
[Federal Register: May 2, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 86)]
[Notices]               
[Page 24281-24282]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02my08-78]                         

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-8561-4; Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-ORD-2008-0165]

 
Draft Toxicological Review of Propionaldehyde: In Support of 
Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of peer-review meeting.

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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 via 
teleconference to review the external review draft document titled, 
``Toxicological Review of Propionaldehyde: In Support of Summary 
Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)'' (EPA/
635/R-08/003A). A 60-day public comment period for the draft document 
was announced on March 6, 2008 (73 FR 12171-12172). The draft document 
was prepared by the National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) 
within EPA's Office of Research and Development. 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 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 oral 
and/or provide written comments at the meeting regarding the draft 
document under review. The draft document and EPA's peer-review charge 
are available primarily via the Internet on NCEA's home page under the 
Recent Additions and the Data and Publications menus at http://
www.epa.gov/ncea. In preparing a final report, EPA will consider the 
Versar, Inc. report of the comments and recommendations from the 
external peer-review meeting and any public comments that EPA receives.

DATES: The peer-review panel meeting will begin on May 29, 2008, at 
10:30 a.m. and end at 2:30 p.m. EST. As announced on March 6, 2008 (73 
FR 12171-12172), the 60-day public comment period began March 6, 2008, 
and ends May 5, 2008. Technical comments should be in writing and must 
be received by EPA by May 5, 2008.

ADDRESSES: The peer-review meeting will be held via teleconference. The 
EPA contractor, Versar, Inc., is organizing, convening, and conducting 
the peer-review meeting. To attend the meeting, register by May 23, 
2008, by calling Versar, Inc. at 703-750-3000 ext. 316, sending a 
facsimile to 703-642-6954, or sending an e-mail to 
ssarraino@versar.com. You may also register via the Internet at http://
epa.versar.com/propionaldehyde.
    The draft ``Toxicological Review of Propionaldehyde: In Support of 
Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)'' 
is available primarily via the Internet on the National Center for 
Environmental Assessment's 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 
Team, 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, ``Toxicological Review of Propionaldehyde: In 
Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information 
System (IRIS).'' Copies are not available from Versar, Inc.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions regarding information, 
registration, access or services for individuals with disabilities, or 
logistics for the external peer-review meeting should be directed to 
Stephanie Sarraino, Versar, Inc., Springfield, VA 22151; telephone: 
703-750-3000 ext. 316; facsimile: 703-642-6954; e-mail 
ssarraino@versar.com. To request accommodation of a disability, please 
contact Versar, Inc. preferably at least 10 days prior to the meeting, 
to give as much time as possible to process your request.
    If you need technical information about the document, please 
contact John Stanek, National Center for Environmental Assessment 
(NCEA); telephone: 919-541-1048; facsimile: 919-541-0245; e-mail: 
stanek.john@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Summary of Information About the Project/Document

    The draft Toxicological Review of Propionaldehyde is a new 
assessment and provides scientific information on the effects 
pertaining to exposure to propionaldehyde. Propionaldehyde was 
nominated by the EPA Office of Air and Radiation in 2000 and 2001 and 
by the Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards in 2003 as a 
chemical listed for monitoring under the Clean Air Act. Propionaldehyde 
is a colorless liquid with a suffocating, fruity odor. It is used in 
the manufacturing of propionic acid and polyvinyl and other plastics, 
in the synthesis of rubber chemicals, and as a disinfectant and 
preservative. The chemical is released to the environment primarily 
through the combustion of wood, gasoline, diesel fuel, and 
polyethylene. Propionaldehyde is also a component of cigarette smoke 
and a food additive/flavoring agent. Although no studies on the effects 
of propionaldehyde administered by the oral route have been performed, 
based on its expected daily intake (below 1800 ug/day) and eventual 
metabolism in the citric acid cycle, it does not appear to be a safety 
concern for public health via ingestion. Thus, the most probable route

[[Page 24282]]

of exposure of concern to the general population is by inhalation. The 
assessment will present reference values for the noncancer effects of 
propionaldehyde (RfD and RfC), where supported by available data, and a 
cancer assessment.

II. Meeting Information

    Members of the public may attend the meeting as observers, and 
there will be a limited time for comments from the public. Please let 
Versar, Inc. know if you wish to make comments during the meeting. 
Space is limited, and reservations will be accepted on a first-come, 
first-served basis.

    Dated: April 24, 2008.
Rebecca Clark,
Director, National Center for Environmental Assessment.
[FR Doc. E8-9734 Filed 5-1-08; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
