Soot is the mix of tiny particles that comes out of coal plant smokestacks, diesel engines, vehicle tailpipes, and oil refineries. It is a byproduct of burning fossil fuels, and it’s harmful to the health of our children. New standards for allowable levels of soot in the air are on track to be finalized by EPA on December 14. Please join Moms Clean Air Force in urging EPA Administrator, Lisa Jackson to finalize a strong soot standard. Here are three reasons to sign our petition today.
1. Soot is tiny. Soot is made up of particles that are smaller than a speck of dust, and less than 1/30th the width of a human hair. Their small size means that they are especially harmful. They penetrate deeply into the lungs, and can’t be expelled through coughing. They also easily enter the bloodstream.
2. Soot harms babies and children. Exposure to soot is linked to increases in infant mortality, premature birth, and low birth weight. It also exacerbates asthma in children and interferes with lung development.
3. Our Bodies, Our Economy. Among adults, soot exposure has been linked to premature death, heart attacks, emergency room visits, acute bronchitis, and asthma attacks. The new soot standard would prevent enough adverse health outcomes to save our economy $5.9 billion each year, according to the EPA.
Moms need to keep the pressure on as EPA prepares to finalize this life-saving standard.
TELL THE EPA TO SET STRONGER LIMITS ON SOOT POLLUTION