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EPA/AR

RIN: 2060-AO47

Publication ID: Fall 2008

Title: Review of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter
Abstract: Under the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1977, EPA is required to review the air quality criteria every 5 years for the primary (health-based) and secondary (welfare-based) national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) and, if appropriate, revise these standards. On October 17, 2006, the EPA published a final rule to revise the primary and secondary NAAQS for particulate matter (PM) to provide increased protection of public health and welfare. With regard to the primary standards for fine particles (generally referring to particles less than or equal to 2.5 micrometers in diameter, PM2.5), EPA revised the level of the 24-hour PM2.5 standard to 35 micrograms per cubic meter (ug/m3) and retained the level of the annual PM2.5 standard at 15 ug/m3. With regard to primary standards for particles generally less than or equal to 10 micrometers in diameter (PM10), EPA retained the 24-hour PM10 standard and revoked the annual PM10 standard. With regard to secondary PM standards, EPA made them identical in all respects to the primary PM standards, as revised. This review of the PM NAAQS is being conducted using a new NAAQS review process. The review began in 2007 with a workshop to discuss key policy-relevant issues around which EPA would structure the review. The workshop discussions will provide important input as OAR and ORD consider the appropriate design and scope of the major elements that will inform the Agency's policy assessment under the new NAAQS process: an integrated plan highlighting the key policy-relevant issues prepared by OAR and ORD, an Integrated Science Assessment prepared by ORD, and a Risk/Exposure Assessment prepared by OAR. In addition, an ANPRM prepared by OAR will evaluate the policy implications of key information contained in the Integrated Science Assessment and Risk/Exposure Assessment, as well as additional appropriate technical analyses. The ANPRM will reflect Agency views regarding options to retain or revise the PM NAAQS. EPA will solicit comments from the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC), an independent science advisory committee established to review the scientific and technical basis of the NAAQS, and the public several times during the development of the critical documents identified above, including the ANPRM. The Administrator will propose to retain or revise the PM NAAQS, as appropriate, taking into consideration CASAC and public comment on the ANPRM. Input received during the public comment period for the proposed decision 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: Long-Term Actions
Major: Yes	Unfunded Mandates: No
CFR Citation: 40 CFR 50
Legal Authority: 42 USC 7408 and 7409

Legal Deadline:

Action	Source	Description	Date
Final	Statutory		10/17/2011

Timetable:

Action	Date	FR Cite
ANPRM	06/00/2010
NPRM	01/00/2011
Final Action	10/00/2011

Additional Information: SAN No. 5169; EPA Docket information: EPA-HQ-OAR-2007-0492
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No	Government Levels Affected: Federal, Local, State, Tribal
Small Entities Affected: No	Federalism: No
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No
Agency Contact: Beth Hassett-Sipple Environmental Protection Agency Air and Radiation MD-13, C504-06, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711 Phone:919 541-4605 Fax:919 541-0237 Email: hassett-sipple.beth@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