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EPA/AR

RIN: 2060-AN83

Publication ID: Fall 2006

Title: Review of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Lead
Abstract: On October 5, 1978 the EPA promulgated primary and secondary NAAQS for lead under section 109 of the Act (43 FR 46258). Both primary and secondary standards were set at a level of 1.5 µg/m3 as a quarterly average (maximum arithmetic mean averaged over a calendar quarter). Subsequent to this initial standard-setting, the Clean Air Act requires that the standard be reviewed periodically. The last such review occurred during the period 1986-1990. For that review, an Air Quality Criteria Document (AQCD) was completed in 1986 with a supplement in 1990. Based on information contained in the AQCD, an EPA Staff Paper and Exposure Assessment were prepared. Following the completion of these documents, the agency did not propose any revisions to the 1978 Pb NAAQS. The current review of the Pb air-quality criteria was initiated in November 2004 by EPA's National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) with a general call for information published in the Federal Register. In January 2005, NCEA released a work plan for the review and revision of the Pb AQCD. Workshops were held to provide author feedback on a developing draft of the AQCD in August 2005. The draft AQCD was released December 1, 2005. The EPA Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards will prepare a Staff Paper for the Administrator, which will evaluate the policy implications of the key studies and scientific information contained in the AQCD and additional technical analyses, and identify critical elements that EPA staff believe should be considered in reviewing the standards. The AQCD and Staff Paper will be reviewed by the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) and the public, and both final documents will reflect the input received through these reviews. As the lead NAAQS review is completed, the Administrator's proposal to reaffirm or revise the lead NAAQS will be published with a request for public comment. Input received during the public comment period will be considered in the Administrator's final decision.
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)	Priority: Economically Significant
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda	Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage
Major: Yes	Unfunded Mandates: Undetermined
CFR Citation: 40 CFR 50
Legal Authority: 42 USC 7408 42 USC 7409

Legal Deadline:

Action	Source	Description	Date
Final	Judicial	Court-ordered schedule	09/01/2008

Statement of Need: As established in the Clean Air Act, the national ambient air quality standards for lead are to be reviewed every five years.

Summary of the Legal Basis: Section 109 of the Clean Air Act (42 USC 7409) directs the Administrator to propose and promulgate "primary" and "secondary" national ambient air quality standards for pollutants identified under Section 108 (the "criteria" pollutants). The "primary" standards are established for the protection of public health, while the "secondary" standards are to protect against public welfare or ecosystem effects.

Alternatives: The main alternatives for the Administrator's decision on the review of the national ambient air quality standards for lead are whether to reaffirm or revise the existing standards.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits: Costs and benefits of revising or reaffirming the national ambient air quality standards for lead cannot be determined at present; a regulatory analysis will be conducted along with the review of the standards.

Risks: The current national ambient air quality standards for lead are intended to protect against public health risks associated with neurological effects in children and cardiovascular effects in adult males. During the course of this review, a risk assessment will be conducted to evaluate health risks associated with the retention or revision of the lead standards. Welfare effects will also be reviewed in relation to retention or revision of the current standard.

Timetable:

Action	Date	FR Cite
NPRM	02/00/2008
Final Action	09/00/2008

Additional Information: SAN No. 5059
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No	Government Levels Affected: Undetermined
Small Entities Affected: No	Federalism: Undetermined
Included in the Regulatory Plan: Yes
Agency Contact: Ginger Tennant Environmental Protection Agency Air and Radiation 109 T.W. Alexander Drive, Mail Code C504-06, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711 Phone:919 541-4072 Fax:919 541-0237 Email: tennant.ginger@epa.gov Karen Martin Environmental Protection Agency Air and Radiation C504-06, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711 Phone:919 541-5274 Fax:919 541-0237 Email: Martin.Karen@epamail.epa.gov