More than a dozen public health groups want the Environmental Protection Agency to tighten its standards for ground-level ozone — a key component of smog that causes heart and breathing problems.
The American Public Health Association and 17 other groups petitioned the EPA, asking it to change its standard for ground-level ozone, which is produced by vehicle and industrial emissions, from 75 parts per billion to 60. The agency is in the process of revising its standards for the contaminant, and has said it will set the bar at somewhere between 60 and 70 parts per billion.
From the American Public Health Association:
Clinical and epidemiological studies have shown that breathing ozone can cause adverse health effects at concentrations lower than the 75 parts per billion 8-hour average standard,” the groups wrote. Exposure can lead to respiratory and cardiovascular health effects, increase mortality and adversely affect sensitive groups, including those with asthma, seniors and outdoor workers. Children are particularly vulnerable.
More stringent standards could prevent up to 12,000 premature deaths from heart and lung diseases each year, The New York Times reported in January.
The EPA is expected to announce the new standard in August.
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