EPA Proposes to Cover up Smog Pollution in Denver

According to an article today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is slated to announce that Denver metro air is healthy, despite over 40 readings so far this year of unhealthy levels of smog, or ozone pollution, throughout the metro area.

The EPA is proposing to defer designating the Denver metro area as nonattainment for the federally established limit for ozone pollution, which is 80 parts per billion. This limit was established to protect human health, including the health of children and asthmatics. This summer, ozone levels have climbed to well over 80 parts per billion, with readings upwards of 97 parts per billion recorded.

A study in 2005 found that even at levels of 80 parts per billion, human health is threatened. This study concluded, "At levels of ozone exposure near or below current U.S. EPA standards, infants are at increased risk of respiratory symptoms, particularly infants whose mothers have physician-diagnosed asthma."

Under the Clean Air Act, an area failing to meet standards for ozone pollution for three years must be designated as nonattainment. Between 2001 and 2003, Denver violated ozone standards. Despite this violation, the EPA has so far deferred making such a nonattainment designation and has instead allowed the state of Colorado to rely on an Early Action Compact to avoid federal sanctions and strict ozone controls.

Yet under the Early Action Compact, we have only seen ozone that continues to exceed health limits in the Denver area. In fact, the area may again violate federal ozone standards between the years 2004-2006 if the fourth highest ozone level at Chatfield exceeds 95 parts per billion. Also as a result of this summer's dangerous ozone levels, the Denver metro area will likely violate federal ozone standards for the years 2005-2007.

The Early Action Compact has failed and the EPA needs to act to designate the Denver area as nonattainment to protect our health.