[Federal Register: January 15, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 10)]
[Notices]
[Page 2350-2351]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15ja04-67]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-7610-2]
Draft Toxicological Review of Toluene: In Support of Summary
Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.
ACTION: Notice of external peer-review panel meeting.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing
an external peer-review panel meeting to review the external review
draft document entitled, ``Toxicological Review of Toluene: In Support
of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System
(IRIS)'' (NCEA-S-1264). The document was prepared by EPA's National
Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) of the Office of Research
and Development. EPA will use comments and recommendations from the
expert panel meeting to finalize the draft document.
DATES: The peer-review panel meeting will begin on February 5, 2004, at
8:30 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. Members of the public may attend as
observers.
ADDRESSES: The external peer-review panel meeting will be held at the
Jurys Washington Hotel, 1500 New Hampshire Ave., NW., Washington, DC.
Under an Interagency Agreement with EPA and the Department of Energy,
the Oak Ridge Institute of Science and Education (ORISE) is organizing,
convening, and conducting the peer-review panel meeting. To attend the
meeting, register by January 23, 2004, by calling ORISE, PO Box 117, MS
17, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-0117, at (865) 241-5784 or (865) 241-3168
(facsimile). Interested parties may also register on-line at:
ShapardL@orau.gov. Space is limited, and reservations will be accepted
on a first-come, first-served basis.
A limited number of paper copies are available by contacting the
IRIS Hotline at (202) 566-1676 or (202) 566-1749 (facsimile). If you
are requesting a paper copy, please provide your name, mailing address,
and the document title and number, ``Draft Toxicological Review of
Toluene: In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk
Information System (IRIS)'' (NCEA-S-1264). Copies are not available
from ORISE.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions regarding registration and
logistics should be directed to Leslie Shapard, ORISE, PO Box 117, MS
17, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-0117, at 865-241-5784 (telephone), (865) 241-
3168 (facsimile), ShapardL@orau.gov (email).
If you have questions about the document, contact Lynn Flowers,
IRIS Staff, National Center for Environmental Assessment, 1200
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone: (202) 564-
1537; facsimile: (202) 565-0075; e-mail: flowers.lynn@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The draft report is a reassessment of the
chronic health effects of toluene which was first entered into the IRIS
data base in 1987. The report provides the scientific basis for
deriving an oral reference dose (RfD) and inhalation reference
concentration (RfC) for the noncancer health risk from exposure to
toluene. A cancer assessment is also included in the draft report.
IRIS is a data base that contains scientific Agency consensus
positions on potential adverse human health effects that may result
from chronic (or lifetime) exposure to specific chemical substances
found in the environment. The data base (available on the Internet at
http://www.epa.gov/iris) contains qualitative and quantitative health
effects information for more than 500 chemical substances that may be
used to support the first two steps (hazard identification and dose-
response evaluation) of the risk assessment process. When supported by
available data, the data base provides RfDs and 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 use IRIS 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.
Toluene (CASRN 108-88-3) or methylbenzene is used as a gasoline
additive to increase octane ratings, in benzene production, and as a
solvent in paints, coatings, inks, adhesives, and cleaners. Toluene is
also used in the production of nylon, plastics and polyurethanes.
Toluene is released to the environment, mostly into the atmosphere
during the production, transport, and use of gasoline. Toluene has been
detected in drinking water supplies, particularly in locations near
leaking underground storage tanks containing fuel products. Toluene has
also been detected in soil and water at or near certain hazardous waste
sites and in smoke from wood and cigarettes.
[[Page 2351]]
EPA has established an official public docket for this action under
Docket ID No. ORD-2003-0015. The official public docket consists of the
document referenced in this notice and a list of charge questions that
have been submitted to the external peer reviewers. Both documents are
available on the Internet at http://www.epa.gov/edocket/. Once in the
system, select ``search,'' then key in the appropriate docket
identification number.
Although a part of the official docket, the public docket does not
include Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
Dated: January 7, 2004.
Peter W. Preuss,
Director, National Center for Environmental Assessment.
[FR Doc. 04-895 Filed 1-14-04; 8:45 am]
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