Environmental Education (EE)

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NNEMS Project 2010-304

Category:
Environmental Science

Preferred Project Period:
5/10/10 - 7/30/10

Desired Education Level(s):

• Graduate Student

Project Title:
Evaluation of Ozone Exposure Indices in Relationships with Ecological and Health Effects

Sponsoring Office:
Office of Research and Development, National Center for Environmental Assessment, Research Triangle Park

Project Overview:
NCEA/RTP and other NCEA units have the main responsibility for scientific assessment within the Office of Research and Development (ORD) and EPA in general. These assessments are broad and typically have significant implications for national and international environmental policy development and implementation. NCEA/Research Triangle Park (RTP) risk assessment includes preparation of Integrated Science Assessments (ISAs) (previously known as Air Quality Criteria Documents) for particulate matter, ozone, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and lead, as well as other types of assessments of available scientific information (such as Integrated Risk Information System files). The ISAs provide evaluations of health and welfare effects data that are used by EPA's Office of Air and Radiation to develop risk, exposure, and policy assessments and form the scientific basis for the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), as required by the Clean Air Act. The NAAQS have exceedingly high impact in protecting public health and the environment; thus, the scientific soundness of the health and welfare assessment is of crucial importance. Besides serving as the key scientific foundation for U.S. regulations, the ISAs are also used world-wide by other governments and the World Health Organization (WHO) for deriving international guidelines and other aspects of air pollution control strategies and systems for these pollutants. Thus, NCEA/RTP assessments have broad implications, not only nationally for the U.S., but also internationally. A review of the NAAQS for ozone is now under way, and EPA anticipates release of the first draft ISA for ozone in the fall of 2010 for review by the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee and the public. The current health-based NAAQS for ozone is set at 0.075 parts per million for an 8-hour average (maximum 8-hour average per day). Health studies have used various indices, including 1-hour daily maximum values or concentrations averaged over a period of days. For ecological effects, cumulative ozone exposures have been more strongly associated with effects than daily exposures; the various exposure windows that have been used generally reflect seasonal average exposures. The fellow working on this project will assist in a number of analyses to evaluate alternative exposure time periods relevant for health and ecological effects of ozone. In addition, the fellow will help in the evaluation of exposure indicators in relationships between ozone and health or ecological effects.

Project Goals:
The fellow can expect to increase his or her knowledge of environmental sciences broadly, particularly in the area of air quality data evaluation, working in multidisciplinary teams including ecologists, epidemiologists, toxicologists, and atmospheric scientists. The fellow will gain an understanding of how scientific information is used to inform risk and exposure assessments and policy decisions.

Final Product of the Project:
The fellow will prepare and present mid-project and final project presentations.

Project Location:
EPA Headquarters, Research Triangle Park, NC

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Project Officer Information

Deborah Wales
Office of Research and Development, National Center for Environmental Assessment, Research Triangle Park

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Office Mission/Responsibility

National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) provides guidance and risk assessments aimed at protecting human health and the environment. This guidance presents critical analyses and summaries of scientific consensus, vetted through a rigorous peer review process, on the risks of pollutants to human health and the natural environment.

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