[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 44 (Monday, March 7, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12361-12362]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-5110]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[Docket Number NIOSH 134-A]
Request for Information: Update of NIOSH Nanotechnology Strategic
Plan for Research and Guidance
AGENCY: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS).
ACTION: Notice of public comment period.
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SUMMARY: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) seeks comment
on the types of hazard identification and risk management research that
should be considered for updating the NIOSH 2009 nanotechnology
strategic plan.
Public Comment Period: Comments must be received by April 15, 2011.
ADDRESSES: Written comments, identified by docket number NIOSH 134-A,
may be submitted by any of the following ways:
Mail: NIOSH Docket Office, Robert A. Taft Laboratories,
MS-C-34, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226.
Facsimile: (513) 533-8285.
E-mail: [email protected].
All information received in response to this notice will be
available for public examination and copying at the NIOSH Docket
Office, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Room 109, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226. A
complete electronic docket containing all comments submitted will be
available thirty days after the public comment period on the NIOSH Web
page at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docket, and comments will be available
in writing by request. NIOSH includes all comments received without
change in the docket, including any personal information provided. All
electronic comments should be formatted as Microsoft Word. Please make
reference to docket number NIOSH 134-A.
Background: Since 2004, the National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health (NIOSH) of the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) has pioneered research on the toxicological properties
and characteristics of nanoparticles. This research has involved
characterizing occupationally relevant nanoparticles for predicting
whether these particles pose a risk of adverse health effects and for
providing guidance on controlling workplace exposures. In September
2005, NIOSH developed a strategic plan to further guide the Institute
in identifying and prioritizing nanotechnology research. In 2009 this
strategic plan [http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/nanotech/strat_plan.html] was updated based on knowledge gained from results of
ongoing NIOSH research [see Progress Toward Safe Nanotechnology in the
Workplace; A Report from the NIOSH Nanotechnology Research Center
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2007-123/] and from stakeholder input.
NIOSH would like to build on the accomplishments of ongoing
research [see http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2010-104/] to develop
strategic research goals and objectives through 2015. NIOSH has
identified 10 critical research areas for nanotechnology research and
communication. These 10 critical research areas are (1) toxicity and
internal dose, (2) measurement methods, (3) exposure assessment, (4)
epidemiology and surveillance, (5) risk assessment, (6) engineering
controls and personal protective equipment (PPE), (7) fire and
explosion safety, (8) recommendations and guidance, (9) communication
and information, and (10) applications.
NIOSH is considering focusing the overarching strategic research
goals for these critical areas on 5 key goals: (1) Provide guidance to
protect workers, (2) alert workers, employers, governments, and the
public about possible new hazards, (3) assess the hazards of
nanomaterials and the risks to workers, (4) help workers by assessing
and implementing exposure registries, and (5) assess the level of
protection practiced in US workplaces.
NIOSH requests comment on how research in these 10 critical areas
and the 5 overarching goals can be enhanced. Examples of requested
information include, but are not limited to:
(1) The need for toxicity evaluation and/or workplace exposure
characterization of engineered nanoparticles not currently being
studied*.
[[Page 12362]]
(2) Development of technical and educational guidance materials*.
(3) Development of additional partnerships and collaborations*.
(4) Research in the development of risk management strategies
(e.g., exposure assessment, engineering controls)*.
Note: * provide rationale for recommendations.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles L. Geraci, NIOSH, Robert A.
Taft Laboratories, MS-C32, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio
45226, telephone (513) 533-8339.
Dated: February 28, 2011.
John Howard,
Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2011-5110 Filed 3-4-11; 8:45 am]
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