“Pollutants in our air have real costs, like an increase in asthma attacks, more hospital visits, and premature deaths," said Ranking Member Frank Pallone. “EPA’s ozone standard is long overdue. We need to let EPA do its job in order to reach the ultimate goal of the Clean Air Act-clean air for all Americans."
“Experts have made clear that lowering the ozone standard from the current 75 parts per billion would literally save lives, while also preventing hundreds of thousands of missed school and work days, and preventing hundreds of thousands of asthma attacks," said Energy and Power Subcommittee Ranking Member Bobby Rush. “This is something we must do for the health of our citizens."
The Clean Air Act of 1970 requires EPA to set air quality standards based on science and medical evidence alone through the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). Despite exaggerated claims over the last 45 years that these standards will hurt business and tie the hands of manufacturers, ozone standards have helped to cut harmful air pollution by about 70% while the U.S. economy has more than tripled.
“Across the country, children look forward to playing outside in the summer days. But breathing ozone pollution can harm kids' lungs. For some people, it can also mean premature death," said Harold P. Wimmer, National President and CEO of the American Lung Association. “President Obama needs to adopt a more protective ozone standard based on the scientific evidence of what is needed to protect Americans from the harmful health effects of ozone smog."
According to research, 4 in 10 Americans-over 140 million people-continue to live in areas with harmful levels of ozone pollution. Scientific evidence has clearly shown that ozone exposure can lead to adverse public health effects, particularly in children and adults with lung disease. Breathing air containing ozone can reduce lung function and inflame airways, which can aggravate respiratory symptoms and trigger asthma attacks. Ozone exposure also increases the risk of premature death from heart or lung disease.
