By Representative Provost of Somerville and Senator Jehlen, joint petition (accompanied by bill, 2227) of Denise Provost and others relative to reporting on health effects of particulate matter. Public Health.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PETITION OF:

Denise Provost

Patricia D. Jehlen

Matthew C. Patrick

Jennifer L. Flanagan

William N. Brownsberger

Timothy J. Toomey, Jr.

Carl M. Sciortino, Jr.

William Lantigua

David B. Sullivan

Martha M. Walz

Ellen Story

Elizabeth A. Malia

Gloria L. Fox

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In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.

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An Act relative to reporting on health effects of particulate matter.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1: The following words and phrases as used in this section shall have the following meanings:-

“particulate matter” shall mean a broad class of chemically and physically diverse substances that exist as discrete particles in air

“fine particulate matter” shall mean particulate matter less than or equal to 2.5 micrometers in diameter

“ultrafine particulate matter”  shall mean particulate matter less than or equal to .1 micrometers in diameter (.1 micrometers is equivalent to 100 nanometers)

SECTION 2: The center for environmental health of the department of public health shall conduct a comprehensive study of data on the health effects of particulate air pollution from surface transportation. The study shall focus on understanding the health impacts from fine and ultrafine particulate matter upon populations that are located within 500 feet of any roadway with 50,000 or more motor vehicle trips per day, or any rail line regularly used by diesel locomotives; provided further, that the study may include, but not be limited to, examining respiratory and cardiovascular disease and cancer incidence that may be affected by exposure to traffic-related particles. The following departments and agencies of the commonwealth shall provide information to the center for environmental health of the department of public health relevant to this study: the department of environmental protection, the executive office of transportation, and the central transportation planning staff of the Boston metropolitan planning organization. The department of public health shall report its findings, or a progress report, together with any recommended response actions by the commonwealth to the house and senate committees on ways and means not later than December 31, 2007; provided further that no less than $250,000 shall be appropriated for this purpose.