Thank you for the recent editorial (Oct. 5) recognizing the progress that has been made to clean up the air in Maine.

There is no question that many of the most serious pollutants in Maine and New England are at lower levels than they were in the past. But as we do more research on the health impacts of air pollutants, such as ozone and particle pollution, we find that there are health effects at levels once thought to be “safe.”

Back in the 1980s, the ozone health standard was 120 parts per billion (ppb).

Today, that level is 75 ppb.

The American Lung Association and others believe that even that level is too high. We support the recommendation of the EPA’s own Scientific Advisory Group, which said the level should be at 60-70 ppb.

We need to continuously reduce emissions from transportation and electric generation sources if we want to achieve truly healthy air quality. The American Lung Association of Maine believes that today’s ozone standard does not address lung health. Anyone who has exercised on a summer day within “safe” ozone levels knows only too well the burning-throat feeling caused by high ozone levels. This has been described as a “sunburn on the lungs” by a noted physician.

The current EPA standard of 75 ppb gives a false sense of security as to what is a healthy level of ozone. It needs to be lower.

Mark Ishkanian, Readfield

Board of directors, ALA of Maine