EPA Study Suggests Tighter Soot Standards
(Washington, Health-AP, 9/14/03)

Industry opposes the current federal soot control standards, arguing that they are unnecessarily restrictive and cost billions of dollars to implement, but an internal report by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concludes that pollution standards are not strict enough to adequately protect the lungs of Americans, especially the elderly, young children, asthmatics and those suffering from other respiratory problems. The EPA staff cites studies that demonstrate that exposure to microscopic soot containing particles one-twentieth the size of human hair, can contribute to premature death, respiratory illness and cardiovascular problems.