Availability of the Draft IRIS Toxicological Review of Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA) and Related Salts, 5819-5820 [2022-02050]

Download as PDF jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with NOTICES1 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 22 / Wednesday, February 2, 2022 / Notices accuracy of the Agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (iii) enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (iv) 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. EPA will consider the comments received and amend the ICR as appropriate. The final ICR package will then be submitted to OMB for review and approval. At that time, EPA will issue another Federal Register notice to announce the submission of the ICR to OMB and the opportunity to submit additional comments to OMB. Abstract: This is an extension of the Information Collection Request (ICR) for the Diesel Emission Reduction Act program (DERA) authorized by title VII, subtitle G (sections 791 to 797) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Pub. L. 109– 58), as amended by the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2010 (Pub. L. 111–364) and Division S (section 101) of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Pub. L. 116–260), codified at 42 U.S.C. 16131 et seq. DERA provides the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with the authority to award grants, rebates or low-cost revolving loans on a competitive basis to eligible entities to fund the costs of a retrofit technology that significantly reduces diesel emissions from mobile sources through implementation of a certified engine configuration, verified technology, or emerging technology. Eligible mobile sources include buses (including school buses), medium heavy-duty or heavy heavy-duty diesel trucks, marine engines, locomotives, or nonroad engines or diesel vehicles or equipment used in construction, handling of cargo (including at port or airport), agriculture, mining, or energy production. In addition, eligible entities may also use funds awarded for programs or projects to reduce longduration idling using verified technology involving a vehicle or equipment described above. The objective of the assistance under this program is to achieve significant reductions in diesel emissions in terms of tons of pollution produced and reductions in diesel emissions exposure, particularly from fleets operating in areas designated by the Administrator as poor air quality areas. EPA uses approved procedures and forms to collect necessary information VerDate Sep<11>2014 21:31 Feb 01, 2022 Jkt 256001 to operate a grant program, and has been providing grants under DERA since Fiscal Year 2008 and rebates since Fiscal Year 2012. EPA is requesting an extension to the existing approved ICR for forms needed to collect necessary information to operate a rebate program as authorized by Congress under the DERA program. As part of this extension, EPA is revising the ICR to address the needs of the Clean School Bus (CSB) Program. This program is authorized by title XI, section 71101 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Pub. L. 117– 58). The new program, like DERA, allows for rebates and grants for school bus replacement projects that reduce emissions. EPA will collect information from applicants who wish to apply for a rebate under DERA or CSB. Information collected from applicants will ensure that they are eligible to receive funds, that funds are provided for eligible activities, and to satisfy the reporting requirements of DERA and CSB. Form Numbers: 2060–0686. Respondents/affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are those interested in applying for a rebate under EPA’s Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) or Clean School Bus (CSB) Program and include but are not limited to the following NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) codes: 23 Construction; 482 Rail Transportation; 483 Water Transportation; 484 Truck Transportation; 485 Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation; 4854 School and Employee Bus Transportation; 48831 Port and Harbor Operations; 61111 Elementary and Secondary Schools; 61131 Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools; 9211 Executive, Legislative, and Other Government Support; and 9221 Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities. Respondent’s obligation to respond: Voluntary. Estimated number of respondents: 3000 (total). Frequency of response: Voluntary as needed. Total estimated burden: 17,287 hours (per year). Burden is defined at 5 CFR 1320.03(b). Total estimated cost: $732,996.58 (per year), includes $0 annualized capital or operation & maintenance costs. Changes in Estimates: There is an increase of 14,342 hours in the total estimated respondent burden compared with the ICR currently approved by OMB. This increase is the result of a significant increase in the expected PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 5819 number of annual responses in the new Clean School Bus Program. Michael Moltzen, Deputy Director, Transportation and Climate Division, Office of Air and Radiation. [FR Doc. 2022–02148 Filed 2–1–22; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA–HQ–ORD–2021–0561; FRL–9486–01– ORD] Availability of the Draft IRIS Toxicological Review of Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA) and Related Salts Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of public comment period. AGENCY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing a 60-day public comment period associated with release of the draft Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) Toxicological Review of Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA) and Related Salts. The draft document was prepared by the Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment (CPHEA) within EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD). EPA is releasing this draft IRIS assessment for public comment in advance of an independent external peer review organized by ERG, a contractor to EPA. The external peer reviewers will be provided with all written comments submitted in response to this notice for their consideration as they conduct their review. To receive future notification about the peer review, sign up for EPA’s IRIS listserv, as described in this notice. EPA will consider all comments received when revising the document post-peer review. This draft assessment is not final as described in EPA’s information quality guidelines, and it does not represent, and should not be construed to represent Agency policy or views. DATES: The 60-day public comment period begins February 2, 2022 and ends April 4, 2022. Comments must be received on or before April 4, 2022. ADDRESSES: The IRIS Toxicological Review of Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA) and Related Salts will be available via the internet on the IRIS website at https://www.epa.gov/iris/irisrecent-additions and in the public docket at https://www.regulations.gov, Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–ORD–2021– 0561. