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Under the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1977, EPA is required to review, and if appropriate, revise the air quality criteria for the primary (health-based) and secondary (welfare-based) national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) every five years. On January 13, 2013, the EPA published a final rule revising the NAAQS for particulate matter to provide increased protection for public health. The current review includes the preparation by EPA of an Integrated Review Plan, an Integrated Science Assessment and also, if warranted, a Risk/Exposure Policy Assessment, which includes a risk/exposure assessment and also a Policy Assessment by EPA, with opportunities for review by EPA's Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee and the public. These documents will inform the Administrator's proposed decision as to whether to retain or revise the standards. This proposed decision will be published in the Federal Register with opportunity provided for public comment. The Administrator's final decisions will take into consideration these documents and public comment on the proposed decision.

Statement of Need:

Under the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1977, EPA is required to review and, if appropriate, revise the air quality criteria and national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) every 5 years. On January 13, 2013, EPA published a final rule revising the NAAQS for particulate matter to provide increased protection for public health.

Summary of the Legal Basis:

Under the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1977, EPA is required to review and, if appropriate, revise the air quality criteria and the primary (health-based) national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) every 5 years.

Alternatives:

The main alternative for the Administrator’s decision on the review of the national ambient air quality standards for particulate matter is whether to retain or revise the existing standards.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits:

The Clean Air Act makes clear that the economic and technical feasibility of attaining standards are not to be considered in setting or revising the NAAQS, although such factors may be considered in the development of state plans to implement the standards. Accordingly, when the Agency proposes revisions to the standards, the Agency prepares a Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) to provide the public with illustrative estimates of the potential costs and health and welfare benefits of attaining the revised standards.

Risks:

The current review will include the preparation by EPA of an Integrated Review Plan, an Integrated Science Assessment, and also a Policy Assessment, which includes a risk/exposure assessment, with opportunities for review by the EPA's Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) and the public. These documents will inform the Administrator's proposed decision as to whether to retain or revise the current standards. This proposed decision will be published in the Federal Register with opportunity provided for public comment. The Administrator's final decisions will take into consideration these documents, CASAC advice, and public comment on the proposed decision.