EPA Proposes Stricter Air Quality Standards

WASHINGTON (Reuter) - In a move that could have far-reaching effects on the nation's health and industries, the Clinton administration proposed stricter air quality standards against smog and tiny particles that lodge in lungs.

"The EPA proposal would provide new protection to nearly 133 million Americans, including 40 million children," Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Carol Browner said of the proposal aimed at reducing smog and setting a new standard for tiny particles that experts say pose a greater health risk than larger soot and dust particles.

"The scientific evidence tells us that the current standards fail to provide adequate public health protection, especially for our children," she told a news conference.

She said the new standards could cut premature deaths from particulates by 50 percent, or by 20,000 deaths annually, and reduce aggravated asthma episodes by more 250,000 annually.

Browner said the new standards would cost between $6.5 billiion and $8.5 billion annually to implement, but said they would yield $120 billion in benefits including fewer missed work days and reduced health costs.

But the National Association of Manufacturers, which is leading an industry coalition fighting stricter air standards, said in a statement the proposal would hamper new business development and expansion, and would "have a chilling effect on economic growth in this country."

The EPA proposed a limit on smog-forming ozone pollution of 80 parts per billion measured over eight hours. Currently, a metropolitan area is in violation when ozone exceeds 120 parts per billion in a single hour.

The EPA also proposed stricter standards for airborne particles such as soot and sulfates, and for the first time focused on the tiniest particles of less than 2.5 microns in diameter, which come from a range of sources including industrial combustion and exhaust.

The agency proposed a standard allowing daily concentrations of up to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air and annual average concentrations of up to 15 micrograms per cubic meter for the smallest particles.

The announcement opens a 60-day public comment period, then the agency is to set a final rule in June. A number of members of congress have said they oppose stricter standards.

Putting controls in place to implement the rules could take several years, EPA and industry officials said.

The EPA estimated the proposed rule would force 335 counties out of compliance with smog standards, compared with the current 106 counties.

It estimated the new particle standard would force 167 counties out of compliance, compared with the 41 counties mostly in the West that do not meet the current standards geared to larger particles such as dust and wood smoke.

"The significance of throwing counties into non-attainment status makes a difference for their economic development prospects and their tax bases. It would move industries farther into the countryside," said Diane Shea, of the National Association of Counties, which is aligned against the new rules along with industries including electric utilities, automakers, petroleum refiners, steel mills and other manufacturers.

"Being in non-attainment is much more than just a classification on a piece of paper. It can mean the loss of federal highway funds, mandatory car pooling and restrictions on household items such as lawnmowers and fireplaces," the National Association of Manufacturers said Wednesday.

Meeting the standards also would require stricter controls on coal-burning power plants, factories, refineries and other pollution sources.

The EPA said strategies to meet new smog standards would be due in 2000, and plans to meet new particle standards would be due in 2002.