EPA PLANS TO REVISE 2008 NATIONAL OZONE STANDARDS
EPA announced the agency is considering revising the 2008 national ozone standards (both the primary and secondary ozone standards) to ensure they are scientifically sound and protective of human health and to cut healthcare costs and make cities healthier and safer places. The primary air quality standards protect public health (including the health of sensitive groups such as asthmatics, children and the elderly), and the secondary standards protect public welfare and the environment, (including against visibility impairment, damage to animals, crops, vegetation, and buildings). The Clean Air Act requires EPA to review the national standards for ozone and scientific information every five years. The Agency will propose any revisions to the ozone standards by December 2009 and will issue a final decision by August 2010.
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EPA REVISES RULES FOR WASTEWATER DISCHARGES FROM POWER PLANTS
EPA plans to revise the existing standards for water discharges from coal-fired power plants to reduce pollution and better protect the nation's water. Wastewater discharged from coal ash ponds, air pollution control equipment, and other equipment at power plants can contaminate drinking water sources, cause fish and other wildlife to die and cause other detrimental environmental effects. Once the new rule for electric power plants is finalized, EPA and states would incorporate the new standards into wastewater discharge permits. More information about EPA's study is provided in an interim report published in August 2008 with a final study to be published later this year. For more information on wastewater discharges from power plants, go to _http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/guide/steam/_ (http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/guide/steam/)
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EPA ANNOUNCED NEW STANDARDS FOR AIR TOXICS EMISSIONS FROM MEDICAL WASTE INCINERATORS NATIONWIDE
About 50 medical waste incinerators nationwide will have to reduce their air pollution under new regulations announced by EPA's Office of Air and Radiation. The new rules require better monitoring and tighter emissions limits to reduce toxic pollution from burning medical waste by 390,000 pounds annually. Medical waste incinerator emissions is a particularly toxic mix of dioxins/furans, heavy metals (lead, cadmium, and mercury), acid gases and other contaminants from the burning of biological waste, needles, plastic gloves, batteries and many other items. Based on Region 3's current source inventory, 13 facilities located in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia will be affected by the new rules, expected to be published in the Federal Register within the next two weeks. Details on the new rules can be found at the following EPA website _http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/129/hmiwi/rihmiwi.html_ (http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/129/hmiwi/rihmiwi.html)