From: harelb@MATH.CORNELL.EDU (Harel Barzilai)
Newsgroups: alt.activism
Subject: EPA CONDEMNED By LUNG ASSOC. On OZONE
Date: 17 Aug 92 00:51:29 GMT


[Via misc.activism.progressive from EcoNet's en.cleanair]

    "By maintaining the current standard the EPA has traded the health
    of these Americans for the sake of political expediency.
 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
    "The lawsuit was prompted by EPA's failure to review the standard
    in over ten years.  The Clean Air Act requires that EPA review,
    and when necessary revise the nation's air quality standards at no
    more than five year intervals.
 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
    "In support of its lawsuit, the Lung Association cited 31.6
    million people living in areas with unhealthful levels of ozone
    but meet the federal standard, in addition to the 127 million
    Americans living in cities which violate the current standard.

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Topic 141       Lung Assn re EPA & ozone standard 
mclark  en.cleanair      8:10 pm  Aug  4, 1992 
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American Lung Association Press Release on EPA failure to strengthen
ozone standard.
		      AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION
			1726 M STREET, NW #902
			 WASHINGTON, DC 20036

NEWS RELEASE  
                                     
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                   Contact:     
August 3, 1992                          Paul Billings 202-785-3355 
                                        Peter Paris 212-315-6468 


Lung Association Disappointed with EPA Ozone Standard Finding 
Says Stricter Standards Necessary to Protect Public Health 


Washington, D.C., August 3, 1992 --The American Lung Association  
today announced its disappointment that the U.S. Environmental  
Protection Agency failed to propose a more protective ozone  
health standard.  The EPA declined to strengthen the current National 
Ambient Air Quality Standard for Ozone that is 0.12 ppm (parts  
per million) averaged over a one hour period.  

      "There is a significant body of scientific research that  
shows harmful lung health effects occurring at ozone levels below 
the current standard," said Lee B. Reichman, M.D., M.P.H.,  
President of the American Lung Association.  "It is unfortunate  
that the EPA did not propose to adopt a standard that is  
protective of public health.  The American Lung Association is  
very dissatisfied with this finding."  

      The standard was reviewed as a result of a successful  
lawsuit filed by the American Lung Association, two environmental 
organizations and five Northeast states.  The lawsuit was 
prompted by EPA's failure to review the standard in over ten  
years.  The Clean Air Act requires that EPA review, and when  
necessary revise the nation's air quality standards at no more  
than five year intervals. 

In support of its lawsuit, the Lung Association cited 31.6  
million people living in areas with unhealthful levels of ozone  
but meet the federal standard, in addition to the 127 million  
Americans living in cities which violate the current standard. 

      "Ozone poses a health threat to millions of people,  
especially children, the elderly and people with lung disease, in 
many areas where the government says the air is safe,"  stated  
Peter P. Baljet, P.E., chairman of the Lung Association's  
National Air Conservation Commission.   "By maintaining the  
current standard the EPA has traded the health of these Americans 
for the sake of political expediency.  Despite the protests of  
opponents to the vigorous enforcement of the Clean Air Act, ozone 
is still this nation's most significant air pollution problem  
that must be cleaned up.  The dubious economic arguments against  
achieving clean air will not be tolerated." 

      "The EPA proposal in no way diminishes the importance and  
urgency of clean up efforts that are underway.  The American Lung 
Association stands committed to the strict enforcement of the  
Clean Air Act and to clean air for all Americans," Mr. Baljet  
added. 

##################################################################


      The American Lung Association fights lung disease and 
promotes lung health.  Along with its medical section, the 
American Thoracic Society, the association provides programs of 
education, community service, advocacy and research.  Its 
activities are supported by donations to Christmas Seals and 
other voluntary contributions.  Founded in 1904 to fight 
tuberculosis, the American Lung Association is the oldest  
voluntary health agency in the United States. 

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