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The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) requests comment on the draft Current Intelligence Bulletin (CIB) "Asbestos Fibers and Other Elongate Mineral Particles: State of the Science and Roadmap for Research Version 4", NIOSH Docket Number NIOSH 099-C.
This Information is distributed solely for the purpose of pre-dissemination peer review under applicable information quality guidelines. It has not been formally disseminated by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. It does not represent and should not be construed to represent any agency determination or policy.
Asbestos has been a highly visible issue in public health for over three decades and abundant information is in the scientific literature. However, in part because of the complexity in the mineralogy, the scientific literature has various inconsistencies and inconclusive evidence which have led to uncertainties in identifying and applying the term asbestos for health and regulatory purposes. This has prompted NIOSH to convene a workgroup to investigate this matter. NIOSH is currently considering the scientific research needs to reduce the uncertainties in the science used to develop worker protection policies for asbestos fibers and other elongate mineral particles (EMPs). Subsequently, it is expected that the products of this research will influence how NIOSH views occupational exposure to various minerals when there is a potential for inhalational exposure to EMPs. This document is intended as one step in the process. NIOSH intends to pursue partnerships with other Federal Agencies and other stakeholders to help focus the scope of the research that can contribute to the scientific understanding of asbestos fibers and other EMPs, to fund and conduct the research activities, and to develop and disseminate educational materials describing results from the EMP research and their implications for occupational and public health policies and practices.
As the Federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of worker injury and illness, NIOSH is undertaking a reappraisal of how to ensure appropriate protection of workers from exposure to asbestos fibers and other EMPs. Throughout its development, this Roadmap has undergone substantial public comment and scientific peer review with subsequent revision. A list of the various draft versions disseminated for public comment and/or scientific peer review is presented here.
February 2007 — Draft entitled Asbestos and Other Mineral Fibers: A Roadmap for Scientific Research was disseminated for public comment and scientific peer review.
June 2008 — Draft entitled Revised Draft NIOSH CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - Asbestos Fibers and Other Elongate Mineral Particles: State of the Science and Roadmap for Research was disseminated for public comment.
January 2009 — Draft entitled Revised Draft NIOSH CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - Asbestos Fibers and Other Elongated Mineral Particles: State of the Science and Roadmap for Research was submitted to the Institute of Medicine and the National Research Council of the National Academies of Science for scientific review.
The National Academies' report
January 2010 — NIOSH's response to the recommendations in the National Academies' report
January 2010 — Draft entitled Draft NIOSH CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - Asbestos Fibers and Other Elongate Mineral Particles: State of the Science and Roadmap for Research - Version 4 is being disseminated for public comment.
The purpose of the Roadmap is to outline major areas of controversy and to recommend a research framework that can serve as a guide for the development of specific research programs within and across disciplines. The intended goals of the research to be undertaken are to provide answers to current scientific questions, reduce scientific uncertainties, and provide a sound scientific foundation for future policy development so that optimal health protection can be assured.
NIOSH is seeking comments on the scope and presentation of scientific information used to support the development of a research framework for asbestos fibers and other EMPs. NIOSH continues to be interested in available and forthcoming research results that can help answer the questions set forth in the Roadmap, as well as information on existing workplace exposure data, health effects, and control technologies.
Comments will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. EDT on April 23, 2010
To submit comments, please use
one of these options:
- Send NIOSH comments using this online
form
- Send comments by email.
- Fax comments to the NIOSH Docket Office: 513-533-8285
- Send by Mail to:
NIOSH Mailstop: C-34
Robert A. Taft Lab.
4676 Columbia Parkway
Cincinnati, Ohio 45226
NIOSH Draft Documents for Public Review
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