By James Pilcher
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Greater Cincinnati could face expanded E-check programs, restrictions on the kinds of gasoline drivers can buy and even a ban on outdoor grilling under new federal rules that go into effect in less than a year and a half.

The deadline to impose the rules, set Wednesday by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, means Tristate industries also could face tougher restrictions on factory emissions.

The EPA agreed to begin using tougher standards for ozone, or smog, in April 2004, which would be the first tightening of air standards since 1979.

Ozone is a colorless, odorless gas created when sunlight reacts with motor vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions and chemical solvents. It can cause lung damage and other diseases in humans, and can hurt crops and trees.

The agency acted to avoid a lawsuit from several environmental groups, including the American Lung Association, the Ohio Environmental Council and the Sierra Club.

The environmental groups said the tougher rules would hit cities in 38 states.

Under the current ozone standard, Southwest Ohio has exceeded the limit five times so far in 2002. But that number would have been 109 under the new standard, according to the Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services. Northern Kentucky would go from no days over the limit to 58.

A region would be considered out of compliance if it had at least four days over the limit over three years.

The agency introduced the new standards in 1997 and has faced a long legal struggle to get them implemented. The EPA has yet to determine penalties for noncompliance. .

Previously, areas out of compliance with old standards were threatened with the loss of federal highway funds, although that has never happened here.

But funds have been cut to Atlanta. Cities like it and Los Angeles have put severe restrictions on vehicle and factory emissions, imposed tougher car emissions testing and even tougher rules on small engines that run lawnmowers and similar equipment.

E-mail jpilcher@enquirer.com