VALUING REDUCED ASTHMA EPISODES FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN – FOCUS GROUPS

EPA ICR No. 2215.01

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

Part A

Section 1.  Identification of the Information Collection

1(a)  Title of the Information Collection:

Valuing Reduced Asthma Episodes for Adults and Children – Focus Groups

1(b)  Short Characterization/Abstract:

Asthma is one of the most common chronic illnesses in the United States,
particularly among children.  The disease is characterized by recurring
episodes of symptoms like cough, shortness of breath, and wheezing. 
Epidemiological studies suggest that ambient air pollution may
contribute to exacerbation of these episodes.  Acute asthma episodes are
a leading cause of work and school absence and contribute to the
economic burden of the disease.  The policies and programs of many
public and private entities including EPA may affect the frequency and
severity of asthma episodes, but economic analysis of these programs is
hindered by inadequate information about the economic benefits of
reduced asthma episodes.    The proposed surveys would gather
information to support estimation of willingness to pay (WTP) to avoid
acute episodes of asthma exacerbation for adults and children.  

The survey research has three main objectives.  The first is to estimate
WTP to reduce frequency of asthma episodes.  The second is to examine
how the “attributes” of asthma episodes, such as their frequency,
severity and symptoms, affect WTP.  The third is to provide some
evidence on the WTP to reduce the severity of asthma episodes, while
holding frequency constant.  WTP would be estimated in the context of
the severity of the individual’s asthma and the activities taken to
manage the disease.  The resulting estimates will help to provide
researchers and policy analysts with a systematic and credible basis for
valuing policies that influence acute asthma episodes.    

Through a cooperative agreement from EPA (R-83062801-0), researchers at
the University of Central Florida (UCF) are designing and proposing to
conduct two surveys of adult individuals.  One survey would be
administered to a sample of adults with physician-diagnosed asthma who
have experienced asthma symptoms during the 12 months preceding the
survey.  The focus is on eliciting adults’ WTP to reduce the asthma
episodes that they experience.  The other survey would be administered
to a national sample of parents of children with physician-diagnosed
asthma who have experienced asthma symptoms during the 12 months
preceding the survey.  In this case, the focus is on eliciting
parents’ WTP to reduce the asthma episodes that their children
experience.  

The purpose of the proposed ICR is to gain approval for the conduct of a
series of focus groups and individual interviews as part of the survey
development process.  Focus groups and cognitive interviews are a
crucial component in the survey development process.  A total of 50
interviews are anticipated, including focus group responses and
individual interviews.  

Section 2.  Need for and use of the Collection

2(a)	Need/Authority for the Collection

Over the next year, the Agency plans on creating a survey that would
gather information to support the estimation of willingness to pay (WTP)
to alleviate acute exacerbations of asthma in adults and children.  

Focus groups are an important part of any survey development process,
allowing researchers to identify problematic approaches, terminology,
and graphics in the survey and providing a means for explicitly testing
draft survey materials.  

If this information is not collected, an opportunity to developing
methods to better understand the economic benefits associated with
reduced asthma episodes will be lost.  This loss will cause further
delays in developing an improved understanding of the nature of the
benefits of related policies and programs of many public and private
entities, including the Agency.

This data collection is conducted for research purposes; there are no
legal requirements.  The materials prepared for these discussions will
fully conform to federal regulations – specifically the Privacy Act of
1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), the Hawkins-Stafford Amendments of 1988 (P.L
100-297), and the Computer Security Act of 1987.

2(b)	Practical Utility/Users of the Data

The information collected in the focus groups will be used to develop
and improve economics-related surveys, specifically surveys gathering
willingness to pay (WTP) information on avoidance of acute episodes of
asthma exacerbation for adults and children.  To the extent that these
surveys are ultimately successfully administered, they will serve
further the development of values for avoiding asthma episodes comprised
of different symptoms and severity levels, or occurring with different
frequency.  The results will help to provide researchers and policy
analysts with evidence on the potential benefits of actions policies
that influence acute asthma episodes.  Participation in the focus groups
will be voluntary and the identity of the participants will be kept
confidential.

