EPA Dust Declaration

The Environmental Protection Agency’s statement this week that it was putting to rest what it calls the “farm dust myth” brings to mind that in all legends and myths there lies a morsel of truth. The EPA has a track record of making last minute revisions and modifications to proposed regulations while refusing to disclose its data and methodology used in drafting such regulations to the public. The declaration by the EPA that it does not intend to regulate farm dust and is prepared to keep the current standards in place should perhaps be taken with a grain of salt. After all this “myth” as the EPA calls it started when the EPA’s own staff members recommended tightening the Clean Air Act standards during the agency’s regular five year review. Is it any wonder then that a panic ensued with farmers and ranchers over the possibility of increased regulation in the agricultural industry. More than likely the EPA was surprised by the sheer number of those voicing concerns and frustration over the mere suggestion of stricter farm dust regulations; by not only farmers and ranchers, but senate and congress members as well.