In proposing primary standards with an adequate margin of safety, the EPA seeks to prevent pollution levels that have been demonstrated to be harmful and also to prevent lower pollutant levels that may pose an unacceptable risk of harm, even if, the proposed rule says, the risk is not "precisely identified as to nature or degree."

"EPA is stepping up to protect Americans from one of the most persistent and widespread pollutants we face. Smog in the air we breathe poses a very serious health threat, especially to children and individuals suffering from asthma and lung disease. It dirties our air, clouds our cities, and drives up our health care costs across the country," said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson in an agency press release. "Using the best science to strengthen these standards is a long overdue action that will help millions of Americans breathe easier and live healthier."


The EPA says the proposal may yield health benefits between $13 billion and $100 billion in preventing and lessening the medical concerns listed above. The estimated costs of implementing the proposal range from $19 billion to $90 billion.

The EPA will be accepting public comment for 60 days after the proposed rule is published in the Federal Register. The agency will hold three public hearings on the proposal: Feb. 2, 2010 in Arlington, VA and in Houston, TX; and Feb. 4, 2010 in Sacramento, CA.

The proposed rule, "Reconsideration of the 2008 National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Ozone," as well as in the information on the public hearings, may be found at: http://www.epa.gov/groundlevelozone/actions.html. The proposed rule has detail on the issues and history of ground-level ozone concerns, the industries that contribute to ozone emission, ongoing litigation, and more on health effects. The document also has links to other documents relevant to the proposed rule, including a 2007 Staff Paper on human exposure and health risk assessments. The Staff Paper may also be accessed here: http://epa.gov/ttn/naaqs/standards/ozone/s_o3_cr_sp.html

More information on ground ozone may be found at: http://www.epa.gov/groundlevelozone

Adapted in part from an EPA press release and the proposed rule.

Link: http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/d0cf6618525a9efb85257359003fb69d/d70b9c433c46faa3852576a40058b1d4!OpenDocument

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