John E. Heffner, M.D., president of the American Thoracic Society, today called new standards issued by the Environmental Protection Agency for fine particulate matter pollution, more commonly known as soot, "inadequate and demonstrably unhealthy."

"The science is clear," Dr. Heffner said, "people develop respiratory disorders and those with existing lung, heart, and other chronic diseases die prematurely because they are exposed to these microscopic pollutants at levels well below those set by the EPA today."

The new standard, which updates standards set in 1997, left unchanged the average annual standard of 15 micrograms per cubic meter, but decreased the maximum particle pollution considered safe during a 24-hour period from 60 micrograms per cubic meter to 35.

Power plants, automobiles and factories are the primary source of these particles, which are smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter.

After reviewing the latest scientific studies, the American Thoracic Society and other medical associations supported both a tighter annual standard - 12 micrograms per cubic meter - and more stringent 24-hour standard - 25 micrograms per cubic meter.

"By failing to issue a more stringent standard," said Dr. Heffner, "the EPA is ignoring compelling research, the advice of experts and the Clean Air Act, which requires the agency to regularly review the scientific data and set standards that protect the public's health. This is particularly egregious, given that its own experts recommended a tighter standard."

To assist the EPA in analyzing and interpreting the scientific data, the EPA convened a panel of experts called the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee. CASAC, which included members with academic and industry backgrounds, analyzed the available data and recommended an average annual standard between 13 and 14 micrograms per cubic meter. EPA career staff scientists recommended a stricter standard than the one put forth today.

In the nearly 10 years since the agency last set a national standard for particulate pollution, a growing body of research has demonstrated that adverse health effects, including increased respiratory disease and higher mortality rates, occurred from pollution levels below the standard EPA issued today.

"Literally hundreds of peer-reviewed studies," said Dr. Heffner, "have been published in scientific journals during that time which have reached a similar conclusion: particulate air pollution causes death and disease at levels significantly below the standard that the EPA now says is safe."

The American Thoracic Society
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New York, New York 10006
http://www.thoracic.org