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Craig, like most 12-year-olds, loves football and being outside. But, like a growing number of children in Las Vegas, Craig suffers from asthma and is affected by high levels of air pollution. While air quality has improved in the region since the Clean Air Act was passed in 1970, nearly 1.4 million Nevada residents continue to breathe dirty, unhealthy air.1 Much of this pollution comes from cars. If cars and light trucks ran farther on a gallon of gas, not only would consumers save money at the pump, but hydrocarbon pollution from refueling, exhaust emissions, and refining of gasoline would be reduced dramatically. This pollution produces smog, which plagues Las Vegas and kids like Craig. But instead of requiring automakers to build vehicles that go farther on a gallon of gas, the Bush administration has sided with industry and resisted improving the fuel economy of new cars and trucks. As a toddler, Craig was in and out of the emergency room because he was having trouble breathing. Hospital staff told his mother, Tina Mendoza, that he was suffering from croup. It was not until a severe asthma attack landed him in an oxygen tent that Craig was properly diagnosed with asthma. Since then, he carries inhalers, uses a nebulizer for emergencies, and watches the weather reports for bad air when he must stay indoors and avoid playing outside. There is a better way: the auto industry should be required to make cars and trucks that go farther on a gallon of gas and pollute less. The technology already exists and the public overwhelmingly favors increasing miles-per-gallon standards, but the automakers, their lobbyists and friends inside the Bush administration stand in the way. Despite allowing Clinton era tailpipe standards to be finalized, the Bush administration has fought repeated attempts to make meaningful improvements in fuel economy. Stronger fuel economy standards would help save consumers money at the gas pump and clean up Las Vegas's dirty air. Tina Mendoza wants clean air in Las Vegas that would not only improve Craig's health, but ease the hardship she must endure to provide for his special needs. "I am a single mom with three kids and a new grandchild," Tina says. "I have to prioritize the medicine for Craig because the medicine is too expensive, even with my health coverage. Every day I hope for clean air for my family to breathe." For more information contact: Tara Smith American Lung Association Department of Air Quality Management
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