EPA to exempt mining sources from proposed standard

摘要

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will exempt mining sources from the proposed national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for coarse particulate matter (PM10-2.5 or PMC), The proposed standards would not include situations where the coarse particles in the air come from sources such as windblown dust and soils, agricultural sources and mining sources. According to EPA, evidence to date does not support a national air quality standard for these kinds of situations. The National Stone Sand and Gravel Association (NSSGA) President and CEO Joy Wilson says of EPA's proposal, "NSSGA has fought vigorously to get this exemption for mining sources from the PMC standard. We will continue to press EPA during the comment period for a full exemption for our sources in both urban and rural areas."