Newsroom
All News Releases By Date
EPA AWARDS $22 MILLION IN GRANTS FOR FINE PARTICLE RESEARCH
Release Date: 04/04/2000
Contact Information:
FOR RELEASE: TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2000
EPA AWARDS $22 MILLION IN GRANTS
FOR FINE PARTICLE RESEARCH
Under authority of the Clean Air Act, EPA has awarded $22.55 million in federal grants to seven university research centers for intensive studies of the components and sources and tiny particles (dust, dirt, smoke, soot) that pollute the air. These projects are being coordinated with other research activities currently underway and planned to study the health effects associated with exposure to these pollutants.
The grant recipients are:
Recipient Study Location Amount
University of California Los Angeles, CA $3.5 million
Washington University St. Louis, MO $3.5 million
University of Texas Houston, TX $3.65 million
UCCSN/Desert Research Institute Fresno, CA $1.6 million
State University of New York New York, NY $3.5 million
Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA $3.4 million
University of Maryland Baltimore, MD $3.4 million
"EPA relies on the best and latest science to protect public health and the environment," EPA Administrator Carol M. Browner said. "These grants will help research centers provide valuable information about the pollutants that create soot so
that we can fully protect public health."
This grant program is part of the “Supersites” monitoring program. These new monitoring sites will generate more useful information than current monitoring technology about air quality samples. This improved data will help EPA and the research centers develop techniques for pinpointing the sources, formation and travel of fine particulate matter. The program also aims to identify the components of particulate pollution that are most important to health so that we can develop more cost effect control strategies and increase protection of public health.
Fine particle pollution is primarily a by-product of combustion from sources such as power plants, industry boilers, incinerators and diesel-powered engines. Fine particles can penetrate deeply into the lungs and may cause a number of health problems, including increased respiratory disease, impaired lung function (particularly in children and individuals with asthma) and premature death.
For further technical information, phone Mike Jones of EPA’s Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards at 919-541-0528.
R-43 ###
Search this collection of releases | or search all news releases
View selected historical press releases from 1970 to 1998 in the EPA History website.
