Notice of Availability of the External Peer Review Draft of Recommended Toxicity Equivalency Factors (TEFs) for Human Health Risk Assessments of Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds, 45437-45438 [E9-21194]

Download as PDF jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 169 / Wednesday, September 2, 2009 / Notices j. Deadline for Filing Scoping Comments: September 25, 2009. All documents may be filed electronically via the Internet. See 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission’s Web site (https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ ferconline.asp) under the ‘‘eFiling’’ link. For a simpler method of submitting text only comments, click on ‘‘Quick Comment.’’ For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov; call tollfree at (866) 208–3676; or, for TTY, contact (202) 502–8659. Although the Commission strongly encourages electronic filing, documents may also be paper-filed. To paper-file, mail an original and eight copies to: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. The Commission’s Rules of Practice require all intervenors filing documents with the Commission to serve a copy of that document on each person on the official service list for the project. Further, if an intervenor files comments or documents with the Commission relating to the merits of an issue that may affect the responsibilities of a particular resource agency, they must also serve a copy of the document on that resource agency. k. This application is not ready for environmental analysis at this time. l. The proposed Minor Shoal Project would consists of the following: (1) An existing 5-foot-high, 80-foot-long diversion dam; (2) an existing 92-footlong, 7-foot-diameter steel penstock; (3) a new 160-foot-long, 7-foot-diameter steel penstock from the diversion dam tying in to the existing penstock at elevation 1,228 feet mean sea level; (4) two existing powerhouses containing a total of three turbines with a total installed capacity of 1,260 kilowatts; (5) an existing 446-foot-long, 230-kilovolt transmission line and (6) appurtenant facilities. The project would have an annual generation of 2,175,000 kilowatthours. m. A copy of the application is available for review at the Commission in the Public Reference Room or may be viewed on the Commission’s Web site at https://www.ferc.gov using the ‘‘eLibrary’’ link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to address the document. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support. A copy is available for inspection and reproduction at the address in Item H above. n. You may also register online at https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ esubscription.asp to be notified via email of new filings and issuances VerDate Nov<24>2008 16:56 Sep 01, 2009 Jkt 217001 related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support. o. Scoping Process. The Commission staff intends to prepare a single Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Miner Shoal Waterpower Project in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. The EA will consider both site-specific and cumulative environmental impacts and reasonable alternatives to the proposed action. Commission staff does not propose to conduct any on-site scoping meetings at this time. Instead, we are soliciting comments, recommendations, and information, on the Scoping Document (SD) issued on August 26, 2007. Copies of the SD outlining the subject areas to be addressed in the EA were distributed to the parties on the Commission’s mailing list and the applicant’s distribution list. Copies of the SD may be viewed on the Web at https://www.ferc.gov using the ‘‘eLibrary’’ link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access the document. For assistance, call 1–866– 208–3676 or for TTY, (202) 502–8659. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. E9–21112 Filed 9–1–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA–HQ–ORD–2009–0605; FRL–8951–7] Notice of Availability of the External Peer Review Draft of Recommended Toxicity Equivalency Factors (TEFs) for Human Health Risk Assessments of Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of document availability for public comment. SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing a 30-day public comment period for the external peer review draft of ‘‘Recommended Toxicity Equivalency Factors (TEFs) for Human Health Risk Assessments of Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds,’’ a draft guidance document. An EPA contractor for external peer review will convene a panel of experts and will organize and conduct an independent expert external peer review meeting to review the draft document. All comments received by the closing date of October 2, 2009 will be shared with the external peer review panel for their PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 45437 consideration. Comments received after the close of the comment period may be considered by EPA when it finalizes the document. This draft guidance document does not represent and should not be construed to represent any EPA policy, viewpoint, or determination. Members of the public may obtain the draft document from https://www.regulations.gov; or https:// www.epa.gov/raf/hhtefguidance; or from Seema Schappelle via the contact information below. The public comment period and external peer review are separate processes that provide opportunities for all interested parties to comment on the document. The external expert peer review will be conducted by letter and open teleconference in the fall 2009 time frame. The panel may consider public comments received in the official public docket for this activity under docket ID number EPA–HQ–ORD–2009–0605. The draft document is available at https:// www.epa.gov/raf/hhtefguidance. In preparing a final document, EPA intends to consider the public comments submitted to EPA’s docket during the public comment period and the comments and recommendations from the external peer reviewers. EPA is releasing this draft document solely for the purpose of predissemination peer review under applicable information quality guidelines. This document has not been formally disseminated by the EPA. It does not represent and should not be construed to represent any Agency policy or determination. DATES: All comments received by October 2, 2009 will be shared with the external peer review panel for their consideration. Comments received beyond that time may be considered by EPA when it finalizes the documents. ADDRESSES: The draft document is available electronically through the EPA Office of the Science Advisor’s Web site at: https://www.epa.gov/raf/ hhtefguidance. Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–ORD–2009– 0605, by one of the following methods: • Online at: https:// www.regulations.gov; Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments. • E-mail: ORD.Docket@epa.gov. • Mail: ORD Docket, Environmental Protection Agency, Mailcode: 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460. • Hand Delivery: EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), Room 3334, EPA West Building, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460, Attention Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–ORD–2009– E:\FR\FM\02SEN1.SGM 02SEN1 jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES 45438 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 169 / Wednesday, September 2, 2009 / Notices 0605. Deliveries are only accepted from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. Special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information. Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–ORD–2009– 0605. Please ensure that your comments are submitted within the specified comment period. Comments received after the closing date will be marked ‘‘late’’ and may only be considered if time permits. EPA’s policy is that all comments received will be included in the public docket without change. These may be made available online at https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected by statute through https://www.regulations.gov or e-mail. The https://www.regulations.gov Web site is an ‘‘anonymous access’’ system, which means EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an e-mail comment directly to EPA, without going through https://www.regulations.gov, your e-mail address will be automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on the Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you include your name and other contact information in the body of your comment and with any disk or CD–ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses. For additional information about EPA’s public docket, visit the EPA Docket Center’s homepage at https:// www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm. Docket: All documents in the docket are listed in the https:// www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted material, will be publicly available only in hard copy. Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically in https://www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the EPA Docket Center (EPA/ VerDate Nov<24>2008 16:56 Sep 01, 2009 Jkt 217001 DC), Room 3334, EPA West Building, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460. The Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public Reading Room is (202) 566–1744, and the telephone number for the ORD Docket is (202) 566–1752. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Seema Schappelle, Risk Assessment Forum, Mail Code 8105R, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (202) 564–3372; fax number: (202) 564–2070, E-mail: schappelle.seema@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Dioxin and dioxin like compounds (DLCs), including polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), are structurally and toxicologically related halogenated dicyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Dioxins and DLCs are released into the environment from several industrial sources, including chemical manufacturing, combustion, and metal processing. There is global contamination of air, soil and water with trace levels of these compounds that typically occur in the environment as chemical mixtures. Dioxins and DLCs do not readily degrade; therefore, levels persist in the environment, build up in the food chain and accumulate in the tissues of animals. Human exposures to these compounds occur primarily through eating contaminated foods. The health effects from exposures to dioxins and DLCs have been documented extensively in toxicological and epidemiological studies. Risk assessments have relied on the dioxin toxicity equivalence factors (TEFs) approach. Various stakeholders, inside and outside the Agency, have called for a more comprehensive characterization of risks; therefore, EPA’s Risk Assessment Forum (RAF), located in the Office of the Science Advisor, identified a need to examine the recommended approach for application of the toxicity equivalence methodology in human health risk assessments. An RAF Technical Panel developed the draft guidance document, ‘‘Recommended Toxicity Equivalency Factors (TEFs) for Human Health Risk Assessments of Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds,’’ to assist EPA scientists in using this methodology to assess health risks from dioxins and dioxin-like compounds, as well as inform EPA decision makers, other agencies, and the PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 public about this methodology. EPA is currently addressing several issues related to dioxins and dioxin-like chemicals in the environment. More information on these activities is located at: https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/CFM/ nceaQFind.cfm?keyword=Dioxin. Dated: August 26, 2009. Kevin Teichman, Acting EPA Science Advisor. [FR Doc. E9–21194 Filed 9–1–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL–8951–1] Notice of a Project Waiver of Section 1605 (Buy American Requirement) of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The EPA is hereby granting a project waiver of the Buy American requirements of ARRA Section 1605 under the authority of Section 1605(b)(2) [manufactured goods are not produced in the United States of a satisfactory quality] to the UDWR for the purchase of coconut fiber (coir) woven mats. This is a project-specific waiver and only applies to the use of the specified product for the ARRA funded project being proposed. Any other ARRA project that may wish to use the same product must apply for a separate waiver based on project-specific circumstances. These coconut fiber woven mats, which are supplied by Geo Dynamics in Ogden, UT, are manufactured in India and Sri Lanka, and meet the UDWR’s performance specifications and requirements. The Acting Regional Administrator is making this determination based on the review and recommendations of EPA Region 8’s Technical & Financial Services Unit. The UDWR has provided sufficient documentation to support its request. The Assistant Administrator of the Office of Administration and Resources Management has concurred on this decision to make an exception to Section 1605 of ARRA. This action permits the purchase of coconut fiber woven mats for the Strawberry River Restoration Project being implemented by the UDWR that may otherwise be prohibited under Section 1605(a) of the ARRA. DATES: Effective Date: July 25, 2009. E:\FR\FM\02SEN1.SGM 02SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 169 (Wednesday, September 2, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45437-45438]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-21194]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-ORD-2009-0605; FRL-8951-7]


