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Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Particulate Matter (Final Report, Dec 2019)

On this page:

  • Overview
  • Background
  • Downloads

Overview

The Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Particulate Matter is a concise synthesis and evaluation of the most policy-relevant science, and has been prepared as part of the review of the primary (health-based) and secondary (welfare-based) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for Particulate Matter (PM) under the Clean Air Act. Welfare effects are non-health effects which, according to the Clean Air Act include, but are not limited to, effects on soils, water, crops, vegetation, animals, wildlife and climate. The PM ISA, in conjunction with additional technical and policy assessments, provides the policy relevant scientific information necessary to conduct a review of the current primary and secondary air quality standards for particulate matter sufficiently protects public health and welfare.

Background

Particulate matter is one of six principal (or criteria) pollutants for which EPA has established National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The Clean Air Act requires EPA to periodically review the science for six major air pollutants, including PM.

The Integrated Science Assessments (ISAs) summarize the science related to the health and welfare effects associated with these pollutants by providing a comprehensive review of the policy-relevant scientific literature published since the last NAAQS review. The ISA is a critical part of the scientific basis for updating the NAAQS.

History/Chronology
Date Description
Oct 2018 EPA released an external review draft for public review and comment. The draft document will be discussed at a CASAC meeting in December 2018.
Nov 2018 EPA announced that the peer review meeting for the review of the PM ISA in December 2018. [Federal Register Notice Nov 6, 2018]
Mar 2019 On March 7, 2019, EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB) released the 03-07-19 Draft CASAC Review of the EPA’s Integrated Science Assessment for Particulate Matter (External Review Draft – October 2018).
Dec 2019 EPA updated the report based on comments on the draft and prepped the final report for release. [Federal Register Notice Jan 27, 2020]
Jan 2020 EPA released the final report and announced this in the Federal Register.
Sep 2021 EPA re-posted the final assessment with an errata sheet of updates.

Download(s)

This document has been reviewed in accordance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency policy and approved for publication. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.

  • Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Particulate Matter (Dec 2019) (PDF)  (1967  pp, 34.1 MB, about PDF)
  • Errata Sheet (PDF)  (1  pp, 96.7 KB, about PDF)

If you have a disability and the format of any material on our web pages interferes with your ability to access the information, please reach out to us using the Contact Us about IRIS form for assistance. To enable us to respond in a manner most helpful to you, please indicate the nature of the accessibility problem, the web address of the requested material, your preferred format in which you want to receive the material (electronic format (ASCII, etc.), standard print, large print, etc.), and your contact information.

Document Related Link(s)

  • Preamble To The Integrated Science Assessments (ISA)
  • Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) For Oxides of Nitrogen, Oxides of Sulfur and Particulate Matter Ecological Criteria (Second External Review Draft, Jun 2018)
  • Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Particulate Matter (First External Review Draft, Oct 2018)

HERO Project

  • HERO: Primary Literature Search References Sorted By Author

Federal Register Notices

  • FR Notice: Jan 27, 2020
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Last updated on October 20, 2020
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