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ARTICLE · 28 MARCH 2022

PM2.5 Emissions From Wildfires — No Longer So Exceptional!

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Last week, the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee formally transmitted its recommendations to EPA Administrator Regan regarding the PM2.5 NAAQS.

United StatesEnvironment
Seth Jaffe
Seth Jaffe
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Last week, the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee formally transmitted its recommendations to EPA Administrator Regan regarding the PM2.5 NAAQS.  Consistent with trade press reporting over the past few months, the majority of CASAC members recommended that the PM2.5 NAAQS be set between 8-10 ug/m3.  A minority recommended the range be set between 10-11 ug/m3.  I'd be surprised if the revised NAAQS is set above 10 ug/3. PICHUR

For me, what's interesting about the letter is the suggestion that:

EPA should consider the implications of the exceptional events approach when applied to wildfires, particularly with respect to the risk assessment.

Apparently, that language was toned from draft language that more strongly suggested that EPA should change its exceptional events policy.  Even so, it's a pretty important issue.  As the detailed CASAC comments note:

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