Air quality improves in 2 Toledo area counties

4/21/2009

MONROE Monroe and Lenawee counties are among eight in southeast Michigan the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is expected to redesignate as being in attainment for its eight-hour ozone standard, the agency said Monday.

Ground-level ozone emissions are among the primary triggers of smog. Ozone is one of six major classes of air pollutants regulated under the federal Clean Air Act. The federal EPA said 2006-08 data showed enough improvement in air quality to meet the standard.

The agency also proposed approval of a state plan for ozone controls through 2020. Approval is subject to 30 days of public comment after the decisions are published in the Federal Register.

Comments may be entered at regulations.gov. Refer to docket ID No. EPA-R05-OAR-2009-0219 and follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Comments also may be faxed to 312-692-2551.