American Lung Association Statement at CASAC Meeting, 4-6-05
Deborah Shprentz, Consultant to the American Lung Association, testified at the April 6, 2005 meeting of the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) on the need to strengthen the air quality standards for particulate matter.
“Under the Clean Air Act, revisions to the NAAQS must be based on scientific criteria including evidence of adverse effects of the pollutant. The conclusions of the final Criteria Document — after undergoing six rounds of review by the CASAC — make plain that adverse health effects including asthma exacerbations, emergency room visits, increased cardiac risk, and premature deaths are occurring at concentrations below the current NAAQS for fine particles,” Shprentz stated.
She presented slides demonstrating how EPA’s limited risk assessment estimates that 3,500 premature deaths would occur each year in five cities analyzed, even after these areas attain the current standards. Her analysis showed how the least stringent standards analyzed by EPA would provide minimal improvement over the current standards, and that even the most stringent standards analyzed would not be fully protective.
A copy of the statement and slides are attached.
Attachments
- American Lung Association Statement, 4-6-06
- testimony-of-deborah-shpre.pdf
Testimony of Deborah Shprentz at CASAC meeting, 4-6-05
