Environmental Protection Agency to Cut Air Pollution Review Panel

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be phasing out an air pollution review panel tasked with keeping agency leadership apprised of the latest science surrounding soot and particulate matter in the air.

As it currently stands, the Particulate Matter Review Panel is comprised of 20 experts in the field of air pollutants that contribute to breathing problems for many Americans. A key component of their role on the review panel is to determine what percentages of specific pollutants are safe for humans to breathe in without serious side effects.

Over the next year, this 20-member panel will be pared down to a 7-member panel that will be renamed the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC). The role of this new committee will include many of the previous responsibilities of the Particulate Matter Review Panel.