Jessica King, jessica.king@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. – An overwhelming majority of scientific experts on EPA’s Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) recommended on Friday that EPA substantially strengthen the national standards for ozone, a harmful pollutant and a main component of smog.
In March 2023, EPA released a draft policy assessment proposing to retain ozone standards set in 2015, despite evidence the standards fail to protect vulnerable communities including people with asthma, children attending summer camps, and people working outdoors. In response, all but one of CASAC’s members recommended EPA strengthen the primary health-based National Ambient Air Quality Standard from its current level of 70 parts per billion (ppb) to a range between 55 and 60 ppb.
Ozone-forming pollutants are emitted by heavy industry, fossil fuel power plants, and motor vehicles. The American Lung Association’s 2023 State of the Air Report found that more than 36% of people in the United States – over 119 million people – live in communities with high levels of ozone.
In response, Sierra Club Senior Attorney Josh Berman released the following statement:
“Last week’s wildfire smoke, which exposed millions to unhealthy air and blanketed 20 states in dangerous air pollution, serves as a vivid wake-up call for the importance of decisive action for clean air. Now, CASAC’s full-throated recommendation provides EPA with all the scientific guidance required to propose strengthening the ozone standards.
“Fossil fuel use and its exacerbation of climate change is making summertime smog pollution even worse, further burdening communities across the country – in particular, Black and Brown communities – that have lived under the constant weight of dangerous pollutants driving respiratory illness and high asthma rates. EPA must heed the scientific recommendations from CASAC and advance more protective ozone standards.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.