LETTERS: FOR CLEANER AIR STANDARDS

To the editor:

Recently, the Environmental Protection Agency has proposed some new clean-air standards. If adopted, these new standards would lower the amount of ozone and fine particulate matter released into the air we breathe. Some who oppose these stricter standards would argue that they are unnecessary and useless, but evidence tells a different story.

According to the American Lung Association, ozone, which is one of the pollutants that would be more closely regulated, contributes to lung disease, which is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Long-term, repeated exposure to high levels of ozone may lead to large reductions in lung function, inflammation of the lung lining and more frequent and severe respiratory discomfort.

Another type of air pollutant that would be more closely regulated is particulate matter (PM10). This type of pollutant consists of a mixture of complex and varying particles combined with the oxygen we breathe. Exposure to particulate air pollution can trigger asthma attacks and cause wheezing, coughing and respiratory irritation in individuals with sensitive airways.

The weight of medical evidence indicates that the current air standards are not protecting people's health or the environment adequately. These two pollutants alone are believed to cause 64,000 premature deaths every single year. It's time we stop trading our health for material gain and stand up and demand cleaner air. If you value the health of your children and your loved ones, then write or phone your elected officials in Washington at 1-888-412-4064 (it's toll free) or the EPA at 1-888-835-5372 and tell them you support stricter clean-air standards.

FRANK DIETIKER JR.

Cape Girardeau