The US Environmental Protection Agency is proposing the strictest health standards to date for smog. Smog, also known as ground-level ozone, is linked to a number of serious health problems, ranging from aggravation of asthma to increased risk of premature death in people with heart or lung disease. Ozone can even harm healthy people who work and play outdoors. The EPA is proposing to replace the standards set by the previous administration, which many believe were not protective enough of human health.
Ozone pollution is created when chemicals from cars, power plants, and factories mix with sunlight. That's why ozone tends to be higher in sunnier climates or during hot weather. It is a main part of smog, that brownish-yellow haze sometimes seen hanging over cities on the horizon.
Ozone in the upper atmosphere is protective of the environment by blocking UV light. Too much ozone at the ground level may lead to smog with negative environmental and health effects.
Using the best science to strengthen these standards is a long overdue action that will help millions of Americans breathe easier and live healthier. The EPA is proposing to set the primary standard, which protects public health, at a level between 0.060 and 0.070 parts per million (ppm) measured over eight hours. The last standard was set in 2008 and was 0.075.
Ozone pollution is created when chemicals from cars, power plants, and factories mix with sunlight. That's why ozone tends to be higher in sunnier climates or during hot weather. It is a main part of smog, that brownish-yellow haze sometimes seen hanging over cities on the horizon.
Ozone in the upper atmosphere is protective of the environment by blocking UV light. Too much ozone at the ground level may lead to smog with negative environmental and health effects.
Using the best science to strengthen these standards is a long overdue action that will help millions of Americans breathe easier and live healthier. The EPA is proposing to set the primary standard, which protects public health, at a level between 0.060 and 0.070 parts per million (ppm) measured over eight hours. The last standard was set in 2008 and was 0.075.
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