Washington, D.C. — In response to EPA ending its reconsideration and instead starting a new process to evaluate the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ground-level ozone, also known as smog, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) released the following statement from Vice President of Federal Policy and former EPA health scientist Matthew Davis:

“It is disappointing that EPA is delaying needed relief from ozone pollution for children, outdoor workers, older people, and other vulnerable groups, particularly in communities of color and communities of low wealth disproportionately affected by asthma, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other health effects from air pollution. The science is robust and clear enough to propose a stronger standard this year. 

As they embark on the regularly-scheduled review of these protections for public health and the environment, we urge the Biden-Harris administration to swiftly heed the recommendations of health experts and environmental justice advisors to establish a more protective ozone standard at 55-60 parts per billion by the timeline required by law – the end of 2025. And in the coming months, EPA has the opportunity to prioritize environmental justice by finalizing strong improvements of the daily and annual standards for deadly soot pollution.”

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