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EPA/AR

RIN: 2060-AH92

Publication ID: Spring 1998

Title: ●Revisions to the Pollutant Standard Index and Significant Harm Level Programs for Ozone and Particulate Matter
Abstract: This regulation will update the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) and the Significant Harm Level (SHL) Programs to reflect revisions to the NAAQS for ozone and particulate matter. The PSI and SHL programs are codified in section 58.50 and appendix G to part 58, and sections 51.150 to 51.153 and appendix L to part 51, of the CFR, respectively. Also included in this regulatory package is the deletion of the last sentence in section 51.115(e) of the CFR. ^PSection 58.50 and appendix G to part 58 require that States report to the public an air quality index, the Pollutant Standards Index, which translates ambient concentrations of five of the criteria pollutants to a uniform, numerical index, ranging from 0 to 500. The scale of the PSI is based on human health effects information. Revisions will be made to the ambient concentrations which specify the breakpoints between the PSI categories (i.e., the good, moderate, unhealthful, very unhealthful, and hazardous categories) and associated example health advisories. ^PSections 51.150-51.153 of the CFR require that States have contingency plans to prevent air pollution emergency episodes from reaching the significant harm level. Appendix L provides example guidance to the States on appropriate courses of action that should be taken at each stage of the episode (i.e., alert, warning and emergency) to ensure the SHL is not reached. ^PSection 51.115(e) reads: In developing an ozone control strategy for a particular area, background ozone concentrations and ozone transported into an area must be considered. States may assume that the ozone standard will be attained in the upwind areas. Because of the increase in knowledge about transport and because of action taken in the NOx State Implementation Plan (SIP) call, the second sentence of this section is now inconsistent with the current requirements for SIP development and needs to be removed.
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)	Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant
RIN Status: First time published in the Unified Agenda	Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage
Major: No	Unfunded Mandates: No
CFR Citation: Not yet determined (To search for a specific CFR, visit the Code of Federal Regulations.)
Legal Authority: 42 USC 7401 et seq

Timetable:

Action	Date	FR Cite
NPRM	04/00/1998
Final Rule	12/00/1998

Additional Information: SAN No. 4073 ^PRFA: N
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No	Government Levels Affected: Federal, Local, State, Tribal
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No
Agency Contact: Susan Stone Environmental Protection Agency Air and Radiation C504-06, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711 Phone:919 541-1146 Fax:919 541-0237 Email: stone.susan@epa.gov