Department of Health and Human Services September 16, 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) intends to evaluate the scientific data on the brominated organic solvent, 1- Bromopropane (1-BP, CAS 106-94-5, also known as n-propyl bromide), and develop appropriate communication documents, such as a Current Intelligence Bulletin, Criteria Document and/or other informational products, and establish a Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) for 1-BP. NIOSH is requesting information on the following: (1) published and unpublished reports and findings from in vitro and in vivo toxicity studies with 1-BP, (2) information on possible health effects observed in workers exposed to 1-BP, (3) information on workplaces and products in which 1-BP can be found, (4) description of work tasks and scenarios with a potential for exposure to 1-BP, (5) workplace exposure data, and (6) information on control measures (e.g., engineering controls, work practices, personal protective equipment) that are being used in workplaces where potential exposures to 1-BP occur.

NIOSH intends to publish a Current Intelligence Bulletin (CIB) on alternative duty and other forms of administrative controls for health care workers who work with hazardous drugs and are trying to conceive, are pregnant, and/or are breast feeding. Alternative duty involves transferring the worker to a similar position, but one in which they would not be required to handle hazardous drugs.

This final rule implements a provision of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) which prohibits recouping Medicare overpayments from a provider or supplier that seeks a reconsideration from a Qualified Independent Contractor (QIC). This provision changes how interest is to be paid to a provider or supplier whose overpayment is reversed at subsequent administrative or judicial levels of appeal. This final rule defines the overpayments to which the limitation applies, how the limitation works in concert with the appeals process, and the change in our obligation to pay interest to a provider or supplier whose appeal is successful at levels above the QIC.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is amending the filing notice for a food additive petition filed by the National Fisheries Institute, to provide for the safe use of ionizing radiation for control of foodborne pathogens in crustaceans and processed crustaceans.