Cities and states are showing progress in ridding the skies of smog, but the federal government declared Thursday that much of the nation's air is too dirty to breathe safely.
New rules proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency could triple the number of counties in violation of federal standards for ground-level ozone, commonly known as smog.
The new violators would include much of the Midwest and parts of Illinois that never before faced limits on dirty air. Chicago, which just met standards for the first time, the Tribune reported last month, would fail again under the proposed rules.
The latest push to tighten national air pollution standards reflects a growing view among scientists that it takes less smog than previously thought to trigger asthma attacks and contribute to early deaths. Curbing the allowable amount of pollution could reduce the number of children with lung problems by 65 percent, according to the EPA.
In a replay of past battles over environmental regulations, the proposed changes face intense opposition from business groups that contend tougher smog limits would cost too much. Some scientists and advocates, meanwhile, say the new rules wouldn't be stringent enough to protect the public.
Business lobbyists visited the White House at least twice in recent weeks to urge Bush administration officials to back off. In response, Stephen L. Johnson, the EPA administrator, said the agency will accept comments on alternative proposals, including a business-backed bid to keep the current standard.
"The current standard is insufficient to protect public health," Johnson said repeatedly at a news conference. "I recognize that others don't agree with that, and I want to provide an opportunity for them to provide comments on which we can make an informed decision."
Smog is a mix of chemicals emitted mainly from car tailpipes, diesel engines and the smokestacks of coal-fired power plants. It can lead to shortness of breath, chest pains and lung inflammation.
Enforcement of the current standard, first proposed in 1997 by the Clinton administration, was delayed for years by legal challenges from business groups. The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously rejected the opponents' claims and upheld the EPA's authority to base air-quality standards on public health, without considering economic concerns.
Under the agency's latest proposal, the allowable level of smog would drop to between 70 and 75 parts per billion, down from the current standard of 85 parts per billion. The EPA also will consider a limit as tough as 60 parts per billion, advocated by pediatricians, environmental groups and a panel of scientists that advises the agency on children's health issues. A final decision is expected in March.
Environmental groups welcomed the proposal but expressed concerns about the agency's invitation for comments about keeping the existing limit.
"Why is EPA dithering? Evidence points to the secret hand of the White House," said Frank O'Donnell, president of Clean Air Watch.
Recent research indicates that hundreds of thousands of children nationwide would be spared from lung problems if the limit was set at 70 parts per billion, according to the EPA. The number of smog-related deaths would be cut in half.
Business groups contend the proposed changes would cost billions but offer few, if any, health benefits.
"There are parts of the country that won't be able to do anything to meet this standard," said Jeffrey Holmstead, former chief of the EPA's air division, now a lawyer advising businesses on environmental issues.
Chicago and most of the Midwest met the current smog standard faster than predicted, mostly due to a federal clampdown on pollution from power plants, cars and trucks.
If the new rule takes effect, virtually every part of the region except Iowa and Minneapolis-St. Paul would be considered too dirty. In Illinois, violators would include Macoupin, McLean, Peoria, Randolph, Sangamon and Winnebago Counties.
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