But the annual smog season begins May 1, and environmentalists are now warning this is no time to celebrate by relaxing tough standards, as some business groups want.

When the "smog season" ended on Thursday (what a depressing season to have!)

The smog season lasts from May to October.

Under the plan, some 300 polluters who emit more than 10 tons of VOC's during the annual smog season would be obliged to participate.

The new rules are expected to be in place by the next smog season, next summer.

Petrol rationing of over 80 per cent during the smog season from May to October was suggested!

Usually, the smog season is concentrated in summer.

This long, hot summer has produced one of the worst smog seasons in years for the Northeastern United States.

Through July 15, which marks the first half of the smog season, there were only 12 days when the ozone standard was exceeded.

Although the extension lets almost 60 metropolitan areas off the hook for most of another smog season, many environmentalists counted it as a victory.