On October 22, 2019, EPN presented testimony on EPA’s Policy Assessment for Particulate Matter (PM) during a public teleconference held by EPA’s Chartered Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC); this allowed the CASAC to consider public comments in its peer review on October 24-25. Recent research suggests that the existing limits for fine particulates in the air need to be tightened to adequately protect public health. Last fall, EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler disbanded an auxiliary scientific panel that was supposed to assist the CASAC with added expertise. He then tasked the seven-member CASAC to serve as the sole body to review the key scientific assessment for the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) PM review on an expedited review timeline. The CASAC does not have the breadth or depth of expertise needed for this review. These events have raised concerns about the outcome of this review and potential threats to the environment and public health.
On Behalf of EPN, Testimony of John Bachmann, former EPA Associate Director for Science/Policy and New Programs, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards
Testimony of Dr. Bernard Goldstein, EPN member and former Chair, EPA Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee, and former EPA Assistant Administrator for Research and Development