Environmental Protection Agency April 7, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are proposing to approve rules adopted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for the control of highly reactive Volatile Organic Compounds (HRVOCs) in the Houston/Galveston ozone nonattainment area. These rules for the control of HRVOCs supplement Texas' existing rules for controlling volatile organic compounds (VOC) by providing more extensive requirements for certain equipment in HRVOC service. These additional controls of HRVOC emissions will help to attain and maintain the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for ozone in HGA. Inhaling even low levels of ozone can trigger a variety of health problems including chest pains, coughing, nausea, throat irritation, and congestion. It can also worsen bronchitis, asthma and reduce lung capacity.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that EPA is planning to submit a continuing Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This is a request an existing approved collection. This ICRis scheduled to expire on August 31, 2005. Before submitting the ICR to OMB for review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection as described below.

This Notice announces the availability of the final document, Guidelines for Carcinogen Risk Assessment (EPA/630/P-03/001F), hereafter referred to as the Guidelines. These Guidelines were developed as part of an Agency-wide guidelines development program by a Technical Panel of the U.S. EPA's Risk Assessment Forum, which was composed of scientists from throughout the Agency. Selected drafts were peer reviewed internally by the U.S. EPA's Science Advisory Board, and by experts from universities, environmental groups, industry and other governmental agencies. The Guidelines were also subjected to several public comment periods. Issuance of these final Guidelines fulfills EPA's obligations under section 112(o) (7) of the Clean Air Act.