Research Priorities for Airborne Particulate Matter Vol. 4 : Continuing Research Progress

by National Research Council (U. S.)

• ISBN13: 9780309091992
• ISBN10: 0309091993
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-11-01
• Publisher: Natl Academy Pr

Summary

In 1997, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established regulatory standards to address health risks posed by inhaling tiny particles from smoke, vehicle exhaust, and other sources. At the same time, Congress and the EPA began a multimillion dollar research effort to better understand the sources of these airborne particles, the levels of exposure to people, and the ways that these particles cause disease. To provide independent guidance to the EPA, Congress asked the National Research Council to study the relevant issues. The result was a series of four reports on the particulate-matter research program. The first two books offered a conceptual framework for a national research program, identified the 10 most critical research needs, and described the recommended timing and estimated costs of such research. The third volume began the task of assessing initial progress made in implementing the research program. This, the fourth and final volume, gauged research progress made over a 5-year period on each of the 10 research topics. The National Research Council concludes that particulate matter research has led to a better understanding of the health effects caused by tiny airborne particles. However, the EPA, in concert with other agencies, should continue research to reduce further uncertainties and inform long-term decisions.

Table of Contents

Summary	3	(21)
Introduction	24	(23)
Committee's Task	24	(4)
Status of the EPA Review of the NAAQS for Particulate Matter	28	(1)
The Need for Research on Particulate Matter	29	(8)
Research on Particulate Matter	37	(8)
The Committee's Approach to Its Task	45	(1)
Organization of the Report	46	(1)
Committee's Approach to Evaluation of Research Progress	47	(17)
Introduction	47	(1)
Background	48	(12)
The Committee's Evaluative Approach	60	(3)
Considerations in Interpreting Research Progress on Particulate Matter	63	(1)
Synthesis of Research Progress on Particulate Matter	64	(54)
Introduction	64	(1)
Research Topic 1: Outdoor Measures Versus Actual Human Exposures	65	(5)
Research Topic 2: Exposures of Susceptible Subpopulations to Toxic Particulate Matter Components	70	(2)
Research Topic 3: Characterization of Emission Sources	72	(7)
Research Topic 4: Air Quality Model Development and Testing	79	(9)
Research Topic 5: Assess Hazardous Particulate Matter Components	88	(7)
Research Topic 6: Dosimetry: Deposition and Fate of Particles in the Respiratory Tract	95	(3)
Research Topic 7: Combined Effects of Particulate Matter and Gaseous Copollutants	98	(4)
Research Topic 8: Susceptible Subpopulations	102	(4)
Research Topic 9: Mechanisms of Injury	106	(5)
Research Topic 10: Analysis and Measurement	111	(5)
Summary	116	(2)
Looking Across the Research Topics	118	(9)
Introduction	118	(1)
Health Outcomes and Susceptible Subpopulations	119	(1)
Assessing Hazardous Particulate Matter Components	120	(3)
Increasing Emphasis on Exposure-Dose-Response Relationships	123	(1)
Mixtures and Copollutants	124	(1)
NAAQS Implications	125	(2)
The Challenges Ahead for Particulate Matter Research	127	(23)
Introduction	127	(3)
Developing a Systematic Program to Assess the Toxicity of Different Components of the Particulate Matter Mixture	130	(2)
Enhancing Air Quality Monitoring for Research	132	(2)
Investigating the Health Effects of Long-Term Exposure to Air Pollution	134	(5)
Improved Toxicological Approaches	139	(2)
From a Particulate Matter Research Program to a Multipollutant Research Program	141	(5)
Integrating Across the Disciplines	146	(3)
Summary and Conclusions	149	(1)
The Way Forward	150	(16)
Introduction	150	(1)
Sustained Research Management	151	(11)
Improved Tools for Science Tracking and Synthesis	162	(3)
Conclusion	165	(1)
Conclusion	166	(3)
References	169	(18)
Terms and Abbreviations	187	(4)
Appendix A: Biographical Information on the Committee on Research Priorities for Airborne Particulate Matter	191	(11)
Appendix B: The Committee's Statement of Task	202	(1)
Appendix C: Detailed Assessment of Particulate Matter Research Progress	203