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June 19, 2007
For More Information Contact:
Mark Redsten, Clean Wisconsin,(608)
251-7020 ext 12
Cell: (608) 212.7093
Request for ozone attainment status in SE Wisconsin
premature
String of DNR Air-Health advisories
do not bode well for air quality
Madison, WI –Noting that part or all of
southeastern Wisconsin has had air quality advisories issued by
the DNR every day since last Thursday, Clean Wisconsin questions
whether requesting that EPA redesignate eight counties in southeast
Wisconsin to air quality attainment status is premature.
“The redesignation request is rushed,” stated Clean
Wisconsin Executive Director Mark Redsten. “The DNR has
failed to provide three consecutive years of data that establish
a permanent reduction in ground-level ozone pollution.”
Although ambient air quality levels of ozone have averaged to attainment
levels in recent years, the area still regularly violates the standard,
posing significant risks to health. As recently as 2005, ambient
air quality monitoring showed that every site relied upon in the
Milwaukee area had at least three days of data measuring non-attainment
levels of ozone - some measuring as high as 30% above the standard.
In a written request to DNR, Clean Wisconsin has requested additional
data to show that 2005 was in fact an anomaly, and that it will
not be repeated with current regulations in place.
Redsten continued, “Clean Wisconsin feels strongly that because
an attainment designation for the area will limit the DNR’s
current authority to require pollution control measures, the redesignation
request should not be considered until Summer 2007 air quality
data can be included in the review.”
Ground-level ozone is an especially harmful pollutant that is directly
related to respiratory health. Short-term exposure to the pollutant
can damage lung tissue and lead to premature death.
“Attaining and maintaining healthy, breathable air is fundamentally
important to maintaining the health of the people and communities
in southeastern Wisconsin,” concluded Redsten. “To
that end, Clean Wisconsin supports a redesignation request that
is supported by three years of quality-assured data showing no
violation of the 8-hour ozone regulations.”
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Clean Wisconsin, an environmental advocacy organization, protects Wisconsin’s clean water and air and advocates for clean energy by being an effective voice in the state legislature and by holding elected officials and corporations accountable. Founded in 1970 as Wisconsin’s Environmental Decade, Clean Wisconsin exposes corporate polluters, makes sure existing environmental laws are enforced, and educates citizens and businesses. Phone: 608-251-7020, Fax: 608-251-1655, Email: info@cleanwisconsin.org, Website: www.cleanwisconsin.org.