AMA and Two Dozen Other Health Groups Urge Strenthened PM Standards, 4-17-06
Particulate air pollution is a national public health problem and EPA’s proposed health standards are insufficient according to a letter from American Medical Association CEO Dr. Michael D. Maves to the U.S. EPA, dated April 17, 2006.
The letter marks the first time the influential American Medical Association (AMA) has taken a position on the particulate matter NAAQS. Specifically, the AMA endorsed annual average PM2.5 standards of 12 ug/m3, 24-hour PM2.5 standards of 25 ug/m3, using the 99th percentile form for compliance determinations, as well as the continued monitoirng of coarse particle concentrations in rural areas.
Also taking a position in support of stringent standards for the first time were the American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Assocation, and the American Nurses Association, in a detailed comments co-signed by 21 national health organizations.
A separate letter supporting strong standards was filed by the American Thoracic Society, American College of Cardiology, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, National Association for the Medical Direction of Respiratory Care, and American College of Chest Physicians.
These letters constitute unprecedented support for strong PM NAAQS from the nation’s leading public health authorities. All told, more than two dozen medical organizations took a position in favor of lower annual and 24-hour fine particle standards than proposed by EPA, and for protective coarse particle standards without special exemptions for rural areas, agriculture, or mining.
A copy of the AMA comments, the joint comments of 21 health organizations,
and the comments of the American Thoracic Society (ATS) et al. on the proposed PM NAAQS are attached. Also attached are separate comments by the ATS on proposed monitoring requirements for coarse particles.
Attachments
- American Medical Association Letter, 4-17-06
- ama-comments-epa-fine-part.pdf
Comments of the AMA on Proposed PM NAAQS
- Health Groups Comments on PM NAAQS, 4-17-2006
- hlth-grp-ltr-final.pdf
National Public Health Organizations Comments
- ATS PM NAAQS Comments 4-17-06
- ats-epa-pm-comments-41706.doc
American Thoracic Society Comments on PM NAAQS
- ATS PM Monitoring Comments, 4-17-2006
- ats-epa-pm-monitoring-comm.doc
American Thoracic Society Comments on EPA’s Proposed Monitoring Rule
