Meetings: Risk Characterization Handbook and case studies; peer review workshop,

[Federal Register: March 5, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 43)]

[Notices]

[Page 10662-10663]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr05mr99-61]

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6306-4]

Workshop for Peter Review of the Draft EPA Risk Characterization Handbook and Case Studies

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

SUMMARY: This notice announces an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) meeting for peer review of a draft Risk Characterization Handbook and associated case studies. The peer review panel will discuss the Handbook and case studies, and comment on their usefulness as guidance for describing the scientific conclusions reached

[[Page 10663]]

during the risk assessment process. EPA will use the peer review comments to revise and complete the Handbook and case studies.

DATES: The peer review meeting will begin on Wednesday, March 24, 1999 at 9:00 a.m. and end on Thursday, March 25, 1999 at approximately 5:00 p.m. The public is invited to attend the peer review meeting as observers. Seating is limited so advance registration is suggested.

ADDRESSES: The peer review meeting will be held at the Ramada Plaza Hotel, Old Town, 901 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314-1501, phone 703-683-6000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The EPA has contracted with Eastern Research Group, Inc. (ERG, Inc., 110 Hartwell Avenue, Lexington, Massachusetts 02173) to manage and conduct the peer review. To attend the meeting as an observer, please preregister by calling ERG at 781- 674-7374 or fax a registration request to 781-674-2906. Upon registration you will be sent an agenda and a logistical fact sheet. A limited amount of time is set aside on the second day of the meeting for observers to present brief oral comments on a first-come, first- serve basis and is limited to the time available; therefore, please notify ERG's registration line if you wish to present oral comments.

Interested parties can obtain a single copy of the draft materials by calling EPA's National Service Center for Environmental Publications (NSCEP) at 1-800-490-9198. When contacting NSCEP, please provide your name and mailing address, and request publication number EPA/600/R-99/ 025 dated March 1999.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In March 1995, responding to recommendations in a National Research Council report, EPA's Administrator issued the Policy for Risk Characterization for Agency-wide use. A subcommittee of the EPA's Science Policy Council has been working with risk assessors and risk managers to test and develop principles for implementing the Policy. Unlike EPA's risk assessment guidelines, which provide specific guidance for targeted parts of the risk assessment process (e.g., Guidelines for Carcinogen Risk Assessment, Guidelines for Developmental Toxicity Risk Assessment), the draft Handbook proposes general guidance that focuses on presenting the results of the risk assessment so that these results are clear and reasonable for risk accessors and risk managers alike. The overall objective is to enable risk assessors to more effectively prepare and present their results for risk managers to use in environmental decision-making. The accompanying case studies offer examples of several different kinds or risk characterizations. EPA is inviting the peer reviewers to provide comments and offer recommendations for enhancing the discussion of principles and processes in the draft Handbook and case studies. EPA will use the peer review comments to revise and complete the Handbook and case studies for Agency assessors and managers to use as one of their tools for implementing the Policy for Risk Characterization.

Dated: February 24, 1999. Dorothy E. Patton, Director, Office of Science Policy.

[FR Doc. 99-5234Filed3-4-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560-50-M