New EPA boss says tougher ozone standards inescapable

Greg Harman   The San Antonio Current
" I think the standard is going to
be what  medical evidence tells
us it should be," said Al Armendariz
Regional Director of EPA, before
addressing a gathering at Blue Star
hosted by the Greater Edwards
Aquifer Alliance.
"What that really means to me is,
we've got to go after the largest
sources of pollution. When you
look across the region, those
largest sources are primarily the
large utilities, big industry, and
mobile sources-things like cars
and trucks and construction
equipment."
......policy changes that reduced
outdoor ozone air pollution
during the 1996 Olympics in
Atlanta, GA were associated
with up to a 42% reduction
in pediatric asthma events
especially for poor children.
Read more >  http://www.sacurrent.com/blog/queblog.asp?perm=70262

Meeting Backs Ozone Proposal

CEC Director Charles Morgan meets
Mayor Calvin Tillman


CEC joined politicians, citizens
and other environmental groups
Tuesday, March 16, in Arlington
to lower the ozone standard.

"The old standard is insufficient,"
said Dr. Al Armendariz, regional
administrator for the EPA.
Dr. Armendariz spoke at the
hearing on the EPA's proposal
to lower ozone limits from 75
parts per billion to 60-70 parts
per billion.

High ozone levels have been
linked to reduced lung function,
asthma, and higher mortality
rates. This meeting was spon-
sored by the Sierra Club and
Downwinders At Risk and,
Public Citizen. Citizens
comments due by March, 22.

Vicky Prater of Copps said
TCEQ had not been helpful
in protecting the citizens.
Mayor Calvin Tillman of Dish
Tx. spoke of an independent study,
by Wolf Eagle
which found high levels of
Benzene in their air, after TCEQ
testing had claimed it safe.
Many people came, some more
than a hundred miles to tell of
tragic health issues caused by
air pollution. Read more:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-ozone_17met.ART.State.Edition1.4be51c1.html Also:
Great videos and comments from

Txsharon at Bluedaze.com