Fine Particle Comment Period Ends Oct. 2
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is opening a 30-day public comment period on its recommendations for areas to be designated as out of compliance with the agency's 24-hour fine particle air quality standards, according to a Sept. 3 press release.
Comments must be received on or before Oct. 2. The 30-day period began with the publishing Sept. 2 of the Federal Register notice of the national comment period.
Text of the notice is available at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-20241.htm.
On August 19 and 20, EPA notified states and tribes of its recommendations for areas to be designated as "attainment" or "nonattainment" for fine particle pollution, also called PM2.5. Exposure to fine particle pollution is linked to a variety of serious health problems, including aggravated asthma, chronic bronchitis, nonfatal heart attacks, and premature death.
Instructions for submitting comments are available at http://www.epa.gov/pmdesignations.
For general questions concerning comments, contact Ben Gibson, U.S. EPA, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Air Quality Planning Division, C504-01, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711; telephone (919) 541-3065, e-mail at gibson.ben@epa.gov.