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[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 235 (Wednesday, December 8, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71067-71068]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-26885]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Public Health Service

National Toxicology Program

    The National Toxicology Program (NTP) Center for the evaluation of 
risks to Human Reproduction (CERHR) announces plans for future 
evaluation of styrene; requests public comments on this chemical; and 
solicits the nominations of scientists qualified to serve on an expert 
panel.
SUMMARY: The CERHR plans to convene an expert panel to evaluate the 
scientific evidence regarding the potential reproductive and/or 
developmental toxicity associated with exposure to styrene. The expert 
panel will consist of approximately 8-12 scientists, selected for their 
scientific expertise in various aspects of reproductive and 
developmental toxicology and other relevant areas of science. The CERHR 
invites the submission of public comments on styrene and the nomination 
of scientists to serve on the expert panel for its evaluation (see 
below). This meeting is tentatively scheduled for 2005 although the 
exact date and location are not yet established. As plans are 
finalized, they will be announced in the Federal Register and posted on 
the CERHR Web site (http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov). CERHR expert panel 
meetings are open to the public with time scheduled for oral public 
comment.

Evaluation of Styrene

    Styrene (ethenylbenzene; CAS RN: 100-42-5) is a high production 
volume chemical used in the production of polystyrene resins and as a 
co-polymer with acrylonitrile and 1,3 butadiene. Styrene is found in 
items such as foam cups, dental fillings, matrices for ion exchange 
filters, construction materials, and boats. It is also used in 
protective coatings, reinforced glass fiber, agricultural products, and 
as a food additive. The public can be exposed to styrene through 
ingesting food or drink that has been in contact with styrene polymers 
or through inhalation of polluted air and cigarette smoke. CERHR 
selected styrene for expert panel evaluation because of: (1) Public 
concern about styrene exposure and (2) recently available exposure 
studies.

Request for Public Comment on Styrene

    The CERHR invites input from the public and other interested 
parties on styrene including toxicology information from completed and 
ongoing studies, information on planned studies, and information about 
current production levels, human exposure, use patterns, and 
environmental occurrence. Information and comments should be forwarded 
to the CERHR at P.O. Box 12233, National Institute of Environmental 
Health Sciences, MD EC-32, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 (mail), 
(919) 541-3455 (phone), (919) 316-4511 (fax), or [email protected] 
(e-mail). Information and comments received by 45 days from the 
publication date of this notice will be made available to the CERHR 
staff and the expert panel for consideration in the evaluation and 
posted on the CERHR Web site.

Request for the Nomination of Scientists for the Expert Panel

    The CERHR invites nominations of qualified scientists to serve on 
the expert panel. Panelists are primarily drawn from the CERHR Expert 
Registry and/or the nomination of other scientists who meet the 
criteria for listing in that registry which include: Formal academic 
training and experience in a relevant scientific field, publications in 
peer-reviewed journals, membership in relevant professional societies, 
certification by an appropriate scientific board or other entities, and 
participation in similar committee activities. Expert panel members are 
required to sign a conflict of interest form in accordance with Federal 
Advisory Committee Act Guidelines (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2).
    All panel members serve as individual experts in their specific 
areas of expertise and not as representatives of their employers or 
other organizations. Scientists on the expert panel will be selected to 
represent a wide range of expertise including, but not limited to, 
developmental toxicology, reproductive toxicology, epidemiology, 
general toxicology, pharmacokinetics, exposure assessment, and 
biostatistics. Nominations received by 45 days from the publication 
date of this notice will be considered for this panel and for inclusion 
in the CERHR Expert Registry. Nominations should include contact 
information and current curriculum vitae (if possible) and be forwarded 
to the CERHR at the address given above.

Background Information About the CERHR

    The NTP established the CERHR in June 1998 (Federal Register, 
December 14, 1998: Volume 63, Number 239, page 68782). The CERHR is a 
publicly accessible resource for information about adverse reproductive 
and/or developmental health effects associated with exposure to 
environmental and/or occupational exposures. Expert panels conduct 
scientific evaluations of agents selected by the CERHR in public 
forums.
    Information about CERHR and its process for nominating agents for 
review or scientists for its expert registry can be obtained from its 
Web site (http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov) or by contacting Dr. Michael 
Shelby, CERHR Director (contact information provided above).

[[Page 71068]]

The CERHR selects chemicals for evaluation based upon several factors, 
including production volume, extent of human exposure, public concern, 
and extent of the database on reproductive or developmental toxicity 
studies.
    CERHR follows a formal, multi-step process for review and 
evaluation of selected chemicals. The formal evaluation process was 
published in the Federal Register (July 16, 2001: Volume 66, Number 
136, pages 37047-37048) and is available on the CERHR Web site under 
``About CERHR'' or in printed copy from the CERHR.

    Dated: November 29, 2004.
Samuel H. Wilson,
Deputy Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
[FR Doc. 04-26885 Filed 12-7-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P
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