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PARTICULATE MATTER

05/08/1996
                     
                         STATEMENT OF
                               


EPA ADMINISTRATOR CAROL M. BROWNER

                               
                           REGARDING
                      PARTICULATE MATTER
                               
                            5\8\96
                               


EPA welcomes the new study from the Natural Resources Defense Council on the health effects of fine particles of air
pollution. A growing body of evidence now suggests that particulate matter poses a serious threat to public health in many
American cities and may contribute to premature deaths from lung and heart disease. It may also worsen cases of childhood
asthma, which are on the rise in the U.S. And it may put the elderly especially at higher risk. The Clinton Administration is
currently reviewing for potential change the health standard for particulate matter, which has not been revised since 1987. In
addition, we have already taken several steps to further protect public health from the major sources of fine particle air
pollution, including tough standards for cleaner-burning bus engines and stringent new controls on incinerators and power
plants.