Formaldehyde; Draft Risk Evaluation Peer Review by the Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC); Notice of Availability, Public Meetings and Request for Comment, 18933-18935 [2024-05554]
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at ingrid.brofman@ferc.gov.
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18:17 Mar 14, 2024
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Dated: March 11, 2024.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2024–05549 Filed 3–14–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. IC24–13–000]
Commission Information Collection
Activities (FERC–716); Comment
Request; Extension
Correction
In notice document 2024–05125,
beginning on page 17460, in the issue of
Monday, March 11, 2024, in third
column, in the DATES section, ‘‘[INSERT
DATE 60 days after date of publication
in the Federal Register]’’ should read,
‘‘May 10, 2024.’’
[FR Doc. C1–2024–05125 Filed 3–14–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 0099–10–D
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
[FRL OP–OFA–115]
Environmental Impact Statements;
Notice of Availability
Responsible Agency: Office of Federal
Activities, General Information 202–
564–5632 or https://www.epa.gov/nepa.
Weekly receipt of Environmental Impact
Statements (EIS)
Filed March 4, 2024 10 a.m. EST
Through March 11, 2024 10 a.m. EST
Pursuant to 40 CFR 1506.9.
Notice: Section 309(a) of the Clean Air
Act requires that EPA make public its
comments on EISs issued by other
Federal agencies. EPA’s comment letters
on EISs are available at: https://
cdxapps.epa.gov/cdx-enepa-II/public/
action/eis/search.
EIS No. 20240040, Final, NMFS, VA,
Adoption—Coastal Virginia Offshore
Wind Commercial, Contact: Kelsey
Potlock 301–427–8410.
The National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS) has adopted the Bureau of
Ocean Energy Management’s Final EIS
No. 20230128 filed 09/25/2023 with the
Environmental Protection Agency. The
NMFS was a cooperating agency on this
project. Therefore, republication of the
document is not necessary under
Section 1506.3(b)(2) of the CEQ
regulations.
EIS No. 20240041, Final, NMFS, NY,
Adoption—Empire Offshore Wind,
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Contact: Jessica Taylor 301–427–8475.
The National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS) has adopted the Bureau of
Ocean Energy Management’s Final
EIS No. 20230120 filed 09/11/2023
with the Environmental Protection
Agency. The NMFS was a cooperating
agency on this project. Therefore,
republication of the document is not
necessary under Section 1506.3(b)(2)
of the CEQ regulations.
EIS No. 20240042, Final, NMFS, RI,
Adoption—Revolution Wind Farm
and Revolution Wind Export Cable
Final Environmental Impact
Statement, Contact: Carter Esch 301–
427–8421. The National Marine
Fisheries Service (NMFS) has adopted
the Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management’s Final EIS No.
20230087 filed 07/17/2023 with the
Environmental Protection Agency.
The NMFS was a cooperating agency
on this project. Therefore,
republication of the document is not
necessary under Section 1506.3(b)(2)
of the CEQ regulations.
EIS No. 20240043, Draft, BLM, NV,
Robertson Mine Project, Comment
Period Ends: 04/29/2024, Contact:
Gene Gilseth 775–635–4020.
EIS No. 20240044, Draft, BLM, WY,
Draft Resource Management Plan
Amendment and Environmental
Impact Statement for Greater SageGrouse Rangewide Planning,
Comment Period Ends: 06/13/2024,
Contact: Pat Deibert 720–447–8107.
Dated: March 11, 2024.
Cindy S. Barger,
Director, NEPA Compliance Division, Office
of Federal Activities.
[FR Doc. 2024–05555 Filed 3–14–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
[EPA–HQ–OPPT–2023–0613; FRL–11608–
03–OCSPP]
Formaldehyde; Draft Risk Evaluation
Peer Review by the Science Advisory
Committee on Chemicals (SACC);
Notice of Availability, Public Meetings
and Request for Comment
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA or ‘‘Agency’’) is
announcing the availability of and
soliciting public comment on the 2024
draft risk evaluation for formaldehyde
prepared under the Toxic Substances
Control Act (TSCA). The draft risk
SUMMARY:
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 52 / Friday, March 15, 2024 / Notices
evaluation is available for public review
and comment. It will also be submitted
to the SACC for peer review. EPA is also
announcing that there will be two
virtual public meetings of the SACC.
The SACC will consider and review the
draft risk evaluation at a 4-day virtual
peer review public meeting that will be
held on May 20–23, 2024. In addition,
a virtual preparatory public meeting
will be held on May 7, 2024, for the
SACC to consider the scope and clarity
of the draft charge questions for the peer
review.
