[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 18 (Monday, January 28, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3897-3898]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-2013]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7133-5]


Draft Particulate Matter Risk Analysis Methodology Document 
Available for Public Comment

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of a draft for public review and comment.

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SUMMARY: On January 23, the Office of Air Quality Planning and 
Standards (OAQPS) of EPA will make available for public review and 
comment a draft document, Proposed Methodology for Particulate Matter 
Risk Analyses for Selected Urban Areas (hereafter, draft PM Risk 
Analysis Methodology). This document outlines the analyses and methods 
proposed for the quantitative risk assessment for fine particles that 
will be conducted as part of the periodic review of the national 
ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter (PM) that 
is being conducted under sections 108 and 109 of the Clean Air Act 
(CAA).

DATES: Comments on the Draft PM Risk Analysis Methodology document 
should be submitted on or before February 27, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the draft PM Risk Analysis Methodology document 
should be submitted (in duplicate if possible) to Mr. Harvey Richmond, 
Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (C539-01), U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711; for 
comments sent via any overnight delivery service: U.S. EPA, Attn: Mail 
Code C539-01, 4930 Old Page Road, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709; e-
mail: [email protected]; telephone: (919) 541-5271; fax: (919) 
541-0237.
    Availability of Related Information:
    Single copies of the draft PM Risk Analysis Methodology document 
may be obtained without charge by contacting Harvey Richmond at the 
address or telephone number listed above. Please include name, address, 
telephone number, e-mail if available, and delivery preference (mail or 
e-mail delivery).
    Electronic Availability:
    The draft PM Risk Analysis Methodology document can also be 
obtained online at the Agency's OAQPS Technology Transfer Network (TTN) 
under the technical area of Office of Air and Radiation Policy and 
Guidance (OAR P&G), and under the heading of ``Staff Papers'' at the 
following internet web site: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/t1sp.html. If 
assistance is needed in accessing the system, call the help desk at 
(919) 541-5384 in Research Triangle Park, NC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Harvey Richmond at (919) 541-5271.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The EPA is currently reviewing the NAAQS for 
PM. Sections 108 and 109 of the CAA require that EPA carry out a 
periodic review and revision, where appropriate, of the scientific 
criteria and the NAAQS for ``criteria'' air pollutants such as PM. 
Details of EPA's plans for review of the NAAQS for PM were announced in 
a previous Federal Register notice (62 FR 55201, October 23, 1997). The 
second external review draft of the Air Quality Criteria for 
Particulate Matter and the preliminary draft Staff Paper were made 
available for public review and comment (66 FR 18929, April 12, 2001 
and 66 FR 32621, June 15, 2001, respectively).
    The draft PM Risk Analysis Methodology document describes EPA's 
plans and approach for conducting PM health risk analyses for fine 
particles that will be summarized and discussed

[[Page 3898]]

in the next draft of the Staff Paper. The risk analysis will be 
performed to assist in the preparation of the OAQPS Staff Paper, which 
is to evaluate the policy implications of the key scientific and 
technical information contained in the Air Quality Criteria document 
and identify critical elements that EPA staff believe should be 
considered in reviewing the NAAQS. The Staff Paper is intended to 
``bridge the gap'' between the scientific review contained in the Air 
Quality Criteria document and the public health and welfare policy 
judgments required of the Administrator in reviewing the NAAQS.
    The draft PM Risk Analysis Methodology will be reviewed at an 
upcoming public teleconference of the Clean Air Scientific Advisory 
Committee (CASAC) of EPA's Science Advisory Board. A future Federal 
Register notice will inform the public of the date and details of that 
meeting. Following the CASAC meeting, EPA will revise the draft Risk 
Analysis Methodology taking into account public and CASAC comments, and 
proceed with the risk analyses.

    Dated: January 22, 2002.
Anna B. Duncan,
Acting Director, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards.
[FR Doc. 02-2013 Filed 1-25-02; 8:45 am]
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