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\02FEN1.SGM 02FEN1 5820 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 22 / Wednesday, February 2, 2022 / Notices For information on the public comment period, contact the ORD Docket at the EPA Headquarters Docket Center; telephone: 202–566–1752; facsimile: 202–566–9744; or email: Docket_ORD@ epa.gov. For technical information on the IRIS Toxicological Review of Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA) or information on the public comment period, contact Dr. Andrew Kraft, CPHEA; telephone: 202–564–0286; or email: kraft.andrew@epa.gov. The IRIS Program will provide updates through the IRIS website (https://www.epa.gov/ iris) and via EPA’s IRIS listserv. To register for the IRIS listserv, visit the IRIS website (https://www.epa.gov/iris) or visit https://www.epa.gov/iris/forms/ staying-connected-integrated-riskinformation-system#connect. For questions about the peer review, please contact: Laurie Waite, ERG, by email at laurie.waite@erg.com (subject line: EPA PFHxA peer review); or by phone: 781–674–7362. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with NOTICES1 I. Background Information on IRIS PFAS Assessments Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large class of man-made chemicals widely used in consumer products and industrial processes. The basic structure of PFAS consists of a carbon chain surrounded by fluorine atoms, with different chemicals possessing different end groups. The five IRIS toxicity assessments are being developed according to the scope and methods outlined in the publicly posted systematic review protocol (https:// cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/iris_drafts/ recordisplay.cfm?deid=345065) and they build upon several other PFAS assessments that have already been developed, and represent only one component of the broader PFAS action plan underway at the U.S. EPA (https:// www.epa.gov/pfas/epas-pfas-actionplan). EPA previously announced peer review activities related to five IRIS five per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) assessments including: Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA; CASRN 335–76–2), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA; CASRN 375–24–4), perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA, CASRN 307–24–4), perfluorohexanesulfonic VerDate Sep<11>2014 21:31 Feb 01, 2022 Jkt 256001 acid (PFHxS, CASRN 355–46–4), and perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA, CASRN 375 22 4) and their related salts. These documents will undergo independent external scientific peer review managed by ERG, a contractor to EPA. EPA will provide updates on the status of the peer review for PFHxA via the IRIS website (https://www.epa.gov/iris) and IRIS listserv. EPA encourages all interested stakeholders to register for the IRIS listserv by visiting the IRIS website at https://www.epa.gov/iris/ forms/staying-connected-integratedrisk-information-system#connect. Specific questions or comments on the peer review process should be directed to ERG. II. How To Submit Technical Comments to the Docket at https:// www.regulations.gov Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–ORD–2021– 0561 for the Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA) IRIS Assessment, by one of the following methods: • www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments. • Email: Docket_ORD@epa.gov. • Fax: 202–566–9744. Due to COVID– 19, there may be a delay in processing comments submitted by fax. • Mail: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Docket Center (ORD Docket), Mail Code: 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460. The phone number is 202– 566–1752. Due to COVID–19, there may be a delay in processing comments submitted by mail. For information on visiting the EPA Docket Center Public Reading Room, visit https://www.epa.gov/dockets. Due to public health concerns related to COVID–19, the EPA Docket Center and Reading Room may be closed to the public with limited exceptions. The telephone number for the Public Reading Room is 202–566–1744. The public can submit comments via www.regulations.gov or email. Instructions: Direct your comments to docket number EPA–HQ–ORD–2021– 0561 for the Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA) IRIS Assessment. 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. PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 It is EPA’s policy to include all comments it receives in the public docket without change and to make the comments available online at www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, unless a comment includes information claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information for which disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information through www.regulations.gov or email that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected. The www.regulations.gov website 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 email comment directly to EPA without going through www.regulations.gov, your email 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 homepage at www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm. Docket: Documents in the docket are listed in the 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 materials, such as copyrighted material, are publicly available only in hard copy. Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically in www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the ORD Docket in the EPA Headquarters Docket Center. Timothy Watkins, Acting Director, Center for Public Health & Environmental Assessment. [FR Doc. 2022–02050 Filed 2–1–22; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P E:\FR\FM\02FEN1.SGM 02FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 22 (Wednesday, February 2, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5819-5820]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-02050]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-ORD-2021-0561; FRL-9486-01-ORD]


