EPA Staff's Final Policy Assessment Calls For Stricter Ozone NAAQS

摘要

EPA staff has issued a final policy assessment (PA) calling for a tightening of the 2008 ozone national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) of 75 parts per billion (ppb) down to a range between 60-70 ppb, prompting criticism from industry and Republicans who say there is no justification for a stricter limit and that it will create major costs. The final PA released Aug. 29 says EPA staff "concludes that it is appropriate in this review to consider a revised primary ozone standard level within the range of 70 ppb to 60 ppb. A standard set within this range would result in important improvements in public protection, compared to the current standard, and could reasonably be judged to provide an appropriate degree of public health protection, including for at-risk populations and lifestages." Relevant documents are available on InsideEPA.com. Seepage 2 for details.