MID-ATLANTIC REGION AGENCIES RECEIVE FUNDING TO CONTINUE THEIR FINE PARTICLE AIR QUALITY MONITORING PROGRAM EPA Mid-Atlantic Region state and local air agencies received $2,864,798 to enable the agencies to continue their PM 2.5 air quality monitoring program under the Clean Air Act. The PM 2.5 monitoring grant also assists in planning, developing, establishing, improving and maintaining adequate support for the prevention and control of air pollution. PM2.5 particles are air pollutants with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less, small enough to invade even the smallest airways. These particles generally come from activities that burn fossil fuels, such as traffic, smelting, and metal processing. EPA MID-ATLANTIC REGION REVIEWS PROGRESS OF 2006 ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE GRANT IN W. VIRGINIA EPA mid-Atlantic region staff visited the Southern Appalachian Labor School in Beards Fork, Fayette County, W.Va. , a grantee under EPA's 2006 Environmental Justice grant program, to assess the grant's progress. The grantee's funds are being used to provide test kits to determine the relative levels of contamination in the old coal industry camp houses now occupied by retired miners and other low-income families. The grantee is also working with the Department of Housing and Urban Development using at-risk youth to rebuild and renovate portions of these houses free of charge to the residents.