The Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) finally reached closure on the particulate matter (PM) criteria document at a meeting on September 20, 2004.
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The Staff of the California Air Resources Board (ARB) and Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) have recommended tough new state Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone smog to protect the health of infants, children, and other at risk populations.
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On October 2, 2002, Senator Jim Jeffords (I-VT) held a hearing of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee to review studies of the health impacts of PM2.5, particularly those effects associated with power plant emissions.

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EPA has extended the schedule for the completion of the PM Criteria Document by one year, to October 2003, to allow for additional analysis of key studies.
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In May 2002, EPA published the third External Review Draft of the Criteria Document on particulate matter.
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The U.S. Court of Appeals has upheld health protective standards for ozone and particulate matter, clearing the way for EPA to implement the standards.
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On May 8, 2002, the U.S. House of Representatives Science Committee chaired by Rep. Sherwood Boehlart (R-NY) held a hearing to examine what is known about the impact of small particle air pollution on human health. The hearing was intended to assess the state of scientific knowledge about small particle air pollution and its effects on health and to ask how we should go forward with a research agenda to address outstanding questions. Dr. Joel Schwartz, Associate Professor in the Harvard School of Public Health and the Harvard Medical School, and a leading researcher on the health effects of particulate matter presented some very compelling testimony.
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EPA has published a draft risk assessment methodology for public comment.
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EPA has issued a draft Work Plan for the development of a revised Criteria Document for ozone. Publication of the Work Plan is the first step in beginning the next periodic review of the ozone air quality standard, last revised in 1997.
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The California Air Resources Board and the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment have developed a draft proposal for a 24-hour PM2.5 standard of 25 ug/m3, not to be exceeded.
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