[Federal Register: April 25, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 80)]
[Notices]
[Page 20823-20824]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25ap01-68]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Public Health Service
National Toxicology Program (NTP); National Institute of
Environmental Health Sciences; Center for the Evaluation of Risks to
Human Reproduction (CERHR) Solicits Public Comments on Draft Guidelines
for CERHR Expert Panel Members
Background
The NTP and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
established the NTP Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human
Reproduction (CERHR) in 1998 to serve as an environmental health
resource to the public and regulatory and health agencies. The CERHR
provides scientifically based, uniform assessments of the potential for
adverse effects on reproduction and development caused by agents to
which humans may be exposed. The assessments are carried out through
rigorous, independent evaluations of the scientific literature on these
agents by panels of scientists. The products of these evaluations are
Expert Panel Reports.
The Expert Panel Report provides a consensus scientific judgement
of the potential human reproductive and developmental toxicity of the
chemical agent or mixture. The goals of the evaluations are to:
(1) Evaluate the quality of the available scientific data and
identify critical data needs so that research and testing priorities
can be established;
(2) Interpret scientific studies for and provide information to the
general public about the strength of evidence that a given exposure
poses a hazard to reproduction and/or to the health and welfare of the
developing child; and
(3) Provide regulatory agencies with objective and scientifically
credible evaluations of reproductive/developmental health effects
associated with exposure to specific chemicals or classes of chemicals,
including descriptions of any uncertainties associated with the
assessment of risks.
Availability of Draft Guidelines for CERHR Expert Panel Members
In order to maintain consistency among the expert panel reviews and
to provide guidance about these reviews and preparation of Expert Panel
Reports, the CERHR has prepared draft guidelines for the expert panels
and CERHR staff. The Guidelines cover the three phases of the Expert
Panel review process: pre-meeting preparation, Expert
[[Page 20824]]
Panel Meeting, and completion of the Panel Report.
A copy of the Draft Guidelines for CERHR Expert Panel Members can
be obtained electronically from the CERHR web site (http://
cerhr.niehs.nih.gov). Hard copies can be obtained by contacting: Ms.
Irma Velazquez, Special Assistant, CERHR, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, PO
Box 12233, MD EC-32, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2233; Telephone:
919-316-4508, Facsimile: 919-316-4511; E-mail: velazqu2@niehs.nih.gov.
Request for Public Comment on Draft Guidelines
Written Comments
CERHR invites written public comment on the Draft Guidelines
through June 11, 2001. All comments should refer to the specific
section of the guidelines being addressed. Persons submitting written
comments should include the following information: name, address,
affiliation, telephone, fax, e-mail, and sponsoring organization (if
any). All comments received will be reviewed by NTP and CERHR staff and
considered in making any revisions to the Draft Guidelines. Comments on
the Draft Guidelines should be directed to: Michael D. Shelby,
Director, CERHR, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, PO Box 12233, MD EC-32,
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2233; Telephone: 919-541-3455,
Facsimile: 919-316-4511; E-mail: shelby@niehs.nih.gov.
Oral Comments
A May 25, 2001 meeting of the NTP Board of Scientific Counselors
provides an additional opportunity for public comment on the Draft
Guidelines. The NTP Board provides external scientific oversight to
CERHR, and an item on the May 25 agenda is presentation and discussion
of the Draft Guidelines. This meeting will be held at the National
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (111 T.W. Alexander Drive,
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709). For planning purposes, persons
wishing to make oral comments are asked to contact the NTP Executive
Secretary by May 16; registration will however be accepted at the
meeting as well. It is important to contact the Executive Secretary to
register, obtain additional details about the meeting, including a
draft agenda, and information for members of the public wishing to
speak. This information can also be found on the NTP web site (http://
ntp-server.niehs.nih.gov). Dr. Mary Wolfe, NTP Board Executive
Secretary, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, PO Box 12233, MD A3-07, Research
Triangle Park, NC 27709-2233; Telephone: 919-541-3971, Facsimile: 919-
541-0295; E-mail: wolfe@niehs.nih.gov.
Additional Information About CERHR
Information about CERHR including its chemical nomination and
review process, Expert Panel Registry, the recently completed Expert
Panel Review on Phthalates, and upcoming reviews can be obtained from
the CERHR web site (http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov). The CERHR maintains an
expert registry of scientists qualified to participate in its Expert
Panel Reviews. If you are interested in being included in the registry,
send a description of expertise and curriculum vitae to Dr. Shelby at
the address above.
Dated: April 12, 2001.
Samuel H. Wilson,
Deputy Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Services.
[FR Doc. 01-10206 Filed 4-24-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P