{
  "id": "R42934",
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      "date": "2015-12-23",
      "retrieved": "2016-04-06T17:39:24.667304",
      "title": "Air Quality: EPA\u2019s 2013 Changes to the Particulate Matter (PM) Standard",
      "summary": "On January 15, 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a final rule revising the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for particulate matter (PM). The revised air quality standards were completed pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA) and, in part, in response to a court order and consent agreement. Based on its review of scientific studies available since the agency\u2019s previous review in 2006, EPA determined that evidence continued to show associations between particulates in ambient air and numerous significant health problems, including aggravated asthma, chronic bronchitis, nonfatal heart attacks, and premature death. Populations shown to be most at risk include children, older adults, and those with heart and lung disease, and those of lower socioeconomic status. EPA\u2019s review of and revisions to the PM NAAQS have generated considerable debate and oversight in Congress.\nThe January 2013 revisions change the existing (2006) annual health-based (\u201cprimary\u201d) standard for \u201cfine\u201d particulate matter 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter (or PM2.5), lowering the allowable average concentration of PM2.5 in the air from the current level of 15 micrograms per cubic meter (\u00b5g/m3) to a limit of 12 \u00b5g/m3. The annual PM2.5 NAAQS is set so as to address human health effects from chronic exposures to the pollutants. The existing \u201c24-hour primary standard\u201d for PM2.5 that was reduced from 65 \u00b5g/m3 to 35 \u00b5g/m3 in 2006 was retained, as was the existing standard for larger, but still inhalable, \u201ccoarse\u201d particles less than 10 micrometers in diameter, or PM10. As it did in 2006, EPA set \u201csecondary\u201d standards that provide protection against \u201cwelfare\u201d (nonhealth) effects, such as ecological effects and material deterioration, identical to the primary standards.\nEPA revised the Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) accompanying its June 2012 proposed rule in part in response to comments received regarding the agency\u2019s cost and benefit estimates. In its December 2012 RIA, EPA estimated that the potential \u201cquantifiable\u201d health benefits (2010 $) associated with attaining the PM standard would range from $4.0 billion to $9.1 billion, and costs (2010 $) would range from $53.0 million to $353.0 million. Some stakeholders and some Members continue to express concerns that cost impacts would be more significant than those estimated by EPA for those areas out of compliance with the new standards.\nEPA\u2019s revisions to the PM NAAQS do not directly regulate emissions from specific sources, or compel installation of any pollution control equipment or measures, but indirectly could affect operations at industrial facilities and other sources throughout the United States. Revising PM NAAQS starts a process that includes a determination of areas in each state that exceed the standard and must, therefore, reduce pollutant concentrations to achieve it. Following determinations of these \u201cnonattainment\u201d areas based on multiple years of monitoring data and other factors, state and local governments must develop (or revise) State Implementation Plans (SIPs) outlining measures to attain the standard. These include promulgation of new regulations by states, and the issuance of revised air permits. The process typically takes several years.\nOn January 15, 2015, EPA published its classification of 14 areas as \u201cModerate\u201d nonattainment for the revised 2013 primary annual PM2.5 standard. EPA subsequently published amended designations on April 7, 2015. EPA\u2019s April 2015 modifications to the final area designations for the 2013 PM NAAQS resulted in nine areas consisting of 20 counties in four states designated as nonattainment. All but two of the 20 counties have been previously designated as nonattainment for the 2006 and/or the 1997 PM2.5 NAAQS. For a Moderate area, CAA Section 188(c)(1) of Subpart 4 establishes an attainment deadline of as expeditiously as practicable but no later than the end of the sixth calendar year after designation as nonattainment.",
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      "topics": [
        {
          "source": "IBCList",
          "id": 258,
          "name": "Clean Air Act and Air Quality"
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    {
      "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department",
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      "id": "R42934_2015Jan07",
      "date": "2015-01-07",
      "retrieved": "2015-03-30T22:03:27",
      "title": "Air Quality: EPA's 2013 Changes to the Particulate Matter (PM) Standard",
      "summary": "This report summarizes the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) January 15, 2013, final and June 2012 proposed changes to the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) and includes comparisons with previous (1997 and 2006) promulgated and proposed standards. Key actions leading up to the agency's determination, and potential issues and concerns associated with changing the Particulate Matter annual standard, are also highlighted.",
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      "id": "R42934_2013Feb05",
      "date": "2013-02-05",
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    {
      "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department",
      "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc462542/",
      "id": "R42934_2013Jan23",
      "date": "2013-01-23",
      "retrieved": "2014-12-05T09:57:41",
      "title": "Air Quality: EPA's 2013 Changes to the Particulate Matter (PM) Standard",
      "summary": "This report summarizes Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) January 15, 2013, final and June 2012 proposed changes to the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) and includes comparisons with previous (1997 and 2006) promulgated and proposed standards. Key actions leading up to the agency's determination, and potential issues and concerns associated with changing the Particulate Matter annual standard, are also highlighted.",
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