DATES:
Virtual Preparatory Public Meeting:
May 7, 2024, from 1 p.m. to
approximately 4 p.m. (EST). You must
register to receive the webcast meeting
link and audio teleconference
information. Online registration will be
available beginning in April 2024. To
request time to present oral comments
during the virtual preparatory public
meeting, you must register online by
noon, May 3, 2024. For those not
making oral comments during the
virtual preparatory public meeting,
registration will remain open through
the end of the meeting.
Virtual Peer Review Public Meeting:
May 20–23, 2024, from 10 a.m. to
approximately 5 p.m. (EST) (as needed,
updated times for each day may be
provided in the meeting agenda that
will be posted in the docket at https://
www.regulations.gov and available
through the SACC website at https://
www.epa.gov/tsca-peer-review). You
must register online to receive the
webcast meeting link and audio
teleconference information. Online
registration will be available beginning
in April 2024. To make oral comments
during the virtual peer review public
meeting and included on the meeting
agenda, you must register by noon, May
13, 2024. For those not making oral
comments, registration for this meeting
will remain open through the last day of
the meeting.
Comments: Submit comments on the
draft risk evaluation on or before May
14, 2024. Submit comments intended
for the virtual preparatory public
meeting on or before noon, May 3, 2024.
For additional instructions, see Unit III.
of SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
To request special accommodations:
To allow sufficient time for EPA to
process your request before the
applicable meetings, please submit your
request by April 30, 2024.
ADDRESSES:
Virtual Public Meetings: You must
register for each meeting to receive the
webcast meeting link and audio
teleconference information. Access to
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:17 Mar 14, 2024
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these virtual meetings will be provided
through a webcast platform such as
Zoomgov.com, streaming service, and
audio teleconference.
Meeting Registration: For information
and instructions on how to register and
access these virtual public meetings,
please refer to the SACC website at
https://www.epa.gov/tsca-peer-review.
After registering, you will receive the
webcast meeting link and audio
teleconference information.
Comments: Submit your comments,
identified by docket identification (ID)
number EPA–HQ–OPPT–2023–0613,
through the Federal eRulemaking Portal
at https://www.regulations.gov. to
docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OPPT–2023–
0613. Follow the online instructions for
submitting comments. Do not submit
electronically any information you
consider to be Confidential Business
Information (CBI) or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
Additional instructions on commenting
and visiting the docket, along with more
information about dockets generally, is
available at https://www.epa.gov/
dockets.
To request special accommodations:
For information on access or services for
individuals with disabilities, and to
request accommodation for a disability,
please contact the DFO listed under FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The
Designated Federal Official (DFO) is
Tamue Gibson, Mission Support
Division (7602M), Office of Program
Support, Office of Chemical Safety and
Pollution Prevention, Environmental
Protection Agency; telephone number:
(202) 564–7642 or SACC main office
number: (202) 564–8450; email address:
gibson.tamue@epa.gov.
For general information: You may
subscribe to the Office of Chemical
Safety and Pollution Prevention listserv
for alerts regarding this and other SACC
related activities at https://public.gov
delivery.com/accounts/USAEPAOPPT/
subscriber/new?topic_
id=USAEPAOPPT_101.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. General Information
A. What action is the Agency taking?
EPA is announcing the availability of
and soliciting public comment on the
2024 draft risk evaluation for
formaldehyde. EPA is also announcing
a 4-day virtual peer review public
meeting on May 20–23, 2024, for the
SACC to consider and review the draft
risk evaluation document. A virtual
preparatory public meeting will be held
on May 7, 2024, for the SACC and the
public to consider and ask questions
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regarding the scope and clarity of the
draft charge questions. EPA will be
soliciting comments from the SACC on
the Office of Pollution Prevention and
Toxics (OPPT) and Office of Pesticide
Programs (OPP) joint hazard
assessments for human and ecological
health; and the OPPT exposure and risk
characterizations. This SACC peer
review is in addition to prior external
peer reviews by the National Academies
of Science, Engineering, and Medicine
(NASEM), the EPA’s Human Studies
Review Board (HSRB) and SACC peer
reviews of scientific approaches used in
previous TSCA risk evaluations. These
previous peer reviews have informed
the 2024 draft risk evaluation for
formaldehyde.
This document provides instructions
for accessing the materials, submitting
written comments, and registering to
provide oral comments and attend the
public meetings.
