Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 66 / Wednesday, April 8, 2009 / Notices 15985 

Dated: April 3, 2009. 

Edwin L. Walker, 

Acting Assistant Secretary for Aging. 

[FR Doc. E9–7968 Filed 4–7–09; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4154–01–P 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND 

HUMAN SERVICES 

Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention 

[Docket Number NIOSH–161] 

Request for Information on Carbon 

Nanotubes (CNTs) Including SingleWalled Carbon Nanotubes (SWCNTs) 

and Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes 

(MWCNTs) 

AGENCY: National Institute for 

Occupational Safety and Health 

(NIOSH) of the Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention (CDC), 

Department of Health and Human 

Services (HHS). 

ACTION: Notice of public comment 

period. 

SUMMARY: The National Institute for 

Occupational Safety and Health 

(NIOSH) of the Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention (CDC) intends to 

evaluate the scientific data on carbon 

nanotubes (CNTs) and develop 

appropriate communication documents, 

such as an Alert and/or Current 

Intelligence Bulletin, which will convey 

the potential health risks and 

recommend measures for the safe 

handling of these materials. NIOSH has 

developed guidelines for managing the 

potential health concerns associated 

with occupational exposures to 

engineered nanoparticles [see: http:// 

www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/nanotech/ 

safenano/] which will provide the 

framework for developing specific 

recommendations for CNTs. 

NIOSH is requesting information on 

the following: (1) Published and 

unpublished reports and findings from 

in vitro and in vivo toxicity studies with 

CNTs, (2) information on possible 

health effects observed in workers 

exposed to CNTs, (3) information on 

workplaces and products in which 

CNTs can be found, (4) description of 

work tasks and scenarios with a 

potential for exposure, (5) workplace 

exposure data, and (6) information on 

control measures (e.g., engineering 

controls, work practices, personal 

protective equipment) that are being 

used in workplaces where potential 

exposures to CNTs occur. 

Public Comment Period: Comments 

must be received by May 15, 2009. 

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, 

identified by docket number NIOSH– 

161, by any of the following methods: 

• Mail: NIOSH Docket Office, Robert 

A. Taft Laboratories, MS–C34, 4676 

Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 

45226. 

• Facsimile: (513) 533–8285. 

• E-mail: nioshdocket@cdc.gov. 

All information received in response 

to this notice will be available for public 

examination and copying at the NIOSH 

Docket Office, 4676 Columbia Parkway, 

Cincinnati, Ohio 45226. A complete 

electronic docket containing all 

comments submitted will be available 

on the NIOSH Web page at http:// 

www.cdc.gov/niosh/docket, and 

comments will be available in writing 

by request. NIOSH includes all 

comments received without change in 

the docket, including any personal 

information provided. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Ralph D. Zumwalde, NIOSH, Robert A. 

Taft Laboratories, MS–C32, 4676 

Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 

45226, telephone (513) 533–8320. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Nanotechnology is generally defined as 

the intentional manipulation of matter 

to form novel structures with one or 

more dimension or features less than 

100 nanometers (nm). Nanotechnology 

involves a wide range of chemistries 

and almost unlimited types of structures 

that have highly unpredictable 

interactions with biological systems. 

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are a type of 

nanomaterial comprised of a sheet of 

graphite (a hexagonal lattice of carbon) 

rolled into a cylinder that can have a 

length-to-width ratio greater than 1,000. 

Carbon nanotubes are produced having 

a single cylinder carbon wall (singlewalled carbon nanotubes [SWCNT]) or 

having multiple walls-cylinders nested 

within other cylinders (multi-walled 

carbon nanotubes [MWCNT]). CNTs 

range in diameter from about 1–2 

nanometers for SWCNTs to dozens of 

nanometers for MWCNTs with lengths 

extending into the micrometer range. 

There are several major techniques 

used in the synthesis of CNTs. The arcevaporation technique involves passing 

a current of about 50 A between two 

graphite electrodes in an atmosphere of 

helium in the presence of metal 

catalysts (Co, Ni). The second method is 

chemical vapor deposition, where 

nanotubes are formed by decomposition 

of a carbon-containing gas with use of 

nano-sized catalytic particles usually 

Fe, Co, Yt or Ni. The advantage of 

catalytic synthesis over arc-evaporation 

is the ability to scale-up for volume 

production. The third method for 

making CNTs, laser ablation, involves 

employment of a powerful laser to 

vaporize metal (Co and Ni)-graphite 

targets. Of the three major processes, 

chemical vapor deposition is the most 

prominent one that is currently used for 

CNT production. 

