News Release | Environment Virginia

Obama Administration Decision on Smog Standards Puts Thousands of Lives at Risk

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Obama administration announced that it will not update critical air quality standards for ozone pollution—commonly known as smog. This decision was made despite a unanimous recommendation by the independent board of air experts and scientists created under the Clean Air Act that the current standard be strengthened to protect public health. Exposure to smog triggers asthma attacks, causes permanent lung damage and can even lead to premature death. In fact, according the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, approximately 5,000 asthma-related deaths occur each year in the United States. In Virginia 96,084 adults and 276,155 children suffer from asthma according to the American Lung Association.