In a bid to protect public health and reduce the smog pollution that’s been linked to respiratory problems, asthma attacks, and cardiovascular damage, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Wednesday unveiled new air quality standards for ozone—though some suggested they might not go far enough.
Ground-level ozone forms when emissions of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds “cook” in the sun from sources like vehicles, factories, power plants, and certain fumes from fuels, solvents and paints. People most at risk from breathing air containing ozone include people with asthma, children, older adults, and those who are active or work outside.
The EPA’s proposal would strengthen air quality standards to within a range of 65 to 70 parts per billion (ppb); the EPA said it will take comment on a level as low as 60 ppb. The agency last updated these standards in 2008, setting them at 75 ppb. The Guardian notes that “[e]ven at the time of their adoption in 2008, federal government scientists said the standards were too lax to protect the most vulnerable populations.”
“Bringing ozone pollution standards in line with the latest science will clean up our air, improve access to crucial air quality information, and protect those most at-risk, EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy said in a statement. “Fulfilling the promise of the Clean Air Act has always been EPA’s responsibility. Our health protections have endured because they’re engineered to evolve, so that’s why we’re using the latest science to update air quality standards—to fulfill the law’s promise, and defend each and every person’s right to clean air.”
According to an agency analysis, strengthening the standard to a range of 65 to 70 ppb “will provide significantly better protection for children, preventing from 320,000 to 960,000 asthma attacks and from 330,000 to 1 million missed school days.” EPA also claims the updated standard would prevent up to 4,300 premature deaths, up to 4,300 asthma-related emergency room visits, and up to 180,000 missed work days.
The initial reaction from public health and environmental groups was positive, although some wished the proposal was more aggressive.
“The EPA’s proposal to strengthen the standard is a step forward in the fight to protect all Americans from the dangers of breathing ozone pollution, especially to protect our children, our older adults and those living with lung or heart disease,” said Harold P. Wimmer, president and CEO of the American Lung Association. “To that end, we will focus on ensuring that the final ozone standard provides the most protection possible to the American people, especially the most vulnerable.”
Wimmer added: “We are concerned that EPA did not include 60 ppb in the range, though it was the clear recommendation of independent scientists as well as health and medical societies, including the American Lung Association. The scientific record clearly shows that a standard of 60 ppb would provide the most public health protection.”
Anticipating pushback from Republicans and the business community, the Sierra Club also urged the EPA to stand by its commitments.
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