EPA Proposes Stricter Smog Standards
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hxdbzxy/iStockphoto/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — The Environmental Protection Agency proposed new smog standards in an effort to safeguard Americans from air pollution on Wednesday.
“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,” EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy said. “We deserve to know the air we breathe is safe.”
The current standard deems 75 parts per billion of ozone as acceptable, but the EPA wants to lower that figure, perhaps to 60 parts per billion. At 75 parts per billion, the agency says, individuals can suffer damage to their respiratory system, asthma or aggravated cases of asthma, other long diseases.
The EPA says strengthening its standards would prevent at least 320,000 asthma attacks and at least 330,000 missed school days.
The agency expects to hold public hearings and announce final standards by Oct. 1, 2015.
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