Congress urged to adopt stricter emissions rules
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Residents of southwestern Pennsylvania could live longer, better lives if Congress approves new federal air toxics and pollution transport rules to reduce harmful emissions from coal-burning power plants, speakers said Monday at a community health forum in Pittsburgh.
The proposed air toxics rule would reduce power plant emissions that have contributed to elevated mercury levels in one of eight women and higher than healthy exposure to 680,000 babies a year, said Judith Focareta, a registered nurse and a panelist representing Health Care Without Harm at the forum sponsored by the American Lung Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
"I keep getting asked, 'Why aren't we protected from this?' " said Ms. Focareta, who teaches prenatal classes at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC. "The mercury rule will help."
And congressional approval of a federal transport rule, which would limit emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from power plants in 31 states in the East and Midwest, including Pennsylvania, would improve the quality of life for people throughout the region, said Kevin Stewart, another panelist and director of environmental health for the American Lung Association in Pennsylvania.
The proposed air toxics rule would limit power plant emissions of hazardous air pollutants, including mercury, acid gases, dioxins, lead and other metals, many of which are carcinogens.
It has been delayed for decades while the environment and human health has suffered, according to John Hanger, a former state Department of Environmental Protection secretary who moderated the forum.
Now the proposed rules are in trouble in Congress, he said, and people need to contact their representatives and senators to lobby for the new regulations.
"The public health case for the proposed rules is overwhelming," Mr. Hanger said. "We have good health data on the number of heart attacks caused by air pollution. If people knew to connect the dots, there wouldn't be a politician who would dare vote against these air pollution controls."
First Published August 23, 2011 12:00 am
