EPA Strengthens Ozone Standards to Protect Public Health
Science-based standards to reduce sick days, asthma attacks, emergency room
visits, greatly outweigh costs
WASHINGTON – Based on extensive scientific evidence on effects that
ground-level ozone pollution, or smog, has on public health and welfare,
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has strengthened the
National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ground-level ozone to 70
parts per billion (ppb) from 75 ppb to protect public health. The updated
standards will reduce Americans' exposure to ozone, improving public health
protection, particularly for at risk groups including children, older
adults, and people of all ages who have lung diseases such as asthma.
Ground-level ozone forms when nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic
compounds (VOCs) react in the air.
"Put simply – ozone pollution means it hurts to breathe for those most
vulnerable: our kids, our elderly and those suffering from heart and lung
ailments," said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. "Our job is to set
science-backed standards that protect the health of the American people.
Today's action is one of the most important measures we can take for
improving public health, reducing the costs of illness and protecting our
children's health."
EPA examined nearly 2,300 studies in this review of the ozone standards
including more than 1,000 new studies published since the last review of
the standards in 2008. Scientific evidence shows that ozone can cause a
number of harmful effects on the respiratory system, including difficulty
breathing and inflammation of the airways. The revised standards will
significantly improve public health protection, resulting in fewer
premature deaths, and thousands fewer missed school and work days and
asthma attacks. For people with lung diseases like COPD (chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease) or the 23 million Americans and 6 million
children living with asthma, these effects can aggravate their diseases,
leading to increased medication use, emergency room visits and hospital
admissions. Evidence also indicates that long-term exposure to ozone is
likely to be one of many causes of asthma development. And studies show
that ozone exposure is likely to cause premature death. The public health
benefits of the updated standards, estimated at $2.9 to 5.9 billion
annually in 2025, outweigh the estimated annual costs of $1.4 billion.
Local communities, states, and the federal government have made substantial
progress in reducing ground-level ozone. Nationally, from 1980 to 2014,
average ozone levels have fallen 33 percent, while the economy has
continued to grow. And by 2025, EPA projects that existing rules and
programs will bring the vast majority of the remaining counties into
compliance. Advances in pollution control technology for vehicles and
industry along with other emission reduction standards, including "Tier 3"
clean vehicle and fuels standards, the Clean Power Plan and the Mercury and
Air Toxics Standards, will significantly cut smog-forming emissions,
helping states meet today's updated ozone standards.
To ensure that people are alerted when ozone reaches unhealthy levels, EPA
is extending the ozone monitoring season for 32 states and the District of
Columbia. This is particularly important for at-risk groups, including
children and people with asthma because it will provide information so
families can take steps to protect their health on smoggy days.
EPA also is strengthening the "secondary ozone standard" to 70 ppb, which
will improve protection for trees, plants and ecosystems. New studies since
the last review of the standards add to evidence showing that repeated
exposure to ozone reduces growth and has other harmful effects on plants
and trees. These types of effects have the potential to harm ecosystems and
the benefits they provide.
The Clean Air Act provides states with time to meet the standards.
Depending on the severity of their ozone problem, areas would have until
between 2020 and 2037 to meet the standards.
The Clean Air Act requires EPA to review the ozone standards every five
years to determine whether they should be revised in light of the latest
science. Today's action comes after a thorough review and public comment
process. The agency received more than 430,000 written comments on the
proposed standards and held three public hearings.
More information: http://www3.epa.gov/ozonepollution/
To view the video: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6chlLb59zA
