[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 212 (Tuesday, November 3, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67760-67761]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-27889]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[30Day-15-0960]
Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has submitted
the following information collection request to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The notice for the proposed
information collection is published to obtain comments from the public
and affected agencies.
Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected
agencies concerning the proposed collection of information are
encouraged. Your comments should address any of the following: (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
(404) 639-7570 or send an email to [email protected]. Written comments and/or
suggestions regarding the items contained in this notice should be
directed to the Attention: CDC Desk Officer, Office of Management and
Budget, Washington, DC 20503 or by fax to (202) 395-5806. Written
comments should be received within 30 days of this notice.
Proposed Project
Epidemiologic Study of Health Effects Associated With Low Pressure
Events in Drinking Water Distribution Systems (OMB Control No. 0920-
0960, expiration 3/31/2016)--Extension--National Center for Emerging
and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC).
Background and Brief Description
In the United States (U.S.), drinking water distribution systems
are designed to deliver safe, pressurized drinking water to our homes,
hospitals, schools and businesses. However, the water distribution
infrastructure is 50-100 years old in much of the U.S. and an estimated
240,000 water main breaks occur each year. Failures in the distribution
system such as water main breaks, cross-connections, back-flow, and
pressure fluctuations can result in potential intrusion of microbes and
other contaminants that can cause health effects, including acute
gastrointestinal and respiratory illness.
Approximately 200 million cases of acute gastrointestinal illness
occur in the U.S. each year, but we lack reliable data to assess how
many of these cases are associated with drinking water. Further, data
are even more limited on the human health risks associated with
exposure to drinking water during and after the occurrence of low
pressure events (such as water main breaks) in drinking water
distribution systems. A study conducted in Norway from 2003-2004 found
that people exposed to low pressure events in the water distribution
system had a higher risk for gastrointestinal illness. A similar study
is needed in the United States.
The purpose of this data collection is to conduct an epidemiologic
study in the U.S. to assess whether individuals exposed to low pressure
events in the water distribution system are at an increased risk for
acute gastrointestinal or respiratory illness. This study would be, to
our knowledge, the first U.S. study to systematically examine the
association between low pressure events and acute gastrointestinal and
respiratory illnesses. Study findings will inform the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), CDC, and other drinking water stakeholders of
the potential health risks associated with low pressure events in
drinking water distribution systems and whether additional measures
(e.g., new standards, additional research, or policy development) are
needed to reduce the risk for health effects associated with low
pressure events in the drinking water distribution system.
We will conduct a cohort study among households that receive water
from six water utilities across the U.S. The water systems will be
geographically diverse and will include both chlorinated and
chloraminated systems. These water utilities will provide information
about low pressure events that occur during the study period using a
standardized form (approximately 11 events per utility). Utilities will
provide address listings of households in areas exposed to the low
pressure event and comparable households in an unexposed area to CDC
staff, who will randomly select participants and send them an
introductory letter and questionnaire. Consenting household respondents
will be asked about symptoms and duration of any recent
gastrointestinal or respiratory illness, tap water consumption, and
other exposures including international travel, daycare attendance or
employment, animal contacts, and recreational water exposures. Study
participants may choose between two methods of survey response: A mail-
in paper survey and a Web-based survey.
Participation in this study will be voluntary. No financial
compensation will be provided to study participants. The study duration
is anticipated to last 30 months. An estimated 6,750 individuals will
be contacted and we anticipate 4,050 utility customers (18 years of age
or older) will consent to participate in this study. The total
estimated annualized hours associated with this study is expected to be
548.
There are no costs to respondents other than their time.
[[Page 67761]]
Estimated Annualized Burden Hours
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Number of Average burden
Type of respondents Form name Number of responses per per response
respondents respondent (in hrs.)
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Households............................ Paper-based 1,215 1 12/60
questionnaire.
Households............................ Web-based questionnaire. 810 1 12/60
Utility employees..................... Household listing....... 6 5 3
Utility employees..................... Water sample collection 6 3 130/60
(grab samples).
Utility employees..................... Water sample collection 6 2 30/60
(ultrafiltration
samples).
Utility employees..................... Low pressure event form. 6 5 15/60
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Leroy A. Richardson,
Chief, Information Collection Review Office, Office of Scientific
Integrity, Office of the Associate Director for Science, Office of the
Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2015-27889 Filed 11-2-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P