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

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?

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…)

A number of leading public health organizations including Physicians for Social Responsibiity, the American Heart Association, the National Association of County and City Health Officials, the American Nurses Association, the American Lung Association, and others have filed comments with EPA in support of stringent new air quality standards for ozone smog.   

(more…)

A long parade of witnesses spoke in support of tighter ozone air quality standards at EPA public hearings in Philadelphia and Los Angeles on August 30, 2007.  Some of the more interesting statements are posted below.

Additional public hearings will be held in Chicago, Houston, and Atlanta on September 5, 2007.  To sign up to speak at the public hearings, go to: 

http://epa.gov/air/ozonepollution/naaqsrev2007.html 

(more…)

What are the top ten ozone health studies show effects at concentrations of 60 ppb? 

Lung Association consultant Deborah Shprentz presented the top ten list in testimony on the proposed revisions to the EPA air quality standards for ozone at a public hearing in Philadelphia on August 30, 2007.    (more…)

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’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…)

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…)

The Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) has agreed that the the current air quality standard for ozone cannot be considered protective of public health and that EPA must lower the standard considerably to reflect studies show effects at and below the level of the current standard. (more…)