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The article highlights the impact of the changes to Environmental Protection Agency's (EPAs) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for lead in the U.S. It states that proximity of the sampler to source emissions and populations, meteorological conditions and background conditions must be considered to assess the potential risks of airborne lead. It notes that the changes in federal regulations will require majority of facilities to reassess their monitoring programs to ensure compliance.

The article reports on developments regarding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). EPA has reported that 71 facilities in 29 U.S. states and Puerto Rico have promised to enhance their environmental performance based on the National Environmental Performance Track program. A report from EPA has revealed that air quality in 21 eastern states and the District of Columbia has improved because of its NOx SIP Call rule. Meanwhile, because of air emission violations of ethylene oxide, Cosmed Group Inc. will be paying a $500,000 civil penalty and will be spending an additional $1 million for supplemental environmental projects.

The article reports on the proposal of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding toxic air reduction in the country. EPA has proposed an amendment to the air toxics standards general provisions section to invite industrial facilities to reduce air toxic emissions and change their designation as a primary source. In addition, the proposed amendment would allow a major source to become an area source at any time by limiting its potential to emit hazardous air pollutants to below the major source thresholds.

The article reports on the proposal of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to lower standards for particulate matter (PM). The proposed modifications will substantially tighten short-term exposure to high levels of fine PM by almost 50%. Inhalable PM 24-hour standard is also being proposed for reduction to 70 micrograms per cubic meter. Research has demonstrated a link between PM and various cardiovascular and respiratory problems. The Clean Air Act mandates the EPA to undertake a periodic review of air quality standards. Particle standards were last updated in 1997.

The staff of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made recommendations for the agency management to revise the current particulate matter standards for fine particles and the inhalable portion of coarse particles, based on evidence that suggests to EPA scientists that more protection is needed than is provided under current air standards. The air quality standards for PM under the Clean Air Act were first established in 1971. The agency significantly changed the standards in 1987, when they changed the indicator of the standards to regulate inhalable particles smaller than, or equal to, 10 micrometers in diameter. In 1997, EPA again revised the PM standards and established a separate standard for fine particles. EPA released its second draft staff paper on the assessment of PM standards in January 2005 which recommends changing EPA's health-based standards for coarse particles to avoid double-regulating fine particles.

Explains how companies in the U.S. can avoid being required to have a Title V permit according to the Clean Air Act amendments of 1990. Extensive amounts of record keeping and semi- and annual reporting and certifications required in a Title V permit; Strategies for reducing emissions to levels below the limits that require a Title V permit.

Reports on a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposal that would have coal-burning power plants reduce sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides at their facilities. Cost that utilities would incur in order to comply with the plan and another agency proposal to reduce mercury emissions from such plants; Provision of states with tools to help meet health-based air quality standards without harming local economies.

The article reports on the proposed revisions made by the EPA (Environmental Protection Authority) to the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for lead. The proposal seeks to improve the existing lead monitoring network which requires monitors to be located near large sources of lead emissions an in urban areas with more than one million people. The proposal may serve as a precursor of other things to come with regard to EPA's treatment of non-threshold criteria pollutants as lead is an important criteria air pollutant.

The article reports on the penalty of BP Products North America Inc. for violating the environmental law in the U.S. It states that the company is required to pay a criminal fee of $60 million for the harm it brought to the people and environment in Texas and Alaska. The company is anticipated to spend an estimated cost of $400 million for the enhancement of its equipment which will help prevent the harmful discharge of chemicals. Furthermore, BP was found guilty for violating the Clean Air Act established by the Environmental Protection Agency.

The article reports that clean-coal research projects have been approved in Ohio. The Ohio Air Quality Development Authority approved a $1.28 million funding for 15 clean-coal research projects in Ohio universities. The projects were evaluated by the Consortium Review Committee and were submitted to an Ohio Coal Development Office (OCDO) technical advisory committee. Engineers and researchers from public and private sectors composed the review committee. They and the OCDO guided the Ohio Coal Research Consortium to coordinate university coal research and development and made recommendations to Ohio authority. Mark Shanahan, executive director of the authority, commented that the projects reflect the diversity of clean-coal research in Ohio's universities.

Reports that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is revising regulations for ground-level ozone and fine particles. Efforts to improve air quality; Designation of areas as nonattainment for the eight-hour ozone standard; Plan of the EPA and the Dept. of Transportation to host training workshops.

Presents updates on environmental regulations in various states in the United States, as of February 2004. Release in Arizona of the first in a series of air quality implementation plans intended to restore visibility in national parks and wilderness areas to natural conditions by 2064; Amendments proposed by the Coastal Resource Management Council to Rhode Island's program.

Reports on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency administrator Mike Leavitt's disclosure of his guiding principles, plans and aspirations for the agency. Environmental protection philosophy that Leavitt intends to follow; Preview of his 500-day action plan to significantly improve the nation's air quality.