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EPA proposes 8 Detroit Ann Arbor area counties for ozone standard redesignation

Release Date: 04/20/2009
Contact Information: William Omohundro, 312-353-8254, omohundro.william@epa.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 09-OPA069

(Chicago, Ill. - April 20, 2009) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 announced today it is proposing to approve a request by the state of Michigan to redesignate Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, Washtenaw and Wayne counties in the Detroit-Ann Arbor 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 counties for 2006, 2007 and 2008 meet the standard.

The Agency also proposed to approve the state plan to continue to meet the eight-hour health-based ozone standard through 2020 and to approve motor vehicle emissions budgets included in the plan.

The actions will soon be published in the Federal Register. The public will then 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-2009-0219 and follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Comments may also be sent by e-mail to mooney.john@epa.gov, or faxed to 312-692-2551.

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.