EPA Recommends Stricter Particulate Regs, but Stops Short of Panel Guidelines
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's proposed standards for fine particulate matter are tighter than the existing regulations, but weaker than a scientific board recommended and also not as stringent as the revisions recommended by EPA staff. Administrator Stephen L. Johnson announced the proposed restrictions Dec. 20 in a conference call with reporters.
The proposed rules, which are subject to public comment and would take effect next year, are aimed at particles of 2.5 micrometers and less. The current annual average concentration lmit, 15 micrograms per cubic meter of air, would remain in effect. But EPA wants to ratchet down daily limits from 65 micrograms to 35 micrograms. Last June, EPA's Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee, after reviewing some 2,000 health studies, recommended lowering the standard to a daily limit of 35 to 30 micrograms and an annual limit of 14 to 13 micrograms.