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PHOENIX MEETS ONE-HOUR OZONE NATIONAL HEALTH STANDARD

Release Date: 5/11/2000
Contact Information: Sonia Altieri, U.S. EPA, (415) 744-1588

     SAN FRANCISCO   The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that the Phoenix metropolitan area has not exceeded the ozone national health standard in the last three years.

     "I am very pleased that the Phoenix area has achieved three clean years for ground-level ozone, " said Felicia Marcus, the U.S. EPA's regional administrator.  "Arizona's hard work and achievement in meeting this standard means easier breathing for Phoenix residents.  To continue this healthy streak, Arizona must continue its successful efforts to reduce ozone levels."

     Because of this record, the EPA is proposing to suspend several clean air planning requirements.

     Although the Phoenix metropolitan area has met the one-hour ozone health standard, this is only the first step toward redesignation as a clean air attainment area.  To qualify for redesignation, Arizona must submit a plan that shows the region will continue to meet the clean air standard for the next ten years.  
 
     Under the Clean Air Act, the Phoenix area was required to attain the one- hour ozone standard by November 15, 1999.  Each air quality monitoring site is allowed three exceedences -- pollution levels higher than the public health standard -- within any three consecutive years.  The Phoenix area achieved this standard by successfully implementing a number of measures to reduce pollution, including a vehicle emission inspection program, a cleaner burning gasoline program, a trip reduction program and a voluntary lawnmower replacement program.

     Ozone is a respiratory irritant in smog which can impair breathing.  Ground-level ozone is produced by a combination of various pollutants from many sources, including smokestacks, cars, paints, and solvents.  Exposure to ozone can reduce lung function and increase susceptibility to respiratory infection.  It can also aggravate pre-existing respiratory diseases. Children are very sensitive to ozone exposure because their lungs are still developing and they spend more time outside, playing and exercising when ozone levels are the highest.