The US Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday said it plans to strengthen regulations for emissions of ozone, a smog-causing pollutant blamed for respiratory ailments affecting millions of Americans.

Recent scientific studies, the EPA said, show current standards leave too much harmful smog in the air.

Exposure at those levels, and at levels below the current maximum, "can pose serious threats to public health," including causing asthma and other lung diseases and can even be linked to death from respiratory and cardiovascular causes, the agency said.

"Bringing ozone pollution standards in line with the latest science will clean up our air, improve access to crucial air quality information, and protect those most at-risk," EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy said in a statement.

The EPA is proposing to limit ozone emissions from sources including power plants and car and truck exhaust to within a range of 65 to 70 parts per billion (ppm), down from 75 ppm currently -- or around a 10-percent drop.

It is also considering an even more stringent 60 ppm standard, depending on comments from the public during the review period.

The agency said it based the new recommendations on a review of more than 1,000 new studies published since the last update in 2008.

The stricter proposed standard could prevent the premature deaths of more than 750 and up to 4,300 people a year, the EPA said.

It could also prevent between 320,000 and 960,000 asthma attacks and 1,400 to 4,300 asthma-related emergency room visits.

The agency is legally required to review its air pollution standards every five years under the 1970 Clean Air Act, through a process that includes recommendations from an independent panel of experts.

- 'Most expensive ever' -

Ozone, or smog, forms at ground level when heat from the sun "cooks" emissions of chemicals like nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, which can come from cars, industrial or power plants, or certain paints or fuels.

The new proposed standards drew quick criticism from several big industry groups, including the American Chemistry Council.

"Manufacturing growth could slow or stop in states that find themselves unable to meet a lower ozone standard," the group warned.

It argued that the current standard "is the most stringent ever and has not been fully implemented across the United States.

"We are very concerned that EPA appears to be lowering the ozone standard before finishing the job on the current standard."

And the National Association of Manufacturers said the "new ozone regulation threatens to be the most expensive ever imposed on industry in America and could jeopardize recent progress in manufacturing."

The EPA, however, argued that the benefits would "significantly outweigh" the costs.

"If the standards are finalized, every dollar we invest to meet them will return up to three dollars in health benefit," the EPA said, including in fewer missed days at work or school, and fewer health costs from asthma and heart attacks.

The new proposals will be open for public comment for 90 days, after which the agency will issue its final standards.