Information Item:
US Environmental Protection Agency Reconsidering National Ozone Standards|
Resource:
       Eldewins Haynes, CDOT, 704-336-7621, ehaynes@ci.charlotte.nc.us

On September 16, 2009, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced they would reconsider the 2008 national eight-hour ozone standards to ensure that these standards are scientifically sound and protect human health. The EPA may propose revisions to the ozone standards by December 2009 and will issue a final decision by August 2010.

Any new eight-hour ozone standard will be lower than the 75 parts per billion (ppb) standard set in 2008. This new ozone standard will neither impact our immediate conformity requirements, nor our ability to meet the current conformity requirements. The 1997 ozone standard, which is effectively 84 ppb, will still be in effect and remains an air quality goal for our area.

Attainment deadlines and the geographical extent of nonattainment areas will be determined by August 2011. EPA also announced they will propose to not apply the 2008 eight-hour ozone standards.

The reconsideration affects both the "primary" ozone standard and the "secondary" standard. EPA had issued the ozone standards on March 12, 2008. Both standards were set at a level of 75 ppb. The primary air quality standard protects public health, including the health of sensitive groups, such as children and people with asthma. The secondary standard protects public welfare and the environment: visibility impairment, damage to animals, crops, vegetation, and buildings.

More information: http://www.epa.gov/groundlevelozone