[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 212 (Friday, November 1, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 66631]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-27829]
[[Page 66631]]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-7392-3]
Asthma Research Strategy
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.
ACTION: Notice of availability of a final document.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing
the availability of a final document, Asthma Research Strategy, EPA
600/R-01/061. The Asthma Research Strategy serves to guide the planning
of EPA research efforts led by the Office of Research and Development
(ORD) to address the significant issues of exposures, effects, risk
assessment, and risk management of environmental pollutants relevant to
asthma.
ADDRESSES: A limited number of copies of the Asthma Research Strategy
are available from EPA's National Service Center for Environmental
Publications (NSCEP) in Cincinnati, Ohio (telephone: 1-800-490-9198 or
513-489-8190). Please provide the title and the EPA number when
ordering from NSCEP. Internet users may download a copy from EPA's ORD
home page at http://www.epa.gov/ORD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Raub, National Center for
Environmental Assessment/Research Triangle Park Office (MD-B-243-01),
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711;
telephone: 919-541-4157; facsimile: 919-541-1818; e-mail:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Asthma Research Strategy was developed
in light of increasing rates of asthma, particularly in children, in
the United States. Since the EPA is required to set pollutant standards
to protect susceptible populations, a coordinated research effort is
needed to study environmental pollutants that influence the incidence
and severity of asthma. EPA has developed a plan to coordinate research
efforts aimed at addressing the following issues: Factors contributing
to the induction and exacerbation of asthma (e.g., combustion-related
products, bioaerosols, and air toxics); susceptibility factors
contributing to asthma (e.g., genetics, health status, socioeconomic
status, residence and exposure history, and lifestyle and activity
patterns); and risk assessment and risk management of environmental
pollutants relevant to asthma. The Asthma Research Strategy identifies
and prioritizes the research needed to provide information to close the
gaps in our knowledge of asthma and to control environmental factors
that contribute to the prevalence and severity of asthma. The Strategy
supplements and expands on other U.S. agency efforts to better
understand this complex disease.
Asthma is characterized by chronic airway inflammation, mucus
secretion, airway remodeling, and reversible airway obstruction. The
disease has a definite genetic component, and can be caused by a
variety of factors. In susceptible individuals, the inflammation causes
recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and
cough particularly at night and/or early morning. Airflow obstruction
usually associated with these symptoms is partly reversible either
spontaneously or with treatment. Inflammation also causes an increase
in airway responsiveness to a variety of stimuli. Most types of asthma
are linked to allergic responses to common aeroallergens present in the
indoor and outdoor environment. Common allergens include: house-dust
mites, cockroaches, animal secretions, pollens, and molds. Exacerbation
of asthma may occur with subsequent re-exposure to allergens or by
exposure to a number of nonspecific triggers such as respiratory
viruses, tobacco smoke, or certain air pollutants.
EPA has prepared the Asthma Research Strategy to strengthen the
scientific foundation of the EPA risk assessments and risk management
decisions. Agency research strategies provide a framework of research
needs and priorities to guide its programs over the next 5 to 10 years.
The Strategy includes a stable, long-term, core program of research in
hazard identification, dose-response and exposure assessment, and risk
reduction, as well as problem-oriented research that addresses current
critical needs identified by EPA program offices and regions.
This Asthma Research Strategy was subjected to external peer review
by independent scientific experts. The final Strategy reflects the
comments of both internal and external peer review.
Dated: October 2, 2002.
Paul Gilman,
Assistant Administrator for Research and Development.
[FR Doc. 02-27829 Filed 10-31-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P