The Environmental Protection Agency wishing to better protect children and people with respiratory illnesses, by strengthening key air pollution health standards, says it would like air quality requirement for nitrogen dioxide released from motor vehicles, coal burning power plants and factories, to be tightened.
 
Nitrogen dioxide is known to cause respiratory problems, posing special danger to children and people who suffer from asthma and other respiratory illnesses.  The pollutant is among those EPA examines periodically for determining concentrations are at a level for ensuring healthy air.
 
However, the federal nitrogen dioxide air quality standard applicable to health, has not been changed in 35-years and needs to be tightened to reflect the latest scientific findings.
 
The EPA says it will accept public comment on the Obama administration’s its nitrogen dioxide proposal over the next 60-days, including holding several hearings, anticipating a final rule issued by January.