EPA Releases Final Science Review Document of Clean Air Standards for Particulate Matter

EPA has released the final scientific assessment document on airborne particulate matter, entitled "Air Quality Criteria for Particulate Matter." Particulate matter (PM) is one of six criteria pollutants for which EPA has established National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) under the Clean Air Act. In accordance with the requirements of the CAA, EPA periodically reviews the scientific basis for these standards. This document provides significant new information for the technical and policy assessments of EPA's review of the standards. The document includes an analysis of a very large amount of new scientific literature generated since the NAAQS for PM were revised in 1997. This final assessment document has been subjected to expert scientific peer review by the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee, a review committee mandated by the Clean Air Act and part of the EPA's Science Advisory Board. The "Air Quality Criteria for Particulate Matter" document is available on-line at: www.epa.gov/pmresearch.