E6-7478. Proposed Data Collections Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations

In compliance with the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 for opportunity for public comment on proposed data collection projects, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects. To request more information on the proposed projects or to obtain a copy of the data collection plans and instruments, call 404-639-5960 and send comments to Seleda Perryman, CDC Assistant Reports Clearance Officer, 1600 Clifton Road, MS-D74, Atlanta, GA 30333 or send an e-mail to [e-mail].

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Written comments should be received within 60 days of this notice.

Proposed Project

National Coal Workers Autopsy Study (42 CFR 37.204)—Extension (0920-0021)—National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Background and Brief Description

Under the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1977, PL 91-173 (amended the Federal Coal Mine and Safety Act of 1969), the Public Health Service has developed a nationwide autopsy program for underground coal miners, the National Coal Workers Autopsy Study (NCWAS). The consent release and history form is primarily used to obtain written authorization from the next-of-kin to perform an autopsy on the deceased miner. The basic reason for the post-mortem examination is both epidemiological and clinical research. A minimum of essential information is collected regarding the deceased miners, including occupational history and smoking history. The data collected will be used by the staff at NIOSH for research purposes in defining the diagnostic criteria for coal workers' pneumoconiosis (black lung disease) and pathologic changes and will be correlated with x-ray findings.

It is estimated that only 5 minutes is required for the pathologist to generate a statement on the invoice affirming that no other compensation is received for the autopsy. The consent release and history form takes the next-of-kin approximately 15 minutes to complete. Since an autopsy report is routinely completed by a pathologist, the only additional burden is the specific request of abstract of terminal illness and final diagnosis relating to pneumoconiosis. Therefore, only 5 minutes of additional burden is estimated for the autopsy report. There are no costs to the respondents, other than their time.

Estimated Annualized Burden Hours

Respondents	Number of respondents	Number of responses per respondent	Average burden per response (in hrs.)	Total burden hours
Pathologist Invoice	50	1	5/60	4
Pathologist Report	50	1	5/60	4
Next-of-Kin	50	1	15/60	13
Total				21

Dated: May 10, 2006.

Joan F. Karr,

Acting Reports Clearance Officer, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.