U.S. EPA ignores its own scientists in new soot rules

[Algorem]

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1135157794112210.xml&coll=2

Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Sabrina Eaton
Plain Dealer Bureau

Washington -The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency outraged environmental groups Tuesday by unveiling new standards for airborne soot emissions that ignored advice from its own scientists.

Tens of thousands of deaths each year are caused by sooty particles emitted by sources that include combustion engines, coal-fired power plants and even household fireplaces. The particles can be as small as 1/30th the diameter of human hair. The EPA is required to revise allowable standards for them every five years.

A scientific advisory panel that the EPA assembled to review particle pollution standards suggested reducing the yearly average amount it allows in the air, and cutting the peak levels it permits from 65 micrograms per cubic meter to between 30 and 35 micrograms.

The EPA proposed leaving the allowable yearly average intact at 15 micrograms, and cutting allowable peaks to the weakest recommended threshold: 35 micrograms. EPA also proposed eliminating yearly standards it allows for larger airborne dust...

[rfkrfk]

1. this is a state issue

states should not allow their constituents to be poisoned.
state legislators --> lazy bums

[xchrom]

2. except all that poison travels.

that's the problem with almost all pollution -- it travels.

[rfkrfk]

3. states, that do not protect their citizens

states, that do not protect their own citizens,
FROM their own citizens,

should not expect clean air from somewhere else.

I urge states, to act in good faith,
and be a good example,
by going first.

[xchrom]

4. see, that's the problem.

not everyone is going to behave the same.

unless they all have to abide by the same standards.

[rfkrfk]

5. sameness is the problem, let's work to defeat it

Join with me in defeating sameness.
Together, we can do it.
Everyone, don't be the same.

[gulfcoastliberal]

6. California is doing just that regarding CO2 emissions from cars.

They are being sued by the automobile manufacturers and the * admin has tried to interefere with states having this kind of power. Bushco and the congressional repukes are the biggest bunch of anti-state rights hypocrites ever.