Adam Beitman, adam.beitman@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The EPA announced today that it will reconsider the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter, a key clean air safeguard. Fine particulate matter (PM 2.5), or soot, is an extremely dangerous pollutant that is responsible for over 100,000 premature deaths each year in the United States. In December 2020, despite robust scientific evidence and the recommendations of public health experts, the Trump administration declined to strengthen the standard, leaving the outdated and insufficient standard in place and putting hundreds of thousands of Americans at risk for serious health problems including asthma, heart attacks, stroke, and infant mortality.
In response, Sierra Club Associate Legislative Director Patrick Drupp released the following statement:
“The Sierra Club applauds President Biden and Administrator Regan for their leadership in taking this critical first step to safeguard communities against dangerous particulate air pollution. Now, we urge the administration to act quickly and issue a new evidence-based standard by summer 2022 that is in line with the recommendations of science and public health practitioners like the American Lung Association.
“Over 40% of Americans currently live in communities with unhealthy levels of particulate and ozone pollution, and poor air quality disproportionately impacts low-income families and people of color. The science is clear that stronger standards will significantly improve public health and the environment, while also helping advance efforts to tackle the climate crisis.
“EPA can and must go even further by also taking action to strengthen safeguards against other forms of dangerous air pollution, especially smog. Reducing smog pollution will further protect public health, enabling communities everywhere to finally enjoy the fundamental right to clean air for all.”
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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.