The EPA has introduced a proposal to tighten clean air standards for
soot (particulates) and ozone across the country. The agency has
estimated that, if implemented, these standards could prolong 20,000
lives and improve the health of millions. Nationally, we could see
9,000 fewer hospital admissions, 60,000 fewer cases of bronchitis, and
250,000 fewer incidents of asthma.
But this proposal is undergoing a multi-million dollar assault by
polluting industries, applying tactics similar to those used for decades
by the tobacco industry. We are asking doctors, scientists, professors,
clinicians, researchers and other health professionals nationwide to
show their support for cleaner, healthier air by co-signing a letter
(see below). National health associations have endorsed the standards
including, among others, the American Public Health Association,
American Lung Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American
Association for Respiratory Care, American College of Asthma, Allergy
and Immunology, and the Emergency Nursing Association.
If you have questions or have further ideas on how to contact other
health professionals, please feel free to call or e-mail Felice Stadler
at the addresses below. You can also consult the following web sites:
<http://www.nrdc.org/field/aiepaact.html>
<http://www.lungusa.org/noframes/global/news/report/viron/viroutdofac.html>
Text of letter and co-signing instructions follow:
February 15, 1997
President Bill Clinton
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear President Clinton:
We are doctors, scientists, professors, clinicians, researchers, and
other health care professionals from around the nation who are concerned
about the serious public health threat posed by ozone and particulate
air pollution.
Numerous medical and scientific studies indicate that current allowable
levels of air pollution contribute to respiratory disease and early
death. Air pollutants also are linked to medically significant
respiratory symptoms and other serious health consequences. It is time
our nation take steps to prevent further harm and protect our citizens
from unhealthy air.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposal to
strengthen the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for particulate
matter and ozone is a positive step forward. Tens of thousands of
hospital visits and premature deaths could be prevented each year
nationwide by implementing more stringent air quality standards for
these two pollutants. Some estimates, however, indicate that under
EPA's current proposal millions of people could still be exposed to
harmful levels of particulate pollution. Therefore, even stronger
standards would provide additional protection for all our nation's
communities, especially the most vulnerable.
If your Administration does not push for protective air quality
standards, millions of Americans will continue to suffer the
consequences of breathing polluted air. People who live in pollution
"hot spots" would not be protected. Children and the elderly will
continue to run the risk of developing chronic lung disease. And those
already afflicted with heart disease, asthma, and emphysema will
experience little relief. This is unacceptable.
Mr. President, we urge you to direct the EPA to adopt air pollution
standards that are at least as protective as those proposed, and to
oppose any efforts to weaken current standards. This is the most
important environmental health decision of your Administration, one that
will affect public health for decades to come.
Please listen to those in the health community on this crucial public
health issue.
Signed,
Jefferson H. Dickey, MD
Cooley Dickinson Occupational and Environmental Medicine
69 State Street
Northampton, MA 01060
Attachment: List of Co-Signers
cc: Carol Browner, Administrator, USEPA
PLEASE CUT, PASTE, AND E-MAIL THE FOLLOWING TO THE ADDRESS BELOW:
Regarding the letter in support of more protective federal air quality
standards
______ Yes. Please sign my name to the letter.
Name _________________________________________________________
Affiliation (if desired)
_________________________________________________________
Address _________________________________________________________
Phone No. _________________________________________________________
Fax No. _________________________________________________________
E-mail _________________________________________________________
E-mail the requested information to: fstadler at nrdc.org
Or paper mail the form to:
Clean Air Network
Attn: Felice Stadler
1200 New York Avenue, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20005
202-289-2403
Or fax to:
Clean Air Network
Attn: Felice Stadler
202-289-1060
PLEASE REPLY BY FEBRUARY 14, 1997
