EPA Proposes to Strengthen Ozone Standards, June 21, 2007
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed to lower the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ozone, but not to the levels recommended by its independent scientific advisors. In addition, the Agency is taking comment on the option of retaining the existing standard, leaving open the possibility that a final rule would leave the existing standard unchanged.
Ozone, commonly known as smog, is a common air pollutant known to contribute to health problems ranging from depressed lung function, respiratory symptoms and inflamed lungs to emergency room visits for breathing problems and even premature deaths.
EPA last revised the air quality standards for ozone in 1997 when it set an 8-hour average standard of 0.08 parts per million (ppm). Since then, over 1,700 new scientific studies have been published, expanding our knowledge of adverse health effects at low concentrations.
According to the EPA, scientific evidence indicates that adverse public health effects occur following exposure to ozone at levels below the current standard, particularly in those with respiratory illness.
EPA is proposing to lower the 8-hour average standard for ozone to between 0.070 ppm to 0.075 ppm. EPA’s independent science advisors had recommended a range of between 0.060 ppm to 0.070 ppm.
A copy of the proposed rule and related fact sheets from EPA are available at: www.epa.gov/groundlevelozone
Public comments will be accepted through early October and may be emailed to a-and-r-docket@epa.gov attention Docket No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2005-0172.
EPA will hold public hearings on the rule in Los Angeles and Philadelphia on August 30, 2007, and in Chicago and Houston on September 5, 2007.
The final standards are due out by March 12, 2008.
An American Lung Association fact sheet in the issue is available online: http://www.cleanairstandards.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/ozone-air-quality-standard-summary-6-14-07.pdf
Citizens may send a letter to EPA via the American Lung Association’s website: http://lungaction.org/campaign/SOTA2007
