[Federal Register: May 14, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 93)] [Notices] [Page 26428-26429] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr14my99-82] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT [Docket No. FR-4444-N-06] Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Guidance for Analysis of Composite Wipe Samples AGENCY: Office of Lead Hazard Control, HUD. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The proposed information collection requirement described below will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act. The Department is soliciting public comments on the subject proposal. DATES: Comments Due Date: July 13, 1999. ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding this proposal. Comments should refer to the proposal by name and/or OMB Control Number and should be sent to: Gail N. Ward, Reports Liaison Officer, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street, SW, Room P3206, Washington, DC 20410. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Warren Friedman, 202-755-1785 ext. 159 (this is not a toll-free number) for available documents regarding this proposal. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department is submitting the proposed information collection to OMB for review, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended). This Notice is soliciting comments from members of the public and affecting agencies concerning the proposed collection of information to: (1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (3) Enhance the quality, [[Page 26429]] utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (5) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond; including through the use of appropriate automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. This Notice also lists the following information: Title of Proposal: Development of Guidance for Analysis of Composite Wipe Samples. OMB Control Number: (To be assigned.) Description of the need for the information and proposed use: The HUD Guidelines for the Evaluation and Control of Lead-Based Paint Hazards in Housing (``Guidelines'') and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) work practice standards for conducting lead-based paint activities: target housing and child-occupied facilities (15 U.S.C. 2682(a)(1), 40 CFR 745.227) allow the use of analysis of composite samples (more than one sample analyzed together) of dust on wipes (typically thin cellulose cloths of a few square inches) that are wiped on a specified area of a building component as part of risk assessment. Laboratory experiences has shown that the presence of increased bulk from more than one wipe causes problems during laboratory analysis, particularly digestion (extraction of lead from the wipe). Limited performance testing and anecdotal information from laboratories indicate that the quality of laboratory processing of wipes may be poor due to lack of validated digestion methodology. The accrediting bodies authorized under the National Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program (15 U.S.C. 2685(b)) have recently specified separation of composite wipe samples into separate wipes for laboratory digestion and analysis as a set of single wipe samples, along with reporting of cross-contamination results; this approach has not been validated. Most information collected, such as documentation of laboratory procedures, and reports of laboratory analytical results, will be collected and processed electronically, preferably through electronic mail of computer data files and also through shipping of computer data disks. Laboratories participating in the information collection will be compensated at market rates for performing the wipe sample analyses. Ethnical guidance based on field-validated laboratory processing of composite wipe samples is needed to promote the acquisition of technically acceptable and programmatically accepted laboratory analytical results. The guidance developed as a result of this information collection will be considered for incorporation into HUD documents, such as the Guidelines, offered to voluntary consensus standards bodies for their consideration in adopting voluntary consensus standards, and provided to other public and private entities for their use. Agency form numbers: Not applicable. Members of affected public: Laboratories performing analyses of lead in room dust. Total Burden Estimate: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Frequency of Hours of Number of respondents response response ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 20.......................................... 2 400 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Status of the proposed information collection: New collection. Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended. Dated: May 6, 1999. David E. Jacobs, Director, Office of Lead Hazard Control. [FR Doc. 99-12224 Filed 5-13-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4210-32-M