The US Environmental Protection Agency announced it is tightening air quality standards for ozone, a key component of smog.
The new standard will lower the allowable concentration of ozone in the air to no more than 75 parts per billion. The previous standard was 80 parts per million.
The new standard falls short of the 60-70 parts per million scientists and health experts believe is needed to protect children, the elderly and people suffering form asthma or other respiratory illnesses.
Currently the air quality in 85 counties, primarily in urban areas, does not meet the current standard that was enacted a decade ago. However, EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson, said his agency estimates that by 2020 the number of counties failing to meet the new standard will drop to about 28.
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