UNITED STATES ENV I RONMENTAL PROTECT ION AGENCY WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460

The Honorable Eddie Baza Calvo Governor of Guam Ricardo J. Bordallo Governor's Complex Adelup, Guam 96910 Dear Governor Calvo: 

## llJ[C 

## I 8 2014
THE ADMINISTRATOR

I am writing to summarize the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's recent action to address fine particle pollution in your state. As required by the Clean Air Act, the EPA has determined which areas are meeting the national ambient air quality standards for fine particle pollution and which areas must take steps to reduce emissions that contribute to violations ofthe standard. On December 14, 2012, the EPA strengthened the annual , health-based fine particle standard from 15.0 micrograms per cubic meter

**(~g**

**)** to 12.0

**~g/m**

**.** Thousands of scientific studies have linked exposure to these tiny particles-approximately l/30th the size ofa human hair -with serious human health problems including premature death in people with heart and lung disease , nonfatal heart attacks, and increased hospital admissions and doctor and emergency room visits for respiratory and cardiovascular disease. I appreciate the information you and your staffhave shared with the EPA throughout this process to assess fine particle pollution levels in communities across your state and the impact ofemission sources that could be contributing to unhealthy air. After considering your recommendations, reviewing the most recent certified fine particle air quality data for your state and evaluating factors to assess contribution to nearby levels offine particle pollution, I have determined that no area within Guam violates the 2012 standard or contributes to a nearby violation ofthe standard. As a result, the EPA is designating all of Guam "unclassifiable /attainment." Because air quality monitoring for 2014 is nearly complete, ifa state or tribe requests it, the EPA will evaluate the status ofan area based on its annual fine particle monitoring data for 2012-2014. Ifyou would like the EPA to re-evaluate any areas within your state, please submit to the EPA, complete, quality-assured and certified air quality data for 2014 by February 27,2015. The EPA shares responsibility with the states and tribes for managing particle pollution levels. Efforts by states and tribes to attain the 1997 and 2006 fine particle pollution standards are already working to reduce unhealthy levels of fine particle pollution. In addition, current and upcoming federal standards and safeguards, including pollution reduction rules for power plants , vehicles and fuels will assure steady reductions of fine particle pollution and will protect public health in communities across the country.

I nt ernet Address (URL) • hl!p ://www

.epa .gov Recycled/Recyclab l e • Printed with Vegetable Oil Based Inks on 100% Post co nsumer, Process Ch lorine Free Recycled PaperTogether, we have made considerab l e progress to red u ce fine part icl e pollution. Na tionwide, monitored levels of fine particle pollution fell 34 percent since 2000 when we fust began nat i onwide monitoring for particles of this size. I am confident this progress will accelerate as toge th er we cont i nue to work towards our shared goal of clean air. For additional information about these designations , please visit our websi t e at : www . epa.gov / pmdesignations .

If you have quest i ons or concerns, please contact me or your staff may contact Mark Rupp, Deputy Associate Administrator for Intergovernmental Relations , at rupp.mark@epa.gov or at (202) 564 - 7 1 78.