ATS Testifies to the EPA Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee

This week, the EPA Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee heard testimony from several ATS members urging the agency to issue a more protective ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ozone. EPA is currently considering whether to revise the current standard of 70 ppb/8-hour annual average. The ATS has recommended a more protective standard of 60 ppb/8-hour annual average. EPA staff recently issued a recommendation to retain the current standard of 70 ppb and based their recommendation largely on the results of chamber studies conducted in adults. In calling for a more protective standard of 60 ppb, ATS members noted that epidemiology studies have shown adverse health effects, including mortality, at exposure levels below 7 ppb. Further, basing the standards on results in chamber studies in adults ignores the likely impact of ozone exposure on vulnerable populations including children and patients with respiratory diseases.   

The EPA Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee is expected to make its recommendation on the ozone standard later this summer.