OMB, EPA SEEK OUTSIDE SCIENTIFIC REVIEW OF OZONE RISK ESTIMATES

EPA staff say White House Office of Management & Budget (OMB) officials are seeking outside scrutiny of agency ozone mortality risk estimates, which may affect EPA's ability to justify upcoming rules imposing emissions limits on mobile sources, power plants and industrial boilers. EPA analysts are currently combining ozone mortality estimates for upcoming national air standards from four extensive studies that show that ozone exposures can cause premature deaths. The EPA review would mark a first-time endorsement of recent scientific studies...