EPA Proposes Methodology for Coarse Particle Risk Assessment, May 2003
Members of EPA’s Clean Air Science Advisory Committee (CASAC) made numerous suggestions to strengthen EPA’s proposed methodology for conducting a risk assessment on coarse particles (PM10-PM2.5) at a May 1, 2003 teleconference.
EPA will be setting a new National Ambient Air Quality Standard for coarse particles (particles smaller than PM10, but larger than PM2.5) in light of a court decision throwing out the PM10 standard.
EPA had proposed to examine only a limited number of health endpoints, namely hospital admissions for respiratory problems and ischemic heart disease and respiratory symptoms, and for only two cities — Detroit, Michigan and St. Louis, Missouri.
Various committee members suggested that EPA broaden the scope of its risk assessment for coarse particles by incorporating additional health endpoints such as for mortality effects, emergency department visits, and asthma exacerbations.
Other committee members recommended that EPA consider extending the scope of the analysis to include cities in the south and those with predominantly minority populations.
In addition, members urged EPA to calculate risks down below background concentrations.
The draft the risk assessment for fine and coarse particles will be included in the first draft Staff Paper for particulate matter, which is expected to be released for public review and comment just prior to the next CASAC meeting to review the fourth and final draft of the Criteria Document, tentatively scheduled for August 26-27, 2003 in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
Public comments on the draft risk assessment and staff paper will be in order at the subsequent CASAC meeting, expected to take place the third week of November, 2003.
Attachments
- Draft Coarse Particle Risk Assessment Methodology
- coarsepmriskanalysespropme-1.pdf
Abt Associates Memo May 2003