B. What is the Agency’s authority for
taking this action?
EPA established the SACC in 2016 in
accordance with the TSCA, 15 U.S.C.
2625(o), to provide independent advice
and expert consultation, at the request
of the Administrator, with respect to the
scientific and technical aspects of issues
relating to the implementation of TSCA.
The SACC operates in accordance with
the Federal Advisory Committee Act
(FACA), 5 U.S.C. 10, and supports
activities under the TSCA, 15 U.S.C.
2601 et seq., the Pollution Prevention
Act (PPA), 42 U.S.C. 13101 et seq., and
other applicable statutes.
C. Does this action apply to me?
This action is directed to the public
in general and may be of particular
interest to those involved in the
manufacture, processing, distribution,
and disposal of the subject chemical
substance, and/or those interested in the
assessment of risks involving chemical
substances and mixtures regulated
under TSCA.
D. What should I consider as I submit
my comments to EPA?
1. Submitting CBI. Do not
electronically submit any information
you consider to be CBI or other
information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute. Copyrighted
material will not be posted without
explicit permission of the copyright
holder. Members of the public should
also be aware that personal contact
information, if included in any written
comments, may be posted on the
internet at https://www.regulations.gov.
If your comment contains any
information that you consider to be CBI
E:\FR\FM\15MRN1.SGM
15MRN1
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 52 / Friday, March 15, 2024 / Notices
or otherwise protected, please contact
the DFO listed under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT to obtain special
instructions before submitting that
information.
2. Tips for preparing your comments.
When preparing and submitting your
comments, see the commenting tips at
https://www.epa.gov/dockets/
commenting-epa-dockets#tips. See also
the instructions in Unit III.C.
II. Background
A. What is the purpose of the SACC?
The SACC provides independent
scientific advice and recommendations
to the EPA on the scientific and
technical aspects of risk assessments,
methodologies, and pollution
prevention measures and approaches for
chemicals regulated under TSCA. The
SACC is comprised of experts in
toxicology; environmental risk
assessment; exposure assessment; and
related sciences (e.g., synthetic biology,
pharmacology, biotechnology,
nanotechnology, biochemistry,
biostatistics, physiologically based
pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling,
computational toxicology,
epidemiology, environmental fate, and
environmental engineering and
sustainability). The SACC currently
consists of 18 members. When needed,
the committee will be assisted by ad hoc
reviewers with specific expertise in the
topics under consideration.
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
B. Why did EPA develop these
documents?
TSCA requires EPA to conduct risk
evaluations on high priority chemical
substances to determine whether a
chemical substance presents an
unreasonable risk to human health or
the environment under the chemical’s
conditions of use. EPA must also
determine whether a chemical
substance presents unreasonable risk to
potentially exposed or susceptible
subpopulations deemed relevant by the
Administrator. As part of this process,
EPA integrates hazard and exposure
assessments using the best available
science and reasonably available
information to assure decisions are
based on the weight of the scientific
evidence. For more information about
the three stages of EPA’s process for
ensuring the safety of existing chemicals
(i.e., prioritization, risk evaluation, and
risk management), go to https://
www.epa.gov/assessing-and-managingchemicals-under-tsca/how-epaevaluates-safety-existing-chemicals.
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18:17 Mar 14, 2024
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III. Public Meeting of the SACC
A. What is the purpose of the virtual
peer review public meeting?
EPA is planning this SACC peer
review of the Agency’s draft evaluation
of the risks from formaldehyde to
inform risk management decisions
under TSCA. OPPT collaborated with
OPP to develop hazard assessments for
human and ecological health. EPA
expects to ask the SACC to consider and
review these joint hazard assessments in
addition to the OPPT exposure and risk
characterizations. This SACC peer
review is in addition to prior external
peer reviews by the National Academies
of Science, Engineering, and Medicine
(NASEM), the EPA’s Human Studies
Review Board (HSRB) and SACC peer
reviews of scientific approaches used in
previous TSCA risk evaluations. The
Agency is leveraging these peer reviews
to support further development of the
risk evaluation of formaldehyde. The
TSCA risk evaluation of formaldehyde
is comprised of several modules (i.e.,
human health hazard, ecological hazard,
release and exposure assessments) and
two risk assessment documents—the
environmental risk assessment and the
human health risk assessment. As part
of the draft risk evaluation for
formaldehyde, OPPT is assessing
formaldehyde conditions of use.
