American Lung Association of Colorado

American Lung Association Declares New EPA Ozone Standards Inadequate
For the first time in more than a decade, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revised the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ozone. As part of the Clean Air Act, the EPA is required to review the NAAQS each year to ensure that it reflects the most current scientific and medical knowledge. Since 1997, the ozone standard has been 80 parts per billion (ppb). The revision, released on March 12, 2008, lowered the standard to 75 ppb. This change comes despite the fact that 16 health agencies, including the American Lung Association, advocated for levels at 60 ppb.

Ozone is the most widely-spread outdoor air pollutant in this country. Ground-level ozone is different from atmospheric ozone, which protects the earth from the sun’s harmful rays. Ozone occurs when nitrous oxides combine with volatile organic compounds and cook the fumes in the sunlight. Ground-level ozone, or O3, causes inflammation and has a negative impact on lung health. Side effects of this pollutant include: premature death, shortness of breath, chest pain, wheezing and coughing, increased risk of asthma attacks, and increased need of medical treatment for at-risk individuals, such as those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma.

Because of the failure of the EPA to adopt a truly protective ozone standard, the American Lung Association does not support this ruling. Although this change will benefit a significant portion of Americans, it does not offer adequate protection to our most vulnerable populations, such as infants, children, seniors, and people who have asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and other lung diseases. The EPA’s own estimates show that the levels the scientific advisors recommended would have protected roughly three times as many people from an early death as the level the EPA selected.

Not only has the EPA provided a disservice to citizens across the country by failing to protect them from the harmful effects of ozone—instead of following the law, the Administrator has proposed abandoning the core principles that are embodied in the Clean Air Act. A new proposal would stall the significant advances that have been made in combating air pollution by allowing state and local governments to determine which pollutants to ignore and which to clean up.

There are many ways that Coloradans can change their behaviors to lessen the amount of ground-level ozone. Instead of filling up the gas tank during the daytime, wait until after dark to refuel. This will avoid releasing fumes into the air that will be “cooked” by the sun. When fueling, do not top off the tank. When the pump clicks itself off, consider the tank full. Additional pumping releases additional chemicals into the air. Plan to use public transportation or carpool with neighbors or co-workers. Colorado is a leader in the use of alternative fuels and vehicles. Hybrids and flex fuel vehicles are widely available and there is a substantial infrastructure that has been developed in order to support these automobiles. Visit the Air Quality portion of the American Lung Association of Colorado website in order to learn more about ways that you can help to reduce the amount of ozone that affects our state.