The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a public hearing Feb. 28 on the agency’s proposal to retain the nation’s air quality standards for carbon monoxide (CO) and to take steps to gather additional data through more focused monitoring. The science shows that the current standards will protect people, especially those susceptible to health problems associated with breathing CO from the outdoor air. CO can cause harmful health effects by reducing oxygen delivery to the body’s organs (such as the heart and brain) and tissues. At extremely high levels, CO can cause death.

The public hearing will be held on Monday, February 28, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST in Arlington, Va. 

The public may register in person on the day of the hearing. EPA also will accept written comments on the proposed standards until April 12, 2011.

More information and instructions for submitting written comments: http://www.epa.gov/airquality/carbonmonoxide