Bush administration tightens air pollution standards

0 Comments | AFP, March, 2008

WASHINGTON (AFP) — The US Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday it is tightening federal air pollution standards by setting more stringent ozone limits for the first time since 1997.

"EPA today met its requirements of the Clean Air Act by signing the most stringent eight-hour standard ever for ozone, revising the standards for the first time in more than a decade," the EPA said in a statement.

The rules on smog-forming ozone, a widespread air pollutant, restrict the amount of nitrogen oxides and other compounds that are allowed to be released by power plants, motor vehicle exhaust, industrial facilities and other man-made sources, the EPA said.

The ozone thresholds are now 75 parts per billion (ppb), compared with the previous standard set in...