Summary

In response to a congressional request, GAO reported on: (1) the current status and cost of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) efforts to review and update its national air quality standards; and (2) EPA plans for addressing additional research needs.

GAO found that EPA: (1) had not met its congressional mandate for reviewing and updating its national air quality standards by 1980; (2) reviewed and updated only one of the standards by the end of 1980; (3) did not complete reviews for two other standards until 4 years after the 1980 deadline; and (4) expects to complete its review of the remaining three pollutant standards in 1989. GAO also found that factors contributing to EPA delays include: (1) the length of time it takes to perform internal and external reviews; (2) EPA managers waiting for the re-examination of existing science or publication of new studies; and (3) turnover of top EPA administrators. EPA believes it can overcome these obstacles by developing milestones to review and update standards. GAO noted that EPA: (1) was aware that questions existed about the scientific information supporting each of the six air pollutant standards; (2) has not systematically identified and matched those questions with planned and ongoing research projects for each pollutant; (3) has not kept records on the actual cost of reviewing and updating the national air quality standards; and (4) estimates that it has spent about $348 million on the standards since fiscal year 1978.