Meetings: Drinking water issues Sulfate; workshop,
[Federal Register: September 10, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 175)]
[Notices]
[Page 48503]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10se98-80]
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-6158-5]
Notice of Public Meeting: Workshop on Sulfate in Drinking Water
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.
ACTION: Notice of public meeting.
SUMMARY: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in coordination with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), will be holding a workshop on sulfate in drinking water to review and discuss the relevant scientific studies and literature as a basis for evaluating the dose-response relationship for sulfate, in particular for sensitive groups within the general population (e.g., infants, travelers). Information provided from the workshop will supplement the dose-response studies being conducted by CDC, in collaboration with EPA, on the health effects from exposure to high levels of sulfate in drinking water.
DATES: The workshop will be held at the Wyndham Garden Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia on Monday, September 28, 1998, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT, and Tuesday, September 29, 1998, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. EDT. Members of the public may attend as observers at the workshop and provide comments during 30-minute periods on Monday and Tuesday. Individual comments should be limited to 3 to 5 minutes.
ADDRESSES: The workshop will be held at the Wyndham Garden Hotel, which is located at 3340 Peachtree Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30326. To attend this workshop as an observer, please contact the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 or 703-285-1093 between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. EDT. There is no charge for attending this workshop as an observer, but seats are limited, so register as soon as possible. Each registrant will receive a preliminary agenda and logistical fact sheet. The Wyndham Garden Hotel is holding a block of rooms until Friday, September 11 at the special rate of $97 per day. Attendees should make their own room reservations by calling (404) 231-1234 and mention the ``Sulfate Workshop'' to get the special rate.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information, please contact the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 or 703-285- 1093 between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. EDT.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the workshop is to review and discuss the scientific data on adverse health effects of exposure to sulfate and the dose-response relationship of sulfate. The panel will consist of scientists with expertise in sulfate biochemistry, intestinal physiology, dose-response studies, and animal studies. The panel will discuss the following questions: (1) Do the studies suggest that a certain contaminant level would not be likely to cause adverse effects?; (2) Does the literature support acclimatization or resistance to sulfate?; and (3) Can an infant study be done for dose-response anywhere in the United States or Canada?. The product of this workshop will be a summary report of the discussion of each of the issues.
The Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended in 1996, requires EPA and CDC to jointly conduct an additional study to establish a reliable dose-response relationship for sulfate, including sensitive sub- populations (e.g., infants, travelers). The study must be based on the best available peer-reviewed science and supporting studies, be conducted in consultation with interested States, and be completed by February 1999. The workshop report will supplement results from this dose-response study.
Dated: September 3, 1998. Cynthia C. Dougherty, Director, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water.
[FR Doc. 98-24333Filed9-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
