The agency is extending the comment period to give stakeholders adequate time to comment on the National Academy of Science's Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation (BEIR) VII report on health risks for exposure to low levels of ionizing radiation, which was not issued until June 29, 2005.

OSHA's May 3, 2005 request for information addresses current uses of ionizing radiation in the workplace and issues related to its use, such as employee exposure levels, health effects of ionizing radiation exposure, and workplace programs to control such exposure. The agency will use the information to determine if and how its ionizing radiation standards should be updated.

Written comments must be submitted by Nov. 28, 2005. Written comments (10 pages or fewer) can be faxed to OSHA's Docket Office at (202) 693-1648 or sent electronically to http://ecomments.osha.gov. Three copies of written comments and attachments must be submitted to the OSHA Docket Office, Docket H-016, Room N-2625, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., Washington, DC, 20210.

For further information on submitting comments, call the Docket Office at (202) 693-2350.