Recommendations from the
formaldehyde SACC review and public
comments will be considered in the
development of the final TSCA risk
evaluation for formaldehyde and may
inform other EPA efforts related to the
assessment and regulation of
formaldehyde. The Agency will be
seeking SACC review of its data
analyses and methodologies relevant to
human health hazard and exposure
analyses that have not been previously
peer reviewed. For additional
information, please see the Federal
Register notice of December 26, 2023
(88 FR 88910; FRL–11608–01–OCSPP).
B. How can I access the documents?
The 2024 draft risk evaluation for
formaldehyde and related documents,
including background documents,
related supporting materials, and draft
charge questions, are available in the
docket. As additional background
materials become available, EPA will
include those additional background
documents (e.g., SACC members and
consultants participating in this meeting
and the meeting agenda) in the docket.
All of these documents will be available
at https://www.regulations.gov (docket
ID No. EPA–HQ–OPPT–2023–0613) and
through links on the SACC website at
https://www.epa.gov/tsca-peer-review.
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18935
After the public meeting, the SACC
will prepare the meeting minutes and
final report document summarizing its
recommendations to the EPA, which
will also be available in the docket and
through the SACC website.
C. How can I provide comments?
To ensure proper receipt of
comments, it is imperative that you
identify docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OPPT–
2023–0613 in the subject line on the
first page of your comments and follow
the instructions in Unit I.D. and in this
unit.
1. Written comments. Submit written
comments by the deadlines set in the
DATES section of this document and as
described in the ADDRESSES section of
this document.
2. Oral comments. To request time to
present oral comments during one of the
virtual public meetings, you must
register online by the deadlines set in
the DATES section of this document. Oral
comments during the virtual public
meetings are limited to 5 minutes. In
addition, each speaker should submit a
written copy of their oral comments and
any supporting materials (e.g.,
presentation slides) to the DFO prior to
the meetings for distribution to the
SACC by the DFO.
Authority: 15 U.S.C. 2625(o); 5 U.S.C.
10.
Dated: March 11, 2024.
Michal Freedhoff,
Assistant Administrator, Office of Chemical
Safety and Pollution Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2024–05554 Filed 3–14–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
[EPA–HQ–OPPT–2003–0004; FRL–11797–
01–OCSPP]
Access to Confidential Business
Information by ICF Inc and Its
Subcontractors
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
EPA has authorized its
contractor ICF Inc of 9300 Lee Highway
Fairfax, VA 22031, and its
subcontractors to access information
which has been submitted to EPA under
all sections of the Toxic Substances
Control Act (TSCA). Some of the
information may be claimed or
determined to be Confidential Business
Information (CBI).
DATES: Access to the confidential data
will occur after March 15, 2024.
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\15MRN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 52 (Friday, March 15, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18933-18935]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-05554]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[EPA-HQ-OPPT-2023-0613; FRL-11608-03-OCSPP]
Formaldehyde; Draft Risk Evaluation Peer Review by the Science
Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC); Notice of Availability, Public
Meetings and Request for Comment
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or ``Agency'') is
announcing the availability of and soliciting public comment on the
2024 draft risk evaluation for formaldehyde prepared under the Toxic
Substances Control Act (TSCA). The draft risk
[[Page 18934]]
evaluation is available for public review and comment. It will also be
submitted to the SACC for peer review. EPA is also announcing that
there will be two virtual public meetings of the SACC. The SACC will
consider and review the draft risk evaluation at a 4-day virtual peer
review public meeting that will be held on May 20-23, 2024. In
addition, a virtual preparatory public meeting will be held on May 7,
2024, for the SACC to consider the scope and clarity of the draft
charge questions for the peer review.
DATES:
Virtual Preparatory Public Meeting: May 7, 2024, from 1 p.m. to
approximately 4 p.m. (EST). You must register to receive the webcast
meeting link and audio teleconference information. Online registration
will be available beginning in April 2024. To request time to present
oral comments during the virtual preparatory public meeting, you must
register online by noon, May 3, 2024. For those not making oral
comments during the virtual preparatory public meeting, registration
will remain open through the end of the meeting.
Virtual Peer Review Public Meeting: May 20-23, 2024, from 10 a.m.
to approximately 5 p.m. (EST) (as needed, updated times for each day
may be provided in the meeting agenda that will be posted in the docket
at https://www.regulations.gov and available through the SACC website
at https://www.epa.gov/tsca-peer-review). You must register online to
receive the webcast meeting link and audio teleconference information.