Due to their unique physical and 

chemical properties, CNTs have sparked 

much research into developing novel 

applications. CNTs are ideal nonbiodegradable materials; they are 

stronger then steel, flexible, lightweight, 

heat resistant, and have high electrical 

conductivity. The market for CNTs is 

estimated to grow substantially over the 

next decade. They are currently used in 

a variety of applications including: 

Electronics, reinforced plastics, microfabrication conjugated polymer 

activators, biosensors, enhanced 

electron/scanning microscopy imaging 

techniques, and in pharmaceutical/ 

biomedical devices for drug delivery 

and medical diagnostics. Estimates of 

the number of workers potentially 

exposed to CNTs are unavailable due to 

limited exposure data and its relatively 

recent introduction into domestic 

commerce. 

The toxic nature of SWCNTs and 

MWCNTs in humans is not known. 

Recently published in vitro and in vivo 

studies with some SWCNTs and 

MWCNTs describe adverse effects 

including their ability to be cytotoxic 

when tested in various cell cultures, and 

cause acute inflammation and early 

onset of fibrosis when delivered to the 

lungs of mice by pharyngeal aspiration 

or inhalation. No occupational exposure 

limits for CNTs have been established 

by NIOSH or the Occupational Safety 

and Health Administration (OSHA). 

NIOSH seeks to obtain materials, 

including published and unpublished 

reports and research findings, to 

evaluate the possible health risks of 

occupational exposure to CNTs. 

Examples of requested information 

include, but not limited to, the 

following: (1) Identification of 

industries or occupations in which 

exposures to CNTs may occur. 

(2) Trends in the production and use 

of CNTs. 

(3) Description of work tasks and 

scenarios with a potential for exposure 

to CNTs. 

(4) Workplace exposure measurement 

data in various types of industries and 

jobs. 

(5) Case reports or other health 

information demonstrating potential 

health effects in workers exposed to 

CNTs. 

(6) Research findings from in vitro 

and in vivo toxicity studies. 


rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES
15986 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 66 / Wednesday, April 8, 2009 / Notices 

1For purposes of this Notice, ‘‘potential to cause 

an outbreak’’ means the occurrence of more cases 

of disease than could be anticipated in a given area 

or among a specific group of people over a 

particular period of time. In general, and as 

observed through previous experience, an outbreak 

is associated with a public health response. 

(7) Information on control measures 

(e.g., engineering controls, work 

practices, PPE) being taken to minimize 

worker exposure to CNTs. 

Dated: March 31, 2009. 

James D. Seligman, 

Chief Information Officer, Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention. 

[FR Doc. E9–7941 Filed 4–7–09; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4163–19–P 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND 

HUMAN SERVICES 

Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention 

Criteria for Vaccination Requirements 

for U.S. Immigration Purposes 

AGENCY: Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention (CDC), Department of Health 

and Human Services (HHS). 

ACTION: Notice with comment period. 

SUMMARY: The Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention (CDC) is seeking 

public comment on a set of proposed 

criteria to be used in determining which 

vaccines recommended by the Advisory 

Committee on Immunization Practices 

(ACIP) for the general United States 

population should be required for 

immigrants seeking admission into the 

United States or seeking adjustment of 

status to that of an alien lawfully 

admitted for permanent residence. 

Under section 212 of the Immigration 

and Nationality Act (INA) (8 U.S.C. 

1182), an alien who seeks admission as 

an immigrant, or who seeks adjustment 

of status to one lawfully admitted for 

permanent residence, must present 

documentation for having received 

vaccination for ‘‘vaccine-preventable 

diseases, which shall include at least 

the following diseases: mumps, measles, 

rubella, polio, tetanus and diphtheria 

toxoids, pertussis, Haemophilus 

influenzae type B and hepatitis B, and 

any other vaccinations against vaccinepreventable diseases recommended by 

the Advisory Committee on 

Immunization Practices.’’ Because the 

INA explicitly requires vaccinations for 

some vaccine-preventable diseases 

(mumps, measles, rubella, polio, tetanus 

and diphtheria toxoids, pertussis, 

Haemophilus influenzae type B and 

hepatitis B), CDC will continue to 

require those vaccinations for 

immigrants seeking admission into the 

United States or seeking to adjust their 

status to that of legal permanent 

resident. CDC has developed specific 

criteria to determine which other 

vaccinations recommended by ACIP for 

the general population will be required 

for such immigrants. Through this 

notice, CDC proposes to begin use of the 

following criteria: 

1. The vaccine must be an ageappropriate vaccine as recommended by 

ACIP for the general U.S. population, 

and 

2. At least one of the following: 

a. The vaccine must protect against a 

disease that has the potential to cause 

an outbreak.1

b. The vaccine must protect against a 

disease that has been eliminated in the 

United States, or is in the process for 

elimination in the United States. 

