Colorado would not be alone in finding it difficult to meet tougher smog rules proposed last week by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
If lower ozone levels are approved, non-compliance rates nationwide would soar. Now, only 16 percent of the areas monitored by the EPA fail to meet prescribed levels. The new rules would boost it to between 62 percent and 83 percent.
Getting into compliance would mean a lot of work and political wrangling at the regional level. It’s clear, however, that it’s a battle worth fighting.
Ozone irritates the respiratory system and reduces lung function. Studies have shown it’s particularly problematic for asthmatics and the elderly. But there also is evidence it can cause permanent damage in the developing lungs of healthy children.
A congressionally chartered panel of scientific advisers has urged reducing maximum ozone levels saying there exists a “strong body of scientific literature indicating significant harm to adults and children.”
Ned Calonge, chief medical officer at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, said his department still is studying the proposed regulations, but believes generally there are solid health reasons to support them.
Exactly how to meet the standards is the question. The current maximum ozone level is 0.084 parts per million. The change would reduce it to 0.07 to 0.075 parts per million. Martha Rudolph, Colorado Health Department director of environmental programs, said meeting stricter ozone levels would be a challenge, but she was confident they are attainable by working closely with industry and local government.
Ozone is created when nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds and other substances released from tailpipes and smokestacks bake in the hot summer sun. On the Front Range, big contributors to ozone include oil and gas exploration, vehicle emissions, lawn equipment, power plants and refineries.
The proposed rule change came about because the EPA was under court order to review current ozone standards after being sued by advocacy groups including the American Lung Association and Natural Resources Defense Council. The agency’s proposed rule was significantly higher than that recommended by many environmental and health advocates, who would prefer to see it lowered to 0.06 parts per million.
Business groups, however, are lobbying administration officials to stick with current standards, saying health risks are being overblown and stricter ozone rules would squelch business development.
The EPA will take comments for 90 days and make a decision in March.
As the debate continues on the appropriate standard, Coloradans would do well to work on ozone reduction efforts locally. Tips on how you can help are available at
It won’t be easy for places like the Front Range to meet stringent new ozone standards. But the health and well-being of Coloradans is worth the effort.