Online registration will be available beginning in April 2024. To make
oral comments during the virtual peer review public meeting and
included on the meeting agenda, you must register by noon, May 13,
2024. For those not making oral comments, registration for this meeting
will remain open through the last day of the meeting.
Comments: Submit comments on the draft risk evaluation on or before
May 14, 2024. Submit comments intended for the virtual preparatory
public meeting on or before noon, May 3, 2024. For additional
instructions, see Unit III. of SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
To request special accommodations: To allow sufficient time for EPA
to process your request before the applicable meetings, please submit
your request by April 30, 2024.
ADDRESSES:
Virtual Public Meetings: You must register for each meeting to
receive the webcast meeting link and audio teleconference information.
Access to these virtual meetings will be provided through a webcast
platform such as Zoomgov.com, streaming service, and audio
teleconference.
Meeting Registration: For information and instructions on how to
register and access these virtual public meetings, please refer to the
SACC website at https://www.epa.gov/tsca-peer-review. After
registering, you will receive the webcast meeting link and audio
teleconference information.
Comments: Submit your comments, identified by docket identification
(ID) number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2023-0613, through the Federal eRulemaking
Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. to docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OPPT-
2023-0613. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Do
not submit electronically any information you consider to be
Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose
disclosure is restricted by statute. Additional instructions on
commenting and visiting the docket, along with more information about
dockets generally, is available at https://www.epa.gov/dockets.
To request special accommodations: For information on access or
services for individuals with disabilities, and to request
accommodation for a disability, please contact the DFO listed under FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Designated Federal Official (DFO)
is Tamue Gibson, Mission Support Division (7602M), Office of Program
Support, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention,
Environmental Protection Agency; telephone number: (202) 564-7642 or
SACC main office number: (202) 564-8450; email address:
[email protected].
For general information: You may subscribe to the Office of
Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention listserv for alerts regarding
this and other SACC related activities at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USAEPAOPPT/subscriber/new?topic_id=USAEPAOPPT_101.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. General Information
A. What action is the Agency taking?
EPA is announcing the availability of and soliciting public comment
on the 2024 draft risk evaluation for formaldehyde. EPA is also
announcing a 4-day virtual peer review public meeting on May 20-23,
2024, for the SACC to consider and review the draft risk evaluation
document. A virtual preparatory public meeting will be held on May 7,
2024, for the SACC and the public to consider and ask questions
regarding the scope and clarity of the draft charge questions. EPA will
be soliciting comments from the SACC on the Office of Pollution
Prevention and Toxics (OPPT) and Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP)
joint hazard assessments for human and ecological health; and the OPPT
exposure and risk characterizations. This SACC peer review is in
addition to prior external peer reviews by the National Academies of
Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), the EPA's Human Studies
Review Board (HSRB) and SACC peer reviews of scientific approaches used
in previous TSCA risk evaluations. These previous peer reviews have
informed the 2024 draft risk evaluation for formaldehyde.
This document provides instructions for accessing the materials,
submitting written comments, and registering to provide oral comments
and attend the public meetings.
B. What is the Agency's authority for taking this action?
EPA established the SACC in 2016 in accordance with the TSCA, 15
U.S.C. 2625(o), to provide independent advice and expert consultation,
at the request of the Administrator, with respect to the scientific and
technical aspects of issues relating to the implementation of TSCA. The
SACC operates in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act
(FACA), 5 U.S.C. 10, and supports activities under the TSCA, 15 U.S.C.
2601 et seq., the Pollution Prevention Act (PPA), 42 U.S.C. 13101 et
seq., and other applicable statutes.
C. Does this action apply to me?
This action is directed to the public in general and may be of
particular interest to those involved in the manufacture, processing,
distribution, and disposal of the subject chemical substance, and/or
those interested in the assessment of risks involving chemical
substances and mixtures regulated under TSCA.
D. What should I consider as I submit my comments to EPA?
1. Submitting CBI. Do not electronically submit any information you
consider to be CBI or other information whose disclosure is restricted
by statute. Copyrighted material will not be posted without explicit
permission of the copyright holder. Members of the public should also
be aware that personal contact information, if included in any written
comments, may be posted on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov.
If your comment contains any information that you consider to be CBI
[[Page 18935]]
or otherwise protected, please contact the DFO listed under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT to obtain special instructions before submitting
that information.
2. Tips for preparing your comments. When preparing and submitting
your comments, see the commenting tips at https://www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets#tips. See also the instructions in Unit III.C.
