Request for Nominations of Scientific Peer Reviewers of Proposed Additions to the List of WTC-Related Health Conditions

The CDC solicited nominations for scientific peer reviewers of proposed additions of conditions to the List of WTC-Related Health Conditions (List).

Title I of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010, Pub. L. 111-347 (Jan. 2, 2011), amended by Pub. L. 114-113 (Dec. 18, 2015), added Title XXXIII to the Public Health Service Act (PHS Act), establishing the WTC Health Program within HHS (42 U.S.C. §§ 300mm to 300mm–61). When the Administrator proposes to add a condition to the List in he must publish the proposed rule in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. § 553). Additionally, as required by the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act, prior to issuing a final rule to add a health condition to the List, the Administrator must provide for an independent peer review of the scientific and technical evidence that would be the basis for issuing such final rule.

To assist in accomplishing independent peer review in a timely manner, the Administrator determined that he will develop a standing pool of persons with the scientific, technical, and medical background to potentially serve in this role based on the health condition in the proposed rule under consideration. Therefore, the Administrator requested nominations of persons to serve as peer reviewers. Nominations of peer reviewers were to have been accompanied by:

• Name
• Occupation
• Employer
• Contact information including mailing address, email, and phone number.
• Listing of scientific credentials including academic degrees and specialized training,
• Area of competencies (e.g., medical, epidemiology, exposure assessment, industrial hygiene)
• Area of specialty (e.g., Cardiovascular, Integumentary, Gastrointestinal, Endocrine, Urinary, Immune, Lymphatic, Muscular, Nervous, Reproductive, Respiratory, Skeletal)Publication list;
• Other materials to support the nominee’s ability to perform scientific peer review.
• For third-party nominations, affirmation from the nominee that they are aware of and agree to the nomination.

A Curriculum vitae that includes all of the above information was accepted as an alternate submission.

All persons who have the necessary minimum qualifications were to be included in the standing pool of potential peer reviewers. These persons will be included in the standing pool of potential peer reviewers for 3 years unless they request in writing to be removed. After 3 years persons may be nominated again and update their information.

The Administrator will select peer reviewers for any proposed rule by matching the nature of the proposed addition to the List and the nominee’s background and expertise, as well as any potential conflict of interest. In selecting peer reviewers, the WTC Program Administrator will consider individuals nominated in response to this Federal Register notice, as well as other qualified individuals.

DATES: Nominations were accepted until February 1, 2019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Middendorf, Deputy Associate Director for Science, 1600 Clifton Rd. NE, MS: E-20, Atlanta, GA 30333; telephone (404)498-2500 (this is not a toll-free number); email pmiddendorf@cdc.gov.