Clean Air: Why the EPA Needs to Create A New Standard For Ground Level Ozone - Green America

On March 8, 2008 the Environmental Protection Agency announced what it called "the most stringent 8-hour standard ever for ozone". It was the first time the EPA had acted to strengthen the national air quality standard for ozone in more than a decade. But the new EPA standard is facing strong legal challenges from environmental and public health advocacy groups. So what is ozone and how does it effect public health and the environment?

Ozone is a gas that is found in two places in the earth's atmosphere, the stratosphere and the troposphere. The ozone found in the the stratosphere helps to make life on earth possible. "The stratosphere or "good" ozone layer extends upward from about 6 to 30 miles and protects life on Earth from the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays," according to the EPA.

This is the "ozone layer" that is threatened by ozone depletion. The international community has made great progress in its efforts to phase out the use of man-made ozone depleting substances once used widely in aerosol sprays, fire extinguishers, solvents, pesticides, and other goods. But ozone depletion remains a very real problem today, albeit one that it not as prominent on the public radar as it once was.

Ground level ozone, found in the troposphere, is harmful to human health and to the environment. "Ozone attacks lung tissue by reacting chemically with it, called 'oxidizing," notes a fact sheet on ozone issued by the American Lung Association. "Some compare this to getting a 'sunburn' on the lungs." Symptoms of exposure to ground level ozone include shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing and wheezing, and increased risk of asthma attacks.

Those most at risk include children, the elderly, people who work or exercise outdoors, and individuals who suffer from pulmonary problems like asthma and COPD. During the summer months, when ozone levels can be particularly high, warnings are often issued telling susceptible populations to avoid outdoor activities or over exertion.

Ground level ozone also damages vegetation, threatening crops and the environment. The EPA notes that, "In the United States alone, ground-level ozone is responsible for an estimated $500 million in reduced crop production each year." It is also a major ingredient in smog.

Where does ground level ozone come from? "Ground-level or "bad" ozone is not emitted directly into the air, but is created by chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the presence of sunlight," according to the EPA. NOx and VOC emissions result from the burning of fossil fuels like gasoline and coal, as well as from the evaporation of substances that contain fossil fuel, such as paint.



NOx and VOC pollution are produced by all the usual suspects. "NOx is emitted from power plants, motor vehicles and other sources of high-heat combustion. VOCs are emitted from motor vehicles, chemical plants, refineries, factories, gas stations, paint and other sources," according to a fact sheet issued by the American Lung Association. Wind blows ozone produced in one region into other regions.

Both the EPA and its critics agree that a more stringent national standard for ground level ozone was necessary. Where they differ is on how stringent that new standard should be. The previous 8 hour standard was set at .0884 parts per million (ppm). The new standard is set at .075 ppm. EPA officials hailed the news standard as evidence of the agency's commitment to respect the Clean Air Act.

"The Clean Air Act is not a relic to be displayed in the Smithsonian, but a living document that must be modernized to continue realizing results. So while the standards I signed today may be strict, we have a responsibility to overhaul and enhance the Clean Air Act to ensure it translates from paper promises into cleaner air," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson in a press release announcing the new standard.

Critics of the new standard want more. The American Lung Association is calling for the adoption of an ozone standard of .060 ppm. The EPA's own scientific advisors support implementing the same standard, according to the group. The ALA also noted that 16 ublic health and medical organization support the .060 ppm standard - including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, the American College of Chest Physicians, the American Heart Association, the American Public Health Association, and the American Thoracic Society.

The American Lung Association is being joined by the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Environmental Defense Fund, the National Parks Conservation Association, and the Appalachian Mountain Club in a lawsuit against the EPA.

"EPA officials ignored the advice of their own scientists when they chose these deficient standards, but they can't ignore the law," said attorney David Baron of the law firm Earth Justice, which is handling the case. "The Clean Air Act requires EPA to adopt standards strong enough to protect our lungs and our environment. We're fighting to make sure that happens. Stronger standards could save thousands of lives, by some estimates."

They aren't the only ones taking legal action against the EPA on this issue. A number of states have also challenged the EPA's new standard for ground level oxygen. These include California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, New Mexico, Oregon, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and Rhode Island.

Ground level ozone threatens our health and our environment. Few, if any, are safe from its impact. High ozone level warnings do help some people escape exposure to unsafe levels of ground level ozone. But many Americans cannot avoid exposure. Many Americans have jobs that require that they work outside. Construction workers, farmers, and those working in the landscaping industry can't just take a day off from breathing any more than they can take a day off from work just because a high ozone level warning has been issued.

Every American has the right to breath clean air. The EPA needs to step up and institute a new standard for ground level ozone that will protect public health and the environment.

Sources:

Ozone - Good Up High Bad Nearby. EPA Website.

EPA Strengthens Smog Standards to Better Protect Human Health and the Environment. EPA Press Release.

Health, Environmental Groups Enforce the Clean Air Act to Protect Americans from Smog. AMC Press Release.

New Jersey Joins Multi-State Challenge to EPA Ozone Standards Federal Lawsuit Alleges Violation of the Clean Air Act. NJ Office of the Attorney General Press Release.

Facts About Ozone. American Lung Association.

Green America is a new weekly column about environmental politics by Gather political correspondent David Anderson. You can find current and past editions of the column at the group Green America.