On July 13, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) released a proposal to maintain the current National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ozone pollution. In response to the proposal, the Network and other health advocacy groups released a statement that the proposal violated the core purpose of the federal Clean Air Act.
The groups call on EPA “to follow the science and set stronger standards to protect public health, especially for the most vulnerable.”
Additionally, Director of Advocacy Charmayne Anderson participated in a virtual meeting with EPA urging the agency to strengthen the ozone standard and protect public health, particularly for those who live with chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma and lung disease.
“Our most vulnerable populations, including children, older adults, low-income populations and certain racial and ethnic groups are at greatest risk of worsening health conditions due to lack of protection from ozone,” Anderson says.
There is no timeline when EPA will make a final decision on the proposal. The Network will continue to advocate to protect our environment and the health of Americans living with chronic respiratory conditions.
In addition to the Allergy & Asthma Network, co-signers of this statement include:
American Lung Association
Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments
American Academy of Pediatrics
American Public Health Association
American Thoracic Society
Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
Children’s Environmental Health Network
Health Care Without Harm
International Society for Environmental Epidemiology — North American Chapter
Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health
National Environmental Health Association
National Medical Association
Physicians for Social Responsibility
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