EPA proposes two Indiana counties for ozone standard redesignation

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 today announced it is proposing to approve a request by the state of Indiana to redesignate Lake and Porter counties, part of the Chicago-Gary-Lake County area, to attainment of the national health-based eight-hour outdoor air quality standard for ozone (smog).

EPA said complete, quality-assured outdoor air monitoring data from the entire area for 2003-2006 shows the area meets the ozone standard.

The Agency also proposed approving the state plan to continue meeting the eight-hour health-based ozone standard through 2020 and the state’s motor vehicle emission budgets.

The proposal will soon be published in the Federal Register. The public then will have 30 days to comment on the proposed actions. Comments may be entered at http://www.regulations.gov. Refer to docket ID No. EPA-R05-OAR-2006-0474 and follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Comments may also be sent by e-mail to mooney.john@epa.gov or faxed to 312-886-5824.

Ground-level ozone is commonly referred to as smog. Smog is formed when a mixture of pollutants react on warm, sunny days. The pollutants are released from cars, factories and a wide variety of other sources. Smog can cause respiratory problems, including coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest pain.

For more information on eight-hour ground-level ozone designations, go to http://www.epa.gov/ozonedesignations/