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McGuinty Government Supports Legal Action Against EPA Ozone Standards
TORONTO, July 29 /CNW/ -
NEWS
Ontario is continuing its opposition to new, weak U.S. ozone standards by
supporting legal action against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA).
On Friday, Ontario advised the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of
Columbia Circuit in Washington, D.C. that it will file an amicus brief in the
ozone standards case now before the court. The brief will lay out Ontario's
concerns about the health and environmental impacts of ozone and transboundary
air pollution.
Ontario's brief will support legal action brought by 14 states, two
cities and five non-governmental health and environment organizations against
the EPA to seek stricter standards. The court has not set a date for when the
brief will be filed.
The EPA has set new ambient air quality standards for ozone of 75 parts
per billion (ppb), reduced from the previous level of 80 ppb. The Canada-Wide
Standard for ozone is 65 ppb. In September 2007, Ontario submitted comments to
the EPA, urging it to adopt standards at least as stringent as the Canada-Wide
Standard. However, in March 2008, the EPA adopted the weaker 75 ppb standard,
a decision contrary to the unanimous advice of the agency's own Clean Air
Scientific Advisory Committee.
The U.S. interests supported by Ontario in the call for more stringent
ozone standards are: New York, California (plus the California Air Resources
Board), Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island,
District of Columbia and City of New York. The non-governmental organizations
are the American Lung Association, Environmental Defense Fund, Natural
Resource Defense Council, National Parks Conservation Association and
Appalachian Mountain Club.
QUOTES
"Ground-level ozone is a serious threat to our health and our
environment," said Environment Minister John Gerretsen. "We simply want the
U.S. to adopt stronger ozone standards to better protect citizens on both
sides of the border."
"People living with asthma and chronic lung disease are more at risk from
exposure to ground level ozone than the general population. However, even
healthy people can be affected by the smog episodes experienced in Ontario,"
said George Habib, president and CEO of the Ontario Lung Association. "Given
that U.S. sources contribute about 50 per cent of Ontario's smog, Ontario's
efforts to improve its air quality need to be supported by similar U.S.
actions."
"The American Lung Association welcomes Ontario in the fight to protect
us all from the dangers of ozone air pollution," said Bernadette Toomey,
President and Chief Executive Officer, American Lung Association. "Ozone smog
knows no boundaries. Americans and Canadians alike suffer from the
life-threatening harm from this pollution. All of us need the safeguards of
truly protective ozone standards."
<<
QUICK FACTS
- There is no safe level of smog. Ground-level ozone, a major component
of smog, can result in significant adverse health effects for the
elderly, children and those with cardiovascular or respiratory
illnesses. It also causes damage to crops, vegetation and forested
areas.
- The brief is called an amicus brief, short for Amicus Curiae, or
Friend of the Court.
- Ontario wants stronger standards in the U.S. in order to reduce ozone
levels here. On average, transboundary air pollution is responsible
for about half of Ontario's smog.
LEARN MORE
Transboundary Air Pollution
(http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/en/air/tap/index.php)
Ontario's Go Green Plan for Climate Change
(http://www.gogreenontario.ca/plan.php)
Ontario's 2007 comments to the EPA
(http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/en/news/2007/OntarioComments.pdf)
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FACT SHEET
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OZONE HARMFUL TO HUMANS, PLANTS AND VEGETATION
>>
What is Ozone?
Colourless and odourless, ozone (O3) is an extremely reactive gas
molecule composed of three oxygen atoms. Ozone forms in chemical reactions in
the upper atmosphere when nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds
(VOCs), come into contact with both sunlight and heat.
Sources of Ozone
Ozone is present in two areas of the atmosphere and plays two roles.
Ozone formed naturally in the atmosphere (the "good" ozone) protects life from
the sun's damaging ultraviolet rays. At ground level, however, ozone acts as
an invisible air pollutant that is harmful to humans, animals, plants and
man-made materials.
Ground-level ozone is one of the main ingredients of smog. It is created
when gases such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) react with volatile organic compounds
(VOCs) in combination with sunlight and heat. This is why smog is more of a
problem on hot summer days. Nitrogen oxides are produced by burning fossil
fuels such as coal, oil, gas, and diesel in motor vehicles, industries, power
plants and homes. VOCs include carbon-containing gases that are created when
gasoline and solvents are burned. Studies show that every major Canadian urban
centre has levels of ground-level ozone that are high enough to pose health
risks. Ontario is disproportionately affected because of it geographical
location, downwind of the major U.S. sources of pollutants.
Ozone levels typically rise between May and September due to a
combination of higher temperatures, more sunlight, and stagnant air masses,
leading to significant areas of the province having unhealthy levels of the
gas.
Due to the transboundary nature of the gas, up to 90 per cent of
smog-causing air pollutants come from sources outside of the province on
elevated ozone days. As a result, 19 of 20 monitored sites in Ontario cannot
currently meet the Canada-Wide Standards for ozone.
Effects on Health and the Environment
Studies show a wide variety of effects caused from ozone exposure.
Short-term exposure can result in eyes nose and throat irritation, coughing
and headaches.
Exposure to high levels can result in reduced lung function. Ozone is a
major contributor to asthma and it can worsen the existing symptoms of asthma.
The American Lung Association has identified the following immediate problems
attributed to ozone:
<<
- shortness of breath
- chest pain when inhaling deeply
- wheezing and coughing
- increased susceptibility to respiratory infections
- inflammation of the lungs and airways
- increased risk of asthma attacks
- increased need for medical treatment and hospital admission for
people with lung diseases, like asthma or chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD).
>>
Children, the elderly and people with respiratory and heart problems,
asthma and lung disease are at the highest risk. Also at risk are healthy
adults exercising and working outdoors for long periods of time. Exposure to
ozone can lead to increased hospital admissions and even premature death.
In June 2008, the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) estimated that air
pollution is a contributing factor in almost 9,500 premature deaths annually
in Ontario. In a 2005 report, the OMA also blamed air pollution for nearly
17,000 hospital admissions and almost 60,000 emergency rooms visits. MOE, in
its 2005 report on transboundary air pollution, estimated health costs at
$6.6 billion.
Effects on Vegetation
Ozone is toxic to plants and causes crop loss each year in Ontario,
including noticeable leaf damage in many crops, garden plants and trees. The
2005 Transboundary Air Pollution in Ontario report indicated that air
pollution costs Ontario's economy $3 billion each year in environmental
damages.
United States Environmental Protection Agency reports have shown that
ozone has the following effects on plant life:
<<
- interfering with the ability of sensitive plants to produce and store
food, making them more susceptible to certain diseases, insects,
other pollutants, competition and harsh weather;
- damaging the leaves of trees and other plants, negatively impacting
the appearance of urban vegetation, national parks, and recreation
areas; and
- reducing crop yields and forest growth, potentially impacting species
diversity in ecosystems.
Because these impacts directly affect plant life, the economy also suffers
in both the agricultural and forestry sectors. Additional costs to the
Ontario's economy include damage to buildings and infrastructure.
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For further information: Holly Wilson, Minister's Office, (416) 314-6739; John Steele, Communications Branch, (416) 314-6666
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