The Obama administration on Thursday proposed tighter regulations on smog to replace those imposed by President George W. Bush and, if approved, would be the most stringent in U.S. history.
The Environmental Protection Agency said the changes are needed because “many believe” the Bush administration standards failed to adequately protect humans, but the new standards were immediately attacked by leading business groups.
The agency said the changes, if enacted, will save the country $13 billion to $100 billion in health care costs. However, implementing the plan will cost $19 billion to $90 billion.
EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson called the regulations “long overdue.”
Director Jackson could not have stated it better.
Ozone (O3) is a toxic pungent gas that needs to be minimized. Most people have probably heard about the benefits of anti-oxidants but O3 is an oxidizing gas which these anti-oxidants are designed to mitigate. O3 breaks down to create free radicals which are simply energized molecular species that wreak havoc on the human body, in this case the respiratory system. Many known carcinogens and mutagens are molecules that create these free radical species. Obviously the noxious gases in cigarette smoke are the best example. The old saying it you are what you eat but your respiratory system in many ways is what you breath.
The initial effect of the changes will be that it will place dozens of American cities out of compliance. While the costs sound high to implement the smog reductions, implementing the new rules will not only save healthcare costs but increase the quality of life for millions. Again the GOP and business groups with try and block the real standards because when have they really cared about the health of the American people. They would rather live in a denial world with higher smog standards even if they are dangerous to humans. Of course the other caveat is that congressional action will have to act to make the limits legal.
Many areas in AZ are already under warnings/watches already. Smog warnings almost daily in Phoenix during the summer. Wonder what the regulations are going to suggest on how to curtail it.
The main culprit is usually vehicle exhausts so this law will work in concert with MPG and emission standards.
Expanding mass transit is another answer to lowering emissions.
Industries like power companies will need better gas scrubbers.
This is good news!
Republicans will try to block the standards because it will hurt big business.
It’s always about greed.
Now this is what I voted for!
Yeah I remember the days when progressives regarded the environment as a much more important issue then they do now.