2022-04189. Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has submitted the information collection request titled “ATSDR Exposure Investigations (EIs)” to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. ATSDR previously published a “Proposed Data Collection Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations” notice on August 13, 2021 to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies. ATSDR did not receive comments related to the previous notice. This notice serves to allow an additional 30 days for public and affected agency comments.

ATSDR will accept all comments for this proposed information collection project. The Office of Management and Budget is particularly interested in comments that:

(a) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;

(b) Evaluate the accuracy of the agencies estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

(c) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected;

(d) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including, through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses; and

(e) Assess information collection costs.

To request additional information on the proposed project or to obtain a copy of the information collection plan and instruments, call [phone]. Comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting “Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments” or by using the search function. Direct written comments and/or suggestions regarding the items contained in this notice to the Attention: CDC Desk Officer, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20503 or by fax to [phone]. Provide written comments within 30 days of notice publication.

Proposed Project

ATSDR Exposure Investigations (EIs) (OMB Control No. 0923-0048, Exp. 04/30/2022)—Extension—Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).

Background and Brief Description

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) is requesting a three-year extension of “ATSDR Exposure Investigations (EIs)” (OMB Control No. 0923-0048, Exp. 04/30/2022). This generic clearance allows the agency to conduct EIs, through methods developed by ATSDR. After a chemical release or suspected release into the environment, EIs are usually requested by officials of a state health agency, county health departments, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the general public, and ATSDR staff. EI results are used by public health professionals, environmental risk managers, and other decision makers to determine if current conditions warrant intervention strategies to minimize or eliminate human exposure.

During the past three years, no EIs were completed. Instead, the ATSDR Office of Community Health and Hazard Assessment (OCHHA), using EI methods, completed eight Per- or Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Exposure Assessments (PFAS EAs) (OMB Control No. 0923-0059, Exp. 06/30/2022) at communities near U.S. military installations that used Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF). The PFAS from the AFFF entered groundwater and impacted the drinking water in the nearby communities. In 2022, however, ATSDR is conducting a follow-up EI under this generic clearance ICR to supplement the PFAS EAs. This EI generic information collection (GenIC) will evaluate additional non-drinking water sources of environmental PFAS exposure in two of the former EA communities.

The general EI methods are further described below. All of ATSDR's targeted biological assessments ( e.g., urine, blood) and some of the environmental investigations ( e.g., air, water, soil, or food sampling) involve participants to determine whether they are or have been exposed to unusual levels of pollutants at specific locations ( e.g., where people live, spend leisure time, or anywhere they might come into contact with contaminants under investigation).

Questionnaires, appropriate to the specific contaminant, are generally needed in about half of the EIs (at most, approximately 12 per year) to assist in interpreting the biological or environmental sampling results. ATSDR collects contact information ( e.g., name, address, phone number) to provide the participant with their individual results. ATSDR also collects information on other possible confounding sources of chemical(s) exposure such as medicines taken, foods eaten, hobbies, jobs, etc. In addition, ATSDR asks questions on recreational or occupational activities that could increase a participant's exposure potential. That information represents an individual's exposure history.

The number of questions can vary depending on the number of chemicals being investigated, the route of exposure ( e.g., breathing, eating, touching), and number of other sources of the chemical(s) ( e.g., products used, jobs). We use approximately 12-20 questions about the pertinent environmental exposures per investigation. Typically, the number of participants in an individual EI ranges from 10 to 100.

Participation is completely voluntary, and there are no costs to participants other than their time. Based on a maximum of 12 EIs per year and 100 participants each, the total estimated annualized burden hours are 600.

Estimated Annualized Burden Hours

Type of respondents	Form name	Number of respondents	Number of responses per respondent	Average burden per response (in hours)
Exposure Investigation Participants	Chemical Exposure Questions	1,200	1	30/60

Jeffrey M. Zirger,

Lead, Information Collection Review Office, Office of Scientific Integrity, Office of Science, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.