EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL 9:30 A.M., MON., JAN. 13, 1997
CONTACT: Diane Maple, 202/785-3355
EPA PARTICLE STANDARD PROPOSAL NEEDS TIGHTENING CONCLUDES NEW LUNG ASSOCIATION REPORT
Washington, D.C., January 13, 1997 -- An Environmental Protection Agency proposal to set new clean air standards would still leave 89 million people potentially exposed to dangerous levels of deadly particle pollution, according to a new report by the American Lung Association.
The total includes an estimated 16.9 million children, 11.8 million elderly, 5 million people with asthma, 5 million people with chronic obstructive lung disease and 2.9 million people with ischemic heart disease.
"We strongly support EPA's effort to set standards that would be more protective of public health," said Dr. Alfred Munzer, past president of the American Lung Association. "But we believe EPA can and must do even better."
In late November the agency proposed new health standards to protect people against fine particles in the air. The proposal came in response to an American Lung Association lawsuit and numerous scientific studies that show current standards -- which control only larger-sized airborne particles (PM10) -- fail to protect public health. Major sources of fine particles include diesel bus and truck emissions, factory and utility smokestacks, car exhaust and wood burning. Fine particles (PM2.5) can be inhaled deeply into human lungs and have been linked to premature death, increased respiratory-related hospital admissions and emergency room visits, and other serious health problems.
EPA has proposed a PM 2.5 standard of 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air, measured over a 24-hour period. The Lung Association advocates a stricter 24-hour standard of 18 micrograms per cubic meter.
The new Lung Association report, Gambling With Public Health II, compares the populations at risk under the proposed EPA standards to those who would be protected by the Lung Association alternative.
Among the report's findings: An estimated 65 percent of Americans, more than 178 million people, live in counties that would be considered in violation of the Lung Association-recommended standard, compared to 89 million people under EPA's proposal.
An estimated 34.4 million children, 22.6 million elderly, 10 million people with chronic obstructive lung disease, 10 million people with asthma, and 5.6 million people with ischemic heart disease live in counties that would be considered in violation of the Lung Association-recommended standard.
An estimated 16.9 million children, 11.8 million elderly, 5 million people with asthma, 5 million people with chronic bronchitis and emphysema and 3 million people with ischemic heart disease live in counties that would violate the ALA-recommended standard but would be unprotected by the EPA proposed standard.
Munzer also expressed concern that "polluters have begun a multi-million dollar lobbying and propaganda effort to kill new health standards. These polluters would put their private profits ahead of the public good -- and the health of tens of millions of Americans. President Clinton should reject their pleas and make sure EPA puts public health protection ahead of politics."
The American Lung Association has been fighting lung disease for more than 90 years. With the generous support of the public and the help of its volunteers, the Lung Association has seen many advances against lung disease. However, its work is not finished. As the American Lung Association looks forward to its second century, it will continue to strive to make breathing easier for everyone. Along with its medical section, the American Thoracic Society, the Lung Association provides programs of education, community service, advocacy and research. The Lung Association's activities are supported by donations to Christmas Seals and other voluntary contributions.
More information about the American Lung Association and it's activities is available on the American Lung Association Website at http://www.lungusa.org.
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