Air Quality Criteria for Particulate Matter

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 50

[FRL-5998-4]

Air Quality Criteria for Particulate Matter

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Initial call for information.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The National Center for Environmental Assessment, of the U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is undertaking to review and, as

appropriate, revise the EPA criteria document entitled Air Quality

Criteria for Particulate Matter (PM) as required under sections 108 and

109 of the Clean Air Act. The process that the EPA plans to follow is

described in a previous notice (62 FR 55201, October 23, 1997).

Since completion of the 1996 criteria document for particulate

matter, the EPA has continued to follow the scientific literature and

compile information that may be relevant to the next periodic review of

the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for PM (PM NAAQS).

Interested parties are invited to assist the EPA in developing and

refining its scientific information base to help ensure that all

relevant information is considered in updating the PM criteria

document. In particular, new information is being sought with regard to

the following three general topic areas: (1) PM health effects,

including experimental studies of PM exposure effects on humans or

[[Page 18855]]

laboratory animals (especially studies relating PM exposures at ambient

or near-ambient levels to health effects, related biologic mechanisms,

and PM dosimetry), and epidemiologic studies of short- and long-term PM

exposure effects on human mortality and morbidity, as well as new

information concerning related analytical methodology issues and human

exposure; (2) PM welfare effects, e.g., effects on vegetation,

agroecosystems (crops) and natural ecosystems, visibility,

nonbiological materials, and the global climate; and (3) other

pertinent air-quality-related information on atmospheric chemistry and

physics, sources and emissions, ambient concentrations and measurement

methodology, and transformation and transport in the environment.

Primary emphasis will be placed by the EPA on consideration of

peer-reviewed, published information in revising the subject PM

criteria document. Thus, most typically, submitted information should

have been peer-reviewed and published or accepted for publication.

DATES: This is an initial call for information. To ensure consideration

of relevant information in preparation of the first external review

draft of a revised criteria document for PM, all communications and

information should be submitted by June 30, 1998. However, ongoing

research activities are expected to produce a substantial amount of

additional new information that will not be available until after this

date. The EPA will consider for inclusion in subsequent drafts of the

document additional relevant information received by the time of the

final Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) review of

subsequent draft(s) of the document. The final CASAC review is now

expected to occur at a public meeting in May or June, 2000 according to

the recently announced current schedule (65 FR 55201, October 23,

1997).

ADDRESSES: Communications should be addressed to the Project Manager

for PM, National Center for Environmental Assessment-RTP Office (MD-

52), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC

27711.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diane H. Ray, National Center for

Environmental Assessment-RTP Office (MD-52), U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711; telephone: 919-

541-3637; facsimile: 919-541-1818; E-mail: [email protected].

Dated: April 10, 1998.

William H. Farland,

Director, National Center for Environmental Assessment.

[FR Doc. 98-10147 Filed 4-15-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560-50-U