The EPA announced it will hold hearings in Baltimore and St. Louis to provide additional opportunity for members of the public to participate in the formulation of a new lead control standard. According to an agency press release, the hearings, to be held concurrently on June 12, 2008, will specifically solicit public comment on the proposed revisions to the EPA's national air quality standards for lead. The public hearings will be conducted at the Tremont Grand Historic Venue, 225 North Charles St., Baltimore; and the Omni Majestic Hotel, 1019 Pine St. in St. Louis. Both hearings begin at 9 a.m. and will continue until 9 p.m. local time.

The agency is proposing to revise the level of the primary (health-based) standard from 1.5 μg/m³, to within the range of 0.10 to 0.30 μg/m³, measured as total suspended particulates. The EPA is taking comment on alternative levels up to 0.50 μg/m³ and down below μg/m³. The agency proposes to revise the secondary (welfare-based) standard to be identical in all respects to the primary standard.