The Environmental Protection Agency says it plans to propose tightening standards for ground-level ozone for the first time since 1997. But EPA's June 21 announcement drew criticism from industry groups, which complain that the current ozone benchmark hasn't yet been fully implemented, and from environmentalists, who contend the plan isn't tough enough.
Since the standard was last updated, more than 1,700 studies examining ozone's impact have been completed. "Based upon current science, I have concluded that the current standard is insufficient to protect public health," EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson says.