US EPA

EPA announced that the Third External Review Draft of the Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Lead (Pb) was made available for independent peer review and public review. This draft ISA 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 Pb sufficiently protect 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 timely public comments submitted when revising the document.

Lead 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 provides a concise review, synthesis, and evaluation of the most policy-relevant science to serve as a scientific foundation for the review of the NAAQS. The CASAC, an independent science advisory committee mandated by Section 109 (d) (2) of the Clean Air Act, is charged with independent scientific review of EPA's air quality criteria.

The references considered for inclusion in, or cited in, the first and second external review drafts of the ISA are available at http://hero.epa.gov/lead (the cited or considered results may also be refined by scientific subjects such as ecological effects, health effects, exposure, toxicokinetics, and atmospheric science).

Lead (Pb) is one of six principal (or criteria) pollutants for which EPA has established NAAQS

The 3rd external review draft Lead ISA 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. In revising and finalizing the Lead ISA, EPA will take into account review panel advice and recommendations as well as public comments. The final Lead ISA is scheduled for release following this review.

U.S. EPA. Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Lead (Third External Review Draft, Nov 2012). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-10/075C, 2012.

Included for public review is the draft Integrated Science Assessment for Lead (Third 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-2011-0051 (for the docket ID) to comment on this report.