[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 196 (Tuesday, October 10, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 60206]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-25892]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Public Health Service
National Toxicology Program; National Institute of Environmental
Health Sciences; Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human
Reproduction Announces the Availability of Seven Expert Panel Reports
on Phthalate Esters and Solicits Public Comments on These Reports
Background
The National Toxicology Program (NTP) and the National Institute of
Environmental Health Sciences have established the NTP Center for the
Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction (CERHR; December 14, 1998 [63
FR 68782]). The purpose of the Center is to provide timely and
unbiased, scientifically sound evaluations of human and experimental
evidence for adverse effects on reproduction, including development,
caused by agents to which humans may be exposed. The goals of the
individual assessments are to (1) interpret for and provide to the
general public information about the strength of scientific evidence
that a given exposure or exposure circumstance may pose a hazard to
reproduction and the health and welfare of children: (2) provide
regulatory agencies with objective and scientifically thorough
assessments of the scientific evidence that adverse reproductive/
development health effects are associated with exposure to specific
chemicals or classes of chemicals, including descriptions of any
uncertainties that would diminish confidence in assessment of risks,
and (3) identify knowledge gaps to help establish research and testing
priorities.
Phthalate Esters Reviewed
This evaluation of seven phthalate esters was conducted over a one
year period by a 16-member Expert Panel made up of scientists from
government, universities, and industry (May 23, 2000 [65 FR 33343-
33345]). Public deliberations by the Panel were completed in July,
2000. Since that time, the draft reports have been revised to
incorporate the conclusions reached by the Panel in their July, 2000,
meeting and have been reviewed for accuracy by the CERHR Core
Committee, made up of representatives of NTP-participating agencies,
NTP scientists, and members of the Phthalates Expert Panel. Phthalate
esters are used as plasticizers in a wide range of polyvinyl chloride-
based consumer products. These phthalate esters were selected for the
initial evaluation by the CERHR based on their high production volume,
extent of human exposures, use in children's products, published
evidence of reproductive or developmental toxicity, and public concern.
The following phthalate esters were reviewed by CERHR (Chemical
Abstract Service Registry Number):
butyl benzyl phthalate (85-68-7)
di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (117-81-7)
di-isodecyl phthalate (26761-40-0, 68515-49-1)
di-isononyl phthalate (28553-12-0, 68515-48-0)
di-n-butyl phthalate (84-74-2)
di-n-hexyl phthalate (84-75-3)
di-n-octyl phthalate (117-84-0)
Availability of Phthalate Reports
Expert Panel reports on the above phthalate esters can be obtained
from the CERHR website http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov). Hard copies can be
obtained by contacting: Ms. Harriet McCullom, Management Coordinator,
CERHR, 1800 Diagonal Road, Suite 500, Alexandria, VA 22314-2808,
Telephone: 703-838-9440, Facsimile: 703-684-2223.
Request for Public Comment on the Expert Panel Reports
The Center invites public comment on the Expert Panel Reports
listed above, including any recent relevant toxicology data and human
exposure information. These reports are the product of the Expert Panel
review of data available as of July 1, 2000. Public comments received
on the Expert Panel Reports will be reviewed, summarized, and included
in the NTP Center transmittal report prepared by the NTP staff. NTP
will transmit the NTP Center report, the Expert Panel Report, the
public comments received on the expert panel report, and any new
information since completion of the expert panel report to the
appropriate Federal and State Agencies, the public, and the scientific
community. Further information on the Center's chemical review process
can be obtained from the CERHR website (http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov).
Written comments received by December 11, 2000 will be considered.
Please forward comments and chemical information to: Michael D. Shelby,
Ph.D.; Director, CERHR, NIEHS/NTP B3-09; P.O. Box 12233; Research
Triangle Park, NC 27709-2233; Telephone: 919-541-3455; Facsimile: 919-
541-4634.
Dated: October 2, 2000.
Samuel H. Wilson,
Deputy Director, NIEHS.
[FR Doc. 00-25892 Filed 10-6-00; 8:45 am]
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