
[Federal Register: June 29, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 123)]
[Notices]               
[Page 31030-31031]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29jn09-54]                         

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-8924-1; Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-ORD-2009-0178]

 
Draft Toxicological Review of Pentachlorophenol: 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 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 workshop to 
review the external review draft document titled, ``Toxicological 
Review of Pentachlorophenol: In Support of Summary Information on the 
Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)'' (EPA/635/R-09/004). The 
draft document was prepared by the National Center for Environmental 
Assessment (NCEA) within EPA's Office of Research and Development. EPA 
previously announced the 60-day public comment period (ending July 6, 
2009) for the draft document in the Federal Register on May 7, 2009 (74 
FR 21362). 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 May 7, 2009, Federal Register 
notice (74 FR 21362) to Versar, Inc., 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.
    Versar, Inc., invites the public to register to attend this 
workshop as observers. In addition, Versar, Inc., invites the public to 
give oral comments at the workshop regarding the draft document under 
review. Space is limited, and reservations will be accepted on a first-
come, first-served basis. 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 Publications menus at http://
www.epa.gov/ncea. In preparing a final report, EPA will consider 
Versar's report of the comments and recommendations from the external 
peer-review workshop and any public comments that EPA receives in 
accordance with 74 FR 21362, May 7, 2009.

DATES: The peer-review workshop will be held on Tuesday, August 4, 
2009, beginning at approximately 8:30 a.m. and ending at approximately 
5 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time. Observers must register by Tuesday, July 
28, 2009. At the time of registration, please indicate

[[Page 31031]]

that you wish to make a brief oral comment at the workshop.

ADDRESSES: The peer-review workshop will be held at the Courtyard 
Arlington Crystal City/Reagan National Airport, 2899 Jefferson Davis 
Highway, Arlington, Virginia 22202. Versar, Inc. is organizing, 
convening, and conducting the peer-review workshop. To attend the 
workshop as an observer, register by Tuesday, July 28, 2009 via the 
Internet at http://epa.versar.com/pentachlorophenol. You may also 
register by e-mail at ssarraino@versar.com (subject line: 
Pentachlorophenol Peer-Review Workshop), by phone: 703-750-3000 x. 316, 
or by faxing a registration request to 703-642-6954 (please reference 
the ``Pentachlorophenol Peer-Review Workshop'' and include your name, 
title, affiliation, full address and contact information).
    The draft ``Toxicological Review of Pentachlorophenol: In Support 
of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System 
(IRIS)'' is available primarily via the Internet on the NCEA home page 
under the Recent Additions 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 Pentachlorophenol: In Support of Summary 
Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS).'' Copies 
are not available from Versar, Inc.
    Information on Services for Individuals With Disabilities: EPA 
welcomes the attendance of the public at the Pentachlorophenol Peer-
Review Workshop and will make every effort to accommodate persons with 
disabilities. For information on access or services for individuals 
with disabilities, please contact Versar, Inc. (see below for contact 
information).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions regarding information, 
registration, access or services for individuals with disabilities, or 
logistics for the external peer-review workshop should be directed to 
Versar, Inc., 6850 Versar Center, Springfield, VA 22151; telephone: 
703-750-3000 x. 316; facsimile: 703-347-8691; or e-mail: 
ssarraino@versar.com (subject line: Pentachlorophenol Peer-Review 
Workshop). 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 Catherine Gibbons, IRIS Staff, National Center for 
Environmental Assessment, (8601P), U.S. EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, 
NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone: 703-603-0704; facsimile: 703-347-
8689; or e-mail: gibbons.catherine@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. The 
deadline for registration is July 28, 2009. Please let Versar, Inc. 
know if you wish to make oral comments during the workshop. Space is 
limited, and reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-
served basis.

    Dated: June 22, 2009.
Rebecca Clark,
Director, National Center for Environmental Assessment.
[FR Doc. E9-15313 Filed 6-26-09; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