Focus groups generally do not yield meaningful quantitative findings and
do not yield data about public opinion that can be generalized.  As
such, they cannot be used directly to estimate benefits and costs
associated with environmental action.  However, the use of focus groups
is an important tool in the survey development process to test and
refine the ideas and technical aspects of the survey.  The conduct of
quantitative research, such as through survey distribution, collection,
and analysis, would need to be completed to develop new estimates of
economic benefits or costs.

Section 3.  Non duplication, Consultations, and Other Collection
Criteria

3(a)	Non duplication

It is not expected that any of the information to be submitted to the
EPA during the focus group study is duplicative or is already in the
possession of the Federal Government.  The proposed focus groups will
address the needs of the Agency and significantly improve our ability to
test and redefine ideas that will allow EPA to conduct further
quantitative research on willingness to pay estimates for avoidance of
acute asthma episodes.

3(b)	Public Notice Required Prior to ICR Submission to OMB

In accordance with 5 CFR 1320.8(d) on February 3, 2006, EPA published a
60-day Federal Register notice (E6 FR 1503).  See Appendix 1 for a copy
of this Federal Register notice. 

Also, EPA received only one non-substantial comment from the posting of
the 60-day Federal Register notice (E6 FR 1503) published February 3,
2006.

3(c) 	Consultations

Considerable effort has been taken to consult with persons outside the
agency on a regular basis throughout the design of pilot survey
questions to serve as the basis for these focus groups and interviews. 
Two of the main investigators are academic researchers who work for the
University of Central Florida; Dr. Mark Dickie and Dr. Shelby Gerking.  

Dr. Mark Dickie is a Professor of Economics in the Department of
Economics at the University of Central Florida – (407) 823-4730.  Dr.
Dickie’s primary research focus is on environmental valuation through
revealed and stated preference methods, including estimating WTP for
changes in children’s health.    

Dr. Shelby Gerking is a Galloway Professor of Economics in the
Department of Economics at the University of Central Florida – (407)
823-4729.  Dr. Gerking’s primary research focus is on environmental
policy and valuation.

3(d)	Effects of Less Frequent Collection

	The focus group will be a one-time collection exercise for the enrolled
participants.

3(e)	General Guidelines

This collection does not violate any of OMB’s general guidelines for
information collections.

Information will be collected according to the guidelines in 5 CFR 1320.
 Respondents will be asked to participate in one focus group and their
participation will be voluntary. There will be no need for participants
to maintain records or submit documents or proprietary trade secrets. 
There will be complete protection of any demographic information
collection from participant—full names, phone numbers and addresses
will not be associated with responses.  

EPA has developed EPA Information Quality Guidelines (2002) to ensure
the utility, objectivity and integrity of information that is
disseminated by the Agency.  It is EPA’s intention that collection of
information under this ICR will result in information that will be
collected, maintained, and used in ways consistent with both the EPA
Information Quality Guidelines (2002) and the OMB Information Quality
Guidelines (2002).   EPA intends to conduct a pre-dissemination review
when the Agency prepares to disseminate any information collected under
this ICR.

3(f)	Confidentiality

Each focus group will fully conform to federal regulations –
specifically the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), the
Hawkins-Stafford Amendments of 1988 (P.L 100-297), and the Computer
Security Act of 1987.  Each prospective respondent will be informed that
their participation in the survey is voluntary, and that their
identities will be kept confidential by the investigators and not
associated with their responses.  EPA or no other agency will have
access to the names of respondents.  

3(g) 	Sensitive Questions

There are no questions on sexual behavior and attitudes, religious
beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private or
sensitive in this pilot survey instrument.  

Section 4.  The Respondents and the Information Requested

4(a)	Respondents/SIC Codes

Up to fifty (50) individuals focus group / interview participants who
have a household experience with asthma.   

4(b)	Information Requested

Data items, including record keeping requirements

Respondent Activities

Respondents will be selected from greater Orlando area, near the
University of Central Florida.  They will be elicited based on their
household experience with asthma.  These respondents are asked to come
to a local interview facility or the University of Central Florida and
participate in a 2 hour 

