EPA Seeks Input on Peer Reviewer Candidates for Asbestos Risk Evaluation

EPA has opened a brief comment period for the public to provide input on candidates the agency is considering as possible reviewers of a document related to EPA’s ongoing risk evaluation of asbestos. Biographical sketches of the eight candidates, four of whom are AIHA members, are available from Regulations.gov.

The candidates are under consideration for review of “Quantitative Human Health Approach to be Applied in the Risk Evaluation for Asbestos Part 2 – Supplemental Evaluation including Legacy Uses and Associated Disposals of Asbestos” (PDF). The document describes how EPA identified and evaluated information to inform human health dose-response considerations for Part 2 of its asbestos risk evaluation, which focuses on all fiber types and legacy uses, including conditions of use of asbestos in talc and talc-containing products. Also included are overviews of dose-response information for both cancer and noncancer health effects.

Part 1 of EPA’s asbestos risk evaluation, which focused only on chrysotile asbestos, was completed in 2020. The agency has entered into a legal agreement that requires completion of Part 2 by Dec. 1, 2024.

Comments on peer reviewer candidates are due by Sept. 28 and may be submitted through Regulations.gov. EPA previously indicated that peer review of the draft document is expected to occur between Oct. 25 and Nov. 24. More information about Part 2 of EPA’s asbestos risk evaluation is available from the agency’s website.