Scientists Claim Particle Pollution Limits Don’t Protect Public (1)

Former EPA science advisers say current fine particle pollution standards aren’t strong enough to protect public health.

Citing extensive epidemiological evidence, the reseachers in an Oct. 22 letter called on EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler and the agency’s seven-member Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee to tighten the annual and 24-hour standards.

They said they support preliminary conclusions that the Environmental Protection Agency’s own staff reached in September.

The 20 scientists who signed the letter had been charged with providing expert advice on fine airborne particle pollution science to CASAC, but were dismissed in October 2018. They nonetheless spent two days ...