
[Federal Register: September 9, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 175)]
[Notices]               
[Page 52352-52353]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09se08-79]                         

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-8712-4; Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-ORD-2008-0058]

 
Draft Toxicological Review of Carbon Tetrachloride: 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 Carbon Tetrachloride: In Support of Summary 
Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)'' (EPA/
635/R-08/005A). EPA previously announced the 60-day public comment 
period (ending July 21, 2008) for the draft document in the Federal 
Register on May 21, 2008 (73 FR 29502). 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 29502) 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. 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

[[Page 52353]]

review workshop and any public comments that EPA receives in accordance 
with 73 FR 29502, May 21, 2008. Public comments submitted during the 
60-day public comment period ending July 21, 2008 may be observed at 
http://www.regulations.gov under Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-ORD-2008-0058.

DATES: The peer review workshop will begin on October 14, 2008, at 
approximately 8:30 a.m. and end at approximately 5 p.m., Eastern time. 
Observers must register by Tuesday, October 7, 2008. Indicate at the 
time of registration if 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 Tuesday, October 7, 
2008, via the Internet at https://www2.ergweb.com/projects/conferences/
peerreview/register-carbontetra.htm. You may also register by e-mail at 
meetings@erg.com (subject line: Carbon Tetrachloride Workshop), 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 ``Carbon 
Tetrachloride Peer Review Workshop'' and include your name, title, 
affiliation, full address and contact information).
    The draft ``Toxicological Review of Carbon Tetrachloride: 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 
Technical Information Staff, 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.

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: Carbon tetrachloride). If you have 
questions about the document, contact Susan Rieth, IRIS Staff, National 
Center for Environmental Assessment, (8601P), 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. 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 October 7, 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. 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-carbontetra.htm and indicating your intent to make oral 
comments.

    Dated: August 30, 2008.
Peter W. Preuss,
Director, National Center for Environmental Assessment.
[FR Doc. E8-20877 Filed 9-8-08; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
