The impact of ozone

Journal Article · Sat Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1995 · Environmental Health Perspectives

OSTI ID:161652

Munzer, A

Unlike the other four main air pollutants - carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and particulates - for which the EPA has established National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), ozone is not directly emitted into the air from automobiles, power plants, or industrial facilities. Instead, it is a photochemical pollutant, created when sunlight catalyzes chemical reactions with other pollutants. The main culprits in ozone formation, called ozone precursors, are nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds, which stem from numerous activities. But controlling ozone precursors may not solve the ozone problem. Ozone control is complicated by the fact that the pollutant is transported across entire regions by wind, making it difficult for any individual area to control ozone within its boundaries. Given the regional nature of ozone pollution, it might be more appropriate for the EPA to identify regional nonattainment areas, rather than metropolitan areas, as is now the case. But expanding the areas of nonattainment, which is what would occur under this regional approach would be politically unpopular. Ultimately, the EPA administrator will face the unenviable task of setting the ozone standard, but science shoud not be expected to provide clear-cut answers to setting a specific standard.

• OSTI ID: 161652
• Journal Information: Environmental Health Perspectives, Journal Name: Environmental Health Perspectives Journal Issue: 7-8 Vol. 103; ISSN 0091-6765; ISSN EVHPAZ
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR POLLUTION ABATEMENT
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
AIR QUALITY
AUTOMOBILES
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
HEALTH HAZARDS
OZONE
POLLUTION REGULATIONS
REGIONAL ANALYSIS
STANDARDS
URBAN AREAS