Children's Health Advisors Weigh Pushing EPA To Tighten Lead NAAQS

摘要

EPA children's health advisors are weighing whether to press the agency to strengthen its national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) for lead, raising concerns about the adequacy of EPA's monitoring of air lead levels and noting the substance poses risks at very low levels. As part of a periodic review required under the Clean Air Act, EPA has determined there is insufficient scientific data to warrant tightening the agency's 2008 lead NAAQS, a decision backed last year by the agency's primary advisors for air rules, the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC). EPA last updated the lead NAAQS in 2008 when the agency tightened the limit to 0.15 micrograms per cubic meter (ug/m~∧3), much stricter than the previous 1.5 ug/m~∧3 limit, which was first set in 1978.