Particle
pollution is made up of tiny particles, called "fine" particles, and
slightly larger ones, called "coarse" particles, that are both dangerous
and pervasive. Because of their size, these particles can bypass the body's
natural defenses, such as coughing and sneezing, and lodge deep within the lungs or
even pass into the bloodstream, causing serious respiratory and cardiovascular
problems, such as asthma attacks, heart attacks, and lung cancer. In fact,
particle pollution is so dangerous that it cuts short the lives of tens of
thousands of Americans each year. Power plants and diesel engines are the
largest source of particle pollution. In some parts of the country,
agriculture and mining contribute to serious local coarse particle problems.
Under the Clean Air Act, the administration must set air quality standards at
levels that protect public health, review these standards every five years, and
update them as needed. For fine particle pollution, there are two standards:
an "annual" standard based on how much fine particle pollution is safe to
breathe on a regular, everyday basis
a "24-hour" standard based on how much fine particle pollution is safe to
breathe on any one day.
In the last several years, study after study has confirmed the damaging health
effects of particles, even at levels well below the current annual and 24-hour
standards. In 2005, both the administration's independent science advisors on
clean air issues and the EPA's staff scientists concluded that adverse health
effects occur at levels well below the current fine particle standards. As a
result, they recommended that the administration strengthen the standards to
protect public health.
In December, however, the Bush administration rejected these recommendations
and proposed fine particle standards that would largely maintain the status quo,
as requested by electric utility lobbyists and other special interests.
Specifically, the administration rejected lowering the annual standard and
proposed only a token reduction in the daily standard that will have little
impact on public health. It is unprecedented for an administration to
disregard the recommendations of its independent clean air science advisors.
Moreover, reports have surfaced showing that the White House worked to cast
doubt on the scientific need for tougher standards, making dozens of changes
to EPA's draft standards before the policy was made public. For instance, the
White House removed a sentence from the policy stating that the air-quality
standards "may have a substantial impact on the life expectancy of the U.S.
population."
Air quality standards are the foundation for reducing air pollution nationwide,
so the decision on the particle standards is one of the most important
decisions this administration will make on air pollution. Yet, once again, the Bush
administration has chosen to favor polluters over public health and to put
politics above science and the law.
In January, the Bush administration opened a public comment period on the
proposal. We need your help to urge the administration to strengthen the
standards so that they protect public health, not polluters. |