Envirowonk has an interesting observation regarding the new smog standards released this week by the EPA:
A year ago, the EPA’s Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee said the allowable amount of smog-forming ozone should be reduced from 80 to 60 parts per billion, and at the very least should be no higher than 70 ppb.
The American Lung Association also lobbied for the 60 ppb limit in order to prevent thousands of premature deaths and respiratory problems.
Electric utilities, cement manufacturers and other business groups urged White House officials to keep the status quo at 80 ppb, lest they be forced to spend millions installing pollution controls.
The answer: 75 part per billion is your new standard.
Interesting relationship between the new standard, the recommendations, and what was lobbied for by whom.
At least the standard has been lowered. Besides, I question the efficacy of current enforcement of the standard. For example, have you watched the color of the air over Atlanta, if you’ve had the opportunity to look out a window when making a daytime landing at Hartsfield?
