[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 191 (Monday, October 4, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59226-59227]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-22254]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-7823-5]
Papers Addressing Scientific Issues in the Risk Assessment of
Metals
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announces the
availability of five scientific papers on metals risk assessment. The
papers include: (1) Issue Paper on the Environmental Chemistry of
Metals; (2) Issue Paper on Metal Exposure Assessment; (3) Issue Paper
on the Ecological Effects of Metals; (4) Issue Paper on the Human
Health Effects of Metals; and (5) Issue Paper on the Bioavailability
and Bioaccumulation of
[[Page 59227]]
Metals. Development of these papers was led by Eastern Research Group
Inc., a contractor to EPA. These papers will inform EPA's continuing
discussion of practices and methods for the risk assessment of metals.
DATES: The scientific papers will be available on or about October 4,
2004.
ADDRESSES: The issue papers are available primarily via the Internet on
the Risk Assessment Forum's Web page http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/raf/recordisplay.cfm?deid=86119. A limited number of paper copies will be
available from the EPA's National Service Center for Environmental
Publications (NSCEP), P.O. Box 42419, Cincinnati, OH 45242; telephone:
1-800-490-9198 or 513-489-8190; facsimile: 513-489-8695. Please provide
your name and mailing address and the title and EPA number of the
requested publication, ``Papers Addressing Scientific Issues in the
Risk Assessment of Metals'' (EPA/630/R-04/118).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For technical information, contact Dr.
William P. Wood, Executive Director, Risk Assessment Forum, National
Center for Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and
Development; telephone: (202) 564-3361; facsimile: (202) 565-0062; or
e-mail: [email protected]@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA has recognized the need for consistent
application of methods and data to metals risk assessment in
consideration of the unique properties of metals. Early in 2002, the
Agency's Science Policy Council initiated the development a framework
to assess the risks of metals to humans and the environment. An Agency
Action Plan was developed and reviewed by EPA's Science Advisory Board
(SAB) in September 2002. The SAB emphasized the importance of focusing
on the unique properties of metals as they relate to environmental
chemistry, bioavailability, bioaccumulation, exposure, and toxicity.
The SAB also emphasized the importance of engaging the outside
community so as to contribute to the knowledge base the Agency would
draw from in developing guidance on the risk assessment of metals.
To inform the consideration of metals properties, and to engage the
external scientific community, the Agency commissioned external experts
to lead the development of a series of issue papers. (Some individual
EPA experts contributed specific discussions on topic(s) for which he
or she has scientific expertise or knowledge of current Agency
practice.) A public comment period was held on the draft papers from
September 22 through November 7, 2003, wherein comments were collected
utilizing the Agency's on-line commenting system (E-Docket).
Additionally, comment was received via a public meeting held October
28, 2003, in Washington, DC (comments remain available for viewing at
www.epa.gov/edocket, Docket Number OAR-2003-0192.) Comments were
requested on technical issues including the level of detail in the
papers, the chemical, biological and physical processes addressed or
omitted, models and approaches that might reduce uncertainty, and other
considerations that would improve the utility of the papers to the
development of the framework. To finalize the papers, authors were
directed to EPA's E-Docket to review and consider public comments
received. The final papers reflect the authors responses to scientific
comments received during the public comment period. Therefore, the
views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect
the views or policies of the EPA and should not be construed as
implying EPA consent or endorsement.
Having engaged the external community to broaden our knowledge
base, the Agency is working to develop a framework for metals risk
assessment. The framework will be provided for public comment, and SAB
review.
Dated: September 27, 2004.
Peter W. Preuss,
Director, National Center for Environmental Assessment.
[FR Doc. 04-22254 Filed 10-1-04; 8:45 am]
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