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Summary
The National Commission on Air Quality recommends strengthening the Environmental Protection Agency's research capabilities. This involves addressing challenges in setting air quality standards for both common and hazardous pollutants.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Regulatory Science
- Public Policy
Background:
- The Clean Air Act mandates the establishment of air quality standards to protect public health.
- Key challenges exist in defining safety margins for ambient and hazardous air pollutants.
- The role of advisory committees in regulatory standard-setting is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present the National Commission on Air Quality's conclusions and recommendations.
- To analyze the standard-setting processes under Sections 109 and 112 of the Clean Air Act.
- To discuss conceptual difficulties in safety margin definitions.
Main Methods:
- Review of National Commission on Air Quality reports and recommendations.
- Analysis of Clean Air Act provisions related to air quality standards.
- Examination of the function of the Clean Air Science Advisory Committee.
Main Results:
- Conceptual ambiguities in "adequate margin of safety" and "ample margin of safety" were identified.
- The Clean Air Science Advisory Committee positively influences standard-setting.
- The importance of robust, protected EPA research capabilities is highlighted.
Conclusions:
- Recommendations focus on improving air quality standard-setting processes.
- Sustained research funding and protection from disruption are essential for the EPA.
- Mechanisms for securing dedicated congressional appropriations for research are considered.