[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 73 (Thursday, April 16, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 18854-18855]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-10147]
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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.
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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: ray.diane@epamail.epa.gov.
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
