EPA Children’s Health Committee Urges Stricter Smog Standards
EPA’s top children’s health advisors have urged Administrator Stephen L. Johnson to set tough new air quality standards for ozone air pollution.
Citing serious risks to children’s health, the EPA Children’s Health Protection Advisory Commitee (CHPAC) urged EPA Administrator Johnson to set a 8-hour average standard of 0.060 ppm, down from the current standard which is effectively 0.085 ppm.
The Committee said that the significantly tighter standard is needed to protect children’s lung development, and to prevent adverse respiratory effects and exacerbations of asthma.
The letter states: “The CHPAC is in full agreement with the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) and the EPA staff Paper that the current form and level of the ozone standard is not adequately protective of public health, either for children or for adults… children are especially vulnerable to asthma exacerbation and stunted lung development from ozone exposures. The scientific literature demonstrates that susceptible children experience significant adverse health effects well below the current standard, even at levels below the range of standards under consideration. Therefore, in order to be more protective of the respiratory health of susceptible children, the committee recommends that the EPA choose a standard of 0.060 ppm, the low end of the range offered in the staff paper.”
The Committee’s letter is attached.
Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee Letter to EPA Administrator Johnson 3-23-07
