Workshop on Particulate Matter Mortality Epidemiological Research

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-5095-1; ECAO-RTP-0671]

Workshop on Particulate Matter Mortality Epidemiological Research

agency: Environmental Protection Agency.

action: Notice of public meeting.

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summary: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is sponsoring a

workshop to review selected epidemiology studies of relationships

between particulate matter (PM) and mortality among human populations.

The Environmental Criteria and Assessment Office (ECAO), within EPA's

Office of Research and Development, is conducting the workshop to

critically examine the subject studies to determine the extent to which

these studies and supporting materials provide an adequate quantitative

basis for determining PM exposure characteristics (particle sizes,

concentrations, etc.) associated with any increased risk of human

mortality/morbidity effects. This workshop is being held as part of the

process for reviewing and, as appropriate, revising the EPA document

Air Quality Criteria for Particulate Matter, to meet statutory

requirements of the Clean Air Act.

dates: The workshop will be held November 9 through 11, 1994, from 8:00

a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at the North Raleigh Hilton, Raleigh, NC. The

workshop is open to the public, although seating will be limited and

advanced registration is required. Interested parties should contact

Ms. Emily Lee, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ECAO, MD-52,

Research Triangle Park, NC 27711; telephone: 919-541-4169; fax 919-541-

5078.

for further information contact: Dr. Allan Marcus, manager for the

section of the chapter on epidemiological mortality studies, U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency, ECAO, MD-52, Research Triangle Park,

NC 27711; telephone 919-541-0636.

supplemental information: As discussed in a previous call for

information (59 FR 17375, April 12, 1994), EPA is undertaking to review

and where appropriate, update and revise the document, Air Quality

Criteria for Particulate Matter. As part of this process, the

scientific literature is reviewed for information that will help form

the scientific bases on which decisions can be made with regard to

possible revision of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)

for Particulate Matter (PM) under section 109(d) of the Clean Air Act.

This workshop will include presentation and review of methodological

aspects and analytical results from newly emerging epidemiology studies

that evaluate the potential health effects from PM exposure and are

likely to be of much importance in addressing health effects issues in

the revised PM criteria document. The 1994 workshop discussions and

associated peer-review comments will provide inputs for consideration

in the drafting of epidemiology chapter materials to be included in an

initial draft of the revised PM criteria document. The epidemiology

chapter (and other chapters) of that initial document draft will later

undergo review at another experts' workshop to be held in early 1995

(as will be announced in a later Federal Register notice) before

release of an external review draft of the document for public review

and comment, and review by the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee

(CASAC).

Copies of the research studies to be covered at the November 1994

workshop will be made available to the public at the time of the

workshop. Members of the public will have an opportunity at the

workshop to make brief, oral statements pertinent to the technical

evaluation of the epidemiologic studies under review at the workshop.

The workshop will not address the issue of possible revision of the

current PM NAAQS per se. Interested parties also are invited to assist

the EPA in developing and refining the scientific information base for

PM by submitting new information on the topics covered at the workshop.

To be considered for inclusion in the review process, submitted

information should have been published or accepted for publication in a

peer-reviewed, scientific journal. Such information should be submitted

to Allan Marcus at the address provided.

Dated: October 17, 1994.

Carl R. Gerber,

Acting Assistant Administrator for Research and Development.

[FR Doc. 94-26189 Filed 10-20-94; 8:45 am]

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