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EPA/AR RIN: 2060-AO47 Publication ID: Spring 2009 
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. The current review of the PM NAAQS 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 EPA's Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) and Office of Research and Development (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. 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. The Administrator will propose to retain or revise the PM NAAQS, as appropriate, taking into consideration CASAC and public comment. 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    42 USC 7409   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  02/00/2011    
Final Action  11/00/2011    
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