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EPA to Hold Public Hearing on Air Quality Standards for Sulfur Dioxide

Release Date: 12/29/2009
Contact Information: Dave Ryan ryan.dave@epa.gov 202-564-7827 202-564-4355

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hold a public hearing on the agency’s proposal to strengthen the nation’s sulfur dioxide (SO2) standards. Exposure to SO2 can aggravate asthma, cause respiratory difficulties, and result in emergency room visits and hospitalization. People with asthma, children, and the elderly are especially vulnerable to SO2’s effects. EPA is taking comment on a proposal to establish a new national one-hour SO2 standard, between 50 and 100 parts per billion. This standard is designed to protect against short-term exposures ranging from five minutes to 24 hours. Because the revised standards would be more protective, EPA is proposing to revoke the current 24-hour and annual SO2 health standards.

The hearing will be held on January 5, 2010, in Atlanta, Ga. The hearing will begin at 10:00 a.m. and end at 7:00 p.m. local time at the following location:

Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center
Conference Rooms B and C
61 Forsyth Street, SW
Atlanta, GA 30303

Information about participating at the hearing: contact Tricia Crabtree at crabtree.tricia@epa.gov or (919) 541-5688. The public may also register on the day of the hearing but may not be given a specific time to speak.

EPA also will accept written comments on the proposed rule until February 8, 2010.

More information on the proposed rule and instructions for submitting written comments: https://www.epa.gov/air/sulfurdioxide