Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Particulate Matter (First External Review Draft, Dec 2008)
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Abstract
EPA has announced that the First External Review Draft of the Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Particulate Matter and related Annexes have been made available for independent peer review and public review. This draft ISA document 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 PM sufficiently protects public health and the environment.
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 public comments submitted in response to this notice when revising the document.
Particulate matter (PM) 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 and supplementary annexes, in conjunction with additional technical and policy assessments, provide the scientific basis for EPA decisions on the adequacy of the current NAAQS and the appropriateness of possible alternative standards. The Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC), an independent science advisory committee whose existence and whose review and advisory functions are mandated by Section 109 (d) (2) of the Clean Air Act, is charged (among other things) with independent scientific review of EPA's air quality criteria.
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 public comments submitted in response to this notice when revising the document.
Particulate matter (PM) 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 and supplementary annexes, in conjunction with additional technical and policy assessments, provide the scientific basis for EPA decisions on the adequacy of the current NAAQS and the appropriateness of possible alternative standards. The Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC), an independent science advisory committee whose existence and whose review and advisory functions are mandated by Section 109 (d) (2) of the Clean Air Act, is charged (among other things) with independent scientific review of EPA's air quality criteria.
Impact/Purpose
This ISA thus serves to update and revise the information available at
the time of the previous review of the NAAQS for PM in 2006.
Status
The first external review draft ISA for PM 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.
Citation
U.S. EPA. Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Particulate Matter (First External Review Draft, Dec 2008). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-08/139, 2008.
History/Chronology
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 1969 | EPA published the first Air Quality Criteria for Particulate Matter and Air Quality Criteria for Sulfur Oxides. |
| 1970 | EPA published an update to the Air Quality Criteria for Particulate Matter and Air Quality Criteria for Sulfur Oxides. |
| 1977 | The Air Quality Criteria Document (including 3 volumes) were updated in response to specific requirements of Section 108 of the Clean Air Act, as amended in 1977. |
| Dec 1982 | EPA published an update to the Air Quality Criteria for Particulate Matter and Sulfur Oxides. |
| Dec 1986 | EPA published the Second Addendum to Air Quality Criteria for Particulate Matter and Sulfur Oxides (1982): Assessment of New Findings on Sulfur Dioxide and Acute Exposure Health Effects in Asthmatic Individuals. |
| Aug 1994 | EPA published the Supplement to the Second Addendum (1986) to Air Quality Criteria for Particulate Matter and Sulfur Oxides (1982): Assessment of New Findings on Sulfur Dioxide and Acute Exposure Health Effects in Asthmatic Individuals. |
| Apr 1996 | EPA released an updated Air Quality Criteria Document for Particulate Matter (Final Report). |
| 1997 - 2004 | EPA released multiple external review drafts for comment and review. |
| Oct 2004 | EPA released an updated Air Quality Criteria Document for Particulate Matter (Final Report). |
| Jun 2007 | EPA formally initiated its current review of the air quality criteria for PM, requesting the submission of recent scientific information on specific topics. [ Federal Register Jun 28, 2007] |
| Oct 2007 | EPA released an external review draft of EPA's Integrated Review Plan for the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for Particulate Matter (EPA/452/P-08/006) for public comment and was discussed by the CASAC via a publicly accessible teleconference consultation on November 30, 2007 (72 FR 63177). |
| Mar 2008 | EPA released the final plan, Integrated Review Plan for the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for Particulate Matter(EPA/452/R-08/004). |
| Jun 2008 | EPA held a workshop to discuss, with invited scientific experts, initial draft materials prepared in the development of the PM ISA and its supplementary annexes. [Federal Register May 27, 2008] |
| Dec 2008 | EPA released the first external review draft of the ISA for PM assessment for public review and comment.[Federal Register Dec 19, 2008] |
| Feb 2009 | EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB) announced a public meeting of the Clean Air Scientific Advisory (CASAC) PM Review Panel to discuss the PM ISA (First External Review Draft). [Federal Register Feb 19, 2009] |
Additional Information
Included for public review is the draft Integrated Science Assessment for Particulate Matter (First 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-2007-0517 (for the docket ID) to comment on this report.
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 Particulate Matter (First External Review Draft) (PDF) (938 pp, 14 MB, about PDF)
- Annex A - Atmospheric Science (PDF) (409 pp, 22 MB, about PDF)
- Annex B - Dosimetry (PDF) (8 pp, 81 KB, about PDF)
- Annex C - Human Clinical Studies (PDF) (8 pp, 84 KB, about PDF)
- Annex D - Toxicological Studies (PDF) (178 pp, 1 MB, about PDF)
- Annex E - Epidemiologic Studies (PDF) (402 pp, 2 MB, about PDF)
- CASAC Project Overview for the Review of the EPA's Integrated Science Assessment for Particulate Matter (External Review Draft)
- Draft PM ISA Letter
- CASAC Review of the EPA’s Integrated Science Assessment for PM (1st External Review Draft) (PDF) (124 pp, 769 KB, about PDF)