EPA released the final scientific assessment document on airborne particulate matter, entitled Air Quality Criteria for Particulate Matter, in accordance with the requirements of the federal Clean Air Act to review the scientific basis for this standards.

Particulate matter (PM) is one of six principal or criteria pollutants for which EPA has established National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).

The document includes an analysis of a very large amount of new scientific literature generated since the NAAQS for PM were revised in 1997. This final assessment document has been subjected to expert scientific peer review by the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee, a review committee mandated by the Clean Air Act and part of the EPA’s Science Advisory Board.

11/8/2004