New Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter Proposed

摘要

On June 29,2012 (77 FR 38890-39055), EPA proposed new national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter. The proposed rule would revise the annual PM-2.5 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 microns or less) NAAQS from its current level of 15 μg/m~3 to a value within a range of 12.0 to 13.0 μg/m~3. Lowering the annual PM-2.5 NAAQS is intended to provide increased protection against health effects associated with both long- and short-term exposure, including premature mortality, increased hospital admissions and emergency department visits, and development of chronic respiratory disease.