02-961. National Advisory Committee for Acute Exposure Guideline Levels for Hazardous Substances; Notice of Charter Renewal

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The charter for EPA's National Advisory Committee for Acute Exposure Guideline Levels for Hazardous Substances (NAC/AEGL Committee) is renewed for an additional 2-year period. EPA has determined that the NAC/AEGL Committee is necessary and finds that it is in the public's interest that the NAC/AEGL Committee be continued.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For general information contact: Barbara Cunningham, Acting Director, Environmental Assistance Division (7401), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: [phone]; e-mail address: [e-mail].

For technical information contact: Paul S. Tobin, Economics, Exposure, and Technology Division (7406M), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: [phone]; e-mail address: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does this Action Apply to Me?

This action is directed to the public in general. This action may be of particular interest to anyone who may be affected if AEGL values are adopted by government agencies for emergency planning, prevention, or response programs, such as EPA's Risk Management Program under the Clean Air Act and Amendments Section 112r. It is possible that other Federal agencies besides EPA, as well as State agencies and private organizations, may adopt AEGL values for their programs. As such, the Agency has not attempted to describe all the specific entities that may be affected by this action. If you have any questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the technical person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

B. How Can I Get Additional Information, Including Copies of this Document or Other Related Documents?

1. Electronically. You may obtain electronic copies of this document, and certain other related documents that might be available electronically, from the EPA Internet Home Page at http://www.epa.gov/​. To access this document, on the Home Page select “Laws and Regulations,” “Regulations and Proposed Rules,” and then look up the entry for this document under the “Federal Register—Environmental Documents.” You can also go directly to the Federal Register listings at http://www.epa.gov/​fedrgstr/​.

2. In person. The Agency has established an official record for this action under docket control number OPPTS-00329. The official record consists of the documents specifically referenced in this action, any public comments received during an applicable comment period, and other information related to this action, including any information claimed as Confidential Business Information (CBI). This official record includes the documents that are physically located in the docket, as well as the documents that are referenced in those documents. The public version of the official record does not include any information claimed as CBI. The public version of the official record, which includes printed, paper versions of any electronic comments submitted during an applicable comment period, is available for inspection in the TSCA Nonconfidential Information Center, North East Mall Rm. B-607, Waterside Mall, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC. The Center is open from noon to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Center is [phone].

II. Background

A. What Action is the Agency Taking?

EPA is renewing the charter for the NAC/AEGL Committee for an additional 2-year period.

The NAC/AEGL Committee provides advice and recommendations to the Administrator of EPA on issues associated with the development of acute exposure guideline levels for hazardous substances. Acute exposure guideline levels for hazardous substances are used by other Federal agencies, State and local governments, and private organizations for exposure limits in chemical emergency programs.

It is determined that the NAC/AEGL Committee is in the public's interest and is related to the performance of duties imposed on the Agency by law.

B. What is the Agency's Authority for Taking this Action?

The charter for the NAC/AEGL Committee is in accordance with the provisions of FACA, 5 U.S.C. App., section 9(c).

List of Subjects

• Environmental protection
• Acute exposure guideline levels
• Hazardous substances
• Public health
• Safety
• Worker protection

Dated: January 3, 2002.

Stephen L. Johnson,

Assistant Administrator for the Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances.