California Commences Review of Ozone and Nitrogen Dioxide Standards, April 2003
The California Air Resources Board (ARB) and the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) have commenced a review of the state’s ambient air quality standards for ozone and nitrogen dioxide.
The ozone review began in October 2002, and the nitrogen dioxide review began in March 2003.
Staffs of the ARB and OEHHA concluded in December 2000 that significant harmful health effects may occur among both children and adults when outdoor ozone concentrations are at or near the level of the current State 1-hour standard of 0.09 ppm. Review of the nitrogen dioxide standard was also determined to be of high priority. The evaluation of the health-based air quality standards is a requirement of The Children’s Environmental Health Protection Act (Senate Bill 25, Escutia, 1999).
Staff are currently reviewing the scientific literature on exposure, atmospheric chemistry, and health effects of ozone and nitrogen dioxide, and have requested copies of recent studies and papers currently in press from the public.
The California ozone review is expected to precede the federal review of the ozone standard. A draft staff report is expected in Fall 2003, with a proposed standard likely to be before the Air Resources Board in Spring 2004.
A draft report on the nitrogen dioxide standard is expected to be available for public comment in Spring 2004, with Board action tentatively anticipated in December 2004.
Information on the review of the ozone standard is available from ARB [www.arb.ca.gov] online.
Information on the nitrogen dioxide review is also available online.
ARB maintains a list serv on standards review issues. You may sign up online.
The ARB staff lead on the ozone review is Deborah Drechsler, Ph.D., who may be reached at 916-323-1526 or via email: ddrechsl@arb.ca.gov.
The ARB staff lead on the nitrogen dioxide review is Dr. Norman Kado, who may be reached at 916-323-1500 or via email: nkado@arb.gov.
