If the EPA opted for a more stringent standard
If the EPA opted for a more stringent standard, many more areas of the state could end up struggling with air pollution regulations. At 65 parts per billion, the Houma-Thibodaux region, Lake Charles, Lafayette and Shreveport-Bossier City would join the two regions in trying to meet the lower standard.
A 90-day comment period on the EPA’s proposal will begin once the proposal is published in the federal registry. The EPA also will accept comments of possibly lowering the standard to 60 parts per billion, which was advocated by environmental groups.
“The conversation isn’t over. This is an opportunity to look at the science together,” McCarthy sad.
Ozone pollution isn’t something that is released into the air. Instead, it forms when volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides released from industry, car exhaust and other sources mix in the air during hot and sunny days. The chemical reaction forms ozone and if there isn’t enough wind to dissipate the pollution, ozone can accumulate and cause breathing problems — like asthma — or other health problems.
Harold P. Wimmer, president of the American Lung Association, called tightening ozone standards an important move. But, as with several environmental groups that reacted to the announcement Wednesday, Wimmer urged the Obama administration to go further and adopt the 60 parts-per-billion level.
“Thousands of peer-reviewed medical studies show that breathing ozone pollution is dangerous to human health and the EPA review shows harm is occurring at levels far below what is currently considered ‘safe’” Wimmer said in a statement. “This means too many Americans have been informed that the air in their community is safe to breathe based on the outdated standard.”
While environmental and health groups want to see the ozone pollution standard tighten, many industrial trade groups, business organizations and elected officials have opposed the lowering of the ozone standard.