On July 16, 2026, EPN submitted written comments regarding the July 22, 2026, CASAC meeting with the following recommendations from EPN, the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), and former chartered CASAC members:
- Utilize pollutant-specific expert panels: The authors emphasize the critical need to supplement the seven-member CASAC with ad hoc expert panels for all National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) reviews to ensure necessary scientific depth and breadth
- Prioritize scientific expertise: CASAC members must possess strong scientific and technical credentials in key disciplines such as toxicology, epidemiology, exposure science, atmospheric chemistry, and medicine to conduct credible reviews
- Maintain committee independence: The authors stress that CASAC is a scientific expert committee, not a representative stakeholder group, and its purpose is to provide independent, consensus-based scientific opinions
- Ensure members are unconflicted: Consistent with past practices, the selection process must prioritize the absence of financial conflicts of interest and any appearance of a loss of impartiality
- Address complex regulatory requirements: Given the requirements of the Clean Air Act, a diverse range of expertise is necessary to accurately evaluate scientific criteria and ensure health standards are protective