discussion on different aspects of asthma episodes.  There will be 5
focus group interviews (of up to 6 participants for each focus group)
and 20 cognitive (one-on-one) interviews with the main investigators. 
The focus groups will be providing their thoughts, perceptions and
beliefs regarding the issue of managing their own or their child’s
asthma.  The 20 individuals participating in the cognitive interviews
will be walked through one of the survey instruments (or a portion of
it) individually and will be asked to “think aloud” about what the
questions mean to them.  The survey instrument questions may be
displayed on a computer.  They may answer the questions to move on to
another question, but these responses will not be recorded or used. 
They are ultimately providing feedback on whether the questions are
clearly stated, meaningful to them, whether the possible answers make
sense or if there is some response they would like to offer that is
missing.  These cognitive interviews and the focus group participants
will be helping to assess the clarity and relevance of these
asthma-related questions, and their relative merit for use in a survey
instrument.  All responses are voluntary.  The collection will be a one
time event and there will be no need for participants to maintain
records or submit documents or proprietary trade secrets.  There will be
complete protection of any demographic information collection from
participants -- names, phone numbers and addresses will not be
associated with responses.

Section 5.  The Information Collected – Agency Activities, Collection
Methodology, and Information Management

5(a) Agency Activities

Agency activities associated with this information collection include
the following, mostly performed by the principle investigators under the
cooperative agreement:

-- Drafting focus groups scripts and accompanying materials

-- Observing and moderating the focus group discussions

-- Summarizing focus group results and making changes to draft survey
materials as appropriate

5(b) Collection Methodology and Management

Focus group studies are directed group discussions that do not produce
quantitative data, but which enable skilled observers to infer the
underlying views and assumptions of the group that are expressed in the
discussion.  To facilitate interpretation, discussions will be recorded
and/or videotaped so that both a visual record and written transcript of
the discussion are available for review.  Participants are informed in
advance that the sessions will be recorded.  Transcripts and video tapes
will be maintained in the individual project files over the appropriate
time frame under records management procedures.

5(c) Small Entity Flexibility

No information will be collected from small businesses or small
organizations or small governmental jurisdictions as a result of this
information collection.

5(d) Collection Schedule

Focus groups will be scheduled very shortly after approval of this ICR.
No fixed schedule for this collection has been established otherwise.

Section 6.  Estimating the Burden and Cost of Collection

6(a)	Estimating Respondent Burden

6(b)	Estimating Respondent Costs

The only burden imposed by the interviews on respondents will be the
time required to participate in focus group discussions and answer
interview questions.  The survey developers estimate that this will
require an average of 2 hours per respondent.  With a total of 50
respondents this requires a total of 100 hours.  Based on an average
hourly rate of $27.31 (including employer costs of all employee
benefits), the survey developers expect that the average per-respondent
cost for the pilot survey will be $54.62 and the corresponding one-time
total cost to all respondents will be $2731.00.  Since this information
collection is voluntary and does not involve any special equipment,
respondents will not incur any capital or operation and maintenance
(O&M) costs.

TABLE 1. – Average Annual Respondent Burden and Costs1

Center	

Subject	

Number  of Focus Groups for Study

	

Average Number of Participants per Group	

Number  of Individual Cognitive Interviews for Study

	

Total Number of Individuals Participating in the Study	

Avg Hours of Duration for Each Group/Cognitive Interview (includes
screening)

	

Total Estimated “Respondent” Hours 

	

Average per-respondent cost  ($)2	

Total Estimated

Burden per Year ($)



Office of Policy, Economics and Innovation	

Valuation of reduced asthma episodes for adults and children	

5	

6	

20	

50	

2.0	

100	

$54.62	

$2,731.00



	

TOTAL	







	





$2,731.00

1  There are no capital costs or operating and maintenance costs
associated with this collection of 

  information.

2  Hourly rate ($27.31) Employer costs per hour worked for employee
compensation and costs as a percent of total compensation: Civilian
worker, total compensation, December 2006 (  HYPERLINK
"http://stats.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.t02.htm" 
http://stats.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.t02.htm 

6(c)	Estimating Agency Burden and Costs

The Agency incurs costs directly through assisting the principle
investigators to develop focus group materials, and through the
cooperative agreement as principle investigators develop focus group
materials, conduct focus group discussions, and observe focus group
discussions. 

