US govt to tighten lead emissions standards

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2008

WASHINGTON (AFP) — The US Environmental Protection Agency unveiled plans Thursday to significantly strengthen lead emissions standards, in the first revision of the regulations for 30 years.

The proposals would reduce the amount of lead legally allowed in the air from 1.5 micrograms per cubic meter of air to between 0.1 and 0.3 micrograms per cubic meter, the EPA said in a statement.

"By tackling lead emissions, EPA is keeping America's clean air progress moving forward," said the agency's administrator, Stephen Johnson. "With today's proposal, we can write the next chapter in America's clean air story."

The agency said it would also welcome comments on changing the lead levels to a range of less than 0.10 to 0.50 micrograms per cubic meter. Its proposals...