The EPA’s Implementation of the 8-Hour Ozone Standard: Why Stronger Public Health Protections Against Ozone Are Needed

The document criticizes the EPA's 2002 implementation proposal for the 1997 8-hour ozone standard, claiming it unlawfully attempts to shift nonattainment areas from the more protective Subpart 2 requirements to the weaker Subpart 1. It further warns that the EPA's plan to revoke the 1-hour ozone standard would allow areas to abandon critical control measures, such as transportation conformity and maintenance plans, thereby endangering vulnerable populations—particularly children and the elderly—who are susceptible to ozone-linked respiratory issues and asthma.

• The EPA's 2002 implementation proposal for the 1997 8-hour ozone standard is criticized for attempting to move nonattainment areas into the weaker Subpart 1 framework, which allows them to avoid the more stringent Subpart 2 requirements regarding percentage reductions in smog-causing pollutants and new source review.
• The EPA intends to revoke the 1-hour ozone standard one year after designating areas in violation of the 8-hour standard, a move that could lead to the abandonment of essential ozone control measures including maintenance plans, transportation conformity, and further progress requirements.
• Ozone pollution is linked to various respiratory problems, including pulmonary inflammation and increased susceptibility to infection, and may contribute to the development of asthma in children.

APA

Clean Air Task Force (2003). The EPA’s Implementation of the 8-Hour Ozone Standard: Why Stronger Public Health Protections Against Ozone Are Needed. https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/21093039/O3_Comments_Fact_Sheet-FINAL.pdf

Chicago

Clean Air Task Force. The EPA’s Implementation of the 8-Hour Ozone Standard: Why Stronger Public Health Protections Against Ozone Are Needed. 2003. https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/21093039/O3_Comments_Fact_Sheet-FINAL.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Clean Air Task Force |title=The EPA’s Implementation of the 8-Hour Ozone Standard: Why Stronger Public Health Protections Against Ozone Are Needed |date=1 August 2003 |url=https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/21093039/O3_Comments_Fact_Sheet-FINAL.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{cleanairtaskforce2003epas, author = {{Clean Air Task Force}}, title = {{The EPA’s Implementation of the 8-Hour Ozone Standard: Why Stronger Public Health Protections Against Ozone Are Needed}}, institution = {Clean Air Task Force}, year = {2003}, month = aug, url = {https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/21093039/O3_Comments_Fact_Sheet-FINAL.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }