|
 |
 |
|
Public health groups slam Obama retreat on smog, vow legal action
Public health advocates slammed the White House on Friday for abandoning tougher ozone regulations, and vowed to fight the Obama administration in court.
The American Lung Association called the decision "outrageous" and said it would "severely jeopardize public health." The association said it would restart litigation that had been put on hold following the administration's promises to strengthen standards set under then-President George W. Bush.
"For two years the Administration dragged its feet by delaying its decision, unnecessarily putting lives at risk," President and CEO Charles Connor said in a statement. "Its final decision not to enact a more protective ozone health standard is jeopardizing the health of millions of American, which is inexcusable."
"We in the public health community, including EPA's own scientific advisors, have urged stronger ozone standards to safeguard the health of Americans," the group's interim executive director, Alan Baker, said in a statement. "The science is clear that ozone can cause asthma attacks, harm those suffering from respiratory illness, send people to the hospital and lead to death. We urge the administration to reconsider its decision and strengthen the health protections provided under the Clean Air Act based on the overwhelming scientific evidence."
The EPA has estimated that the new standards could have prevented 12,000 premature deaths and 58,000 asthma attacks a year.
