EPA’s Air Quality Standards Disappoint

Posted on | March 14, 2008 | Comments Off on EPA’s Air Quality Standards Disappoint

“Half measures and compromises are not enough” says Lung Association Jim Cundiff, Program Director, Central Area, of the American Lung Association of Florida, was good enough to make me aware of the Association’s strong reaction to the EPA’s recent action on Air Quality Standards. The announcement didn’t mince words. It began like this:

"Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a critical tightening of the health-based National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ozone. We wish we could be happier about this decision, but we cannot. The standard announced today, although an improvement, falls far short of the requirements of the Clean Air Act. We are unable to celebrate half measures when the risks are so evident, when the science and the scientists are so united about what is needed and when the missed opportunity means that thousands will suffer more and die sooner than they should. Furthermore, we reject the suggestions made by the Administrator to weaken and undermine the Clean Air Act itself. Coming from the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, such suggestions are truly outrageous."

It goes on to outline in CEO Bernadette Toomey’s words "half measures and compromises" – which for all of us concerned about the interface between health, science and the environment, have become distressingly familiar over the past 8 years. This is certainly worth a read, as well as some reflection on what to do, and how far to go, to serve the people and the people caring for and serving the people in the next Administration. There will be a great deal of "catch-up" to do. Proper targets and proper pacing measured against societal readiness will define success.