Research Needed to Improve Health and Ecological Risk Assessments for Ozone (Second External Review Draft)
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Abstract
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) document Air Quality Criteria for Ozone and Related Photochemical Oxidants (Ozone AQCD) published in July 1996, assembled, summarized, and interpreted available scientific evidence on exposure to, and health and ecological effects of, ambient ozone. Subsequent studies have provided important additional observations. There is clear agreement that short-term ozone exposure produces or promotes significant health effects, not merely temporary physiologic changes. Also, current experimental and epidemiologic evidence provides ample reason for suspicion that long-term ambient ozone exposure induces deleterious human health effects. At the same time, important uncertainties remain in the available health effects database for ambient ozone. This combination of legitimate concern and scientific uncertainty creates a strong case for continued health-related research on ozone, both alone and in combination with other environmental substances.
An ecological risk assessment process has been developed by EPA to assist in evaluating the likelihood that adverse ecological effects may occur or are occurring as a result of exposure to one or more stressors. These assessments are conducted to bring scientific information to bear on risk management decisions. Research conducted to address needs identified in this document will serve as inputs to future risk assessments being developed to characterize ozone effects on ecosystems.
The research needs presented in this document do not constitute a specific research program or research plan. Rather, these needs are intended to provide a broad conceptual context, within which specific research programs and plans can be developed. In this regard, the research approaches mentioned under some specific research needs should not be taken to constitute predictions of specific future requests for proposals issued by U.S. EPA or any other sponsoring organization. Rather, consistent with the broader scope and spirit of this document, the research needs are presented as springboards for further thought and discussion.
Citation
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Related Link(s)
- AIR QUALITY CRITERIA FOR OZONE AND RELATED PHOTOCHEMICAL OXIDANTS (External Review Draft, 1995)
- Air Quality Criteria for Ozone and Related Photochemical Oxidants
- Spatial Variation In Ozone Concentrations In Phoenix, AZ For 1997
- Project Work Plan for Revised Air Quality Criteria for Ozone and Related Photochemical Oxidants (External Review Draft)
- Project Work Plan for Revised Air Quality Criteria for Ozone and Related Photochemical Oxidants (CASAC Review Draft)