Define Dusty

So how dusty is too dusty? Exactly what is the EPA proposal that has farmers concerned?

According to the letter from the 21 Senators, the issue involves EPA’s current review of the NAAQS (national ambient air quality standard) for particulate. The Clean Air Act requires an EPA review of these air quality standards every 5 years. The air quality standard is the benchmark that determines the amount of particulate matter allowable before generating health concerns.

The existing NAAQS for particulate is 150 ug/M3. That is micro-grams of particulate per cubic meter of air. EPA’s recent proposal involves reducing this standard to 65 – 85 ug/M3, making the new standard twice as stringent as the old.