[Federal Register: April 16, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 73)]
[Proposed Rules]               
[Page 18854-18855]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16ap98-20]

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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