EPA Proposes New Sulfur Dioxide Pollution Rules

"The Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday proposed new air quality regulations for sulfur dioxide emissions, which come mostly from power plants and industrial facilities, expecially those that burn coal.

The proposed rules would set a one-hour standard for concentrations of sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere between 50 and 100 parts per billion (ppb).

These one-hour standards would replace existing regulations that limit sulfur concentrations to 140 ppb measured over 24 hours and an annual average of 30 ppb.

EPA said the proposed rules would 'better protect public health by reducing people's exposure to high short-term concentrations of S02.'"

Ayesha Rascoe reports for Reuters November 17, 2009.