Contact: Sasha Tenenbaum, stenenbaum@momscleanairforce.org, (917) 887-0146
Washington, DC—Today, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan announced the finalization of new National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for fine particle pollution, also known as PM2.5 or soot. In response to the proposal, Moms Clean Air Force Wisconsin Field Organizer Jayne Black released the following statement:
“Particle pollution is a killer. Here in Wisconsin, researchers estimate that soot pollution from burning fossil fuels cuts short nearly 10,000 lives per year—a staggering toll for Wisconsin families and communities. Children’s bodies are uniquely vulnerable to the harms of soot pollution. We commend EPA for taking a significant step forward in strengthening the annual standard for particle pollution, also known as soot, to 9 micrograms per cubic meter from its current level at 12. EPA’s strengthened national health standard for particle pollution is the first improvement in over a decade. Soot is associated with increased infant mortality, hospital admissions for heart and lung diseases, cancer, and increased asthma severity. I’m a former pre-K teacher, and many of my students had asthma—it is heartbreaking to watch tiny children struggle to breathe. EPA’s finalized protection is a welcome step towards cleaner, healthier air for all children.
“Moms Clean Air Force has long advocated for justice in every breath, and we have been fierce advocates for stronger particle pollution standards. Though we are disappointed by aspects of this rule, we recognize that taken together, EPA rulemakings during the Biden administration are pointing in the direction of much-needed progress: EPA’s recent methane rule will dramatically slash climate-heating methane pollution, and stronger pollution protections for vehicles and power plants are anticipated in the coming months. We know how much is at stake for our children, our communities, and our collective future. And we will continue our advocacy to make sure every one of these critical EPA rulemakings gets across the finish line.”