
[Federal Register: April 8, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 68)]
[Notices]               
[Page 19063-19064]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08ap08-47]                         

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-8552-7; Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-ORD-2008-0057]

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

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of Peer Review Workshop.

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SUMMARY: EPA is announcing that Eastern Research Group, Inc. (ERG), an 
EPA contractor for external scientific peer review, will convene an 
independent panel of experts and organize and conduct an external peer 
review workshop to review the external review draft document titled, 
``Toxicological Review of Thallium: In Support of Summary Information 
on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)'' (NCEA-S-2949; EPA/
635/R-08/001). EPA previously announced the 60-day public comment 
period (ending April 15, 2008) for the draft document in the Federal 
Register on February 15, 2008 (73 FR 8867). EPA will consider public 
comments and recommendations from the expert panel workshop as EPA 
finalizes the draft document.
    The public comment period and the external peer review workshop 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 the Federal Register notice (73 
FR 8867) to ERG for consideration by the external peer review panel 
prior to the workshop.
    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.
    The public may attend this workshop as observers through a 
registration process, and time will be set aside for observers to give 
brief oral comments at the workshop regarding the draft document under 
review. Pre-registration is strongly recommended as space is limited, 
and registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. 
The deadline for pre-registration is Monday, May 12, 2008. If space 
allows, registrations will continue to be accepted after this date, 
including on-site registrations. Time will be set aside to hear 
comments from observers, and individuals will be limited to a maximum 
of five minutes during the morning session of peer review workshop. 
When you register, please indicate that you wish to make oral comments 
during the comment period.
    The draft document and EPA's peer review charge are available via 
the Internet on NCEA's 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 the comments and 
recommendations from the external peer review workshop and any public 
comments that EPA receives in accordance with 73 FR 8867, February 15, 
2008. Public comments submitted during the 60-day public comment period 
ending April 15, 2008, may be observed at http://www.regulations.gov 
under Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-ORD-2008-0057.

[[Page 19064]]


DATES: The peer review workshop will begin on Monday, May 19, 2008, at 
approximately 8:30 a.m. and end at no later than 4:30 p.m., Eastern 
time. Observers must register by May 12, 2008, and indicate that you 
wish to make brief oral comments at the workshop.

ADDRESSES: The peer review workshop will be held at the Navy League 
Building, 2300 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, Virginia 22201. ERG is 
organizing, convening, and conducting the peer review workshop. To 
attend the workshop as an observer, register by May 12, 2008, via the 
Internet at http://www2.ergweb.com/projects/conferences/peerreview/
register-thallium.htm. You may also register by e-mail at 
meetings@erg.com (subject line: Thallium), by phone: 781-674-7374 or 
toll free at 800-803-2833, or by faxing a registration request to 781-
674-2906 (please reference the ``Thallium Peer Review Workshop'' and 
include your name, title, affiliation, full address and contact 
information).
    The draft ``Toxicological Review of Thallium: 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 NCEA's Information Management Team, 
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 ERG. The 1988 Midwest 
Research Institute (MRI) study referenced in the draft Toxicological 
Review of Thallium is available by contacting EPA's IRIS Hotline (by 
phone at 202-566-1676, by facsimile at 202-566-1749, or by e-mail at 
hotline.iris@epa.gov), via the docket at http://www.regulations.gov 
under Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-ORD-2008-0057, or at the NCEA home page 
under the Recent Additions and the Data and Publications menus at 
http://www.epa.gov/ncea.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the peer review 
workshop, contact ERG, 110 Hartwell Avenue, Lexington, MA 02421-3136; 
telephone: 781-674-7374; facsimile: 781-674-2906; or e-mail: 
meetings@erg.com (subject line: Thallium). If you have questions about 
the document, contact Susan Rieth, IRIS Staff, National Center for 
Environmental Assessment, (8601D), U.S. EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, 
NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone: 703-347-8582; facsimile: 703-347-
8689; or e-mail: rieth.susan@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 
540 chemical substances that may be used to support the first two steps 
(hazard identification and dose-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. Workshop Information

    Members of the public may attend the workshop as observers, and 
there will be a limited time for oral comments from the public. Please 
let ERG know if you wish to make comments during the workshop by 
registering on the Web site at https://www2.ergweb.com/projects/
conferences/peerreview/register-thallium.htm 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 1, 2008.
Rebecca Clark,
Director, National Center for Environmental Assessment.
 [FR Doc. E8-7350 Filed 4-7-08; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
