American Public Health Association Applauds Proposed EPA Rule To Protect Public Health From Toxic Air

Main Category: Water - Air Quality / Agriculture
Also Included In: Public Health
Article Date: 17 Mar 2011 - 1:00 PDT


The American Public Health Association strongly supports a proposed rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to safeguard the public's health from dangerous air pollutants by reducing the level of toxins emitted by coal- and oil-burning power plants.

The proposal is a significant step to cleaning up toxics such as mercury, sulfur dioxide, arsenic and other harmful pollutants that pervade the air in many local communities, especially those in close proximity to power plants, and jeopardize the health of all Americans.

Under the new rule by the Clean Air Act, all existing coal- and oil-buring plants that produce 25 megawatts or more of electricity will be required to install control technology to reduce emissions of toxic air pollutants. New plants will be required to meet the same level of technology and protections.

"Hazardous air emissions from coal- and oil-burning power plants cause a whole range of serious and immediate human health risks," said Georges C. Benjamin, MD, FACP, FACEP (E), executive director of APHA. "These pollutants can worsen asthma and other respiratory diseases; cause heart attacks, cancers and stroke; and exact an enormous economic toll in terms of health-related costs and lost productivity. We applaud EPA for following the clear evidence in cleaning up these toxins from the air we breathe and safeguarding the public's health."

The final regulations are expected to take effect within four years from the date EPA makes them final, which is expected by Nov. 16, 2011.

Source:
American Public Health Association

• Additional
• References
• Citations