http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/sep2004/2004-09-10-09.asp#anchor3
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EPA Documents Progress in Limiting Fine Airborne Particles
WASHINGTON, DC, September 10, 2004 (ENS) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says it is making progress toward its clean air goals. In a new report released Thursday, the agency summarizes particulate matter (PM) research by EPA and other federally funded scientists.
"Particulate Matter (PM) Research Program: Five Years of Progress" is part of a federally coordinated effort to define the health effects of particulate matter in the air. Other federal participants in PM research include the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Energy.The report measures progress of the agency's long-term plan "to reduce hazardous air emissions through the combination of monitoring, regulation, and research."
In 1997, following a number of epidemiological studies, EPA revised the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for PM by setting a new standard for particles smaller than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5) also called fine particulate matter.
The EPA created a new separate standard for PM2.5 because it determined that the existing PM10 standard did not provide adequate protection for human health. It was the association between deaths due to heart and lung diseases and particulate matter air pollution that motivated the EPA to adopt a specific standard for PM 2.5.
The new standard was challenged in court by the American Trucking Association on the grounds that the EPA had exceeded its authority under the U.S. Constitution.
In February 2001, the Supreme Court rejected industry arguments that the Clean Air Act, as interpreted by the EPA, was an unconstitutional delegation of Congressional authority.
In 1997 the EPA said the new PM2.5 standard and its implementation would save 15,000 lives, keep thousands out of hospitals, reduce the risk of respiratory symptoms in children, and result in thousands fewer cases of child and adult asthma per year.
Based on these and other health and welfare benefits, the EPA then estimated annual savings of between $19 and $104 billion in 2010, compared with annual pollution control costs of only $8.6 billion.
The new report shows that research conducted since 1997 confirms earlier findings that exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution is linked to increases in respiratory health problems, hospitalization for heart or lung disease, and premature death.
The EPA now estimates that the new PM2.5 air regulations "will prevent tens of thousands of premature deaths and reduce hospitalizations for cardiovascular and respiratory illness by tens of thousands more people each year."
The monetary benefits of reducing mortality are estimated to be up to "approximately $100 billion per year." The benefits of reducing illness and minimizing the number of lost workdays and consequences of restricted activity are estimated to provide savings of billions more dollars each year, the agency said.
There are three new EPA regulations that the agency says will further clean the air of fine particulate matter.
By year's end the proposed the Clean Air Interstate Rule will be finalized. It aims to reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) - the two most important precursors to PM2.5. The agency says this proposal would result in the deepest cuts in SO2 and NOx emissions in more than a decade.
In June 2004, EPA proposed designated nonattainment areas for PM2.5, places with air quality levels exceeding the standards. In November, EPA will make final attainment and nonattainment designations. At that time, state, local and tribal governments must detail in state or tribal implementation plans (SIPs/TIPs) what controls they will implement to meet the PM2.5 national air quality standard.
The Clean Air Nonroad Diesel Rule was announced in May 2004, and requires stringent pollution controls on diesel engines used in industries such as construction, agriculture and mining, and reduces the sulfur content of diesel fuel. The agency says this rule will help nonattainment areas nationwide to reach the new PM2.5 standards.
The PM research report is available online at: http://www.epa.gov/pmresearch
For more information on the fine particle standard, go to: http://www.epa.gov/pmdesignations/
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