American Lung Association Calls For Tighter Nitrogen Dioxide Air Pollution Standard

Main Category: Water - Air Quality / Agriculture
Also Included In: Respiratory / Asthma
Article Date: 29 Jun 2009 - 4:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

The American Lung Association calls on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to strengthen the national ambient air quality standards for nitrogen dioxide (NO2). EPA is expected to release its proposal to revise this public health standard that has remained unchanged since 1971.

Changes to the national air quality standard for NO2 pollution will become the new official limit on this air pollutant that each county in the nation must meet. The new NO2 standard will trigger federally enforced clean up measures designed to protect people from the harm that breathing this pollutant can cause.

"We have strong scientific research that tells us that the current NO2 standard fails to protect public health," said Janice Nolen, American Lung Association Assistant Vice President for Policy and Advocacy. "Some of the people most exposed to this pollutant live or go to school near major highways where NO2 levels seem to be the highest. It is time for EPA to follow the science and adopt tighter standards to protect the health of all of our communities."

The Lung Association strongly supports the establishment of a stringent one-hour daily maximum standard of 50 ppb or below to best protect the health of people with asthma and other vulnerable groups. The Lung Association also supports strengthening of the annual average standards in order to protect against the long-term harm NO2 may have on lung health. Under the Clean Air Act, standards must be based on what is necessary to protect public health.

The Lung Association recommends the installation of additional air pollution monitors to identify areas where the highest levels of NO2 pollution exist. Strategic placement of additional monitors could more accurately measure the levels of NO2 pollution in the United States and better help guide where clean-up measures should be focused.

"Breathing NO2 can irritate the lungs, trigger asthma attacks and lower the body's natural resistance to respiratory infections," said Norman H. Edelman, MD, American Lung Association Chief Medical Officer. "People with asthma and other lung diseases, children and older adults are at highest risk for these health complications, as are people who live or work near a major highway."

Traffic pollution and power plants are two of the biggest sources of NO2 pollution in the United States. People living in and around Los Angeles, Phoenix, in the Northeast corridor and in the Midwest experience the highest concentrations of this pollution.

"With more than 22.9 million people living with asthma in the United States, the American Lung Association is fighting so that every child or adult with asthma can have the freedom to play, exercise or work outdoors without the fear that air pollution will send them to the hospital," said Charles D. Connor, American Lung Association President and CEO. "It is critical that the NO2 pollution standard be tightened to better protect the health of the American public."

EPA must set its final rule for NO2 air quality by January 22, 2010. The American Lung Association will participate in EPA-led public hearings to advocate for air quality standards that best protect public health in all areas of the country.

Source
American Lung Association