Stonger Standards Set by EPA for Nitrogen Dioxide

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced a new national air quality standard for nitrogen dioxide (NO2). This new one-hour standard will protect millions of Americans from peak short-term exposures, which primarily occur near major roads. Short-term exposures to NO2 have been linked to impaired lung function and increased respiratory infections, especially in people with asthma.

“This new one-hour standard is designed to protect the air we breathe and reduce health threats for millions of Americans. For the first time ever, we are working to prevent short-term exposures in high risk NO2 zones like urban communities and areas near roadways,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “Improving air quality is a top priority for this EPA. We’re moving into the clean, sustainable economy of the 21st century, defined by expanded innovation, stronger pollution standards and healthier communities.”

The agency set the new one-hour standard for NO2 at a level of 100 parts per billion (ppb). EPA also is retaining the existing annual average standard of 53 ppb. NO2 is formed from vehicle, power plant and other industrial emissions, and contributes to the formation of fine particle pollution and smog. Earlier this month, EPA proposed to tighten the nation’s smog standards to protect the health of all Americans, especially children.

EPA is establishing new monitoring requirements in urban areas that will measure NO2 levels around major roads and across the community. Monitors must be located near roadways in cities with at least 500,000 residents. Larger cities and areas with major roadways will have additional monitors. Community-wide monitoring will continue in cities with at least 1 million residents.

Working with the states, EPA will site at least 40 monitors in locations to help protect communities that are susceptible and vulnerable to elevated levels of NO2.

The new standard will help protect Americans from NO2 exposures linked to respiratory illnesses that lead to emergency room visits and hospital admissions, particularly in at-risk populations such as children, the elderly, and asthmatics.

EPA expects to identify or designate areas not meeting the new standard, based on the existing community-wide monitoring network, by January 2012. New monitors must begin operating no later than January 1, 2013. When three years of air quality data are available from the new monitoring network, EPA intends to redesignate areas as appropriate.

More information: http://www.epa.gov/air/nitrogenoxides

Changes to CARB Off-Road Diesel Regulation

CA Office of Administrative Law has approved two changes to the off-road regulation and have filed them with the California Secretary of State, thereby making the changes effective. They are the following:

- Extension of double retrofit credit by 10 months from March 1, 2009 to January 1, 2010 and other minor clarifications and amendments to the regulation.
See: http://www.arb.ca.gov/regact/2009/ordiesl09/ordiesl09.htm

- The new Assembly Bill 8 2 X (AB 8 2X) credits for fleets that have reduced in size or reduced the amount they operation their vehicles.
See: http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/ordiesel/faq/faq-early-credit.pdf

Strict Smog Standards Proposed by EPA

The United States Environmental Protection Agency proposed on Thursday the strictest health standards to date for smog. Smog, also known as ground-level ozone, is linked to a number of serious health problems, ranging from aggravation of asthma to increased risk of premature death in people with heart or lung disease. Ozone can even harm healthy people who work and play outdoors. The agency is proposing to replace the standards set by the previous administration, which many believe were not protective enough of human health.

“EPA is stepping up to protect Americans from one of the most persistent and widespread pollutants we face. Smog in the air we breathe poses a very serious health threat, especially to children and individuals suffering from asthma and lung disease. It dirties our air, clouds our cities, and drives up our health care costs across the country,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “Using the best science to strengthen these standards is a long overdue action that will help millions of Americans breathe easier and live healthier.”

The agency is proposing to set the “primary” standard, which protects public health, at a level between 0.060 and 0.070 parts per million (ppm) measured over eight hours. Children are at the greatest risk from ozone, because their lungs are still developing, they are most likely to be active outdoors, and they are more likely than adults to have asthma. Adults with asthma or other lung diseases, and older adults are also sensitive to ozone.

EPA is also proposing to set a separate “secondary” standard to protect the environment, especially plants and trees. This seasonal standard is designed to protect plants and trees from damage occurring from repeated ozone exposure, which can reduce tree growth, damage leaves, and increase susceptibility to disease.

In September 2009 Administrator Jackson announced that EPA would reconsider the existing ozone standards, set at 0.075 ppm in March 2008. As part of its reconsideration, EPA conducted a review of the science that guided the 2008 decision, including more than 1,700 scientific studies and public comments from the 2008 rulemaking process. EPA also reviewed the findings of the independent Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee, which recommended standards in the ranges proposed today.

Depending on the level of the final standard, the proposal would yield health benefits between $13 billion and $100 billion. This proposal would help reduce premature deaths, aggravated asthma, bronchitis cases, hospital and emergency room visits and days when people miss work or school because of ozone-related symptoms. Estimated costs of implementing this proposal range from $19 billion to $90 billion.

Ground-level ozone forms when emissions from industrial facilities, power plants, landfills and motor vehicles react in the sun.

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

EPA Region 2 Seeks Nominations for Environmental Quality Award

Do you know a person or an organization that works tirelessly to make the world a cleaner and healthier place? Then nominate them for a prestigious EPA Environmental Quality Award, which recognizes environmental leadership and the dedication of individuals and organizations that have gone above and beyond the call of duty in the past year to improve the environment in New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The awards recognize achievement in six categories:
• Individual Citizen

• Non-Profit Organization, Environmental or Community Group

• Environmental Education

• Business and Industry

• Federal, State, Local or Tribal Government or Agency

• Press and Media

Nominations for the awards are solicited from both within and outside EPA.

“As we approach the 40th anniversary of Earth Day and reflect on the tremendous environmental progress we have made, let’s also take a minute to think about those among us who have gone that extra mile to protect the environment and people’s health,” said Judith Enck, EPA Regional Administrator. "Whether they are local community members, tribal leaders, reporters or representatives of local government, they have used their creativity and boundless energy to make our world a better place.”

Nominations must be submitted by Monday, February 22, 2010. Award recipients will be honored at a ceremony in April at EPA's Manhattan offices.

For more information on award criteria, prior winners and nomination instructions, visit EPA's Environmental Quality Award Web page at http://www.epa.gov/region2/eqa. Self-nominations are welcome.

For more information, please contact Chris Sebastian, Public Affairs Division, at (212) 637-3597 or sebastian.chris@epa.gov.