II. Background
A. What is the purpose of the SACC?
The SACC provides independent scientific advice and recommendations
to the EPA on the scientific and technical aspects of risk assessments,
methodologies, and pollution prevention measures and approaches for
chemicals regulated under TSCA. The SACC is comprised of experts in
toxicology; environmental risk assessment; exposure assessment; and
related sciences (e.g., synthetic biology, pharmacology, biotechnology,
nanotechnology, biochemistry, biostatistics, physiologically based
pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling, computational toxicology,
epidemiology, environmental fate, and environmental engineering and
sustainability). The SACC currently consists of 18 members. When
needed, the committee will be assisted by ad hoc reviewers with
specific expertise in the topics under consideration.
B. Why did EPA develop these documents?
TSCA requires EPA to conduct risk evaluations on high priority
chemical substances to determine whether a chemical substance presents
an unreasonable risk to human health or the environment under the
chemical's conditions of use. EPA must also determine whether a
chemical substance presents unreasonable risk to potentially exposed or
susceptible subpopulations deemed relevant by the Administrator. As
part of this process, EPA integrates hazard and exposure assessments
using the best available science and reasonably available information
to assure decisions are based on the weight of the scientific evidence.
For more information about the three stages of EPA's process for
ensuring the safety of existing chemicals (i.e., prioritization, risk
evaluation, and risk management), go to https://www.epa.gov/assessing-and-managing-chemicals-under-tsca/how-epa-evaluates-safety-existing-chemicals.
III. Public Meeting of the SACC
A. What is the purpose of the virtual peer review public meeting?
EPA is planning this SACC peer review of the Agency's draft
evaluation of the risks from formaldehyde to inform risk management
decisions under TSCA. OPPT collaborated with OPP to develop hazard
assessments for human and ecological health. EPA expects to ask the
SACC to consider and review these joint hazard assessments in addition
to the OPPT exposure and risk characterizations. This SACC peer review
is in addition to prior external peer reviews by the National Academies
of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), the EPA's Human Studies
Review Board (HSRB) and SACC peer reviews of scientific approaches used
in previous TSCA risk evaluations. The Agency is leveraging these peer
reviews to support further development of the risk evaluation of
formaldehyde. The TSCA risk evaluation of formaldehyde is comprised of
several modules (i.e., human health hazard, ecological hazard, release
and exposure assessments) and two risk assessment documents--the
environmental risk assessment and the human health risk assessment. As
part of the draft risk evaluation for formaldehyde, OPPT is assessing
formaldehyde conditions of use.
Recommendations from the formaldehyde SACC review and public
comments will be considered in the development of the final TSCA risk
evaluation for formaldehyde and may inform other EPA efforts related to
the assessment and regulation of formaldehyde. The Agency will be
seeking SACC review of its data analyses and methodologies relevant to
human health hazard and exposure analyses that have not been previously
peer reviewed. For additional information, please see the Federal
Register notice of December 26, 2023 (88 FR 88910; FRL-11608-01-OCSPP).
B. How can I access the documents?
The 2024 draft risk evaluation for formaldehyde and related
documents, including background documents, related supporting
materials, and draft charge questions, are available in the docket. As
additional background materials become available, EPA will include
those additional background documents (e.g., SACC members and
consultants participating in this meeting and the meeting agenda) in
the docket. All of these documents will be available at https://www.regulations.gov (docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OPPT-2023-0613) and through
links on the SACC website at https://www.epa.gov/tsca-peer-review.
After the public meeting, the SACC will prepare the meeting minutes
and final report document summarizing its recommendations to the EPA,
which will also be available in the docket and through the SACC
website.
C. How can I provide comments?
To ensure proper receipt of comments, it is imperative that you
identify docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OPPT-2023-0613 in the subject line on the
first page of your comments and follow the instructions in Unit I.D.
and in this unit.
1. Written comments. Submit written comments by the deadlines set
in the DATES section of this document and as described in the ADDRESSES
section of this document.
2. Oral comments. To request time to present oral comments during
one of the virtual public meetings, you must register online by the
deadlines set in the DATES section of this document. Oral comments
during the virtual public meetings are limited to 5 minutes. In
addition, each speaker should submit a written copy of their oral
comments and any supporting materials (e.g., presentation slides) to
the DFO prior to the meetings for distribution to the SACC by the DFO.
Authority: 15 U.S.C. 2625(o); 5 U.S.C. 10.
Dated: March 11, 2024.
Michal Freedhoff,
Assistant Administrator, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution
Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2024-05554 Filed 3-14-24; 8:45 am]
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