EPA Proposes New Smog Pollution Standards

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has put forward plans to improve US air quality by lowering smog levels. Once put into effect, its new smog standards would take over from regulations ushered in during the time of George W. Bush’s Presidency, regulations which had proved offensive to state governments and environmental campaigners alike.

Under the terms of the EPA’s new proposal, it would be compulsory for authorities to reduce smog produced by the reaction of air pollutants (created by cars, industrial processes and other sources) with solar rays.

Smog: Air Pollution

From a medical standpoint, smog has been associated with conditions including Asthma, and is a particular concern for younger and older community representatives. Smog is especially good at spreading itself over large areas, meaning that inner-city air pollution is more than capable of reaching rural areas.

“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’s Lisa Jackson stressed in a statement issued on January 7th 2010, adding: “EPA is stepping up to protect Americans from one of the most persistent and widespread pollutants we face.”

The EPA is seeking to establish the maximum acceptable airborne limit of air pollutant ozone at a maximum of 0.06 ppm (parts per-million), which is approximately where the scientific community believe it should be. Roughly two years ago, however, President Bush intervened and the effect of this was that – in defiance of scientific opinion – the maximum ozone ceiling was set at 0.075 ppm.

EPA Smog Standards

According to environmentalists, the new EPA smog standard plan would offer trees, plants and human life forms substantially improved health levels and, what’s more, it would benefit the environment too.

Before it can kick into action, though, the agency proposal faces two months of public consultation. From a financial perspective, more stringent smog regulation could cost an additional $90 billion a year, but associated air condition treatment cost savings could help offset this.

See also:

Air Pollution Linked to Infant Bronchiolitis

Air Pollution Health Effects: New Findings