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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One of the most pressing issues facing EPA in the review of the air quality standards for particulate matter (PM) is the need to strengthen the annual average standard for fine particles. (more…)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a final science assessment for sulfur dioxide (SO2) which suggests that a short-term standard will be needed to protect public health. (more…)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is embarking on a new review of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ozone.  The Agency will hold a public kickoff workshop on October 29 - 30, 2008 in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina to discuss science and science policy issues relevant to the ozone NAAQS review. (more…)

The current standard for nitrogen dioxide — an annual average standard — was set in 1971 and has not been revised since then.  In the past 35 plus years there has been a great deal of evidence pointing to the need for a short-term standard.  (more…)

The current National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for sulfur dioxide were set in 1971 based on a Criteria Document published in 1969 by the Department of Health Education and Welfare. The scientific articles considered in the original Criteria Document predate 1968. In 1971, the newly established EPA set the first primary sulfur dioxide NAAQS: an annual average standard of 0.03 ppm (80 µg/m3); and a 24-hour standard of 0.14 ppm (365 µg/m3). The current standards are based on 40 plus year old science. (more…)

A draft report from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has estimated that 14,000 to 24,000 premature deaths each year are attributable to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5). (more…)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 27, 2008

CONTACTS:
David Baron, Earthjustice, (202) 667-4500
Carrie Martin, American Lung Association, (202) 715-3461
John Walke, Natural Resources Defense Council, (202) 289-2406
Mark Wenzler, National Parks Conservation Association, (202) 255-9013
Vickie Patton, Environmental Defense Fund, (720) 837-6239

Washington, DC – Health and environmental advocates are filing suit today challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s refusal to adopt stronger ozone standards urged by its own scientists. (more…)

A new report by a Committee of the National Academy of Sciences has confirmed that short-term exposure to ozone smog is likely contributing to premature deaths. (more…)

Washington, DC (March 12, 2008). Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a critical tightening of the health-based National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ozone. We wish we could be happier about this decision, but we cannot. The standard announced today, although an improvement, falls far short of the requirements of the Clean Air Act. We are unable to celebrate half measures when the risks are so evident, when the science and the scientists are so united about what is needed and when the missed opportunity means that thousands will suffer more and die sooner than they should. Furthermore, we reject the suggestions made by the Administrator to weaken and undermine the Clean Air Act itself. Coming from the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, such suggestions are truly outrageous. (more…)