Tell EPA we need a stronger rule limiting respirable dust and soot!

Michael S. Regan, Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is currently updating a key air pollution rule for the first time since 2012. But instead of following the best available science to protect our health, the EPA has proposed only a modest update. While the EPA’s proposal would somewhat strengthen air pollution limits for fine particulate matter, the proposal is not strong enough and fails to meet the recommendations of the agency’s own scientific advisory panel.

Fine particulate matter, also known as PM 2.5 or soot, is a lethal combination of metals, organic matter, acids, and other substances so tiny that they can be inhaled and delivered directly into the bloodstream. This airborne pollutant is emitted by power plants and numerous other industries. In many Appalachian communities, coal mine dust is a source of dangerous levels of PM 2.5. Exposure causes premature death, asthma attacks, hospitalizations and emergency room visits for cardiopulmonary diseases, and it is also linked to increased rates of infant mortality, diabetes and certain cancers.

On January 6, 2023, the EPA proposed that the annual average standard for fine particulate matter be lowered from 12 micrograms per cubic meter to a range of 9-10 micrograms per cubic meter.

This proposal fails to reflect the stronger recommendations of EPA’s own independent scientific advisers, and a broad array of community, health and environmental groups that have called for the standard to be lowered to 8 micrograms per cubic meter.

According to the EPA’s own Regulatory Impact Analysis, a standard of 8 micrograms per cubic meter would prevent about 5,000 more premature deaths each year as compared to 9 micrograms per cubic meter. The World Health Organization suggests regular exposure to PM 2.5 be reduced even further, to a max concentration of 5 micrograms per cubic meter.

It’s time we raise our voices for clean air and public health. Thanks for doing your part.


To: Michael S. Regan, Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
From: [Your Name]

Subject: Please set a stronger NAAQS standard

I am disappointed in the EPA’s recent proposal to set the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for annual average concentrations of PM 2.5 within the range of 9 to 10 micrograms per cubic meter. As you are well aware, an abundance of scientific evidence — including data and modeling presented by EPA’s own expert advisors — demonstrates that a standard of 8 mcg/m3 would be more protective of human health. According to EPA’s December 2022 Regulatory Impact Analysis on the Particulate Matter NAAQS, setting the standard at 8 mcg/m3 would save 5,000 lives annually, compared to setting the standard at 9 mcg/m3, which is the low end of the current proposed range.

It is also disheartening that EPA has proposed no improvement at all to the 24-hour average standard for PM 2.5, currently set at 35 mcg/m3.

The 2022 American Lung Association’s “State of the Air” Report found that under the existing standards, over 63 million Americans experience unhealthy spikes in daily particle pollution, and more than 20 million Americans experience dangerous levels of particle pollution on a year-round basis.

Now is not a time for tepid half-measures.

As EPA moves towards finalizing the NAAQS for PM 2.5, I urge you to follow the science, heed the calls of public health experts, and set the annual standard for PM 2.5 no higher than 8 mcg/m3 and the 24-hour standard no higher than 25 mcg/m3.