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The following web sites are available for the general public to query for more information regarding how ambient air parameters and their respective standards are determined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Information involving weather and the earth’s physical environment also play a large role in air quality programs as well as climate changes. EPA also works with scientists and policy makers from all over the world. A large number of these sites are also included, although this is not an all inclusive list.
In Albuquerque and for the County of Bernalillo, The City of Albuquerque, Environmental Health Department's Air Quality Division (AQD) is delegated to enforce and implement EPA regulations. Information about the AQD can be found on the AQD website, including regulations, permitted sources, programs, and ambient air monitoring data. Albuquerque air quality monitoring data can also be viewed on EPA’s Air Data website .
EPA, through a multi-tiered process establishes Air Quality standards to protect public health. The Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) is an independent board of experts that reviews data and research, and offers scientific and technical advice on the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
CASAC recommendations are based on studies and data analysis, and follow U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) risk assessment guidelines . Other risk tools include Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) (1.27MB) .
The CASAC (along with other advisory committees) reports to the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) . Members-of and consultants-to the Board consist of distinguished scientists, engineers, and economists who are recognized, non-governmental experts in their respective fields. These individuals are drawn from academia, industry, and environmental communities throughout the United States and, in some limited cases, other countries. The SAB, in turn, advises the EPA Administrator on a broad range of scientific, technological, social and economic issues. Regulations are ultimately proposed through a public process, allowing input from all affected parties, including the public.
HEI is a nonprofit corporation chartered in 1980 as an independent research organization to provide high-quality, impartial, and relevant science on the health effects of air pollution. Typically, HEI receives half of its core funds from the US Environmental Protection Agency and half from the worldwide motor vehicle industry. Other public and private organizations periodically support special projects or certain research programs.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates air quality in the workplace, using standards that are different from those applicable to the general public.
For toxic substances, public exposure levels are compared to Acute Exposure Guideline Levels (AEGLs) developed by another of EPA’s advisory committees, the National Advisory Committee for Acute Exposure Guideline Levels for Hazardous Substances. Similarly, the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA)develops exposure levels called Emergency Response Planning Guidelines (ERPGs).
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