Integrated Science Assessment for Lead (Third External Review Draft)

Notice

EPA is announcing the release of the draft document, Integrated Science Assessment for Lead – Third External Review Draft for public review and comments as announced in a November 27, 2012 Federal Register Notice.

Report Information

EPA has announced that the Third External Review Draft of the Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Lead (Pb) has been made available for independent peer review and public review. This draft ISA represents a concise synthesis and evaluation of the most policy-relevant science and will ultimately provide the scientific bases for EPA’s decision regarding whether the current standards for Pb sufficiently protect public health and the environment.

The references considered for inclusion in, or cited in, the first and second external review drafts of the ISA are available at http://hero.epa.gov/lead (the cited or considered results may also be refined by scientific subjects such as ecological effects, health effects, exposure, toxicokinetics, and atmospheric science).

Ellen Kirrane

by phone at: 919-541-1340
by email at: kirrane.ellen@epa.gov

Background

EPA released this draft document to seek review by the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) and the public (meeting date and location to be specified in a separate Federal Register notice). The draft document does not represent, and should not be construed to represent, any final EPA policy, viewpoint, or determination. EPA will consider any timely public comments submitted when revising the document.

Lead is one of six principal (or “criteria”) pollutants for which EPA has established NAAQS. Periodically, EPA reviews the scientific basis for these standards by preparing an Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) (formerly called an Air Quality Criteria Document). The ISA provides a concise review, synthesis, and evaluation of the most policy-relevant science to serve as a scientific foundation for the review of the NAAQS. The CASAC, an independent science advisory committee mandated by Section 109 (d) (2) of the Clean Air Act, is charged with independent scientific review of EPA's air quality criteria.

History/Chronology

May 2011	EPA released the Integrated Science Assessment for Lead (First External Review Draft) (EPA /600/R-10/075A) for public review and comments. [Federal Register May 6, 2011]
Jun 2011	EPA's Science Advisory Board's CASAC announced the meeting of the Lead Review Panel for the review of the EPA's Integrated Science Assessment for Lead (1st ERD Draft). [Federal Register Jun 21, 2011]
Jul 2011	EPA announced an extension on the comment period, the new deadline for submitting comments was moved to July 19, 2011. [Federal Register Notice Jul 1, 2011]
Feb 2012	EPA released the Integrated Science Assessment for Lead (Second External Review Draft) (EPA /600/R-10/075B) for public review and comments. [Federal Register Feb 2, 2012]
Mar 2012	EPA's Science Advisory Board's CASAC announces a series of meetings for the Lead Review Panel regarding the review of the EPA's Integrated Science Assessment for Lead (2nd ERD). [Federal Register Mar 13, 2012]
Nov 2012	EPA releases the Integrated Science Assessment for Lead (Third External Review Draft) (EPA /600/R-10/075C) for public review and comments. [Federal Register Nov 27, 2012]
Jan 2013	EPA's Science Advisory Board's CASAC announced a 2-day meeting to discuss the review of the third review draft of the Lead ISA on February 5 -6, 2013. [Federal Register Notice Jan 7, 2013]

Next Steps

The 3rd external review draft Lead ISA will be discussed at a public meeting for review by CASAC, and public comments received will be provided to the CASAC review panel. A future Federal Register notice will inform the public of the exact date and time of that CASAC meeting. In revising and finalizing the Lead ISA, EPA will take into account review panel advice and recommendations as well as public comments. The final Lead ISA is scheduled for release following this review.

Additional Information

Included for public review is the draft Integrated Science Assessment for Lead (Third External Review Draft). Comments on this document may be submitted and reviewed using the e-Government Regulations.gov Web site. From the site, select Environmental Protection Agency and the keyword EPA-HQ-ORD-2011-0051 (for the docket ID) to comment on this report.

Citation

U.S. EPA. Integrated Science Assessment for Lead (Third External Review Draft). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-10/075C, 2012.

Downloads

This download(s) is distributed solely for the purpose of pre-dissemination peer review under applicable information quality guidelines. It has not been formally disseminated by EPA. It does not represent and should not be construed to represent any Agency determination or policy.

Integrated Science Assessment for Lead (Third External Review Draft) (PDF) (1762 pp, 32 MB, about PDF)