FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, April 6, 2005

Isakson, Chambliss Announce EPA Removes Clarke County from Nonattainment List 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) today praised the decision by the Environmental Protection Agency to add Clarke County to the list of counties that now meet the agency’s new air quality standards. 

This week, the EPA said Clarke County now meets the nation’s new, more protective air quality standards for fine particle pollution (PM_2.5). 

“This is a tremendously positive step for Clarke County and the city of Athens,” Isakson said. “This designation is key to continued economic growth and development in the area.”

“I am pleased the EPA has removed Clarke County from their list,” said Chambliss.  “This is good news for all the citizens of Clarke County and this new classification is vital for job creation and economic growth.”

Specifically, the EPA designated Clarke as a county in nonattainment in December 2004 based on 2001-2003 air quality data.  Following these designations, EPA provided an opportunity for states to submit updated, quality-assured, certified air quality data for 2002-2004.  After reviewing the 2002-2004 air quality monitoring data provided, EPA found that Clarke County should be designated as “in attainment.” 

According to the EPA, fine particle pollution, also called PM2.5, is a mixture of microscopic solids and liquid droplets suspended in air.  Fine particles can be emitted directly (such as smoke from a fire) or formed in the atmosphere from power plant, industrial and mobile source emissions of gases such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.  These tiny particles can aggravate heart and lung diseases and have been associated with very serious health problems including heart attacks, chronic bronchitis and asthma attacks. 

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