Notice of Availability of the External Peer Review Draft of 
Recommended Toxicity Equivalency Factors (TEFs) for Human Health Risk 
Assessments of Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of document availability for public comment.

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

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing a 30-
day public comment period for the external peer review draft of 
``Recommended Toxicity Equivalency Factors (TEFs) for Human Health Risk 
Assessments of Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds,'' a draft guidance 
document. An EPA contractor for external peer review will convene a 
panel of experts and will organize and conduct an independent expert 
external peer review meeting to review the draft document. All comments 
received by the closing date of October 2, 2009 will be shared with the 
external peer review panel for their consideration. Comments received 
after the close of the comment period may be considered by EPA when it 
finalizes the document. This draft guidance document does not represent 
and should not be construed to represent any EPA policy, viewpoint, or 
determination. Members of the public may obtain the draft document from 
https://www.regulations.gov; or https://www.epa.gov/raf/hhtefguidance; or 
from Seema Schappelle via the contact information below. The public 
comment period and external peer review are separate processes that 
provide opportunities for all interested parties to comment on the 
document.
    The external expert peer review will be conducted by letter and 
open teleconference in the fall 2009 time frame. The panel may consider 
public comments received in the official public docket for this 
activity under docket ID number EPA-HQ-ORD-2009-0605. The draft 
document is available at https://www.epa.gov/raf/hhtefguidance. In 
preparing a final document, EPA intends to consider the public comments 
submitted to EPA's docket during the public comment period and the 
comments and recommendations from the external peer reviewers.
    EPA is releasing this draft document solely for the purpose of pre-
dissemination peer review under applicable information quality 
guidelines. This document has not been formally disseminated by the 
EPA. It does not represent and should not be construed to represent any 
Agency policy or determination.

DATES: All comments received by October 2, 2009 will be shared with the 
external peer review panel for their consideration. Comments received 
beyond that time may be considered by EPA when it finalizes the 
documents.