Availability of the Draft IRIS Toxicological Review of 
Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA) and Related Salts

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of public comment period.

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

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing a 60-
day public comment period associated with release of the draft 
Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) Toxicological Review of 
Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA) and Related Salts. The draft document 
was prepared by the Center for Public Health and Environmental 
Assessment (CPHEA) within EPA's Office of Research and Development 
(ORD). EPA is releasing this draft IRIS assessment for public comment 
in advance of an independent external peer review organized by ERG, a 
contractor to EPA. The external peer reviewers will be provided with 
all written comments submitted in response to this notice for their 
consideration as they conduct their review. To receive future 
notification about the peer review, sign up for EPA's IRIS listserv, as 
described in this notice. EPA will consider all comments received when 
revising the document post-peer review. This draft assessment is not 
final as described in EPA's information quality guidelines, and it does 
not represent, and should not be construed to represent Agency policy 
or views.

DATES: The 60-day public comment period begins February 2, 2022 and 
ends April 4, 2022. Comments must be received on or before April 4, 
2022.

ADDRESSES: The IRIS Toxicological Review of Perfluorohexanoic Acid 
(PFHxA) and Related Salts will be available via the internet on the 
IRIS website at https://www.epa.gov/iris/iris-recent-additions and in 
the public docket at https://www.regulations.gov, Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
ORD-2021-0561.

[[Page 5820]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the public comment 
period, contact the ORD Docket at the EPA Headquarters Docket Center; 
telephone: 202-566-1752; facsimile: 202-566-9744; or email: 
[email protected].
    For technical information on the IRIS Toxicological Review of 
Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA) or information on the public comment 
period, contact Dr. Andrew Kraft, CPHEA; telephone: 202-564-0286; or 
email: [email protected]. The IRIS Program will provide updates 
through the IRIS website (https://www.epa.gov/iris) and via EPA's IRIS 
listserv. To register for the IRIS listserv, visit the IRIS website 
(https://www.epa.gov/iris) or visit https://www.epa.gov/iris/forms/staying-connected-integrated-risk-information-system#connect.
    For questions about the peer review, please contact: Laurie Waite, 
ERG, by email at [email protected] (subject line: EPA PFHxA peer 
review); or by phone: 781-674-7362.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

Information on IRIS PFAS Assessments

    Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large class of 
man-made chemicals widely used in consumer products and industrial 
processes. The basic structure of PFAS consists of a carbon chain 
surrounded by fluorine atoms, with different chemicals possessing 
different end groups. The five IRIS toxicity assessments are being 
developed according to the scope and methods outlined in the publicly 
posted systematic review protocol (https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/iris_drafts/recordisplay.cfm?deid=345065) and they build upon several 
other PFAS assessments that have already been developed, and represent 
only one component of the broader PFAS action plan underway at the U.S. 
EPA (https://www.epa.gov/pfas/epas-pfas-action-plan).
    EPA previously announced peer review activities related to five 
IRIS five per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) Integrated Risk 
Information System (IRIS) assessments including: Perfluorodecanoic acid 
(PFDA; CASRN 335-76-2), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA; CASRN 375-24-4), 
perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA, CASRN 307-24-4), perfluorohexanesulfonic 
acid (PFHxS, CASRN 355-46-4), and perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA, CASRN 
375 22 4) and their related salts. These documents will undergo 
independent external scientific peer review managed by ERG, a 
contractor to EPA. EPA will provide updates on the status of the peer 
review for PFHxA via the IRIS website (https://www.epa.gov/iris) and 
IRIS listserv. EPA encourages all interested stakeholders to register 
for the IRIS listserv by visiting the IRIS website at https://www.epa.gov/iris/forms/staying-connected-integrated-risk-information-system#connect. Specific questions or comments on the peer review 
process should be directed to ERG.

II. How To Submit Technical Comments to the Docket at https://www.regulations.gov

    Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-ORD-2021-
0561 for the Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA) IRIS Assessment, by one of 
the following methods:
     www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for 
submitting comments.
     Email: [email protected].
     Fax: 202-566-9744. Due to COVID-19, there may be a delay 
in processing comments submitted by fax.
     Mail: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Docket 
Center (ORD Docket), Mail Code: 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, 
Washington, DC 20460. The phone number is 202-566-1752. Due to COVID-
19, there may be a delay in processing comments submitted by mail.
    For information on visiting the EPA Docket Center Public Reading 
Room, visit https://www.epa.gov/dockets. Due to public health concerns 
related to COVID-19, the EPA Docket Center and Reading Room may be 
closed to the public with limited exceptions. The telephone number for 
the Public Reading Room is 202-566-1744. The public can submit comments 
via www.regulations.gov or email.
    Instructions: Direct your comments to docket number EPA-HQ-ORD-
2021-0561 for the Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA) IRIS Assessment.
    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. It is EPA's 
policy to include all comments it receives in the public docket without 
change and to make the comments available online at 
www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, 
unless a comment includes information claimed to be Confidential 
Business Information (CBI) or other information for which disclosure is 
restricted by statute. Do not submit information through 
www.regulations.gov or email that you consider to be CBI or otherwise 
protected. The www.regulations.gov website 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 email comment directly to EPA without going through 
www.regulations.gov, your email 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 homepage at www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm.
    Docket: Documents in the docket are listed in the 
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 materials, 
such as copyrighted material, are publicly available only in hard copy. 
Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically 
in www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the ORD Docket in the EPA 
Headquarters Docket Center.

Timothy Watkins,
Acting Director, Center for Public Health & Environmental Assessment.
[FR Doc. 2022-02050 Filed 2-1-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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