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US EPA to Reconsider National Ozone Standards

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The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will reconsider the 2008 primary and secondary ozone standards. In 2008, EPA established a new primary 8-hour standard for ozone of 0.075 parts per million (ppm), and a new secondary standard set at a form and level identical to the new primary standard. ppm standard, due to rounding.

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EPA says methane emissions from natural gas production have dropped 36% from 2007-2011

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In its recently released Inventory of US Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990 – 2011 ( earlier post ), the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that methane (CH 4 ) emissions from the field production of natural gas have declined by 36% from 2007 to 2011 (from 83.1 Tg or million metric tons CO 2 equivalent.)

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Study Finds Ozone Concentrations at Current Clean Air Standards Levels Can Impair Even Healthy Lungs

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Exposure to ozone at levels currently deemed safe by the NAAQS clean air standards can have a significant and negative effect on lung function, according to researchers at the University of California, Davis. The previous primary and secondary standards were identical 8-hour standards, set at 0.08 Earlier post.).

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NOAA Study Identifies Nitrous Oxide as Top Ozone-Depleting Emission in 21st Century

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Currently, anthropogenic N 2 O emissions represent the largest contribution to ozone depletion. The study, published online 27 August in the journal Science , for the first time evaluated nitrous oxide emissions from human activities in terms of their potential impact on Earth’s ozone layer. Source: Ravishankara et al. TgCO 2 e, 9.7%).

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Study quantifies impact of oil and gas emissions on Denver’s ozone problem

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The first peer-reviewed study to directly quantify how emissions from oil and natural gas (O&NG) activities influence summertime tropospheric ozone (O 3 ) pollution in the Colorado Front Range confirms that chemical vapors from oil and gas activities are a significant contributor to the region’s chronic ozone problem.

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Annual American Lung Association report shows continued progress in air quality, but more to be done

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This year’s report finds that the majority of American cities most-polluted by ozone (smog) or year-round particle pollution (soot) have improved, showing continued progress in the cleanup of toxics under the requirements of the Clean Air Act. When ozone is inhaled, it irritates the lungs. 10 Most Ozone-Polluted Cities.

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CRC ACES Phase 2 report finds emissions from modern heavy-duty diesels well below required levels

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2010 engines emissions reduction relative to 2010, 2007, and 2004 US emission standards. g/hp-hr between 2007 and 2009 to a level less than or equal to 0.20 Source: CRC. Click to enlarge. For a number of the most important pollutants, levels were substantially lower than required by regulations. Background. g/hp-hr in 2010.

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