Chamber Questions Reliability of EPA Particulate Study

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Chamber of Commerce submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency criticizing the Agency's failure to consider major scientific evidence that conclusively shows that current ambient levels of particulate matter cannot be related to adverse human health effects.

The evidence in question was published in the Journal of Environmental Economics and Management by UK scientists Gary Koop and Lise Tole. The authors have also produced a second draft report, An Investigation of Thresholds in Air Pollution-Mortality Effects, which reinforces their original findings.

"The research by the UK scientists has been repeatedly called to the attention of the Agency, yet EPA has so far refused to include even a discussion of these findings in the Agency's deliberation on particulate matter," said William Kovacs, Chamber vice president of environment, technology, and regulatory affairs. "Should the EPA continue to ignore such peer-reviewed and highly influential information, the Chamber will pursue any and all means available to ensure that the Agency considers these scientists' important findings."

EPA is currently revising its Air Quality Criteria for Particulate Matter, which establishes what is known about particulate matter health effects. It will be used by the Agency to determine whether there is a need for further, tighter restrictions on particulate matter emissions.

The Chamber and others have strongly advised the Agency to consider Koop and Tole's findings. EPA's own Clean Air Act Science Advisory Committee has advised the Agency similarly, with one CASAC member commenting, "Since this Koop and Tole article is potentially a show stopper, it should be discussed ..."

"EPA's failure to include crucial, peer-reviewed evidence appears deliberate," said Kovacs. "This willful blindness cannot continue."

The Chamber is the world's largest business federation, representing more than three million businesses of every size, sector, and region and serves as the principal voice of the American business community.

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