EPA Jan. 31 Latest Developments

1/31/2003

From: Cathy Milbourn of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 202-564-7824

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31 -- Following are the latest developments from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency:

EMISSION STANDARDS FINALIZED FOR OCEAN-GOING VESSELS

Contact: Cathy Milbourn 202-564-7824, e-mail: milbourn.cathy@epa.gov

On Jan. 31, EPA will sign the final rulemaking for emission standards for new marine diesel engines on U.S. flagged ocean-going vessels. These standards will apply to engines manufactured on Jan. 1, 2004 or later and to any engines installed on new vessels built after that date.

These new standards for oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions are consistent with those adopted by the International Maritime Organization under Annex VI to the International Convention on the Prevention of Pollution from Ships also known as MARPOL Annex VI. The new emission standards apply mostly to engines with per-cylinder displacement at or above 30 liters, also known as Category 3 marine diesel engines. These large marine engines are used primarily for propulsion power on ocean-going vessels such as container ships, tankers, bulk carriers, and cruise ships. These standards will continue to apply until EPA adopts a second tier of standards in a future rulemaking, no later than April 2007. EPA anticipates the future rulemaking will significantly reduce emissions with a focus on continued improvements in emission-control technologies such as selective catalytic reduction and water-based strategies. EPA will also consider applying the second tier of standards to engines on foreign vessels that enter U.S. ports. The United States will also be advocating these more stringent standards through the international standard-setting process. For more information see http://www.epa.gov/otaq/marine.htm.

EPA AND NIEHS TO FUND RESEARCH CENTERS ON CHILDREN'S HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Contact: Suzanne Ackerman, 202-564-7819, e-mail: ackerman.suzanne@epa.gov

EPA and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) are calling for applications from nonprofit institutions to establish up to six centers for research on the causes and prevention of health concerns in children that could be related to environmental exposures.

Health impacts from environmental contaminants can be particularly detrimental for children as their nervous systems are still developing. Specific areas identified for research include respiratory diseases, neurodevelopment and neurobehavior, childhood cancers, birth defects and other conditions. These research centers will develop innovative strategies to measure environmental exposures in children and will conduct research to reduce hazardous exposures and their adverse health effects. An important goal of this project is to translate research findings into input for public policy, community needs and information for the health care community and general public. This Request for Applications (RFA) builds upon the work completed by 12 EPA/NIEHS Centers for Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research established in 1998 and 2002. The RFA is also a part of EPA's Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program. Applications are due by May 16, 2003. For more information, see: http://es.epa.gov/ncer/rfa/current/2003(underscore)child(undersco re)health.html.