Eight Midwest areas must now meet stricter air pollution rules

The US environmental regulators have determined that eight areas in the Midwest failed to meet 2015 ozone air quality standards. These areas will now be reclassified to "Serious" nonattainment, which means they face tougher requirements to reduce ozone pollution.

When an area fails to meet air quality standards, it triggers a legal process that forces local governments and industries to take more aggressive steps to clean up the air. This reclassification means that businesses in these areas, particularly those that emit ozone-forming pollutants, will face stricter permitting requirements and potentially higher costs. It also means state and local agencies must update their plans to show how they will achieve the new, tougher standards.