April 30, 1999

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Washington, D.C. - The American Lung Association today welcomed a new Environmental Protection Agency proposal to require cleaner vehicles and fuels starting in 2004. The proposal was required by the Clean Air Act.

"The proposal will dramatically reduce pollution from cars, minivans, sport utility vehicles and trucks. Millions of Americans, especially children with asthma, will breathe easier," said Ernest P. Franck, President of the American Lung Association.

"These rules are essential to reaching the promise of clean air outlined in the Clean Air Act," Franck said. "We are especially pleased that EPA is closing a 30-year loophole that has allowed minivans, SUVs and pickup trucks to pollute more than passenger cars."

Noting that the EPA proposal will not be fully implemented for a decade, Franck urged a quicker timetable for putting it in place. "Americans want clean air now. EPA should speed up its implementation schedule and set tighter standards for cars and trucks," he said.

The oil and auto industry have offered alternative proposals that would weaken and delay the program. "These alternatives are nothing but smokescreens and are designed to postpone pollution clean up. EPA's proposed phase-in schedule is already stretched out too far to accommodate the industry. Automakers and the oil industry have shown they can meet California's strict air quality requirements. It is preposterous to give them more time to do something we already know they can do!" said Franck.

"In most cities, all you need to do is step outside and take a deep breath to know that more pollution clean up is necessary. Health research shows that additional pollution reductions are needed to protect the public, especially the most vulnerable among us such as children, the elderly and people with chronic breathing problems. EPA's proposal, once implemented, will have a huge, positive impact on air quality," he said.

"The decision to move ahead toward cleaner fuels is another big step in the right direction. High sulfur in gasoline poisons catalytic converters. The proposed new national standard for lower sulfur in gasoline will help make cars on the road today much cleaner and allow automakers to produce even cleaner vehicles in the future," said Franck.

In addition to concerns about timing, the Lung Association is concerned that the EPA proposal may leave the door open for weaker standards for diesel-powered vehicles. "We will push the agency to make sure the final rule is free of loopholes or special treatment that promotes dirtier diesel vehicles," he said.

The American people overwhelmingly support these new standards. A December 1998 poll conducted for the American Lung Association found that 89 percent of the public want cleaner gasoline nationwide. The survey also found that 91 percent of the public believe car companies should be required to make SUVs and minivans meet the same strict pollution standards as passenger cars. The same poll found that the public supports cleaner gasoline even if costs more. Nearly seven of 10 respondents would pay a nickel more per gallon for cleaner gasoline.

The American Lung Association has been fighting lung disease for more than 90 years. With the generous support of the public and the help of our volunteers, we have seen many advances against lung disease. However, our work is not finished. As we look forward to our second century, we will continue to strive to make breathing easier for everyone. Along with our medical section, the American Thoracic Society, we provide programs of education, community service, advocacy and research. The American Lung Association's activities are supported by donations to Christmas Seals?and other voluntary contributions. You may obtain additional information via our America Online site, keyword: ALA, or our web site at http://www.lungusa.org.

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