Estimated Average Annual Agency Burden and Costs

Task	Costs (and Person-hours) Per Focus Group Hour	Total Hours and Cost

	EPA

($43.80/

Hour)	Estimated Contractor and Investigator Costs1	O&M Cost	Number of
focus group activities

(50 responses)	Total Cost/Year

Prepare Materials for Focus Group Discussion	$219

(5 hrs)	

$1,000	

--	

1	

$1,219

Organize and conduct focus group discussion

(contractor)	--	

$4,000	

--	

1	

$4,000

Observe focus group discussion	--	$1,000	--	

1	

$1,000



Total

	

$219.00	

$5,000	--	

1	

$6,219

Notes:  1includes recruiting respondents, meeting space, respondent
reimbursement for participants, and recording of discussion.

6(d)	Estimating the Respondent Universe and Total Burden and Costs

6(e)	Bottom Line Burden Hours and Cost Tables

We expect the focus group hours to total 100 and Agency costs as
estimated in section 6(c).

Respondent Tally

Action	Approximate Number of Focus Groups 	Approximate Number of
Individual Cognitive Interviews	 Estimated Respondent Hours 	Total labor
Cost per Year	Total Annual Capital Costs	Total Annual O&M costs

Focus Group Discussion	5	20	100	$2,731.00	$0	$0



	(ii)	Agency Costs

Task	Costs (and Person-hours) Per Focus Group Hour	Total Hours and Cost

	EPA

($43.80/

Hour)	Estimated Contractor and Investigator Costs1	O&M Cost	Number of
focus group activities

(50 responses)	Total Cost/Year



Total

	

$219.00	

$5,000	--	

1	

$6,219



6(f)	Reasons for Change in Burden

This is a new request.

6(g) 	Burden Statement

The annual public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection
of information is estimated to 2 hours per response.  Burden means the
total time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to
generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or provide information to or for
a Federal agency.  This includes the time needed to review instructions;
develop, acquire, install, and utilize technology and systems for the
purposes of collecting, validating, and verifying information,
processing and maintaining information, and disclosing and providing
information; adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously
applicable instructions and requirements; train personnel to be able to
respond to a collection of information; search data sources; complete
and review the collection of information; and transmit or otherwise
disclose the information.  An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a
person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless
it displays a currently valid OMB control number.  The OMB control
numbers for EPA's regulations are listed in 40 CFR part 9 and 48 CFR
chapter 15.     

	To comment on the Agency's need for this information, the accuracy of
the provided burden estimates, and any suggested methods for minimizing
respondent burden, including the use of automated collection techniques,
EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under Docket ID Number
[EPA-HQ-OA-2006-0080], which is available for online viewing at  
HYPERLINK "http://www.regulations.gov"  www.regulations.gov , or in
person viewing at the Office of Environmental Information (OEI) Docket
in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room 3334, 1301
Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C.  The EPA Docket Center 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 Reading Room is
(202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the Office of Environmental
Information (OEI) Docket is (202) 566-1752.  An electronic version of
the public docket is available at www.regulations.gov.  This site can be
used to submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the
contents of the public docket, and to access those documents in the
public docket that are available electronically.  When in the system,
select “search,” then key in the Docket ID Number identified above. 
Also, you can send comments to the Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street, NW,
Washington, D.C. 20503, Attention: Desk Officer for EPA.  Please include
the EPA Docket ID Number EPA-HQ-OA-2006-0080 in any correspondence.



Part B.

There are no tabulated results for this information collection.

Information gathered from focus groups is qualitative in nature.  They
allow for a more in-depth understanding of respondents’ attitudes,
beliefs, motivations, and feelings than do quantitative studies. It
serves the narrowly defined need for direct and informal opinion on a
specific topic.

Appendix 1

[Federal Register: February 3, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 23)]

[Notices]               

[Page 5834-5836]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr03fe06-53]                         

=======================================================================

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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OA-2006-0080; FRL-8026-8]

 

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 

Comment Request; Valuing Reduced Asthma Episodes for Adults and 

Children-Focus Groups; EPA ICR Number 2215.01

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 

et seq.), this document announces that EPA is planning to submit a 

request for a new Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of 

Management and Budget (OMB). 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.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before April 4, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, referencing docket ID number EPA-HQ-

OA-2006-0080, by one of the following methods:

       HYPERLINK
"http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html
&log=linklog&to=http://www.regulations.gov:" 
http://www.regulations.gov:  Follow the on-line 

instructions for submitting comments.

     E-mail:   HYPERLINK "mailto:dockins.chris@epa.gov" 
dockins.chris@epa.gov .

     Fax: 202-566-2338.

