WASHINGTON, D.C., (November 26, 2014) –In response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announced proposal to strengthen the current ozone pollution limits to a range of 65 to 70 parts per billion (ppb), Catherine Thomasson, MD, Executive Director of Physicians for Social Responsibility, stated, “Ozone is a killer. Stronger standards are essential to protect public health.”
>PSR’s health professionals called for a stronger standard to comply with scientific information indicating that ozone levels even below 60 ppb affect those with pulmonary and cardiac disease. Even in healthy adults working outdoors, ground-level ozone causes a response in the lungs similar to sunburn. Chronically high ozone levels are associated with stunted lung growth in children who play out of doors and are associated with smaller than expected weight at birth, a marker of prolonged health problems.
With climate change the ozone level will rise due to higher temperatures. Likewise, mining for natural gas (methane) creates significant ozone pollution even in the winter. Today’s proposal by the Obama Administration to strengthen the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone would provide greater protection to millions of Americans from the nation’s most pervasive air pollutant and will require more attention to reduce this significant air pollutant.
PSR is concerned that EPA did not lower the threshold to 60 ppb, the clear recommendation of independent scientists as well as medical societies. PSR will continue to push the Agency to adopt standards based on the scientific evidence.
This stronger EPA proposal on ozone is an important step to protect all Americans from the dangers of breathing ozone pollution, especially reducing the threats to children, the fetus, and older adults especially those with lung or heart disease. To that end, PSR will focus on ensuring that the final ozone standard provides the most protection possible to the American people and calls on President Obama and EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy to adopt a more protective standard in a timely manner.
