EPA Proposes Life-Saving Soot Pollution Standards

Environment Colorado

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Denver, CO—Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in response to a court order, proposed updated air quality standards for particulate matter or “soot” pollution.  Soot pollution is the deadliest of the common air pollutants, causing hundreds of thousands of premature deaths every year across the country through a variety of cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses.  It also contributes to haze that hangs over many of the country’s most scenic parks and wilderness areas.  Sources of soot pollution include power plants and diesel trucks and buses.  The proposed standards would outline how much soot pollution could be in the air and still be safe to breathe, and would better reflect the latest scientific research.

 Bessie Schwarz, Field Organizer with Environment Colorado, issued the following statement in response:

 “Soot pollution kills hundreds of thousands of Americans every year, but these updated standards from EPA would help all Coloradoans breathe a little easier.  Environment Colorado applauds the EPA for proposing this much-needed public health safeguard, and we urge them to move ahead with finalizing this standard as soon as possible—for the sake of Coloradoans’ health, and our environment.”

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Environment Colorado is a statewide environmental organization focused on clean air, clean water and open space.