FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 6, 2007) – The Louisville area has met federal air quality standards for ozone and will be removed from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) list of areas not complying with the standard, Governor Ernie Fletcher announced today.
The Kentucky portion of the area includes Jefferson, Oldham and Bullitt counties. Clark and Floyd counties in Indiana also are included in the nonattainment area.
Kentucky had petitioned the EPA to redesignate the three Kentucky counties as in attainment of the standard. Monitoring results showed that the area was meeting the requirements, which are based on ozone levels in any eight-hour period.
“This decision by the EPA recognizes the success of efforts by government and business, working together, to improve air quality,” Governor Fletcher said. “It proves once again that a healthy environment and a strong economy go hand in hand with each other.”
Ozone is a colorless, odorless gas that is formed when emissions from a wide variety of sources, including internal combustion engines, power plants, factories and homes, react in the presence of sunlight and heat. Reaching its peak levels in the summer, ozone can cause a variety of health problems, including irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract and difficulty in breathing. Children, the elderly and people with heart or respiratory problems are particularly susceptible to high levels of ozone.
“Improving public health is of paramount importance to this administration,” Governor Fletcher said. “We know that reducing air pollution pays off in fewer asthma attacks and hospital visits, and increases opportunities for our citizens to get outside and get active to improve their health and fitness.”
The EPA yesterday published in the Federal Register its decision to grant Kentucky’s petition. The action will become final Aug. 6.
The area was designated by the EPA in June 2004 as not attaining the federal eight-hour ozone standard. The action was based on air monitoring data from 2001 to 2003. At the end of the 2005 monitoring season, air quality in the area had improved to the point that the eight-hour ozone standard was being met. The Division for Air Quality in the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet then petitioned the EPA for a change of designation to attainment status.
John Lyons, director of the Division for Air Quality, said that Louisville was the second area in the state to be redesignated to attainment for the new eight-hour standard. The first was Christian County, redesignated in February 2006.
“Agency staff worked closely with the EPA’s regional office in Atlanta to develop the redesignation petition, which allowed the EPA to take timely action on Kentucky’s request,” Lyons said.
In addition to presenting improved air monitoring results, Kentucky documented the local and regional emission reductions that had led to improved air quality in the area, he said.
The Indiana counties of Clark and Floyd have also petitioned for redesignation. The EPA will act on that request separately.