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EPA proposes tightening ozone standards for first time in six years

The Environmental Protection Agency said that each dollar invested in tighter ozone standards will save $3 by preventing illness and premature death.

By Frances Burns

WASHINGTON, Nov. 26 (UPI) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced plans Wednesday to tighten standards for ground-level ozone for the first time in six years.

The new standards would be in the order of 65 to 70 parts per billion. In 2008, the standard was set at 75 ppb.

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Ground-level ozone, also known as smog, is responsible for many respiratory problems, including asthma. It is formed when volatile organic compounds in vehicle exhaust and power plant emissions interact in the sunlight.

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."

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The agency estimated that every dollar invested in stronger standards for ozone would save about $3 in health expenses and related costs like missed school and work days. It would prevent 320,000 to 960,000 asthma attacks in children and 330,000 to one million missed days of school, prevent 750 to 4,300 early deaths a year and 1,400 to 4,300 emergency room visits.

The EPA, which expects to adopt a final rule next fall, said it would allow discussion on standards as low as 60 ppb during the public comment period.

The U.S. Supreme Court recently agreed to hear a challenge by industry groups and a number of states on tighter rules on mercury emissions. The industry argued that the cost of the higher standards outweigh the benefits.

Jack Gerard, president of the American Petroleum Institute, criticized the proposed tighter standards on ozone.

"Tightened standards could impose unachievable emission reduction requirements on virtually every part of the nation," Gerard said. "Even pristine areas with no industrial activity such as national parks could be out of attainment."

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