Public Deserves Stronger Limits on Ozone Pollution

WASHINGTON – The Environmental Protection Agency today announced that it would not strengthen the federal limit on ozone air pollution, bypassing an opportunity to better protect the public during a pandemic particularly dangerous for people with respiratory illnesses.

The following is a statement by Vijay Limaye, climate and health scientist at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council):

“Instead of this anti-science approach to air pollution, the Trump EPA should tighten the national limit on harmful ozone smog—down to 60 parts per billion. The science is clear, EPA's current limit on ozone air pollution is failing to protect public health. And today 122 million Americans live in areas exceeding this weak standard.

“Especially during a historic pandemic, EPA should be looking for ways to better protect Americans’ health—not just sticking with the status quo.”

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The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, and Beijing. Visit us at NRDC.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.​