and, to the extent permitted by law, will not be released under the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552. Dated: June 17, 2008. James D. Seligman, Chief Information Officer, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. [FR Doc. E8–16943 Filed 7–23–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4163–18–P ebenthall on PRODPC60 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: This is a notice in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 209(e) and 37 CFR 404.7(a)(1)(i) that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Technology Transfer Office, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), is contemplating the grant of a worldwide exclusive license to practice the inventions embodied in the patent referred to below to Trellis Bioscience, Inc., having a place of business in South San Francisco, CA. The patent rights in these inventions have been assigned to the government of the United States of America. The patent(s) to be licensed are: U.S. Patent Application 11/139,372 entitled ‘‘Compositions and Methods for Modulating RSV Infection and Immunity,’’ priority date 10.18.2000, and all related foreign patent applications. CDC Technology ID No. I– 022–00. Status: Published. Priority Date: 10.18.2000 The prospective exclusive license will be royalty-bearing and will comply with the terms and conditions of 35 U.S.C. 209 and 37 CFR 404.7. Technology: This technology provides new methods for prevention and treatment of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. ADDRESSES: Requests for a copy of this patent application, inquiries, comments, VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:14 Jul 23, 2008 Jkt 214001 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 43243 DERA, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 7188, Bethesda, MD 20892–7924, 301–435–0280, krullh@nhlbi.nih.gov. (Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Nos. 93.233, National Center for Sleep Disorders Research; 93.837, Heart and Vascular Diseases Research; 93.838, Lung Diseases Research; 93.839, Blood Diseases and Resources Research, National Institutes of Health, HHS) Dated: July 17, 2008. David Clary, Acting Director, Office of Federal Advisory Committee Policy. [FR Doc. E8–16841 Filed 7–23–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4140–01–M DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA–2005–0005] Z–RIN 1660–ZA01 Disaster Assistance Directorate Policy Numbers 9100.1 and 9523.1 Snow Assistance and Severe Winter Storm Policy Federal Emergency Management Agency, DHS. ACTION: Notice of proposed policy and opportunity for comment. AGENCY: National Institutes of Health National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; Notice of Closed Meeting Pursuant to section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2), notice is hereby given of the following meeting. The meeting will be closed to the public in accordance with the provisions set forth in sections 552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6), Title 5 U.S.C., as amended. The grant applications and the discussions could disclose confidential trade secrets or commercial property such as patentable material, and personal information concerning individuals associated with the grant applications, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. Name of Committee: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Special Emphasis Panel; Research Demonstration and Dissemination Projects. Date: August 19, 2008. Time: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Agenda: To review and evaluate grant applications. Place: National Institutes of Health, Rockledge Two, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, (Telephone Conference Call). Contact Person: Holly K. Krull, PhD, Scientific Review Officer, Review Branch/ PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 SUMMARY: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) proposes to revise its Snow Assistance and Severe Winter Storm Policy. The current policy provides the procedures and requirements for FEMA in making recommendations to the President for either a declaration of emergency or a major disaster resulting from a snowstorm. This proposed policy would maintain the current policy requirement that a county experience a ‘‘record or near-record’’ snowfall, but also would require that the State meet the requirements of a major disaster declaration. It would stipulate that the Governor must direct execution of the State emergency plan and the State must demonstrate that the capabilities of the State to effectively respond to the event are or will be exceeded. States and communities requesting aid also would be required to submit an estimate of eligible public assistance costs (estimate of public assistance divided by county and State populations, respectively), including snow assistance costs for a 48hour period that meet or exceed the county and statewide per capita cost threshold. These proposed criteria are used by FEMA solely for consideration E:\FR\FM\24JYN1.SGM 24JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 143 (Thursday, July 24, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43242-43243]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-16946]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Docket Number NIOSH 099-A]


Revised Draft Document ``Asbestos Fibers and Other Elongated 
Mineral Particles: State of the Science and Roadmap for Research''

