June 9, 2022

CHICAGO (June 9, 2022) — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced that the Ohio portion of the Cincinnati area has been formally redesignated to attainment of the 2015 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for ground-level ozone. Air monitoring data from 2019 through 2021 show the area now meets the national standard set to protect public health. EPA has also approved Ohio’s maintenance plan to ensure that the area maintains the 2015 ozone standard of 70 parts per billion into the future.

“People in the Cincinnati area are breathing cleaner, healthier air due to EPA’s partnership with the state of Ohio,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore. “Reducing ozone pollution in the air is especially helpful for vulnerable populations.”

EPA worked collaboratively with Ohio and Kentucky to develop strategies to meet the ozone standard in the Cincinnati nonattainment area which includes Butler, Clermont, Hamilton, and Warren counties in Ohio and Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties in Kentucky. EPA anticipates that Kentucky will seek redesignation of its portion of the area in the future.

Ground-level ozone is not emitted directly into the air but is formed when nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) react in the presence of sunlight. Emissions from industrial facilities and electric utilities, motor vehicle exhaust, gasoline vapors, and chemical solvents are some of the major sources of NOx and VOCs.  Reducing ozone will help people to experience fewer health problems including chest pain, coughing, throat irritation and congestion.  Less ground-level ozone will also help to avoid worsening conditions such as bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma, and it will help to avoid reducing lung function or inflaming the linings of the lungs.  Children will especially benefit from reduced exposure to ozone because their lungs are still developing.

The improvement in air quality is due to state and EPA programs to reduce NOx and VOC emissions. These control measures include more protective vehicle emissions standards, nonroad engine emissions standards, and programs to reduce emissions from power plants.  Nationally, average concentrations of ozone decreased 20% from 2000 to 2020. All other air pollutants regulated under NAAQS – carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter and sulfur dioxide – have also significantly decreased thanks to the various air quality management and control strategies developed and implemented at the local, state, regional, and national level.

Find out more about NAAQS.

Learn more about air quality in your area.

Find out more about air quality trends.

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Originally Appeared Here