Particulate matter can be harmful to those already suffering from chronic respiratory or heart disease, influenza, or asthma. Automobiles also account for 34 percent of hydrocarbon and 52 percent of nitrogen oxide emissions in my state. These two pollutants react in sunlight to form ozone, which in turn reduces lung function in humans and hurts our resistance to colds and asthma. Ozone may also lead to premature aging of lung tissue. In Utah, vehicles account for a whopping 87 percent of carbon monoxide emissions.
Carbon monoxide can be harmful to persons with heart, respiratory, or circulatory ailments.
Mr. President, while Utah has made important strides in improving air quality, more vehicular miles are driven every year. If we are to have cleaner air, we must encourage low emission alternative fuels or electric power. The need for alternative fuels will dramatically increase as the Environmental Protection Agency continues to implement its new, stricter clean air standards. With the tighter standards, some of Utah's counties will, once again, face non-attainment. Under the Clean Air Act, the EPA can impose sanctions on a state's highway fund if it determines a state has not adequately implemented plans to attain air quality standards, a sanction which, as I have suggested, may actually be counterproductive.