     Mail: Office of Environmental Information (OEI) Docket, 

Environmental Protection Agency, Mailcode 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania 

Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460.

     Hand Deliver: Office of Environmental Information (OEI) 

Docket in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room B102, 1301 

Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. Such deliveries are only 

accepted during the Docket's normal hours of operation, and special 

arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information.

    Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OA-2006-

0080. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included in 

the public docket without change and may be made available online at 

  HYPERLINK
"http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html
&log=linklog&to=http://www.regulations.gov"  http://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 through   HYPERLINK
"http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html
&log=linklog&to=http://www.regulations.gov"  http://www.regulations.gov 
or e-mail. The   HYPERLINK
"http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html
&log=linklog&to=http://www.regulations.gov"  http://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   HYPERLINK
"http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html
&log=linklog&to=http://www.regulations.gov"  http://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 homepage at   HYPERLINK
"http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html
&log=linklog&to=http://www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm" 
http://www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm 

.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Chris Dockins, Office of Policy, 

Economics and Innovation, U.S. EPA, Mail Code 1809T, Environmental 

Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; 

telephone number 202-566-2286; fax number 202-566-2338; e-mail address: 
 HYPERLINK "mailto:dockins.chris@epa.gov"  

dockins.chris@epa.gov .

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

How Can I Access the Docket and/or Submit Comments?

    EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under Docket ID 

No. EPA-HQ-OA-2006-0080, which is available for online viewing at 

  HYPERLINK
"http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html
&log=linklog&to=http://www.regulations.gov"  http://www.regulations.gov
, or in person viewing at the Office of 

Environmental Information (OEI) Docket in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/

DC), EPA West, Room B102, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. 

The EPA/DC Public Reading Room is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday 

through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the 

Reading Room is 202-566-1744, and the telephone number for the Office 

of Environmental Information (OEI) Docket is 202-566-1752.

    Use   HYPERLINK
"http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html
&log=linklog&to=http://www.regulations.gov"  http://www.regulations.gov 
to obtain a copy of the draft 

collection of information, submit or view public comments, access the 

index listing of the contents of the docket, and to access those 

documents in the public docket that are available electronically. Once 

in the system, select ``search,'' then key in the docket ID number 

identified in this document.

What Information Is EPA Particularly Interested In?

    Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, EPA specifically 

solicits comments and information to enable it to:

    (i) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 

necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, 

including whether the information will have practical utility;

    (ii) Evaluate the 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. In particular, EPA is requesting comments from 

very small businesses (those that employ less than 25) on examples of 

specific additional efforts that EPA could make to reduce the paperwork 

burden for very small businesses affected by this collection.

[[Page 5835]]

What Should I Consider When I Prepare My Comments for EPA?

    You may find the following suggestions helpful for preparing your 

comments:

    1. Explain your views as clearly as possible and provide specific 

examples.

    2. Describe any assumptions that you used.

    3. Provide copies of any technical information and/or data you used 

that support your views.

    4. If you estimate potential burden or costs, explain how you 

arrived at the estimate that you provide.

    5. Offer alternative ways to improve the collection activity.

    6. Make sure to submit your comments by the deadline identified 

under DATES.

    7. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, be sure to identify the docket 

ID number assigned to this action in the subject line on the first page 

of your response. You may also provide the name, date, and Federal 

Register citation.

What Information Collection Activity or ICR Does This Apply To?

    Affected Entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are 

individuals volunteering to participate in focus group discussions.

    Title: Valuing Reduced Asthma Episodes for Adults and Children--

Focus Groups.

    ICR Numbers: EPA ICR No. 2215.01.

    ICR Status: This ICR is for a new information collection activity. 

An Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to 

respond to, a collection of information, unless it displays a currently 

valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's regulations 

in title 40 of the CFR, after appearing in the Federal Register when 

approved, are listed in 40 CFR part 9, are displayed either by 

publication in the Federal Register or by other appropriate means, such 

as on the related collection instrument or form, if applicable. The 

display of OMB control numbers in certain EPA regulations is 

consolidated in 40 CFR part 9.

