Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Sulfur Oxides – Health Criteria (Second External Review Draft)

EPA has released for public comment and independent expert peer review the second external review draft of a document entitled, Integrated Science Assessment for Sulfur Oxides – Health Criteria. Sulfur oxides is one of six principal (or “criteria”) pollutants for which EPA has established national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). The Clean Air Act requires EPA to periodically review the scientific basis for these standards by preparing an Integrated Science Assessment (ISA), formerly called an Air Quality Criteria Document (AQCD). The draft ISA was prepared as part of the review of the primary or human health-based NAAQS for sulfur oxides. The draft ISA evaluates and integrates the newly available health evidence, and contains the key information and judgments formerly found in the AQCD. A series of Annexes to the draft ISA provides more extensive and detailed summaries of the most pertinent scientific literature. This is EPA’s latest evaluation of the scientific literature on the potential adverse health effects resulting from exposures to sulfur oxides, particularly sulfur dioxide or SO₂. There are significant new data, particularly epidemiological studies, that strengthen the evidence for these effects since the last scientific review.

The second draft ISA will be reviewed by the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) at a public meeting later this year in Research Triangle Park, NC. A final ISA will be released in 2008, which will address CASAC and public comments received on the second draft ISA. Once final, the complete ISA will be posted on the EPA Web site to provide the scientific bases for EPA’s periodic review and possible revision of the primary NAAQS for sulfur oxides.