As mentioned earlier, since carbon monoxide is a major contributor to smog formation, and since oxygenated fuels reduce carbon monoxide emissions, many metropolitan areas are now required by federal law to sell oxygenate-rich or ‘reformulated’ gasoline. At the time of this writing, the EPA has embarked on the next phase of combatting smog (see, for example, “Smog Alert: The EPA proposes tough new clean-air standards,” Time of 12/9/96. Finally, the ozone level in the air needs to be mentioned (see Table 11-2). Again, this ground-level ozone should not be confused with the depletion of the ozone layer in the upper atmosphere, which is increasing the exposure of.
