John Maday, Managing Editor, Drovers CattleNetwork  |   October 17, 2011

For months, the agricultural community has expressed concern that the Environmental Protection Agency, in revising its standards for atmospheric particulate matter, would set unmanageable limits on dust created during agricultural activities. Monday, the agency issued a letter to Congress and a statement clarifying their intentions and stating it plans to retain the current standards.

The EPA issued the following statement to the media:

Particulate matter in the air we breathe can cause Americans to get sick, and can even cause premature death. For more than two decades, EPA has been working to reduce this pollution to improve our health while growing our economy.  In progressing this work, some have raised the common myth that we are planning to tighten standards of dust from farms.  EPA has repeatedly said that it has no plans to tighten this regulation. As further proof and upon careful consideration of the scientific record, analysis by Agency scientists, and advice from the independent Clean Air Science Advisory Committee, EPA today wrote Congress that it is prepared to propose to keep the current standard for PM10 when it is sent to OMB for interagency review. EPA hopes that this action finally puts an end to the myth that the Agency is planning to tighten this regulation which has been place since 1987.

In addition, the EPA on Oct. 14 issued the following letter to Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) who serves as Chair of the Senate Agricultural Committee

 The Honorable Debbie Stabenow

United States Senate

 Washington, D.C. 20510

 Dear Senator Stabenow:

Thank you for your inquiry on the status of EPA's Review of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter. Particulate matter includes fine particles (known as PM2.5) and coarse particles (known as PM1 0). PM2.5 can come from fossil-fuel combustion, including power plants and motor vehicles, and wildfires and PM1 0 can come from construction and demolition activities, industrial operations, wildfires, and dust from unpaved roads. It is well established that particulate matter emissions are linked to premature death and numerous adverse health impacts.

We have been making steady progress in reducing emissions of particulate matter-both fine and coarse--in this country for more than two decades, improving the public health of Americans while the economy has continued to grow.

It is important that a standard for particulate matter be protective ofthe health of the pUblic. Based on my consideration of the scientific record, analysis provided by EPA scientists, and advice from the Clean Air Science Advisory Council, I am prepared to propose the retention -with no revision -of the current PM 10 standard and form when it is sent to OMB for interagency review.

This rulemaking package will also consider the latest scientific evidence and assessments for PM2.5. Again, thank you for the inquiry. It is EPA's responsibility to protect the health of all Americans rural and urban -from known pollutants, including particulate matter. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, or your staff can contact Arvin Ganesan, Associate Administrator for the Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations at (202) 564 4741.

Sincerely,

Lisa P. Jackson

 National Farmers Union president Roger Johnson issued the following statement after EPA  AdministratorLisa Jackson said that the agency does not plan to regulate farm dust:

“NFU is pleased to see EPA Administrator Jackson provide final clarification for members of Congress and the agriculture community that the agency does not have plans to regulate farm dust. Lately, there has been considerable anxiety within the farming community that EPA is going to regulate dust on farms. We hope this action finally puts to rest the misinformation regarding dust regulation and eases the minds of farmers and ranchers across the country.”