
[Federal Register: April 23, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 79)]
[Notices]               
[Page 21941-21942]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23ap08-68]                         

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-8556-5; Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-ORD-2008-0048]

 
Draft Toxicological Review of 2-Hexanone: In Support of the 
Summary Information in the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: EPA is announcing that Versar, Inc., an EPA contractor for 
external scientific peer review, will convene an independent panel of 
experts and organize and conduct an external peer-review meeting to 
review the external review draft document titled, ``Toxicological 
Review of 2-Hexanone: In Support of Summary Information on the 
Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)'' (NCEA-S-2764). EPA 
previously announced the 60-day public comment period (ending April 28, 
2008) for the draft document in the Federal Register on March 4, 2008 
(73 FR 11408). EPA will consider public comments and recommendations 
from the expert panel meeting as EPA finalizes the draft document.
    The public comment period and the external peer-review meeting are 
separate processes that provide opportunities for all interested 
parties to comment on the document. EPA intends to forward public 
comments submitted in accordance with Federal Register (73 FR 11408) to 
Versar, Inc., for consideration by the external peer-review panel prior 
to the meeting.
    EPA is releasing this draft document solely for the purpose of pre-
dissemination peer review under applicable information quality 
guidelines. This document has not been formally disseminated by EPA. It 
does not represent and should not be construed to represent any Agency 
policy or determination.
    Versar, Inc., invites the public to register to attend this meeting 
as observers. In addition, Versar, Inc., invites the public to give 
brief oral comments at the meeting regarding the draft document under 
review. The draft document and EPA's peer-review charge are available 
via the Internet on the National Center for Environmental Assessment's 
(NCEA) home page under the Recent Additions and the Data and 
Publications menus at http://www.epa.gov/ncea. When finalizing the 
draft document, EPA intends to consider Versar's report of the comments 
and recommendations from the external peer-review meeting and any 
public comments that EPA receives in accordance with 73 FR 11408, March 
4, 2008. Public comments that were submitted during the 60-day public 
comment period ending April 28, 2008 may be observed at http://
www.regulations.gov under Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-ORD-2008-0048.

DATES: The peer-review panel meeting will begin on May 22, 2008, at 9 
a.m. and end at 5 p.m. Register by May 16, 2008, if you wish to provide 
brief oral comments at the meeting.

ADDRESSES: The peer-review meeting will be held at the Courtyard by 
Marriott Crystal City, 2899 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 
22202. Versar, Inc., is organizing, convening, and conducting the peer-
review meeting. To attend the meeting, register by May 16, 2008, via 
the Internet at http://epa.versar.com/2hexanone/.
    The draft ``Toxicological Review of 2-Hexanone: In Support of 
Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)'' 
is available via the Internet on the National Center for Environmental 
Assessment's (NCEA) home page under the Recent Additions and the Data 
and Publications menus at http://www.epa.gov/ncea. A limited number of 
paper copies are available from the Information Management Staff, NCEA; 
telephone: 703-347-8561; facsimile: 703-347-8691. If you are requesting 
a paper copy, please provide your name, mailing address, and the 
document title. Copies are not available from Versar, Inc.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the peer review 
meeting, contact Stephanie Sarraino, Versar, Inc.; telephone: 703-750-
3000 ext. 316; e-mail: ssarraino@versar.com.
    If you have questions about the document, contact Amanda S. Persad, 
IRIS Staff, National Center for Environmental Assessment (B-243-01), 
U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27711; telephone: 919-541-9781; 
facsimile: 919-541-1818; e-mail: persad.amanda@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Summary of Information About the Integrated Risk Information System 
(IRIS)

    IRIS is a database that contains potential adverse human health 
effects information that may result from chronic (or lifetime) exposure 
to specific chemical substances found in the environment. The database 
(available on the Internet at http://www.epa.gov/iris) contains 
qualitative and quantitative health effects information for more than 
500 chemical substances that may be used to support the first two steps 
(hazard identification and dose-

[[Page 21942]]

response evaluation) of a risk assessment process. When supported by 
available data, the database provides oral reference doses (RfDs) and 
inhalation reference concentrations (RfCs) for chronic health effects, 
and oral slope factors and inhalation unit risks for carcinogenic 
effects. Combined with specific exposure information, government and 
private entities can use IRIS data to help characterize public health 
risks of chemical substances in a site-specific situation and thereby 
support risk management decisions designed to protect public health.

II. Meeting Information

    Members of the public may attend the meeting as observers, and 
there will be a limited time for oral comments from the public. Please 
let Versar, Inc. know if you wish to make comments during the meeting 
by registering on the Web site at http://epa.versar.com/2hexanone/ and 
indicating your intent to make oral comments. Space is limited, and 
reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

    Dated: April 15, 2008.
Peter W. Preuss,
Director, National Center for Environmental Assessment.
 [FR Doc. E8-8797 Filed 4-22-08; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
