More Than Half a Million Americans Call for Better Health Protections from Smog

(Washington, D.C. – March 17, 2015) More than half a million Americans from across the country, including more than 125,000 members and activists from Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), have sent messages to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urging agency officials to strengthen the Clean Air standards that protect us from smog.   

Smog harms human respiratory systems, aggravates asthma and other lung diseases, and is linked to early death from respiratory and cardiovascular causes.

“It’s inspiring to see how many Americans are speaking out about the need for cleaner, healthier air for their families,” said EDF Senior Health Scientist Elena Craft. “Smog is a public health hazard, but we have the capability to reduce smog and protect ourselves. These half million voices will help make sure that we do.” 

EPA is proposing to update our national standards for ground-level ozone, the scientific name for smog. EDF and a large group of other public health, moms and environmental groups have been asking their members to weigh in on this important issue. (You still have time to send your comments about smog to EPA – they are accepting them until midnight tonight. You can send a comment through EDF’s website.) 

EPA is proposing updating our national smog standards from their current level of 75 parts per billion to 65 to 70 parts per billion. EPA is also seeking comments on establishing a health standard of 60 parts per billion, and the scientific record shows that this level would provide the strongest public health protections for Americans. EDF recommends that EPA carry out its responsibility under our nation’s clean air laws to follow the science and adopt the health-based standards that will adequately protect all Americans from dangerous smog.