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EPA: Toledo area meets the health standard for smog

Release Date: 08/02/2007
Contact Information: Anne Rowan, 312-353-9391, [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 07-OPA134

CHICAGO (Aug. 1, 2007) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 announced today it has approved the state of Ohio's request to redesignate Lucas and Wood counties in the Toledo 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 for 2004, 2005 and 2006 meet the standard.
"Toledo area residents are enjoying healthier air because of the work Ohio has done to improve air quality," said EPA Regional Administrator Mary A. Gade. "Better air quality also means an improved business climate in these counties."

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

EPA's action will soon be published in the Federal Register. The designation becomes effective upon publication.

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.