Despite reams of evidence since the last update in the standards for fine particle air pollution (PM2.5), EPA announced last week that it is not strengthening the standard to keep us healthier.
There are many many scientific studies in the last 5 years which document how bad particulate matter is for our health. Some show that PM2.5 is worse than we thought, for diseases we already knew were caused or exacerbated by PM2.5. This includes: heart disease, lung diseases such as asthma or emphysema, strokes, and lung cancer. There is more research implicating PM2.5 affects other diseases too: kidney disease, dementia, and more. PM2.5 also damages teens’ lungs, which have their own growth spurt along with the regular teen growth spurt that is more familiar to us.
With so many strong studies documenting that PM2.5 harms our health, it doesn’t make sense that EPA is taking this action. It makes you wonder if EPA wants Americans to die.
EPA published the proposed standard in the Federal Register on April 30.
EPA is also having a virtual public hearing on PM2.5, on May 20 and 21. The website below will let you choose to register as a speaker, or to register to listen.
You can also submit written comments about the proposal to not change the standards. Anyone can submit written comments, whether you speak at the hearing, or not. If you cite scientific studies, please upload the entire article and don’t just put in the citation reference.