    Abstract: Asthma is one of the most common chronic illnesses in the 

United States, particularly among children. The disease is 

characterized by recurring episodes of symptoms like cough, shortness 

of breath, and wheezing. Epidemiological studies suggest that ambient 

air pollution may contribute to exacerbation of these episodes. Acute 

asthma episodes are a leading cause of work and school absence and 

contribute to the economic burden of the disease. The policies and 

programs of many public and private entities including EPA may affect 

the frequency and severity of asthma episodes, but economic analysis of 

these programs is hindered by inadequate information about the economic 

benefits of reduced asthma episodes. The proposed surveys would gather 

information to support estimation of willingness to pay (WTP) to avoid 

acute episodes of asthma exacerbation for adults and children.

    The survey research has three main objectives. The first is to 

estimate WTP to reduce frequency of asthma episodes. The second is to 

examine how the ``attributes'' of asthma episodes, such as their 

frequency, severity and symptoms, affect WTP. The third is to provide 

some evidence on the WTP to reduce the severity of asthma episodes, 

while holding frequency constant. WTP would be estimated in the context 

of the severity of the individual's asthma and the activities taken to 

manage the disease. The resulting estimates will help to provide 

researchers and policy analysts with a systematic and credible basis 

for valuing policies that influence acute asthma episodes.

    Through a cooperative agreement from EPA (R-83062801-0), 

researchers at the University of Central Florida (UCF) have designed 

and are proposing to conduct two nationwide surveys of adult 

individuals. One survey would be administered to a sample of adults 

with physician-diagnosed asthma who have experienced asthma symptoms 

during the 12 months preceding the survey. This survey focuses on 

eliciting adults' WTP to reduce the asthma episodes that they 

experience. The other survey would be administered to a national sample 

of parents of children with physician-diagnosed asthma who have 

experienced asthma symptoms during the 12 months preceding the survey. 

In this case, the focus is on eliciting parents' WTP to reduce the 

asthma episodes that their children experience.

    The purpose of the proposed ICR is to gain approval for the conduct 

of a series of focus groups and individual interviews as part of the 

survey development process. Focus groups and cognitive interviews are a 

crucial component in the survey development process as they allow 

survey developers to identify problematic approaches, terminology, and 

graphics in the survey instrument. A total of 50 interviews are 

anticipated, including focus group responses and individual interviews.

    An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 

to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a 

currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's 

regulations are listed in 40 CFR part 9 and 48 CFR Chapter 15.

    The EPA would like to solicit comments in order to:

    (i) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 

necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 

including whether the information will have practical utility;

    (ii) Evaluate the 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.

    Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping 

burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 2 

hours per response. Burden means the total time, effort, or financial 

resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or 

disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. This 

includes the time needed to review instructions; develop, acquire, 

install, and utilize technology and systems for the purposes of 

collecting, validating, and verifying information, processing and 

maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information; 

adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable 

instructions and requirements; train personnel to be able to respond to 

a collection of information; search data sources; complete and review 

the collection of information; and transmit or otherwise disclose the 

information.

    The only burden imposed by the interviews on respondents will be 

the time required to participate in focus group discussions and answer 

interview questions. The survey developers estimate that this will 

require an average of 2 hours per respondent. With a total of 50 

respondents this requires a total of 100 hours. Based on an average 

hourly rate of $26.05 \1\ (including employer costs of all employee 

benefits), the survey developers expect that the average per-respondent 

cost for the pilot survey will be $52.10 and the

[[Page 5836]]

corresponding one-time total cost to all respondents will be $5210.00. 

Since this information collection is voluntary and does not involve any 

special equipment, respondents will not incur any capital or operation 

and maintenance (O&M) costs.

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

    \1\ Employer costs per hour worked for employee compensation and 

costs as a percent of total compensation: Civilian workers, total 

compensation, December 2005 (  HYPERLINK
"http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html
&log=linklog&to=http://stats.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.t02.htm" 
http://stats.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.t02.htm 

).

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

What Is the Next Step in the Process for This ICR?

    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 pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.12. At that time, EPA will 

issue another Federal Register notice pursuant to 5 CFR 

1320.5(a)(1)(iv) to announce the submission of the ICR to OMB and the 

opportunity to submit additional comments to OMB. If you have any 

questions about this ICR or the approval process, please contact the 

technical person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

    Dated: January 5, 2006.

Al McGartland,

Director, National Center for Environmental Economics, Office of Policy 

Economics and Innovation.

[FR Doc. E6-1503 Filed 2-2-06; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560-50-P

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