Introduction and Purpose

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is conducting a public review of the NIOSH draft document “ NIOSH Criteria Document Update: Occupational Exposure to Hexavalent Chromium.” This draft NIOSH document provides a review of the available literature and an update of NIOSH policies on occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium compounds including an assessment of: (1) critical animal, human, and in vitro studies on occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium; (2) relevant quantitative risk assessments about occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium; (3) appropriate methods for sampling and analysis of hexavalent chromium compounds in the workplace; (4) basis for the NIOSH revised Recommended Exposure Limit for hexavalent chromium compounds; and (5) other NIOSH recommendations for protecting workers from occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium. This guidance document does not have the force and effect of law.

The purpose of the public review of the draft document and public meeting is to obtain public comments to ensure that: (1) this hazard identification is an accurate reflection of the available scientific studies; (2) the NIOSH recommendations for protecting workers from occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium compounds are appropriate and justified, and (3) NIOSH has a transparent and scientific basis for its revised Recommended Exposure Limit for hexavalent chromium compounds. The overall goal of the review is to enhance the quality and credibility of Agency recommendations by ensuring that the scientific and technical work underlying these recommendations receives appropriate review by independent scientific and technical experts.

Charge to Peer Reviewers

The peer review charge was developed in accordance with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidelines, is consistent with NIOSH peer review practice, and is intended to ensure that credible and appropriate science is used in the development of criteria documents and recommended exposure limits. The peer reviewers have been asked to consider the following questions:

1. Are the critical studies presented clearly and adequately?
2. Do all of the presented studies use scientifically valid methods and techniques?
3. Are there additional critical studies relevant to occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium compounds that should be included?
4. Does NIOSH have a transparent and sound basis for its revised Recommended Exposure Limit for hexavalent chromium compounds?
5. Is the new NIOSH policy of providing general exposure assessment recommendations instead of a specific Action Level scientifically justified?
6. Are the NIOSH recommendations for worker protection clear and justified?
7. Are there additional recommendations for worker protection that should be included?

Public Meeting

A public meeting will be held on Thursday, January 22, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Robert A. Taft Laboratory in Cincinnati, Ohio, as a forum for scientists and representatives of government agencies, industry, labor, and other stakeholders to discuss the document. The meeting will be open to the public, limited only by space available. Due to limited space and security clearance requirements, notification of intent to attend the meeting must be made to the NIOSH Docket Office no later than January 7, 2009. Persons wanting to provide oral comments at the meeting are requested to notify the NIOSH Docket Office no later than January 7, 2009 at 513-533-8611 or by email at nioshdocket@cdc.gov. Priority for attendance will be given to those providing oral comments. Other requests to attend the meeting will then be accommodated on a first-come basis. Unreserved walk-in attendees will not be admitted due to security clearance requirements.

Non-U.S. Citizens: Because of CDC Security Regulations, any non-U.S. citizen wishing to attend this meeting must notify the NIOSH Docket Officer no later than December 30, 2008.

NIOSH Draft Criteria Document Update: Occupational Exposure to Hexavalent Chromium September 2008	DRAFT-Criteria-Document-Update-Occupational-Exposure-to-Hexavalent-Chromium.pdf (899kb; 229 pages)
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Extension of Public Comment Period

Written comments on the document will be accepted from October 15, 2008 through March 31, 2009. NIOSH has extended the previous comment deadline of January 31, 2009 by 60 days to March 31, 2009 due to a request to allow the public more time to gather and submit information. Written comments can be submitted at the Public Meeting or sent to the NIOSH Docket Office, Robert A. Taft Laboratory, 4676 Columbia Parkway, MS C-34, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226 by the close of business on March 31, 2009. All material submitted to the Agency should reference docket number NIOSH-144. All electronic comments should be formatted as Microsoft Word and make reference to docket number NIOSH-144.

Comments will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. EST on March 31, 2009

To submit comments regarding this draft publication, please use one of these options:

• Send NIOSH comments using this online form
  
  
• Send comments by email.
  
  
• Fax comments to the NIOSH Docket Office: 513-533-8285
  
  
• Send by Mail to:
  NIOSH Docket Office
  NIOSH Mailstop: C-34
  Robert A. Taft Lab.
  4676 Columbia Parkway
  Cincinnati, Ohio 45226

NIOSH Draft Documents for Public Review