The Honorable John Kasich 

Governor of Ohio 

Riffle Center, 301h Floor 

77 South High Street Columbus, Ohio 43215 

Dear Governor Kasich: 

Thank you for your recommendations dated December 13, 2013, of air quality designations for 

the 2012 revised primary mmual fine particle (PM2.s) National Ambient Air Quality Standard 

(NAAQS) throughout Ohio. I appreciate the information Ohio shared with the U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency as we move forward to improve PM2.s air quality. This letter 

is to notify you of EPA's preliminary response to Ohio's recommendation and to infom1 you of 

our approach for completing the initial area designations for the 2012 revised primary annual 

PM2.s standard. 

On December 14,2012, EPA promulgated a revised primary mmual PM2.sNAAQS (78 FR 3086, 

January 15, 2013 ). In that action, EPA revised the primary mmual Pivh 5 standard, strengthening 

it hom 15.0 microgrmns per cubic meter (J..Lg/m3) to 12.0 )lglm\ retained the existing 24-hour 

PM2.s standard at 35 )lg/m3; retained the existing 24-hour PM, o (coarse particle) standard at 150 

)lg/m3; and retained the current suite of secondary PM standards. EPA revised the primary annual 

PM2 s standard based on an integrated assessment of an extensive body of new scientific 

evidence, which substantially strengthens our body of knowledge regarding PM2.s-related health 

effects. The revised primary mmual PM2.s standard will provide increased protection for 

children, older adults, persons with pre-existing heart and lung disease, and other at-risk 

populations against an array ofPM2s-related adverse health effects, including premature 

mortality, increased hospital admissions and emergency department visits, and development and 

exacerbation of chronic respiratory disease. 

History shows us that better health and cleaner air go hand-in-hand with economic growth. 

Working closely with the states and tribes, EPA is implementing the standards using a 

commonsense approach that improves air quality and minimizes the burden on state, local, and 

tribal governments. As part of this process, EPA is working with the states and tribes to identify 

areas in the country that meet the standards and those that need to take steps to reduce PM2.s air 

pollution. Within one year of promulgation of a new or revised air quality standard, the Clean 

Air Act requires the Governor of each state to submit to EPA a list of all areas in the state, with a 

designation recommendation for each area. As a first step in implementing the 2012 annual 

PM2.s standard, Governors were to submit their designation recommendations, including 

appropriate area boundaries, by December 13, 2013. 

Recycled/Recyclable • Printed with Vegetable Oil Based Inks on 100% Recycled Paper (100% Post-Consumer) 
cannot determine based on available information whether the area is meeting the NAAQS or 

where EPA has not determined that the area contributes to a nearby violation. At this time, EPA 

is proceeding with initial area designations using quality-assured, certified air quality monitoring 

data from 2011 to 2013. 

EPA has reviewed Ohio's December 12, 2013 annual PM2.s designation recommendations and 

other relevant technical information, including 2011-2013 air quality data, and EPA intends to 

modify Ohio's recommended area boundaries for the Canton-Massillon, OH, Cleveland, OH, 

and Cincinnati-Hamilton, OH-KY areas. Technical Support Documents, which provide a detailed analysis to support our preliminary decisions, are enclosed and are also available on the 

EPA's website at http://www.epa.gov/pmdesignations/2012standards/state.htm. EPA intends to 

designate all other areas of the state as unclassifiable/attainment. EPA will continue to work 

with slate officials regarding the appropriate boundaries for fhe areas in Ohio. If Ohio has 

additional infonnation for EPA to consider, please submit it to us by October 29,2014. 

EPA will make its proposed designation decisions and supporting documentation available to the 

general public for review and conunent. We will be announcing a 30-day public comment 

period shortly in the Federal Register. After considering any additional information we receive, 

the EPA plans to promulgate final annual PM2.s designations in December of2014. 

EPA is committed to working with the states and tribes to share the responsibility of reducing 

PM2.s air pollution. Current and upcoming federal standards and safeguards- including 

pollution reduction rules for power plants, vehicles, and fuels- will ensure steady progress to 

reduce PM2s-forming pollution and will protect public health in communities across the country. 

We look forward to a continued dialogue with you and your staff as we work together to 

implement 
Susan Hedman 

Regional Administrator 

Enclosures 

cc: Craig W. Butler 

Director, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency 

Robert Hodanbosi 

Chief, Division of Air Pollution Control 

Ohio Environmental Protection Agency