(NIEHS); Notice of Workshop on Strategies for Assessing the Implications ofMalformed Frogs

[ttweed@wildrockies.org (Tony Tweedale)]

  National Toxicology Program (NTP); National Institute of
  Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS); Notice of Workshop on Strategies
  for Assessing the Implications of Malformed Frogs for Environmental
  Health
  
      The Workshops will be held in the Conference Center, Building 101,
  South Campus, NIEHS, 111 Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, North
  Carolina 27709, on December 4-5, 1997, from approximately 8:30 a.m. to
  5:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 4th and approximately 8:30 a.m. to 12
  noon on Friday, December 5th.
  
  Background
  
      Over the last few years increasing numbers of malformed frogs have
  been reported in numerous states, across southern Canada, and in Japan.
  Early in 1997 the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) requested
  the assistance of the National Institute of Environmental Health
  Sciences, National Institutes of Health, and the National Toxicology
  Program with their investigation into the cause of the frog
  malformations occurring across Minnesota. A research plan has been
  implemented to determine whether there is a site-specific correlation
  between the malformations and contaminants determined by chemical
  analysis of water and sediment, laboratory bioassays, and field
  monitoring of frog populations. The causal factors have not yet been
  determined. However, evidence to date indicates that pond water and
  groundwater from affected sites are capable of producing frog embryo
  deformities in the laboratory.
  
  Workshop Goals
  
      <bullet> Review NIEHS/NTP findings and strategies for future study
      <bullet> Assess the implications of NIEHS/MPCA and related findings
  for human and ecological health
      <bullet> Provide an opportunity for discussion, input and
  perspective from the broader scientific community, industry, Federal,
  state, and local government officials, and the public
  
  Workshop Topics
  
      <bullet> Overview of Frog Deformities (Historical Perspective;
  Geographic Extent and Incidence; Affected State Perspectives; Possible
  Environmental Causes)
      <bullet> Minnesota/NIEHS Cooperative Research Efforts
      <bullet> Environmental Chemistry and Hydrogeology
      <bullet> Ecological Health Issues: Human Health Issues; Monitoring
  Strategies (Federal and State)
      <bullet> Future Directions
      Invited speakers will address the topics listed above. Time will be
  provided for open discussion and comment.
      Public Participation Encouraged and Welcome: The entire meeting
  will be open to the public with attendance limited only by space
  available.
      To Register: Please provide the following information by mail or
  fax, or E-mail: Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial; Institution,
  Department, Title; Address, City, State/County, Zip Code; Daytime
  Phone, FAX Number, E-Mail Address. Forward to: NTP Liaison Office, P.O.
  Box 12233, MD: A3-01, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, USA
  [Tel: (919) 541-0530; FAX (919) 541-0295, E-mail:
  britton@niehs.nih.gov.
      For further information, including a tentative agenda, contact the
  NTP Liaison Office as shown above.
  
      Dated: November 13, 1997.
  Samuel H. Wilson,
  Deputy Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
  [FR Doc. 97-31237 Filed 11-26-97; 8:45 am]
  BILLING CODE 4140-01-M
  
  
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