What's New
Ozone or “smog” pollution can trigger asthma attacks and
harm even the healthiest lungs, but in June, the Bush EPA proposed air quality
standards for ozone that are weaker than what the agency’s own scientific
advisors say are needed to protect public health. In addition, the proposal leaves open the
possibility of not strengthening the ozone standard at all.
EPA will hold
five public hearings on the proposed standards, including one in Los
Angeles on August 30th 2007. The agency must finalize the standards by
March 2008.
Brief Summary
Ozone is a powerful pollutant that can burn our lungs and
airways, causing health effects ranging from coughing and wheezing to asthma
attacks and even premature death.
Children, teenagers, senior citizens, and people with lung disease are
particularly vulnerable to the health effects of ozone.
Under the Clean Air Act, the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) must set air quality standards at levels that protect public health,
including sensitive populations, with an adequate margin of safety. In
2006, the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee, EPA’s independent science
advisors, reviewed 2,000 pages of science on the health effects of ozone and
unanimously concluded that EPA should significantly strengthen the ozone
standard.
On June
20 2007, EPA proposed strengthening the national air quality
standard for ozone, but the agency’s proposal is weaker than what its own
scientific advisors said is necessary to protect public health. In addition, the proposal leaves open the
possibility of not strengthening the ozone standard at all.
EPA will hold
five public hearings on the proposed standards, including one in Los
Angeles on August 30th. The agency must finalize the standards by
March 2008.
