Archive for the 'Home Page' Category

American Thoracic Society Endorses Stringent Ozone Standard

Saturday, July 7th, 2007

A major medical association, the American Thoracic Society, has laid out the case for EPA to strengthen the air quality standard for ozone smog.  (more…)

EPA Proposes to Strengthen Ozone Standards, June 21, 2007

Friday, June 22nd, 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. (more…)

Statement of ALA on EPA Proposal for Ozone NAAQS, June 21, 2007

Thursday, June 21st, 2007

Statement of Norman Edelman, MD
Chief Medical Officer
American Lung Association
June 21, 2007

The proposed revisions to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone smog announced today by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are a step toward cleaner air.  While the American Lung Association is pleased that the EPA is calling for tighter standards, the agency’s plan falls short of the goal recommended by its own scientific experts.  We are particularly concerned that the EPA has left the door open to choosing options that are simply not acceptable.  We have reason to be concerned.  (more…)

Smog Showdown! — June 14, 2007

Wednesday, June 13th, 2007

It’s big polluters versus health and science –  And an EPA decision hangs in the balance (more…)

Health and Environmental Groups Advocate for Better Ozone Standard

Wednesday, April 25th, 2007

Heads of over 20 public health and environmental organizations — including the American Lung Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Public Health Association — wrote EPA Administrator Steven Johnson on April 16, 2007,urging him to tighten the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone smog.  (more…)

EPA Children’s Health Committee Urges Stricter Smog Standards

Wednesday, April 11th, 2007

EPA’s top children’s health advisors have urged Administrator Stephen L. Johnson to set tough new air quality standards for ozone air pollution. 

Citing serious risks to children’s health, the EPA Children’s Health Protection Advisory Commitee (CHPAC) urged EPA Administrator Johnson to set a 8-hour average standard of 0.060 ppm, down from the current standard which is effectively 0.085 ppm.  (more…)

100+ Air Researchers and Physicians to EPA: Strengthen the Ozone Standards

Thursday, April 5th, 2007

More than 100 distinguished air pollution researchers and physicians are recommending that the U.S. EPA set much tougher new health standards for ground-level ozone, or smog.  (more…)

EPA Science Advisors Reaffirm Commitment to Strengthened Ozone Standards

Wednesday, March 28th, 2007

EPA’s Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) has issued some strong advice to EPA Administrator Steve Johnson on the need to strengthen the air quality standards for ozone.  In a letter dated March 26, 2007, the scientists wrote:  

“Ozone Panel members were unanimous in recommending that the level of the current primary ozone standard should be lowered from 0.08 ppm to no greater than 0.070 ppm.” 

Further, the scientists emphasized the need to provide a margin of safety in standard-setting, as required by the Clean Air Act. 

Read the full letter providing comments on EPA’s final ozone Staff Paper online: 

http://www.epa.gov/sab/pdf/casac-07-002.pdf

The recommendations from the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee come on the heels of strong recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) to strengthen air quality guidelines for ozone.  The WHO report, issued in full on March 23, 2007, recommends an air quality guideline of 0.051 ppm ozone, 8-hour average, to protect against respiratory effects and premature deaths due to ozone.  See the full report online: 

http://www.euro.who.int/Document/E90038.pdf

EPA Staff Scientists Recommend Tougher Ozone Standards

Friday, February 16th, 2007

A final EPA Staff Paper on the review of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ozone air pollution concludes that the current standard is not protective of public health and must be strengthened.  (more…)

SMOG STORY: Why science says EPA needs to update health standards

Tuesday, January 30th, 2007

It’s true: smog isn’t usually a headline-grabber in the middle of winter.  But there’s a reason you might want to pay attention now.

The U.S. EPA is reviewing the science that supports national health standards for smog.  And we’re on the verge of a major milestone. (more…)