This study is approved until December 31, 2009 to collect exploratory data on EPA's AQI program. As noted in the supporting statement, "this study is exploratory in nature and is not intended to be used as a formal program evaluation or to obtain generalizable estimates; however, EPA expects that it will provide some useful insights on the current AQI program." OMB concurs with this goal for the study.
table that charts list comparision
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
12/31/2009
36 Months From Approved
3,375
0
0
828
0
0
0
0
0
EPA supports the Air Quality Index (AQI), a program that uses data from air quality monitors to forecast pollution levels and to notify the public of health hazards associated with air pollution. EPA is interested in assessing the public's awareness, knowledge and both stated and actual behavioral response to AQI warnings. To address this need, EPA wishes to conduct the National-Scale Activity Surveys (N-SAS) to gather information on perceptions, awareness, attitudes, and stated and actual behaviors in response to AQI warnings. EPA is requesting permission from OMB to conduct a survey of 1,600 individuals age 35 or older who meet minimal activity requirements living in eight U.S. cities. The data will be collected through a web-based survey of members from Knowledge Network's web panel. The N-SAS consists of a series of nine surveys. A screening survey at the beginning and a debriefing survey at the end will provide information on the research participants, their awareness and knowledge of air pollution and the AQI, risk perceptions regarding health effects, and reported behaviors on high ozone days. After the screening survey, research participants will be administered a set of seven activity diaries administered on both high and low ozone days to collect information on actual behavior. The information obtained from N-SAS will be used by EPA to assess hypotheses for the N-SAS research participants regarding the extent of awareness of and knowledge about the AQI; the effects of the AQI on behavior in these eight cities; the correlation between awareness, knowledge, stated behavior on high pollution days and data on behavior reported in the activity diaries; and differences in behavior, awareness and knowledge among N-SAS research participants. In addition to assessing the effectiveness of AQI-based ozone warnings, the data will also be used to supplement the limited data available to develop exposure profiles for older Americans.
EO: EO 13450 Name/Subject of EO: Improving Government Program Performance
This is a new information collection request, which seeks to conduct the National-Scale Activity Surveys (N-SAS) to gather information on perceptions, awareness, attitudes, and stated and actual behaviors in response to AQI warnings.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
2293ssb01_final.doc
National-Scale Activity Survey - Debriefing