Letter to the editor: Lowering ozone worthwhile morally and economically

The article on the proposed federal ozone rules (“EPA proposes lower ozone pollution limit,” Nov. 27) notes that lowering the ground-level ozone standard from 75 parts per billion to a new standard, possibly as low as 60 ppb, would take money, time and effort to implement.

At the same time, the article states, the lower standard would save even more money in the medical care for asthmatics, diabetics and cardiac patients, all of whom are affected by air quality.

But economic viability, while important, misses the key point: Cleaner air from a lower ozone standard would allow our children to lead healthier lives without the burden of chronic illness, and without the terror that can come from being unable to draw your next breath. The cleaner air standard is well worth it on both moral and economic grounds.

Jeanette MacNeille

Topsham

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