Federal Register: May 8, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 89)
DOCID: FR Doc 02-11522
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Public Health Service
NOTICE: NOTICES
ACTION: Reports and guidance documents; availability, etc.:
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
National Toxicology Program (NTP); National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
The NTP Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction (CERHR) Expert Panel Report on the Developmental and Reproductive Toxicity of Methanol: Notice of Availability and Request for Public Comments
Summary
Notice is hereby given of the availability of the Expert Panel Report on the Developmental and Reproductive Toxicity of Methanol. This report includes the summaries and conclusions of the expert panel's evaluation of the scientific data for potential reproductive and/or developmental hazards associated with exposure to methanol. The CERHR held this expert panel meeting in October 2001. CERHR is seeking public comment on these reports and additional information about recent, relevant toxicology or human exposure studies.
Availability of Reports
The expert panel report is available electronically on the CERHR
web site (http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov) and in printed copy by contacting
the CERHR (PO Box 12233, MD EC32, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709; telephone: (919) 5413455; fax: (919) 3164511; or email:
shelby@niehs.nih.gov). Request for Public Comments
The CERHR invites public comments on the expert panel report and
input regarding any recent, relevant toxicology or human exposure
studies. The CERHR asks that all comments and other information be submitted to the
[[Page 30943]]
CERHR at the address above by July 8, 2002.
All public comments received by this date will be reviewed and included in the final NTPCERHR report on methanol to be prepared by NTP staff. The NTPCERHR report will include the expert panel report, public comments received on the report, and an NTP brief. The brief will provide the NTP's interpretation of the potential for adverse reproductive and/or developmental effects to humans from exposure to methanol. The NTP will transmit the NTPCERHR report to the appropriate federal and state agencies, the public, and the scientific community. Background
A 12member expert panel composed of scientists from state and federal governments, universities, and industry conducted an evaluation of the reproductive and developmental toxicities of methanol (Federal Register Vol. 66, No. 136, pp. 3704737048, July 16, 2001). Public deliberations by the panel took place October 1517, 2001 at the Radisson Hotel Old Town in Alexandria, Virginia. Following the October meeting, the draft expert panel report was revised to incorporate the panel's conclusions and subsequently reviewed by the Methanol Expert Panel, NTP scientists, and CERHR personnel.
Methanol (CASRN: 67561) is a commercially important, high production volume chemical (2.2 billion gallons, US production, 1998), with high potential for occupational, consumer, and environmental exposure. Methanol is used in chemical syntheses and as an industrial solvent. It is found in a variety of consumer products such as paints, antifreeze, cleaning solutions, and adhesives and is a byproduct of sewage treatment, fermentation, and paper production. Methanol is used in racing car fuels, and there is the potential for future, expanded use of methanol as a vehicle fuel or fuel additive.
Additional Information About CERHR
The NTP and the NIEHS established the NTP CERHR in June 1998
(Federal Register Vol. 63, No. 239, p. 68782, December 1998). The
purpose of the CERHR is to provide scientifically based, uniform
assessments of the potential for adverse effects on reproduction and
development caused by agents to which humans may be exposed. Further
information on the CERHR's chemical review process including how to
nominate chemicals for evaluation and scientists for the expert
registry can be obtained from its web site (http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov)
or by contacting the CERHR directly (see address above). The CERHR also
serves as a resource for information on various environmental exposures
and their potential to affect pregnancy and child development. The web
site has information about common concerns related to fertility,
pregnancy and the health of unborn children and links to other resources for information about public health.
Dated: May 1, 2002.
Samuel H. Wilson,
Deputy Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
[FR Doc. 0211522 Filed 5702; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 414001P
SUMMARY:
National Toxicology Program—; National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences; methanol; developmental and reproductive toxicity; Expert Panel report; comment request,
DOCUMENT BODY 2:
The NTP Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction (CERHR) Expert Panel Report on the Developmental and Reproductive Toxicity of Methanol: Notice of Availability and Request for Public Comments
Summary
Notice is hereby given of the availability of the Expert Panel Report on the Developmental and Reproductive Toxicity of Methanol. This report includes the summaries and conclusions of the expert panel's evaluation of the scientific data for potential reproductive and/or developmental hazards associated with exposure to methanol. The CERHR held this expert panel meeting in October 2001. CERHR is seeking public comment on these reports and additional information about recent, relevant toxicology or human exposure studies.
Availability of Reports
The expert panel report is available electronically on the CERHR
web site (http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov) and in printed copy by contacting
the CERHR (PO Box 12233, MD EC32, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709; telephone: (919) 5413455; fax: (919) 3164511; or email:
shelby@niehs.nih.gov). Request for Public Comments
The CERHR invites public comments on the expert panel report and
input regarding any recent, relevant toxicology or human exposure
studies. The CERHR asks that all comments and other information be submitted to the
[[Page 30943]]
CERHR at the address above by July 8, 2002.
All public comments received by this date will be reviewed and included in the final NTPCERHR report on methanol to be prepared by NTP staff. The NTPCERHR report will include the expert panel report, public comments received on the report, and an NTP brief. The brief will provide the NTP's interpretation of the potential for adverse reproductive and/or developmental effects to humans from exposure to methanol. The NTP will transmit the NTPCERHR report to the appropriate federal and state agencies, the public, and the scientific community. Background
A 12member expert panel composed of scientists from state and federal governments, universities, and industry conducted an evaluation of the reproductive and developmental toxicities of methanol (Federal Register Vol. 66, No. 136, pp. 3704737048, July 16, 2001). Public deliberations by the panel took place October 1517, 2001 at the Radisson Hotel Old Town in Alexandria, Virginia. Following the October meeting, the draft expert panel report was revised to incorporate the panel's conclusions and subsequently reviewed by the Methanol Expert Panel, NTP scientists, and CERHR personnel.
Methanol (CASRN: 67561) is a commercially important, high production volume chemical (2.2 billion gallons, US production, 1998), with high potential for occupational, consumer, and environmental exposure. Methanol is used in chemical syntheses and as an industrial solvent. It is found in a variety of consumer products such as paints, antifreeze, cleaning solutions, and adhesives and is a byproduct of sewage treatment, fermentation, and paper production. Methanol is used in racing car fuels, and there is the potential for future, expanded use of methanol as a vehicle fuel or fuel additive.
Additional Information About CERHR
The NTP and the NIEHS established the NTP CERHR in June 1998
(Federal Register Vol. 63, No. 239, p. 68782, December 1998). The
purpose of the CERHR is to provide scientifically based, uniform
assessments of the potential for adverse effects on reproduction and
development caused by agents to which humans may be exposed. Further
information on the CERHR's chemical review process including how to
nominate chemicals for evaluation and scientists for the expert
registry can be obtained from its web site (http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov)
or by contacting the CERHR directly (see address above). The CERHR also
serves as a resource for information on various environmental exposures
and their potential to affect pregnancy and child development. The web
site has information about common concerns related to fertility,
pregnancy and the health of unborn children and links to other resources for information about public health.
Dated: May 1, 2002.
Samuel H. Wilson,
Deputy Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
[FR Doc. 0211522 Filed 5702; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 414001P