ADDRESSES: The draft document is available electronically through the 
EPA Office of the Science Advisor's Web site at: https://www.epa.gov/raf/hhtefguidance.
    Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-ORD-2009-
0605, by one of the following methods:
     Online at: https://www.regulations.gov; Follow the on-line 
instructions for submitting comments.
     E-mail: ORD.Docket@epa.gov.
     Mail: ORD Docket, Environmental Protection Agency, 
Mailcode: 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460.
     Hand Delivery: EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), Room 3334, EPA 
West Building, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460, 
Attention Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-ORD-2009-

[[Page 45438]]

0605. Deliveries are only accepted from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, excluding legal holidays. Special arrangements should 
be made for deliveries of boxed information.
    Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-ORD-
2009-0605. Please ensure that your comments are submitted within the 
specified comment period. Comments received after the closing date will 
be marked ``late'' and may only be considered if time permits. EPA's 
policy is that all comments received will be included in the public 
docket without change. These may be made available online at https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, 
unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential 
Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is 
restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to 
be CBI or otherwise protected by statute through https://www.regulations.gov or e-mail.
    The https://www.regulations.gov Web site is an ``anonymous access'' 
system, which means EPA will not know your identity or contact 
information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you 
send an e-mail comment directly to EPA, without going through https://www.regulations.gov, your e-mail address will be automatically captured 
and included as part of the comment that is placed in the public docket 
and made available on the Internet. If you submit an electronic 
comment, EPA recommends that you include your name and other contact 
information in the body of your comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you 
submit. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties 
and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to 
consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid the use of special 
characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or 
viruses. For additional information about EPA's public docket, visit 
the EPA Docket Center's homepage at https://www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm.
    Docket: All documents in the docket are listed in the https://www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some 
information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other information 
whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such 
as copyrighted material, will be publicly available only in hard copy.
    Publicly available docket materials are available either 
electronically in https://www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the EPA 
Docket Center (EPA/DC), Room 3334, EPA West Building, 1301 Constitution 
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460. The Public Reading Room is open from 
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal 
holidays. The telephone number for the Public Reading Room is (202) 
566-1744, and the telephone number for the ORD Docket is (202) 566-
1752.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Seema Schappelle, Risk Assessment 
Forum, Mail Code 8105R, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (202) 
564-3372; fax number: (202) 564-2070, E-mail: schappelle.seema@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Dioxin and dioxin like compounds (DLCs), 
including polychlorinated dibenzo-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated 
dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), are 
structurally and toxicologically related halogenated dicyclic aromatic 
hydrocarbons. Dioxins and DLCs are released into the environment from 
several industrial sources, including chemical manufacturing, 
combustion, and metal processing. There is global contamination of air, 
soil and water with trace levels of these compounds that typically 
occur in the environment as chemical mixtures. Dioxins and DLCs do not 
readily degrade; therefore, levels persist in the environment, build up 
in the food chain and accumulate in the tissues of animals. Human 
exposures to these compounds occur primarily through eating 
contaminated foods. The health effects from exposures to dioxins and 
DLCs have been documented extensively in toxicological and 
epidemiological studies.
    Risk assessments have relied on the dioxin toxicity equivalence 
factors (TEFs) approach. Various stakeholders, inside and outside the 
Agency, have called for a more comprehensive characterization of risks; 
therefore, EPA's Risk Assessment Forum (RAF), located in the Office of 
the Science Advisor, identified a need to examine the recommended 
approach for application of the toxicity equivalence methodology in 
human health risk assessments. An RAF Technical Panel developed the 
draft guidance document, ``Recommended Toxicity Equivalency Factors 
(TEFs) for Human Health Risk Assessments of Dioxin and Dioxin-Like 
Compounds,'' to assist EPA scientists in using this methodology to 
assess health risks from dioxins and dioxin-like compounds, as well as 
inform EPA decision makers, other agencies, and the public about this 
methodology. EPA is currently addressing several issues related to 
dioxins and dioxin-like chemicals in the environment. More information 
on these activities is located at: https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/CFM/nceaQFind.cfm?keyword=Dioxin.

    Dated: August 26, 2009.
Kevin Teichman,
Acting EPA Science Advisor.
[FR Doc. E9-21194 Filed 9-1-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.