EPA TO TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON AREAS TO BE DESIGNATED FOR FINE PARTICLE POLLUTION STANDARDS

EPA 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 standards. On Aug. 19 and 20, EPA notified states and tribes of its recommendations for areas to be designated as "attainment" or "nonattainment" for fine particle pollution (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. States and tribes have an opportunity to respond to EPA's recommendations, and provide new information or analyses if appropriate. EPA will consider those responses, along with the public comment, before making its final decisions. EPA must issue final designations by Dec. 18, 2008. EPA will accept public comment for 30 days after a notice is published in the Federal Register. Instructions for submitting comments are available at www.epa.gov/pmdesignations.