Ozone
The Issue
Ozone is a gas that occurs both in the Earth's upper atmosphere and at ground level where it is a key component of urban smog. Ground-level ozone triggers a variety of health problems even at very low levels, may cause permanent lung damage after long-term exposure, and damages plants and ecosystems.
Peak ozone levels typically occur during hot, dry, stagnant summertime conditions. Millions of Americans live in areas where ozone levels exceed EPA's health-based air quality standards, primarily in parts of the Northeast, the Lake Michigan area, parts of the Southeast, southeastern Texas, and parts of California. Peak ozone levels typically occur during hot, dry, stagnant summertime conditions.
EPA Action
EPA's ozone research efforts are focused on improving emissions estimates, determining health and ecological effects, and improving modeling capabilities. EPA's National Center for Environmental Assessment periodically evaluates the latest research concerning the public health and welfare effects of ozone and publishes the most up-to-date findings in an assessment called an "Integrated Science Assessment."EPA has announced the release of the Third External Review Draft of the Integrated Science Assessment of Ozone and Related Photochemical Oxidants (Jun 2012) which is now under public review and comment, but the final assessment is still the Air Quality Criteria Document for Ozone and Related Photochemical Oxidants (Final, 2006) . This document provides the scientific basis for the establishment of the most current national air quality standards for ozone. [See the history of Ozone for more detailed information]
[Update] The CASAC Ozone Review Panel will announce the public review meetings for the 3rd External Review Draft by Federal Register Notice.
Related Links
- Basic information about ozone
- Ozone research at EPA
- Ozone regulations
- National Ozone Air Quality Forecasts
- Clean Air Act