Washington, D.C. (March 3, 2014)—

Today the American Lung Association applauded the Obama Administration for issuing the final cleaner gasoline and vehicle standards, also known as the Tier 3 Motor Vehicle Emissions and Fuel Standards. By significantly reducing tailpipe pollution from motor vehicles, as well as sulfur content in gasoline, the national standards will result in cleaner air and improved public health for American communities.

“Cars, light trucks, and SUVs are major sources of pollution that can harm the health of our most vulnerable family members and neighbors, including those who suffer from asthma, lung and heart disease, as well as those who live, work and go to school near major roadways,” said Harold Wimmer, national president and CEO of the American Lung Association. “We thank the Obama Administration and Environmental Protection Agency for putting these critical public health safeguards in place to protect communities across the nation.”           

Lower sulfur gasoline cleans up every car on the road because their pollution control systems will work more efficiently immediately. Lower sulfur gasoline will reduce as much pollution from the current vehicle fleet as taking 33 million cars off the road.

Once fully implemented, these clean air protections will save up to 2,000 lives, and prevent 19,000 asthma attacks and nearly 300,000 missed days of work and school each year by 2030. As the Lung Association reported last year, independent economists estimate we could achieve these benefits for less than one cent per gallon of gasoline.

“The standards will reduce harmful air pollutants including nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds. These pollutants are important precursors of ozone pollution and particle pollution,” said Albert A. Rizzo, MD, Past-Chair of the National Board of Directors at the American Lung Association, and Section Chief of Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine for Christiana Care Health System in Newark, Delaware. “By reducing these pollutants and making our air healthier, we will bring relief to those suffering from asthma, other lung diseases and cardiovascular disease, and to the nation as a whole.”

The cleaner gasoline and vehicle standards have received support from a wide range of voices, including automakers, consumer groups and the medical community.  Most recently, the American Lung Association was joined by eight other national health and medical organizations in supporting cleaner gasoline and vehicle standards, as well as nearly 500 doctors, nurses and other health professionals who sent letters to President Obama urging him to approve these standards to protect public health.

With the signing of the standards today, the cleaner gasoline and cleaner vehicles will be ready in 2017. 

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About the American Lung Association Now in its second century, the American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. With your generous support, the American Lung Association is “Fighting for Air” through research, education and advocacy. For more information about the American Lung Association, a holder of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Guide Seal, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or visit www.lung.org.