The Smog Blog

I run a project for the American Lung Association tracking the EPA review of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. These standards define what constitutes “clean air” in America. They are the goals that drive much of the air pollution control effort in this country. These standards are very important for two main reasons:

1. People have a right to know whether the air they breathe is healthy. The National Ambient Air Quality Standards provide the benchmark against which we measure the quality of the air
2. In areas that fail to meet the standards, the Clean Air Act requires enforceable plans reduce air pollution levels down to the level of the standards 

My work focuses on two of the most widespread and pernicious air pollutants:  ozone, commonly known as smog; and particulate matter, sometimes known as soot. 

Because of the importance and far reach of the air quality standards, the regulatory process for reviewing and setting the standards is highly charged.  Industries with a vested interest in the outcome are heavily involved. The Lung Association project aims to bring some balance to the process, by encouraging involvement by the scientific, medical, and public health communities. 

The standards are supposed to be based strictly on science, but politics can creep in. The science, and sometimes even the scientists, come under attack by opponents of cleaner air. 

Meanwhile, new scientific studies are published every week that point to the hazards of common air pollutants to human health. 

The Smog Blog will bring you updates on important studies on the health effects of air pollution and developments related to the review of the air quality standards. 

You can read more about our work at www.cleanairstandards.org.

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