The evolution of vaccine development 

has progressed to include those 

targeting specific groups and chronic 

morbidity and mortality. Therefore, CDC 

is now developing specific criteria to be 

applied against each vaccine in lieu of 

requiring all ACIP recommended 

vaccines for immigration purposes. CDC 

has taken a scientific, evidence-based, 

public health approach in developing 

these criteria, and has considered the 

unique characteristics of the time and 

place of the medical screening process 

for U.S. immigration purposes. 

Using specific scientific-based criteria 

to determine the relevant vaccines 

required for U.S. immigration purposes 

will ensure CDC decision-making 

regarding vaccination requirements is 

grounded in public health necessity and 

need in light of a growing list of 

vaccines for infectious and noninfectious diseases. 

After consideration of public 

comments received through this notice, 

as well as those received during an 

ACIP meeting held at CDC February 25– 

26, 2009, CDC will publish a notice 

regarding implementation of the final 

criteria for determining which vaccines 

recommended by ACIP for the U.S. 

population will be required for 

immigrants in accordance with section 

212(a)(1)(A)(ii) of the Immigration and 

Nationality Act, Section 212 (8 U.S.C. 

1182(a)(1)(A)(ii)). 

CDC will continue to work closely 

with the Department of Homeland 

Security and the Department of State in 

the implementation of the vaccination 

requirements for U.S. immigration 

purposes. 

DATES: Written comments must be 

received on or before May 8, 2009. 

Comments received after April 8, 2009 

will be considered to the extent 

possible. 

ADDRESSES: You may submit written 

comments to the following address: 

Division of Global Migration and 

Quarantine, Centers for Disease Control 

and Prevention, U.S. Department of 

Health and Human Services, Attn: 

Immigration Vaccination Requirements, 

1600 Clifton Road, NE., MS E–03, 

Atlanta, Georgia, 30333. 

You may also submit written 

comments via e-mail to 

DGMQpubliccomments@cdc.gov. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

David M. McAdam, Division of Global 

Migration and Quarantine, Centers for 

Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. 

Department of Health and Human 

Services, 1600 Clifton Road, NE., MS E– 

03, Atlanta, Georgia 30333; telephone 

404–498–1600. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background 

Medical examinations for immigration 

purposes are authorized under section 

232 of the Immigration and Nationality 

Act (INA) (8 U.S.C. 1222) Under 

sections 212(a)(1) and 232 of the INA (8 

U.S.C. 1182(a)(1) and 1222), and section 

325 of the Public Health Service Act (42 

U.S.C. 252), the Department of Health 

and Human Services (HHS) establishes 

requirements for the medical 

examination. The Secretary of HHS has 

delegated this authority to the Centers 

for Disease Control and Prevention 

(CDC), and it is administered by CDC’s 

Division of Global Migration and 

Quarantine (DGMQ). These 

requirements are codified in 42 CFR 

part 34, Medical Examination of Aliens. 

Panel physicians and civil surgeons, 

through contractual agreements and by 

designations with the Department of 

State and the Department of Homeland 

Security, respectively, conduct the 

medical examinations in accordance 

with these regulations and as provided 

for in Technical Instructions (TIs) 

issued by CDC/DGMQ. The vaccination 

requirements for U.S. immigration 

purposes are listed in the Technical 

Instructions (see http://www.cdc.gov/ 

ncidod/dq/technica.htm). 

Under section 212(a)(1)(A)(ii) of the 

Immigration and Nationality Act (8 

U.S.C. 1182(a)(1)(A)(ii)), an alien who 

seeks admission as an immigrant, or 

who seeks adjustment of status to one 

lawfully admitted for permanent 

residence, must present documentation 

for having received vaccination for 

‘‘vaccine-preventable diseases, which 

shall include at least the following 

diseases: mumps, measles, rubella, 

polio, tetanus and diphtheria toxoids, 

pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae type 

B and hepatitis B, and any other 


rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES