Archive for the 'Fact Sheets and Background on NAAQS Review' Category

EPA Reconsiders the Ozone Air Quality Standard: Will They Get It Right?

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

January 6, 2010 — Today or tomorrow, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) is expected to announce its decision on whether to strengthen the national air quality standards for ozone.

Under the last Administration, the EPA rejected the unanimous advice of the Agency’s science advisers and set standards too weak to protect public health. Now, the Obama Administration’s EPA has a chance to get it right.  EPA scientists and independent outside scientific experts agree that the old standards are too weak to protect against asthma attacks, emergency room visits, and premature death.

With the quality of the air we breathe at stake, what should the Agency do?  And who could be affected?

The fact sheet below provides additional information.
EPA Reconsiders the Ozone Air Quality Standard: Will They Get It Right?

Backgrounder on EPA’s Review of Sulfur Dioxide NAAQS

Friday, November 13th, 2009

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

Fact Sheet and Talking Points on EPA NO2 Proposal

Friday, July 24th, 2009

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

EPA Publishes Schedule for Upcoming NAAQS Reviews

Monday, December 22nd, 2008

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?
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Smog Showdown March 12, 2008: EPA to Announce Final Revisions to the Smog Standards

Thursday, March 6th, 2008

It’s coming down to the wire. What’s literally at stake is the quality of the air we breathe.

The U.S. EPA is on the verge of deciding if national health standards for smog should be made tougher. (more…)

The Evidence is Overwhelming: EPA Must Set a Stronger Ozone Standard

Tuesday, July 31st, 2007

On June 21, 2007 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed to strengthen the official “limit” on ground level ozone smog. Unfortunately, EPA’s proposal fails to follow the law and protect public health adequately from this widespread and dangerous air pollutant. Overwhelming scientific evidence, including reviews by independent scientists, confirm that public health is seriously at risk and needs much more protection.  EPA will take comments until October 9, 2007, including at five public hearings on August 30 and September 5.  The American Lung Association and many other medical societies, public health and environmental groups are urging EPA to adopt standards that provide much more protection.

For more information on what you can do and for details on the public hearings, please refer to the fact sheet available here:  8-2-07 Ozone Standards Action Alert

Ozone Kills Fact Sheet

Saturday, July 7th, 2007

There is strong, consistent evidence that links ozone (commonly referred to as smog) to premature deaths.  Cleaning up air pollution will save thousands of lives.  (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…)

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…)

Proposed Coarse Particle Standards Leave Millions Unprotected, 5-20-06

Saturday, May 20th, 2006

Scientific studies link concentrations of airborne coarse particulate matter (PM) with hospitalizations and deaths due to heart and lung disease. Coarse PM comprises particles between 2.5 and 10 microns in diameter—less than 1/7 the diameter of a human hair. Air pollution from coarse PM is currently regulated under EPA’s National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for PM10, which limits airborne concentrations of particles 10 microns in diameter and smaller.
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