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11 Ohio Counties Don't Meet Health-Based Soot Standard
CHICAGO -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued a list of 33 Ohio counties that it plans to name as not meeting the new, health-based outdoor air quality standard for fine particles (soot).On the list are the local counties of Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana. Other counties include Stark, Butler, Clermont, Hamilton, Warren, Cuyahoga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage, Summit, Geauga, Ashtabula, Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Licking, Coshocton, Clark, Greene, Montgomery, Lawrence, Scioto, Adams, Gallia, Washington, Jefferson, Lucas, Wood and Belmont.These counties, called nonattainment areas, contribute to fine particle levels higher than allowed under EPA's national air quality standard. The standard is designed to protect the public from exposure to these tiny particles that are 2.5 microns or smaller. By comparison, a human hair is about 70 microns in diameter.The state has until Sept. 1 to recommend changes to the list.The EPA will make final designations in November.In a letter to Gov. Bob Taft, Bharat Mathur, EPA acting regional administrator, said, "The Bush Administration is addressing fine particle pollution with a comprehensive national clean air strategy. This strategy includes EPA's recent rule to reduce pollution from nonroad diesel engines, and the proposed rule to reduce pollution from power plants in the Eastern United States. These two rules are important components of EPA's efforts to help states and localities meet the more protective national fine-particle and eight-hour ozone air quality standards."Fine particles have been associated with a range of serious adverse health effects, including aggravation of lung disease, asthma attacks and heart problems. The EPA believes that airborne fine particles cause tens of thousands of premature deaths across the United States each year. In addition, exposure to them results in tens of thousands of hospitalizations as well as millions of sick days and doctor visits."