[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 208 (Tuesday, October 28, 1997)] [Notices] [Pages 55815-55816] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-28483] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Notice of Meeting The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry announces the following meeting. Name: Expert Workshop3 Regarding Medical Monitoring in Bunker Hill, Idaho. Times and Dates: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., November 5, 1997; 8 a.m.-5 p.m., November 6, 1997. Place: Elk's Temple #1841, 202\1/2\ McKinley Avenue, Kellogg, Idaho 83837, telephone 208/786-3901. Status: Open to the public, limited only by the space available. The meeting room accommodates approximately 100 people. Purpose: The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) is considering the appropriateness of medical monitoring for populations who lived around the Bunker Hill former lead smelting facility (the Bunker Hill Superfund Site) in the Silver Valley of Idaho at a time of excess exposures of public health significance. As part of this consideration process, ATSDR is convening a series of workshops to examine the appropriateness and feasibility of a medical monitoring program. The purpose of the medical monitoring program is to provide a public health service to communities affected by exposures to hazardous substances by screening target populations at significant risk of a specific [[Page 55816]] health effect or outcome, identifying individuals in need of further diagnosis or treatment, and arranging for appropriate referrals. Section 104(i)(9) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 9604(i)(9)), provides for the Administrator, ATSDR to initiate a health surveillance program for populations at significantly increased risk of adverse health effects as a result of exposure to hazardous substances released from a facility. A program included under health surveillance is referred to as ``medical monitoring or screening'' by ATSDR and is defined in the legislation as ``the periodic medical testing to screen people at significant increased risk for disease.'' ATSDR has established criteria to determine when medical monitoring is an appropriate health activity and the requirements for establishing a medical monitoring program at a site. The legislation also states that a mechanism to refer people for treatment should be included in the program. This statutory provision does not authorize ATSDR to provide medical treatment. Medical monitoring is a community service, not a health study. ATSDR is convening three expert workshops to assist in the evaluation of a medical monitoring program at the Bunker Hill site. If a program is deemed appropriate, the agency will develop a medical monitoring plan for the target population(s). The first workshop, considering the first four ATSDR medical monitoring criteria, took place on August 19-20, 1997. The second workshop, which took place on September 23-24, 1997, examined more closely the health outcomes recommended by the first workshop and considered screening tests and protocols appropriate to a medical monitoring program. This document gives notice of the third workshop. Matters to be Considered: The third workshop will reconvene the first workshop's participants and other experts as needed to: Consider the application of the final three medical monitoring criteria as developed by ATSDR, and review ATSDR's application of these criteria, to the Bunker Hill site Provide individual recommendations and guidance on issues of science and public health practice related to program implementation Provide individual expertise and guidance in conducting a medical outcome and decision analysis to evaluate the public health benefits and risks of a medical monitoring program related to the Bunker Hill site. The experts will use information from the first and second workshops and other relevant data to make individual recommendations and answer questions related to key issues including the logistics, program infrastructure, benefit analysis, and other aspects of the medical monitoring system criteria for each candidate health outcome. Agenda items are subject to change as priorities dictate. Contact Person for More Information: Vivian Rush, M.D., Medical Officer, ATSDR, Division of Health Education and Promotion, 1600 Clifton Road, NE, M/S E-33, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, telephone 404/ 639-5080, or Gregory Thomas, Senior Regional Representative, ATSDR Region X, telephone 206/553-2113. Dated: October 22, 1997. Julia M. Fuller, Acting Director, Management Analysis and Services Office Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [FR Doc. 97-28483 Filed 10-27-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4163-70-P