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Policy Assessment Updates for the Reconsideration of the Primary National Ambient Air Quality Standard for Particulate Matter, Review Draft
Citation:
Policy Assessment Updates for the Reconsideration of the Primary National Ambient Air Quality Standard for Particulate Matter, Review Draft.
Impact/Purpose:
The Policy Assessment is intended to "bridge the gap" between the scientific information and assessment and the judgments required of the EPA Administrator in determining whether, and if so how, it is appropriate to revise the primary PM NAAQS. The Policy Assessment will reflect EPA staff's views regarding the broadest array of options supported by the available information. The Policy Assessment will consider the available scientific evidence presented in the Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) and the Risk and Exposure Assessment (REA) (which is part of the Policy Assessment), together with related limitations and uncertainties, and will focus on the basic elements of an air quality standard: indicator, averaging time, form, and level. These elements, which serve to define each NAAQS, will be considered collectively in evaluating the public health and welfare protection afforded by the standard(s). A final draft document will be produced after considering CASAC and public comments. All documents will be made publicly available.
Description:
Particulate Matter is one of the six major air pollutants for which EPA has issued air quality criteria and established national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) based on those criteria. The Clean Air Act (CAA) requires EPA to periodically review and revise, as appropriate, existing air quality criteria and NAAQS. The CAA also requires an independent scientific committee to review the criteria and to advise the Administrator regarding any recommended revisions to the existing criteria and standards, as may be appropriate. The Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) of EPA's Scientific Advisory Board serves as this independent scientific committee.
URLs/Downloads:
Policy Assessment Updates for the Reconsideration of the Primary National Ambient Air Quality Standard for Particulate Matter, Review Draft
Charge for PM Reconsideration Policy Assessment Updates (PDF, 4 pp, 151 KB, about PDF)
Draft Policy Assessment Updates for PM Reconsideration (PDF, 649 pp, 18472 KB, about PDF)