ACC Responds to EPA Ozone Ruling

ARLINGTON, Va., March 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Chemistry Council (ACC) supports a National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ozone that is protective of public health and based on sound scientific information. ACC believes that the existing 1997 ozone standard meets that test even as the level of ozone and other criteria pollutant emissions continue to drop. The available science is largely unchanged since the 1997 standard was issued and demonstrates that there is no clear and substantial basis for making the standard stricter at this time. This decision by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to lower the ozone standard unnecessarily will impose significant new burdens on states and others even as they continue to try and comply with the 1997 standard.

"ACC member companies will continue to work towards improving air quality. Tremendous progress has already been made and EPA recently highlighted in its annual air quality trends report that the national average for ozone levels decreased by 21 percent between 1980 and 2006," said Tom Gibson, Senior Vice President of the American Chemistry Council. "ACC member companies understand and value the importance of clean air, and support protecting public health and the environment as demonstrated by chemical industry's significant and continued progress in reducing emissions."

Since 1988, ACC member companies, under Responsible Care(R), have reduced air toxic emissions by 78%, nitrogen oxide by 62%, sulfur dioxide by 27%, and volatile organic compounds by 78%. Meanwhile, the EPA states that between 1980 and 2006, gross domestic product increased 121 percent, vehicle miles traveled increased 101 percent, energy consumption increased 29 percent, and U.S. population grew by 32 percent. During the same time period, total emissions of the six principal air pollutants dropped by 49 percent.

Through the American Chemistry Council's Responsible Care Initiative, ACC members carefully measure their environmental, health, safety and security performance and make this information publicly available at http://www.americanchemistry.com/repsonsiblecare.

The American Chemistry Council (ACC) represents the leading companies engaged in the business of chemistry. ACC members apply the science of chemistry to make innovative products and services that make people's lives better, healthier and safer. ACC is committed to improved environmental, health and safety performance through Responsible Care(R), common sense advocacy designed to address major public policy issues, and health and environmental research and product testing. The business of chemistry is a $635 billion enterprise and a key element of the nation's economy. It is one of the nation's largest exporters, accounting for ten cents out of every dollar in U.S. exports. Chemistry companies are among the largest investors in research and development. Safety and security have always been primary concerns of ACC members, and they have intensified their efforts, working closely with government agencies to improve security and to defend against any threat to the nation's critical infrastructure.

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Source: American Chemistry Council

CONTACT: Tiffany Harrington of the American Chemistry Council,
+1-703-741-5583, tiffany_harrington@americanchemistry.com

Web Site: http://www.americanchemistry.com/

2008-03-12 17:06:43 0311290 PRNEWSWIRE