[Dialogue] Health, Environmental Groups File Court Challenge to EPA Particulate Matter Pollution Standard:

[Harry Wainwright]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DECEMBER 15, 2006
3:07 PM

CONTACT: Earthjustice 
David Baron, Earthjustice (202) 667-4500
Janice Nolen, American Lung Association (202) 785-3355
Vickie Patton, Environmental Defense (720) 837-6239 - c; vpatton at ed.org Mark
Wenzler, National Parks Conservation Association (202) 454-3335

 

Health, Environmental Groups File Court Challenge to EPA Particulate Matter
Pollution Standard: 
EPA maintains nearly decade old annual pollution levels that has been linked
to thousands of deaths annually



 

WASHINGTON - December 15 - Public health and environmental groups today
filed suit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for refusing to
strengthen a nearly decade old national public health standard for
particulate matter (PM) pollution to a level that could prevent thousands of
premature deaths every year. Earthjustice filed the suit on behalf of the
American Lung Association, Environmental Defense, and the National Parks
Conservation Association. 

 

The suit stems from the EPA's October decision to reject the advice of its
own scientific advisory panel and its own staff scientists. The Clean Air
Scientific Advisory Committee recommended strengthening the existing annual
standard of 15 micrograms per cubic meter for fine particulate matter -
originally set in 1997 - to between 13 and 14 micrograms per cubic meter.
The American Lung Association, American Medical Association, American
Thoracic Society and American Academy of Pediatrics, among others, all urged
tightening the annual standard to protect children, the elderly, and others
from the major health risks caused by PM pollution. 

 

Airborne particulate matter (PM) is comprised of tiny particles of smoke,
soot, metals and other chemical compounds emitted from sources like power
plants, factories, and diesel trucks. Scientists say PM, which can travel
deep into our lungs, is one of the most toxic forms of air pollution. They
estimate that PM is responsible for tens of thousands of premature deaths
nationwide every year. It is linked to aggravation of respiratory illnesses
such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, chronic obstructive lung disease, and
pneumonia; it is also linked to premature deaths from other causes, such as
lung cancer and heart disease. 

 

"Particulate matter pollution is a major health threat and the evidence is
stronger than ever," said Earthjustice attorney David Baron. "But the EPA
refuses to follow the advice of leading doctors, scientists and health
advocates who say the standard won't protect public health. We say the
public deserves better under the Clean Air Act." 

 

"Unfortunately, the EPA ignored its own science advisory committee, it
ignored the American Medical Association, and it ignored its bedrock duty
under the Clean Air Act to protect public health from harmful air
pollution," said Vickie Patton, a senior attorney with Environmental Defense
and a former attorney in the EPA's General Counsel's office. 

 

The Clean Air Act requires the EPA to adopt primary air quality standards
for particulate matter pollution to protect public health and secondary
standards to protect public welfare, including visibility. The EPA must
review these standards every five years and revise them based on the latest
scientific information. 

 

"Anyone who questions the need to lower particulate matter pollution
standards should take a hike in Great Smoky Mountains or Sequoia national
parks in August," said Mark Wenzler, director of the Clean Air Program for
the National Parks Conservation Association. "You will likely encounter a
haze so thick you can barely see the next ridge. Imagine what that pollution
is doing to your lungs." 

 

The EPA's refusal to consider the advice of doctors and scientists means
Americans are being forced to breathe dirty air, the groups contend. Earlier
this month, the agency decided it would scrap procedures that have been in
place for the last 25 years in setting these standards in favor of a new
process that limits the role of scientists and doctors. 

 

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