AUGUSTA — Recently, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced updated National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone, a life-threatening air pollutant. The new standard of 70 parts per billion (ppb) is a change from the previous standard of 75 ppb that had been in place since 2008.

“For far too long, our nation has been living with an outdated standard that has left millions of Americans, including Maine residents, in harm’s way, breathing unsafe levels of ozone pollution. This new standard is a step in the right direction and offers significantly greater protection than the old standard,” said Jeff Seyler, president & CEO of the American Lung Association of the Northeast.

Ozone irritates and inflames the lungs and the respiratory system. Scientists, physicians and the health community at large have long recognized ozone’s potential to cause premature death. Unsafe levels of ozone can cause difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing and asthma attacks, and can result in trips to the emergency room and admissions to the hospital. Ground level ozone is the nation’s most widespread air pollutant and a primary component of smog.

“Maine parents are not interested in a false sense of security from a standard that is set too high to protect human health,” said Dr. Marguerite Pennoyer, a physician from Scarborough specializing in allergy, asthma & immunology. “They are looking for good information to help keep their children safe. Parents have a right to know when the air is unhealthy for their kids to play outside. A stronger ozone standard is a prescription for better health and productivity for all of us here in Maine and across the nation.”

Heather Selin, a farmer from Jackson stated, “I’ve had asthma for as long as I can remember, and I had several stays in the hospital as a child. Now I feel the effects most severely on high ozone days – often having to restrict my time outside. As a farmer, that means I lose time at work and our business suffers as a result. For me, our nation’s ozone standard is not some vague environmental issue, it affects my health, my productivity, and my overall quality of life. Today’s new standard is a positive step that will give us all better information and help clean up the air.”

“The updated ozone standard will move us closer to cleaner, healthier air for all. Given the known health effects of breathing unsafe levels of ozone pollution, greater health protections are needed. The people of Maine have a fundamental right under the Clean Air Act to have a standard that protects their health. We will continue to advocate for a more protective standard based on the evidence of what is needed to protect human health,” said Seyler.

Southern and coastal Maine experience the highest ozone levels in the state. In the Lung Association’s 2015 “State of the Air” report, York County received a grade of “F” for its number of high ozone days, while Cumberland, Knox, and Hancock all received a grade of “C”.

Pennoyer, who also serves on the Leadership Board of the American Lung Association in Maine added, “Maine has one of the highest asthma rates in the nation and our geographic location means we’re all breathing pollution generated in other states. Ozone pollution causes asthma attacks, and that means kids miss school, workers are less productive, and high-cost visits to the emergency room increase. We’re all paying the price for unhealthy air, and we’ll all benefit from a stronger ozone standard.”

More than 1,000 health and medical professionals nationwide, as well as local medical and health organizations, including American Academy of Pediatrics Maine Chapter, Maine Physicians for Social Responsibility, Maine Public Health Association, MaineHealth, and Opportunity Alliance have consistently voiced strong support for a standard that would best protect health.

“The Lung Association in Maine looks forward to the health improvements that the updated standard will bring. Now we need our delegation in Congress to do their part and defend the Clean Air Act against any attacks that would block, weaken or delay these benefits,” said Pennoyer. “Maine families and communities deserve nothing less.”

The full rule, including maps, fact sheets, and impact data can be found on the EPA’s website: http://www3.epa.gov/ozonepollution/actions.html#current