EPA to Toughen Restrictions on Smog
After a four-month review process of existing standards for ground-level ozone emissions, the EPA has proposed a new standard of between .065 and .07 parts per million (ppm) per eight hours, which would be a .05 ppm decrease from the last revision and the lowest standard in U.S. history.
The EPA says the potential health benefits would be between $13 billion and $100 billion per year. This would include visits to hospitals and asthma treatment, as well as the costs of people missing school or work due to ozone-related illness. The estimated costs of implementation are between $19 billion and $90 billion annually.
A thick cloud of smog hangs over the skyline of downtown Los Angeles. Photo: Flickr/Metro Library and Archive
The New York Times reports that these costs would largely be absorbed by manufacturers and refineries. There are recommended steps for consumers to reduce smog emissions as well, including carpools, public transportation, home energy conservation and composting yard waste.
EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson ha cited “improving air quality” as one of seven themes to focus on in her second year on the job. Her other targets include climate change, evaluating the chemicals in household products and cleaning up Superfund sites.
“EPA is stepping up to protect Americans from one of the most persistent and widespread pollutants we face,” says Jackson. “Smog in the air we breathe poses a very serious health threat, especially to children and individuals suffering from asthma and lung disease. It dirties our air, clouds our cities and drives up our health care costs across the country.”
