Ozone

Some atmospheric researchers are suggesting that rocket launches may ultimately have to be restricted in number to avoid serious damage to the Earth's protective ozone layer. Future ozone losses from the increasing number of rocket launches could eventually exceed the damage caused by chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, the chemical compounds banned from use in aerosols, freezers and air conditioners, they conclude in a new study.

Ozone pollution is a killer, increasing the yearly risk of death from respiratory diseases by 40% to 50% in heavily polluted cities like Los Angeles and Riverside and by about 25% throughout the rest of the country, researchers reported today. Environmental scientists already knew that increases in ozone during periods of heavy pollution caused short-term effects, such as asthma attacks, increased hospitalizations and deaths from heart attacks.

The California economy loses about $28 billion annually due to premature deaths and illnesses linked to ozone and particulates spewed from hundreds of locations in the South Coast and San Joaquin air basins, according to findings released Wednesday by a Cal State Fullerton research team.

The ozone hole over Antarctica, caused by depletion of stratospheric ozone by man-made gases, was the fifth biggest on record, reaching a maximum area of 10.5 million square miles in September, NASA said. That's considered "moderately large," NASA atmospheric scientist Paul Newman said in a statement. NASA has tracked the size of the hole for 30 years. Last year, it was 9.7 million square miles, about the size of North America.

Re "Ozone alert," editorial, March 17 Readers of The Times may have wondered if they were reading the views of the editorial board or the talking points of an environmental lobbyist. After all, both consider the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's creation of the most stringent eight-hour standard for ozone in our nation's history an outrage only because it occurred during President Bush's term. The fact is I strengthened the ozone standard as required by the Clean Air Act and as supported by the full breadth of the most recent scientific evidence.

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Stephen L. Johnson modestly lowered limits on ozone pollution Wednesday, angering both industry groups who lobbied against changes and medical, scientific and environmental groups who pushed for tougher limits. EPA officials estimated that the tighter limits would leave 345 counties in violation of federal health requirements for smog, although they said the final count would not be known until 2010.

The Antarctic ozone hole is back to an average size, shrinking about 16% from last year's record high, NASA said Friday. But it's still the size of North America. The ozone hole in mid-September reached its maximum for the year of 9.7 million square miles, down from its peak of 11.5 million square miles last year, said NASA atmospheric scientist Paul Newman. The ozone hole was discovered in 1985, and at the current rate it should be closed up by 2070, Newman said.

The California Air Resources Board on Thursday banned popular in-home ozone air purifiers, saying studies have found that they can worsen conditions such as asthma that marketers claim they help to prevent. The regulation, which the board said is the first of its kind in the nation, will require testing and certification of all types of air purifiers. Any that emit more than a tiny amount of ozone will have to be pulled from the California market.