EPA Proposes Smog Standards to Safeguard Americans from Air Pollution
Based on extensive recent scientific evidence about the harmful effects
of ground-level ozone, or smog, EPA is proposing to strengthen air quality
standards to within a range of 65 to 70 parts per billion (ppb) to better
protect Americans’ health and the environment, while taking comment
on a level as low as 60 ppb. The Clean Air Act requires EPA to review
the standards every five years by following a set of open, transparent
steps and considering the advice of a panel of independent experts. EPA
last updated these standards in 2008, setting them at 75 ppb.
"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. It empowers the American people with updated
air quality information to protect our loved ones - because whether we
work or play outdoors – we deserve to know the air we breathe is
safe,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “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.”
EPA scientists examined numerous scientific studies in its most recent
review of the ozone standards, including more than 1,000 new studies published
since the last update. Studies indicate that exposure to ozone at levels
below 75 ppb -- the level of the current standard -- can pose serious
threats to public health, harm the respiratory system, cause or aggravate
asthma and other lung diseases, and is linked to premature death from
respiratory and cardiovascular causes. Ground-level ozone forms in the
atmosphere when emissions of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds
“cook” in the sun from sources like cars, trucks, buses, industries,
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. Stronger
ozone standards will also provide an added measure of protection for low
income and minority families who are more likely to suffer from asthma
or to live in communities that are overburdened by pollution. Nationally,
1 in 10 children has been diagnosed with asthma.
According to EPA’s 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. Strengthening the standard to a range of
70 to 65 ppb would better protect both children and adults by preventing
more than 750 to 4,300 premature deaths; 1,400 to 4,300 asthma-related
emergency room visits; and 65,000 to 180,000 missed workdays.
EPA estimates that the benefits of meeting the proposed standards will
significantly outweigh the costs. If the standards are finalized, every
dollar we invest to meet them will return up to three dollars in health
benefits. These large health benefits will be gained from avoiding asthma
attacks, heart attacks, missed school days and premature deaths, among
other health effects valued at $6.4 to $13 billion annually in 2025 for
a standard of 70 ppb, and $19 to $38 billion annually in 2025 for a standard
of 65 ppb. Annual costs are estimated at $3.9 billion in 2025 for a standard
of 70 ppb, and $15 billion for a standard at 65 ppb.
A combination of recently finalized or proposed air pollution rules –
including “Tier 3” clean vehicle and fuels standards –
will significantly cut smog-forming emissions from industry and transportation,
helping states meet the proposed standards. EPA’s analysis of federal
programs that reduce air pollution from fuels, vehicles and engines of
all sizes, power plants and other industries shows that the vast majority
of U.S. counties with monitors would meet the more protective standards
by 2025 just with the rules and programs now in place or underway. Local
communities, states, and the federal government have made substantial
progress in reducing ground-level ozone. Nationally, from 1980 to 2013,
average ozone levels have fallen 33 percent. EPA projects that this progress
will continue.
The Clean Air Act provides states with time to meet the standards. Depending
on the severity of their ozone problem, areas would have between 2020
and 2037 to meet the standards. To ensure that people are alerted when
ozone reaches unhealthy levels, EPA is proposing to extend the ozone monitoring
season for 33 states. 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.
The agency is also proposing to strengthen the “secondary”
ozone standard to a level within 65 to 70 ppb to protect plants, trees
and ecosystems from damaging levels of ground-level ozone. New studies
add to the evidence showing that repeated exposure to ozone stunts the
growth of trees, damages plants, and reduces crop yield. The proposed
level corresponds to levels of seasonal ozone exposure scientists have
determined would be more protective.
EPA will seek public comment on the proposal for 90 days following publication
in the Federal Register, and the agency plans to hold three public hearings.
EPA will issue final ozone standards by
October 1, 2015.
To view the proposal:
http://www.epa.gov/glo/