The U.S. EPA has announced 3 public hearings on its proposal to reconsider the ozone air quality standards in order to set standards consistent with the recommendations of the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC).

In 2008, the Bush Administration EPA set an 8-hour ozone standard of 75 ppb, against the unanimous advice of the CASAC and the medical and public health community.  Now, the new Adminsitration has proposed to reconsider that standard, and to set a public health standard in the range of 60-70 ppb, as recommended by CASAC.  This move restores science to its proper role in the standard setting process.
Three public hearings are scheduled as follows:

• Arlington, Virginia: Tuesday, February 2, 2010.

Hyatt Regency Crystal City @ Reagan National Airport

Washington Room (located on the Ballroom Level)

2799 Jefferson Davis Highway

Arlington, Virginia 22202
Telephone: 703-418-1234

• Houston: Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Hilton Houston Hobby Airport
Moody Ballroom (located on the ground floor)

8181 Airport Boulevard
Houston, Texas 77061

Telephone: 713-645-3000

• Sacramento: Thursday, February 4, 2010

Four Points by Sheraton
Sacramento International Airport

Natomas Ballroom

4900 Duckhorn Drive

Sacramento, California 95834

Telephone: 916-263-9000

The public hearings will begin at 9:30 a.m. and continue until 7:30 p.m. or later, if
necessary, depending on the number of speakers wishing to participate.  The EPA will accommodate all speakers that arrive and register before 7:30 p.m.
To preregister to speak at the public hearings, please contact Ms. Tricia Crabtree at:   crabtree.tricia@epa.gov; telephone: (919) 541-5688.

More information about the proposal is available at:  http://www.epa.gov/ttn/naaqs/
standards/ozone/s_o3_cr_fr.html

The Lung Association has prepared a backgrounder:   Backgrounder on Ozone NAAQS Reproposal

Download these talking points for the public hearings:   Talking Points For Ozone Public Hearings

On Monday November 16, 2009, EPA will issue a proposed rule to revise the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for sulfur dioxide. For the first time, EPA will propose short-term limits on sulfur dioxide concentrations to protect the health of children with asthma.
Below, we have posted a fact sheet prepared by the American Lung Association that provides background on the health effects of sulfur dioxide and the issues at stake:
SO2 NAAQS Backgrounder

For the first time in over 35 years, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed changes to the national air quality standard for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) a widespread, noxious air pollutant. The National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) define what constitutes air that is safe to breathe and drive air pollution cleanup programs.  EPA has proposed adding a new one-hour standard to the existing annual standard. EPA also has proposed establishing a roadside monitoring network to track expected higher levels of NO2 along major highways.

Recent research shows that the current annual average standard set in 1971 fails to protect the health of children, older adults and people with asthma and of people who live and work near major highways.  EPA will accept public comments on the proposal until September 14, 2009, and will hold public hearings on August 3, 2009 in Arlington, VA and August 6, 2009 in Los Angeles. EPA is under a court order to issue final standards by January 22, 2010.

Attached are a fact sheet on the proposal with information on how to file public comments, as well as talking points for the public hearings.

Fact Sheet on NO2 Proposal

Talking Points for Public Hearings on NO2

Hearings set for August 3rd and 6th will allow concerned citizens to weigh in on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed revisions to the air quality standard for nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a potent form of air pollution. The American Lung Association will be there to call on EPA to better protect public health with a stronger standard, which will become the official outdoor limit for this dangerous air pollutant.

“Strong scientific evidence tells us that the current NO2 standard fails to protect public health,” says Janice Nolen, American Lung Association Assistant Vice President for Policy and Advocacy. “Some of the people most exposed to this pollutant live or go to school near major highways where NO2 levels seem to be the highest. It is time for EPA to follow the science and adopt tighter standards to protect the health of all Americans.”

Changes to the national air quality standard for NO2 pollution will become the new official limit for this air pollutant that each county in the nation must meet. The new NO2 standard will trigger federally enforced clean up measures designed to protect people from the harm that breathing this pollutant can cause.

Traffic pollution and power plants are two of the biggest sources of NO2 pollution in the United States. People living in and around Los Angeles, Phoenix, in the Northeast corridor and in Chicago experience the highest concentrations of this pollution.

“Breathing NO2 can irritate the lungs, trigger asthma attacks and lower the body’s natural resistance to respiratory infections,” say Norman H. Edelman, MD, American Lung Association Chief Medical Officer. “People with asthma and other lung diseases, children and older adults are at highest risk for these health complications, as are people who live or work near a major highway.”

EPA must set its final rule for NO2 air quality by January 22, 2010. The American Lung Association will participate in EPA-led public hearings to advocate for air quality standards that best protect public health in all areas of the country.

The hearings are set for August 3 in Arlington, VA, and on August 6 in Los Angeles, CA. You are urged to sign up to speak at either hearing with EPA’s Tricia Crabtree:  919-541-5688, crabtree.tricia@epa.gov.  Specific logistical information:

August 3, 2009, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Arlington, VA
EPA Potomac Yard Conference Center
1 Potomac Yard
2777 South Crystal Drive
Arlington, VA

August 6, 2009, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Los Angeles, CA
Sheraton Los Angeles Downtown
711 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Phone: (213) 488-3500

In what could be the last major clean air policy decision of the Bush Administration, EPA is scheduled to publish its Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) on the primary nitrogen dioxide (NO2) NAAQS in the Federal Register on January 16, 2009.  The ANPR could be signed as early as January 9, 2009. (more…)

EPA has published its first draft Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for public review and comment.  The ISA is available online.   (more…)

Do you need a scorecard to keep track of the major milestones in the EPA’s reviews of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for the major pollutants?
(more…)

In anticipation of the upcoming five-year review of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter (PM), the U.S. EPA has appointed several new members to the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) and a number of additional consulting members to serve on the PM review panel.  (more…)

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…)

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