By B. Raack, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – The Environmental Protection Agency says St. Louis' air quality has improved to the point that the region may be able to federal standards.
The agency is proposing that St. Louis be designated an air quality attainment area for the first time since 1978. EPA spokesman Tony Petruska says the proposal is based on ozone data from 2000, 2001 and 2002.
Meantime, the area has also been bumped from moderate to serious non-attainment, meaning it must adhere to additional restrictions for reducing industrial emissions.