Haze sets over downtown Denver in 2012. (RJ Sangosti, Denver Post file)
Re: “EPA proposes tougher ozone pollution limit,” Nov. 27 news story.
This Thanksgiving, I’m thankful that the EPA has proposed a new rule to protect the air that we breathe. On Nov. 26, the Environmental Protection Agency proposed new limits on ground-level ozone, the pollutant that can trigger headaches, nausea, asthma attacks and, in the worst cases, premature death.
While it may seem like a no-brainer that we should be able to breathe the air around us without getting sick, the current acceptable concentration of ground level ozone is 75 parts per billion, despite the standard of 60 parts per billion that scientists and medical societies have recommended.
The EPA proposed lowering the standard ozone level to 65-70 parts per billon, but is accepting public comments on a level as low as 60.
Anyone who wants clean, healthy air should submit a public comment to the EPA in favor of ozone levels at the 60 parts per billion standard that scientists have recommended to protect public health.
Anna McDevitt, Denver
The writer is the campaign organizer for Global Warming Solutions with Environment Colorado.
This letter was published in the Dec. 1 edition.
