American Lung Association? Public Policy Brief, 2001
The Clean Air Act requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards to safeguard public health against six common air pollutants: ozone (smog), particulate matter (soot), sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and lead.
The standards are to be set with a margin of safety to protect sensitive groups of people (including those with
asthma or emphysema, children, and the elderly) adversely affected by levels of air pollution at lower concentrations
than may adversely affect the average, healthy adult. The margin of safety also takes into consideration research findings whose significance is not yet fully understood.
The Clean Air Act requires the EPA to review scientific research on these key pollutants at least every five years and, if necessary, revise the standards.
A 2001 Public Policy Brief from the American Lung Association® gives background informationon the standards, the timelines for implementation of the new ozone and particulate matter standards, and the court case.
The Lung Association offers the brief online.
