Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, released the statement below regarding the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) new proposed National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ozone. The new Clean Air Act proposal would lower ozone levels from the current standard of 75 parts per billion to a standard within the range of 65 to 70 parts per billion.

Senator Boxer said: "We know that ground-level smog is harmful to human health and can lead to cardiovascular disease, respiratory ailments like asthma and emphysema, and premature death. EPA's new proposed standard would save lives and protect children and families from dangerous air pollution. If you can't breathe you can't work, so clean air is essential for a strong economy."

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