The California Air Resources Board (ARB) approved the nation's most health protective ozone standard with special consideration for children's health. The new 8-hour-average standard at 0.070 parts per million (ppm) will further protect California's most vulnerable population from the adverse health effects associated with ground-level ozone, or smog. The new 8-hour-average ozone standard is the first of its kind in the state. Ozone, also known as urban smog, can affect human health in many ways including: itchy, watery eyes, scratchy throat, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, coughs, heightened asthma rates, cardiopulmonary cases and premature deaths. Research has also shown that ozone is associated with increased hospital visits, emergency room admissions, student and worker absences, activity restrictions and premature death. ARB research has shown that ozone is associated with new cases of asthma.
To read the full ARB press release, visit http://www.arb.ca.gov/newsrel/nr042805.htm.
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