The US environmental regulators on Thursday proposed the stricter standards to clamp down on smog, in a move that will see a numerous counties across the nation out of compliance with new standards.

The Environmental Protection Agency proposal will cut ground-level Ozone, the main component in smog, to between 0.060 and 0.070 parts per million measured over an 8-hour period.

It may be noted here that the standard adopted by the Bush administration was 0.075 parts per million.

Smog dirties air and poses severe health hazards such as asthma and lung disease.

Commenting on the issue, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said, “Using the best science to strengthen these standards is a long overdue action that will help millions of Americans breathe easier and live healthier.”

A number of California counties now will have to get stricter with polluters to meet the new standards. Moreover, it will cost up to $90 billion comply with the new smog limits.