World Trade Center Health Program Notice on Hepatic Steatosis Petitions
AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has denied multiple petitions to add 'hepatic steatosis' or 'fatty liver disease' to the List of World Trade Center-related health conditions. This decision was based on the assessment that there is insufficient medical and scientific evidence supporting a causal association between 9/11 exposures and hepatic steatosis. The Administrator of the World Trade Center Health Program concluded that no further action, such as proposing the addition of this condition, would be warranted at this time.
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Key Changes
- Addition of 'hepatic steatosis' or 'fatty liver disease' to the list was denied
- Insufficient evidence for a causal link was identified
- No further actions regarding the petitions will be taken at this time
Obligations
What this law requires
Within 90 days after receipt of a valid petition to add a health condition to the List, the Administrator must take one of four actions: (1) Request a recommendation from the WTC Health Program Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee; (2) publish a proposed rule in the Federal Register; (3) publish a determination not to publish a proposed rule with basis; or (4) publish a determination that insufficient evidence exists to take action.
The Administrator must ensure valid petitions include sufficient medical basis for the association between September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the health condition, demonstrated through peer-reviewed epidemiologic studies about the health condition among 9/11-exposed populations, clinical case reports in WTC responders or survivors, or studies linking 9/11 agents or hazards to the petitioned health condition.
The WTC Health Program Science Team must conduct a literature review using keyword searches of relevant scientific databases to identify peer-reviewed, published epidemiologic studies about a health condition among 9/11-exposed populations.
The Science Team must evaluate the scientific quality of each peer-reviewed, published epidemiologic study using validity indicators described in the Policy and Procedures for Adding Non-Cancer Conditions to the List of WTC-Related Health Conditions.
The Administrator may only consider a new petition for a previously evaluated health condition determined not to qualify for addition to the List if the new petition presents new medical evidence not previously reviewed by the Administrator.