American Academy of Pediatrics Supports Strong PM Standards, 4-7-05
The American Academy of Pediatrics presented a statement in support of strong fine and coarse particle standards at the April 6-7, 2005 meeting of the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee.
“Although air quality has improved in many parts of our nation over the past three decades since establishment of the Clean Air Act, significant regions of the United States still experience serious air pollution. Today, approximately 15 million American children live in areas which fail to meet the 1997 National Ambient Air Quality Standards for particulate matter. Furthermore, numerous scientific studies are finding adverse health effects at levels below the current air quality standards,” stated pediatrician Katherine M. Shea, M.D., on behalf of the Academy.
“The American Academy of Pediatrics endorses fully the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s staff scientists’ proposal for stronger health standards for PM2.5 and the establishment of standards for PM10-2.5 in order to protect the health of infants and children.”
“Research has firmly established that exposure to high levels of particulate matter impacts the ability of children’s lungs to grow. The adverse effects of air pollution on development of lung function is seen in boys and girls, regardless of history of asthma, suggesting that most children are susceptible to the chronic effects of breathing particulate air pollution. When this damage occurs, it is irreversible, and reduced lung function is a strong risk factor for future health consequences as an adult. Particulate matter air pollution is also linked to other adverse respiratory health effects in infants and children, such as asthma exacerbations, chronic cough, and bronchitis symptoms.”
Dr. Shea testified: “The AAP supports the establishment of tighter annual average and 24-hour standards for PM2.5 and stringent new standards for PM10-2.5. Given the many studies indicating health effects at the lower ends of the ranges proposed, we urge EPA to adopt an annual average PM2.5 standard of 12 ug/m3 combined with a 24-hour PM2.5 standard of 25 ug/m3. These standards would provide an adequate margin of safety for our most vulnerable populations, as required by the Clean Air Act. Further, the AAP favors a 99th percentile form of the 24-hour standard, which would allow fewer high pollution days to occur before a violation is recorded.”
A copy of the full statement is attached.
Attachments
- AAP Testimony 4-7-05
- aap-testimony-4705-3.pdf
Statement of Katherine M. Shea, M.D.
