Statement of Albert Rizzo, M.D., National Board Chair of the American Lung Association

(November 15, 2011)—

The American Lung Association today is proudly recognizing the 21st birthday of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, signed into law by President George H.W. Bush with overwhelming bipartisan Congressional support. The law affirmed that everyone in America be protected from hazardous air pollutants. Today serves as a reminder to our leaders in Washington to stand up for public health and everyone’s right to breathe clean air.

The 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments built off the existing law, but strengthened many aspects. One of the most important components in the amendments improved and strengthened the nation’s approach to cleaning up hazardous air pollutants, including mercury, arsenic, formaldehyde, dioxins and acid gases.

In 1990, the Clean Air Act Amendments enjoyed broad public support and overwhelming bipartisan support from 89 U.S. Senators and 401 Representatives who voted for the Clean Air Act Amendments. Fast forward to 2011, we know that the American people overwhelmingly support clean air and 75 percent or more want the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set tighter standards for toxic pollution like mercury. Some in the current Congress, however, see things differently. The Republican-led House of Representatives has voted repeatedly, largely on partisan lines, to weaken, rollback or block clean air protections.

We are pleased that the Senate is protecting the law, and are optimistic that the bipartisan support for clean air is growing. Last week, six Republican Senators joined 50 of their Democratic colleagues voted to oppose a measure that would have blocked the cleanup of air pollution that blows across state lines.

The Clean Air Act has resulted in tremendous benefits to public health. Last year the EPA estimated that in 2010 alone the measures taken as a result of the 1990 amendments prevented more than 160,000 premature deaths, 86,000 emergency room visits, 1.7 million asthma attacks and more than 16 million missed days of work or school. The benefits exceeded the costs by 30 to 1, and by 2020 this law will achieve two trillion dollars in benefits at a cost of only $65 billion. Cleaner air is a big winner for the health of the people and the health of the economy. Yet, there is more to be done.

In the 1990 Amendments, Congress directed the EPA to set strong standards to reduce toxic air pollutants emitted from power plants. Sadly 21 years later, this and other critical provisions of the Clean Air Act have not been put in place, and some in Congress are siding with big corporate polluters to block the implementation of common-sense standards that will protect the public from dangerous air pollution. Congress needs to stand up for public health, not the polluters, and forgo efforts to block the scientists at EPA.

Parents who have lost children to asthma attacks, seniors with chronic lung disease, and children with asthma are all fighting for air and cannot wait any longer for these standards.

The President needs to protect the Clean Air Act by finalizing this long overdue toxic air pollution standard that will protect the health of everyone in America and save thousands of lives each year.

Time is slipping away, and if the most lifesaving provisions of the Clean Air Act are not implemented now, people will continue to get sick and some will die prematurely as they breathe dirty, and even deadly, air.

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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 Charity Navigator Four Star Charity and 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.LungUSA.org.