Considering how industry-friendly the Bush EPA has been, giving in to industry demands will come as no surprise. The only real surprise is that we allow industry to sicken and kill so many Americans, just so they can make a buck. And for those who become sick, what about those costs? Don't they count? The EPA has already shown a willingness to ignore Supreme Court directives and yet they still don't care.
On the other side are experts who conclude that tens of millions of people, particularly the elderly and small children, are being harmed by poor air quality.
EPA said last summer that the current health standard - no more than 80 parts of ozone for every billion parts of air - does not provide needed protection against asthma, heart attacks and respiratory problems.
EPA has estimated a reduction to 70 parts per billion could result annually in 2,300 fewer nonfatal heart attacks; 48,000 fewer respiratory problems, acute bronchitis and asthma attacks; 7,600 fewer respiratory related hospital visits, and 890,000 fewer days when people miss work or school.
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