The EPA’s notified the state of Kansas that the state’s 105 counties meet the most recent ozone standards.
Scott Pruitt, Administrator of the Environmental and Protection Agency notified Governor Sam Brownback in a letter.
“This is good news for the citizens of Kansas,” wrote Pruitt. “I encourage you to continue your efforts to maintain air quality that meets the 2015 ground-level ozone standards.”
As the Kansas Health Department indicated, the EPA strengthened the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) on October 1, 2015, based on scientific evidence about ozone’s effects on public health and welfare. The EPA updated these standards to improve public health protection, particularly for at-risk groups which includes children, older adults, people with lung diseases such as asthma and people who are active outdoors. The change is also intended to improve tree, plant and ecosystem health. KDHE has 20 air monitors across the state and works to protect the public and environment from air pollution.
