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The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed stricter air quality standards (recently upheld by the Supreme Court) to protect America's children from air pollution. The EPA estimates its recommended reductions in soot and smog will reduce serious respiratory problems in children by 250,000 cases a year. Children's health is disproportionately affected by air pollution: Children spend more time outdoors than adults. They inhale more pollutants per pound of body weight. Their bodies, lungs and immune systems are still developing. Exposure to pollution at an early age puts their health at risk for years to come. An overwhelming body of scientific evidence - more than 3,000 health studies - demonstrates that existing air quality standards do not adequately protect Americans' health from smog and soot in the air. Children are particularly vulnerable to smog and soot: Soot is caused by burning oil, coal, wood and gasoline and creates small particles that become embedded in the lungs. Researchers at Brigham Young University found that when soot level rose, hospital admissions for children with respiratory illness tripled. Breathing smog, which is formed when sunlight hits chemicals emitted by burning oil, coal and gasoline, makes children's lungs swell and redden and causes coughing and shortness of breath. Continued exposure can scar and severely damage children's lungs. A Harvard study of children at summer camps across the country found smog damaged healthy children's lungs, even at levels well below what is currently allowed. The study also showed that children with asthma suffered more and needed to use their medication more often when smog levels climbed. Asthma is the leading cause of repeated absences from school, according to the American Lung Association. The health benefits of cleaner air for our children are clear and well documented. American must have stricter air quality standards to protect our families and our future. Up to Top HOME | Email Signup | About Us | Contact Us | Terms of Use |
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