83 FR 17824 - Research Plan, Continuing To Protect the Nanotechnology Workforce: NIOSH Nanotechnology Research Plan for 2018-2025

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 79 (April 24, 2018)

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announces the availability of a draft research plan entitled Continuing To Protect the Nanotechnology Workforce: NIOSH Nanotechnology Research Plan for 2018-2025 for public comment. To view the notice and related materials, visit https://www.regulations.gov and enter CDC-2018-0038 in the search field and click ``Search.''

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 79 (Tuesday, April 24, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17824-17825]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-08472]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Docket Number CDC-2018-0038, NIOSH-312]


Research Plan, Continuing To Protect the Nanotechnology 
Workforce: NIOSH Nanotechnology Research Plan for 2018-2025

AGENCY: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 
of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of 
Health and Human Services (HHS).

ACTION: Request for comment.

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SUMMARY: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of 
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announces the 
availability of a draft research plan entitled Continuing To Protect 
the Nanotechnology Workforce: NIOSH Nanotechnology Research Plan for 
2018-2025 for public comment. To view the notice and related materials, 
visit https://www.regulations.gov and enter CDC-2018-0038 in the search 
field and click ``Search.''

DATES: Electronic or written comments must be received by June 25, 
2018.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by CDC-2018-0038 and 
docket number NIOSH-312, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Mail: National Institute for Occupational Safety and 
Health, NIOSH Docket Office, 1090 Tusculum Avenue, MS C-34, Cincinnati, 
Ohio 45226-1998.
    Instructions: All submissions received in response to this notice 
must include the agency name and docket number [CDC-2018-0038; NIOSH-
312]. All relevant comments received will be posted without change to 
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information 
provided. For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received, go to https://www.regulations.gov. All information 
received in response to this notice will also be available for public 
examination and copying at the NIOSH Docket Office, 1150 Tusculum 
Avenue, Room 155, Cincinnati, OH 45226-1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles L. Geraci ([email protected]), 
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention, 1090 Tusculum Avenue, MS C-14, 
Cincinnati, OH 45226, phone (513) 533-8339 (not a toll free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NIOSH is seeking stakeholder input on the 
draft document Continuing To Protect the Nanotechnology Workforce: 
NIOSH Nanotechnology Research Plan for 2018-2025, to ensure that the 
program is meeting the needs of the stakeholders, and to identify ways 
in which the program can be improved to increase its impact on the 
safety and health of nanomaterial workers across the United States.
    Background: Since 2004, NIOSH has pioneered research on the 
toxicological properties and characteristics of nanoparticles. This 
research has involved characterizing occupationally relevant 
nanoparticles for predicting whether these particles pose a risk of 
adverse health effects and for providing guidance on controlling 
workplace exposures. In September 2005, NIOSH developed its first 
nanotechnology strategic plan to further guide the Institute in 
identifying and prioritizing nanotechnology research. This strategic 
plan was updated in 2009 [https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2010-105/pdfs/2010-105.pdf] and again in 2013 [https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2014-106/pdfs/2014-106.pdf]. NIOSH would like to build on the 
accomplishments of ongoing research to develop the next strategic 
research goals and objectives for 2018-2025. NIOSH has identified 10 
critical research areas for nanotechnology research and communication. 
These 10 critical research areas are: (1) Toxicity and internal dose, 
(2) measurement methods, (3) exposure assessment, (4) epidemiology and 
surveillance, (5) risk assessment, (6) engineering controls and 
personal protective equipment (PPE), (7) fire and explosion safety, (8) 
recommendations and guidance, (9) global collaborations, and (10) 
applications and informatics.
    NIOSH is considering focusing the overarching strategic research 
goals for these critical areas on 5 key goals: (1) Increase 
understanding of new hazards and related health risks to nanomaterial 
workers, (2) expand understanding of the initial hazard findings of 
engineered nanomaterials, (3) support the creation of guidance 
materials to inform nanomaterial workers, employers, health 
professionals, regulatory agencies, and decision makers about hazards, 
risks and risk management approaches, (4)support epidemiologic studies 
for nanomaterial workers including medical and exposure studies, and 
(5) assess and promote national

[[Page 17825]]

adherence with risk management guidance.
    Public comments are requested, including those expressing support 
or with specific suggestions to improve the Research plan. A copy of 
the draft Research plan is available at https://www.regulations.gov 
(see Docket Number CDC-2018-0038).

    Dated: April 19, 2018.
John J. Howard,
Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2018-08472 Filed 4-23-18; 8:45 am]
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