UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460

The Honorable Maggie Hassan Governor ofNew Hampshire 107 North Main Street Concord, New Hampshire 03301
Dear Governor Hassan: 

## .DEC 1 b LIJI'1> 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 fme particle pollution and which areas must take steps to reduce emissions that contribute to violations ofthe standard. On December 1 4, 2012, the EPA strengt hened the annual, health-based fine particle standard from 15.0 micrograms per cubic meter (j.!g/m3) to 12.0 j..lg/m3

. Thousands of scientific studies have linked exposure to these tiny particles--approximately 1130th 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 tha t 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 New Hampshire violates the 2012 standard or contributes to a nearby violation ofthe standa rd. As a result, the EPA is designating all ofNew Hampshire "unclassifiable /attainment. " Because air quality monitoring for 20 14 is nearly complete, if a state or tribe requests it, the EPA wiII evaluate the status ofan area based on its annual fine particle monitoring data for 2012-2014.lfyou would like the EPA to r e-eva luate any areas within your state, please submit t o the EPA, complete, quality-assured and certified air quality data for 2014 by February 27, 2015. The EPA shares responsibilit y 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 offine particle pollution. In addition, current and upcoming federal standards and safeguards, including pollution reduction rules for power plants, vehicles and f uels will assure steady reductions offine particle pollution and will protect public health in communities across the country.

Internet Address (UR L) • http://www.epa

. gov Recycled/Recyclable • Printed with Vegetable Oil Based In ks on 100% Postconsumer, Process Chlorine Free Recycled PaperTogether, we have made considerab l e progress to reduce fine particle pollution. Nationwide, monitored levels of fine particle pollution fell 34 percent since 2000 when we first began nationwide monitoring for particles of this size. I am confident this progress will accelerate as together we continue to work towards our shared goal of clean air. For additional information about these designations, please visit our · website at: www . epa.gov / pmdesignations .

If you have questions 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) 564-7178.