California Recommends Tough New State Standards for Ozone
The Staff of the California Air Resources Board (ARB) and Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) have recommended tough new state Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone smog to protect the health of infants, children, and other at risk populations.
The state is proposing to retain its 1-hour ozone standard of 0.09 ppm, not to be exceeded, and to establish a new 8-hour standard of 0.07 ppm, not to be exceeded. The proposed 8-hour standard is substantially more stringent than the federal 8-hour standard of 0.08 ppm set in 1997, both because of the level of the standard, and the due to the way compliance will be measured.
The recommended standards are based on a showing that adverse health effects including lung function decrements, cough, wheeze, and pain on breathing are evident at ozone concentrations of 0.08 ppm over several hours. More stringent standards as proposed California staff, are needed to protect the health of children and others with an adequate margin of safety.
The proposed California standards will set an important precedent for national and international reviews of the ozone air quality standards. The California review demonstrates that the federal NAAQS for ozone, set in 1997, need to be strengthened in order protect public health, particularly the health of children.
The California recommendations are contained in a draft staff report, entitled “Review
of the Ambient Air Quality Standard for Ozone” is available from the Air Resources Board [www.arb.ca.gov] online.
Hard copies may be requested from Ms. Jacqueline Cummins at (916) 445-0753.
The ARB has scheduled three public workshops to discuss the draft staff report and recommendations for July 14, 15, and 16, 2004. Public comments will be taken. The first workshop will be webcast. Details available from the ARB website.
The findings and recommendations in the draft staff report will be peer-reviewed by the Air Quality Advisory Committee (AQAC),
appointed by the Office of the President of the University of California.
Written comments must be submitted by August 2, 2004 to:
Dr. Deborah Drechsler, Ph.D.
Air Resources Board
Research Division
P.O. Box 2815
Sacramento, CA 95612-2815
916-323-1526 PHONE
916-322-4357 FAX
ddrechsl@arb.ca.gov
Public comments will be accepted at the AQAC meeting likely to take place in early September.
Following the meeting of the AQAC, staff will revise the draft staff report based on comments received from AQAC members and
the public.
The revised Staff Report will then be made
available for a 45-day public comment period in advance of a public meeting of the Air Resources Board to consider the staff’s final recommendations. The Board meeting is tentatively scheduled for December, 2004.
