EPA reconsidering the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ozone
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June 8, 2023 - As air quality remains a pressing concern in the US, the regulations for ozone are frequently reassessed to ensure that limits are enforced to both protect public health and address industry concerns.
In December 2020, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concluded an assessment of existing scientific evidence and risk information and opted to uphold the previously established National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ozone, which were set at 70 parts per billion (ppb) under the Obama administration.
However, by October 29, 2021, the EPA chose to revisit this standard after facing multiple legal disputes regarding its previous decision. EPA’s administration announced that it would reconsider its intention to reassess its 2020 result to sustain the 2015 standards, with the intention of completing the reconsideration by the end of 2023.
This move exhibits the EPA's commitment to evidence-based decision-making and addressing concerns raised by various stakeholders. In mid-March of this year, the EPA published a revised Policy Assessment for the Reconsideration of the Ozone NAAQS, External Review Draft Version 2 concerning the 2020 reconsideration of retaining the current level of 70 ppb for ozone NAAQS. Following the release of this draft Policy Assessment, the EPA encouraged feedback from the newly reformed Clean Air Act Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) and the general public to inform its development of the final Policy Assessment.
The results of the CASAC Ozone Panel Meeting from late May 2023 have yet to be released.
Many in the manufacturing sector maintain that the EPA has committed to lowering the national ozone standard to a point that makes compliance increasingly challenging given the existing technology and argue that further restrictions create new operational challenges, as current production methods would require optimization, modification, and worker training.
However, other organizations, like the American Lung Association, have advocated for the primary ozone standard to be set at no higher than 60 ppb to adequately protect public health.
Read more from JD Gibbs in EPA approves new ASTM E1527-21 standard and EPA proposes TRI reporting changes surrounding PFAS. For more insights on environmental, health, safety and well-being, digital trust, privacy and information security, supply chain, and sustainability topics that should be at the top of your organization's list, visit BSI's Experts Corner.