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: Notice of Draft Document Available for Public Comment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 
(NIOSH) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 
announces the following revised draft document available for public 
comment entitled ``Asbestos Fibers and Other Elongated Mineral 
Particles: State of the Science and Roadmap for Research.'' The 
document and instructions for submitting comments can be found at 
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/review/public/099-A/.
    Public Comment Period: July 24, 2008 through September 30, 2008.
    Status: Written comments may be mailed to the attention of Diane 
Miller, NIOSH Docket Office, Robert A. Taft Laboratories, 4676 Columbia 
Parkway, MS-C34, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226, telephone (513) 533-8450, 
facsimile (513) 533-8285. Comments may also be submitted by e-mail to 
nioshdocket@cdc.gov. All material submitted to the Agency should 
reference the NIOSH Docket number 099-A. All electronic comments should 
be formatted as Microsoft Word.
    All information received in response to this notice will be 
available for public examination and copying at the NIOSH Docket 
Office, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226.
    Purpose: To obtain comments from the public on the revised draft 
document entitled, ``Asbestos Fibers and Other Elongated Mineral 
Particles: State of the Science and Roadmap for Research,'' referred to 
as Roadmap. Asbestos has been a highly visible issue in public health 
for over three decades. Many advances have been made in the scientific 
understanding of worker health effects from exposure to asbestos and 
other elongated mineral particles (EMPs), and it is now well documented 
that fibers of asbestos minerals, when inhaled, can cause serious 
diseases in exposed workers. Yet, many questions and areas of 
scientific uncertainty remain.
    Background: As the Federal agency responsible for conducting 
research and making recommendations for the prevention of worker injury 
and illness, NIOSH is undertaking a reappraisal of how to ensure 
appropriate protection of workers from exposure to asbestos fibers and 
other EMPs. NIOSH prepared a first draft of the document ``Asbestos and 
Other Mineral Fibers: A Roadmap for Scientific Research,'' and invited 
comments at a public meeting, from the Internet, and from selected 
expert peer reviewers on the occupational health issues identified and 
the framework for research. As a result of comments received during the 
public and expert peer review process, NIOSH has substantially revised 
the earlier draft and is now inviting comments on a revised draft of 
the document with the new title ``Asbestos Fibers and Other Elongated 
Mineral Particles: State of the Science and Roadmap for Research.'' The 
previous draft, public comments, peer review comments, and the 
responses to peer reviewers' comments on the previous draft can be 
found at https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docket/NIOSHdocket0099.html.
    The purpose of the revised draft Roadmap is to outline major areas 
of controversy and to recommend a research agenda that can serve as a 
guide for the development of specific research programs within and 
across disciplines. The intended goal is to provide answers to current 
scientific questions, reduce scientific uncertainties, and provide a 
sound scientific foundation for future policy development so that 
optimal health protection can be assured.
    NIOSH is seeking comments on the scope and information used to 
support the development of a research framework for asbestos fibers and 
other EMPs. Of special interest are comments on the following revisions 
to the draft document:
    1. A discussion of particle characteristics (e.g., dimension, 
chemistry) and their potential influence on biological responses 
(Sections 1.6.1, 1.6.2, 1.6.3, and 1.6.4).
    2. Toxicological research with EMPs (Section 2.2).
    3. Epidemiological studies of workers exposed to EMPs (Section 
2.3.3).
    4. Capabilities and limitations of analytical instruments used to 
identify EMPs (Section 2.4.2).
    Also of special interest are comments on the entirely new content 
in the document:
    1. A rephrasing of the NIOSH recommended exposure limit (REL) for 
asbestos and related EMPs (Section 1.8.2).
    2. The inclusion of ``How the proposed research could lead to the 
development of improved public health policies for asbestos and other 
EMPs'' (Section 2.5).
    3. Clinical issues (Section 1.4).
    4. Recommendations for clinical research (Section 2.3.4).
    NIOSH continues to be interested in available and forthcoming 
research results that can help answer the questions set forth in the 
Roadmap, as well as information on existing

[[Page 43243]]

workplace exposure data, health effects, and control technologies.
    Submitted comments on the revised draft Roadmap should indicate the 
pertinent page(s) and line(s) in the draft document being addressed.
    Contact Person for Technical Information: Paul Middendorf, Office 
of the Director, NIOSH, CDC, telephone (513) 533-8606, e-mail 
pmiddendorf@cdc.gov.

    Dated: July 16, 2008.
James D. Seligman,
Chief Information Officer, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. E8-16946 Filed 7-23-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-19-P

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.