[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 190 (Tuesday, October 1, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 79926-79927]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-22471]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[30Day-24-24AL]


Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has submitted the information 
collection request titled ``Occupational Exposures to Surgical Smoke in 
Veterinary Personnel'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for 
review and approval. CDC previously published a ``Proposed Data 
Collection Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations'' notice on 
November 3, 2023 to obtain comments from the public and affected 
agencies. CDC did not receive comments related to the previous notice. 
This notice serves to allow an additional 30 days for public and 
affected agency comments.
    CDC will accept all comments for this proposed information 
collection project. The Office of Management and Budget is particularly 
interested in comments that:
    (a) 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;
    (b) Evaluate the accuracy of the agencies estimate of the burden of 
the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
    (c) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected;
    (d) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are to respond, including, through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting 
electronic submission of responses; and
    (e) Assess information collection costs.
    To request additional information on the proposed project or to 
obtain a copy of the information collection plan and instruments, call 
(404) 639-7570. Comments and recommendations for the proposed 
information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of 
this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular 
information collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--
Open for Public Comments'' or by using the search function. Direct 
written comments and/or suggestions regarding the items contained in 
this notice to the Attention: CDC Desk Officer, Office of Management 
and Budget, 725 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20503 or by fax to (202) 
395-5806. Provide written comments within 30 days of notice 
publication.

Proposed Project

    Occupational Exposures to Surgical Smoke in Veterinary Personnel--
New--National Institute for Occupational

[[Page 79927]]

Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
(CDC).

Background and Brief Description

    Surgical smoke produced during tissue cutting and cauterizing 
tissues and blood vessels generates hazardous gaseous compounds and 
aerosols that are associated with cancer and respiratory irritation; 
however, no research has characterized surgical smoke generated from 
animal tissue in clinical veterinary settings. Surgical smoke exposure 
is an emerging concern in human operating rooms, and several states 
have either passed or are considering bills requiring surgical smoke 
evacuation systems in human operating rooms to mitigate this 
occupational hazard. Surgical suites in veterinary clinics are often 
multiple bay suites or have less effective ventilation systems than 
human operating rooms, potentially leading to higher exposure levels, 
yet no research has examined barriers and aids to the use of surgical 
smoke evacuation systems among veterinary medicine/animal care (VM/AC) 
personnel.
    The proposed project will characterize occupational exposure to 
surgical smoke and related respiratory health effects in clinical 
veterinary settings. Data will be used to examine: (1) work-related 
factors that contribute to exposure to surgical smoke in clinical 
veterinary settings; (2) relationships between surgical smoke exposure 
in clinical veterinary settings and respiratory health; and (3) 
barriers and aids to implementing surgical smoke extraction systems 
that reduce occupational exposures to surgical smoke. Findings from 
this study will help to provide guidance on engineering controls to 
improve air quality in VM/AC personnel's work environment by reducing 
exposure to surgical smoke.
    Three veterinary teaching hospitals and a national network of 
community veterinary clinics have been recruited to participate in this 
research. VM/AC personnel at collaborating field study sites will have 
the opportunity to voluntarily express interest in participating by 
completing a brief expression of interest form. Study participants will 
complete: (1) a baseline questionnaire that collects data on 
demographics, work history, job tasks, exposures to respiratory hazards 
(including surgical smoke), use of personal protective equipment, 
workplace safety climate, and respiratory health and symptoms; and (2) 
a post-shift questionnaire assessing acute respiratory symptoms and job 
tasks during the work shift.
    This is a new data collection, with approval requested for three 
years. CDC requests OMB approval for an estimated 107 annual burden 
hours. There are no costs to respondents other than their time to 
participate.

                                        Estimated Annualized Burden Hours
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                                                                                     Number of    Average burden
          Type of respondents                   Form name            Number of     responses per   per response
                                                                    respondents     respondent      (in hours)
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VM/AC personnel.......................  Expression of Interest                50               1            3/60
                                         Form.
VM/AC personnel.......................  Informed Consent........              50               1           15/60
VM/AC personnel.......................  Baseline Questionnaire..              50               1           28/60
VM/AC personnel.......................  Post-shift Questionnaire              50              10            8/60
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Jeffrey M. Zirger,
Lead, Information Collection Review Office, Office of Public Health 
Ethics and Regulations, Office of Science, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2024-22471 Filed 9-30-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P