Next week, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is holding three hearings across the country to hear what the public has to say about changing the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ground-level ozone.
This view of downtown Los Angeles is why we should all care about ozone standards. Photo: C. Denning.
Umm, what does that mean in English? Why should you or I care?
First, a little background: ground-level ozone is not usually emitted directly into the air. It comes from chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOC), and sunlight. Gasoline and diesel-fueled vehicles in the transportation and goods movement sectors are the largest source of nitrogen oxide pollution.
The problem is that ozone contributes to smog–that ugly, yellowish brown, cloudy mass you see hovering over city skylines. It almost makes you choke just looking at it. In fact, many that breathe this pollution have that problem. Numerous studies have linked ground-level ozone to asthma, lung tissue damage, respiratory illnesses, and even death. Children, older adults, and those who are active are especially at risk.
The previous administration ignored the recommendations of the scientific community, and said a higher amount of ozone in the air was okay. The Obama administration, on the other hand, is looking at the science and is willing to act. Lowering the ozone standard could prevent as many as 12,000 premature deaths and have health benefit savings between $13 billion to $100 billion per year by 2020.
We all deserve to breathe clean air and live in a healthy environment. We hope that the EPA will revise the standard to be the most health protective as possible.