Summary

GAO reviewed the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) new rule on national ambient air quality standards for lead. GAO found that (1) the rule revises the primary and secondary national ambient air quality standards for lead to provide requisite protection of public health and welfare, and revises various elements of the primary standard to provide increased protection for children and other at-risk populations against an array of health effects, including revising the level to 0.15 micrograms per cubic meter; and (2) the EPA complied with the applicable requirements in promulgating the rule.