Advocates from all sides of the clean air debate met in Sacramento Thursday at an Environmental Protection Agency hearing. The EPA recently proposed to make annual air quality standards for fine particle pollution more stringent.
Alison Davis with the EPA said the agency reviewed the science and found current soot standards do not protect health.
“Fine particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, they’re known to cause heart attacks and premature death and they’re linked to a variety of other health problems included aggravated asthma,” warned Davis.
Environmental and health advocacy groups said stricter air pollution standards would save lives. The trucking industry said the cost of compliance would be too high and would cost jobs.
The EPA proposed to keep other air quality standards intact.
