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

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…)

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…)

Health, Environmental Groups File Court Challenge to EPA Particulate Matter Pollution Standard 

EPA maintains nearly decade old annual pollution levels that has been linked to thousands of deaths annually

Washington, D.C., December 15, 2006 – Public health and environmental groups today filed suit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for refusing to strengthen a nearly decade old national public health standard for particulate matter (PM) pollution to a level that could prevent thousands of premature deaths every year. Earthjustice filed the suit on behalf of the American Lung Association, Environmental Defense, and the National Parks Conservation Association. (more…)

Statement from John L. Kirkwood, President and Chief Executive Officer, American Lung Association

December 7, 2006.  New York, NY.  The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today an unprecedented decision to seriously weaken the process for determining the level of air pollution that is safe to breathe.  The American Lung Association urges EPA to reconsider this flawed decision and restore the process that has worked for over 30 years.  (more…)

Statement of John L. Kirkwood
President and Chief Executive Officer
American Lung Association
On the release of the
Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee Recommendations
On Revisions to the National Ozone Standards

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An EPA scientific advisory panel has unanimously recommended that the United States adopt much stronger air quality standards for ozone smog.  The Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) concluded that the standard “needs to be substantially reduced: and that there is “no scientific justification” for retaining the current standard.  The standards — which establish safe levels of pollution in the air — are undergoing review by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  (more…)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concluded a nine-year review of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter (PM) on September 20, 2006 by ratifying the pre-existing annual average standard for fine particles and somewhat lowering the 24-hour average standard.  (more…)

The seven permanent members of EPA’s Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) sent EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson a letter dated September 29, 2006, officially condemning Johnson’s final decisions concerning the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for particulate matter. (more…)

‘EPA’s new standards fail to protect the health of the public’

Statement from John L. Kirkwood

President and CEO
American Lung Association

NEW YORK September 21, 2006. We are extremely disappointed with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for particulate matter pollution announced today by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  

(more…)