SO2 Hearing Slated for January 5 in Atlanta
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hold a public hearing on the agency’s proposal to strengthen the nation’s sulfur dioxide (SO2) standards.
Exposure to SO2 can aggravate asthma, cause respiratory difficulties, and result in emergency room visits and hospitalization. People with asthma, children, and the elderly are especially vulnerable to SO2’s effects.
EPA is taking comment on a proposal to establish a new national one-hour SO2 standard, between 50 and 100 parts per billion. This standard is designed to protect against short-term exposures ranging from five minutes to 24 hours. Because the revised standards would be more protective, EPA is proposing to revoke the current 24-hour and annual SO2 health standards.
The hearing will be held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Jan. 5 at the Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center in Atlanta, Ga.
For information about participating at the hearing, contact Tricia Crabtree at crabtree.tricia@epa.gov or call 919.541.5688. The agency will also accept written comments on the proposed rule until Feb. 8.