On December 3, 2019, EPN presented testimony on the draft Policy Assessment (PA) for Particulate Matter (PM) during a public meeting held by EPA’s Chartered Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC). 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, which raises concerns about the outcome posing potential threats to the environment and public health.
On behalf of EPN, the testimony of John Bachmann, former Associate Director for Science/Policy and New Programs
Here are related testimony, documents and resources from EPN, Dr. Gretchen Goldman of Union of Concerned Scientists, and former Chair of the CASAC Dr. H. Christopher Frey: Related Documents