American Lung Association in Michigan Responds to Ozone Standard Update

DETROIT, MI (10/01/2015)(readMedia)-- Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced updated National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone, a life-threatening air pollutant.

"For far too long, our nation has been living with an outdated standard that has left millions of Americans, including Michigan residents, in harm's way, breathing unsafe levels of ozone pollution. This new standard is a step in the right direction and offers significantly greater protection than the old standard," said Therese Smith, RN, AE-C, Regional Leadership Council Chair of the American Lung Association in Michigan and board member for the American Lung Association of the Midland States.

Ozone irritates and inflames the lungs and the respiratory system. Scientists, physicians and the health community at large have long recognized ozone's potential to cause premature death. Unsafe levels of ozone can cause difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing and asthma attacks, and can result in trips to the emergency room and admissions to the hospital. Ground level ozone is the nation's most widespread air pollutant and a primary component of smog.

"The updated ozone standard will move us closer towards cleaner, healthier air for all. Given the known health effects of breathing unsafe levels of ozone pollution, greater health protections are needed. The people of Michigan have a fundamental right, under the Clean Air Act, to have a standard that protects their health. We will continue to advocate for a more protective standard based on the evidence of what is needed to protect human health," said Smith.

"Everyone deserves protection from ozone pollution, especially those who are most at risk of being harmed by ozone, including the 245,776 children with asthma," said Denise Sloan, Executive Director of the Michigan Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

More than 1,000 health and medical professionals nationwide, as well as local medical and health organizations including the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of Michigan, the American Academy of Pediatrics-Michigan Chapter, and the Detroit Alliance for Asthma Awareness, have consistently voiced support for a standard that would best protect health.

"We strongly support an ozone standard that actually protect the citizens of Michigan. Chronic diseases like asthma are at epidemic proportions due to a multitude of factors, with poor air quality being a major contributor," said Kathleen Slonager, RN, AE-C, Executive Director of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of Michigan.

"The Lung Association in Michigan looks forward to the benefits to the health of Michigan residents that steps to meet the updated standard will bring. We urge Michigan's elected officials to defend the Clean Air Act against any attacks that would block, weaken or delay these benefits," said Ken Fletcher, Advocacy Specialist for the American Lung Association in Michigan. "Michigan communities deserve nothing less."

About the American Lung Association

The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease, through research, education and advocacy. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer, to improve the air we breathe; to reduce the burden of lung disease on individuals and their families; and to eliminate tobacco use and tobacco-related diseases. For more information about the American Lung Association, a holder of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Guide Seal, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872 or visit: Lung.org.