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As part of its periodic re-evaluation of particulate matter (PM) standards, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimated the health risk reductions associated with attainment of alternative PM standards in two locations in the United States with relatively complete air quality data: Philadelphia and Los Angeles. PM standards at the time of the analysis were defined for particles of aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 10 microm, denoted as PM-10. The risk analyses estimated the risk reductions that would be associated with changing from attainment of the PM-10 standards then in place to attainment of alternative standards using an indicator measuring fine particles, defined as those particles of aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 2.5 microm and denoted as PM-2.5. Annual average PM-2.5 standards of 12.5, 15, and 20 microg/m3 were considered in various combinations with daily PM-2.5 standards of 50 and 65 microg/m3. Attainment of a standard or set of standards was simulated by a proportional rollback of "as is" daily PM concentrations to daily PM concentrations that would just meet the standard(s). The predicted reductions in the incidence of health effects varied from zero, for those alternative standards already being met, to substantial reductions of over 88% of all PM-associated incidence (e.g., in mortality associated with long-term exposures in Los Angeles, under attainment of an annual standard of 12.5 microg/m3). Sensitivity analyses and integrated uncertainty analyses assessed the multiple-source uncertainty surrounding estimates of risk reduction.

Trends in institutional pharmacy practice were identified, and ASHP members' views of these trends were evaluated in a futures study. A list of statements concerning the practice of institutional pharmacy in the year 2000 was developed using a modified Delphi method. A random sample of 3000 active ASHP members received the questionnaire and were asked to estimate the probability that each of the 42 statements would occur by the year 2000. The responses were analyzed to reduce the number of variables to common factors. A total of 1276 of the returned questionnaires were usable. Six factors were identified: pharmacy-medicine linkage, advanced training or degree, drug administration, quality assurance and accreditation, supportive personnel, and pharmacy-nursing conflict. There were differences in the mean values of responses of items related to various factors when they were compared by sex, age, position held, degree held, and residency training. The key trends predicted were that advanced training or degrees will be necessities in the year 2000, institutional practice will be composed of multiple tracks, postgraduate education will be required of clinicians and administrators, turf conflict with nurses will increase, and accreditation standards and other safeguards for quality health care will continue to be required and will increase. The trends in how ASHP members conceptualized the future of their profession can provide insight for individuals developing programs in pharmacy education, health-care administration, institutional practice, and the pharmaceutical industry.