Allergy & Asthma Network Opposes the Weakening of EPA Clean Air Rules

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Published: June 20, 2024

Revised: October 21st, 2024

A silhouetted industrial refinery emits a bright flame from a tall stack against a dusky, overcast sky. Dark outlines of trees and structures are visible in the foreground.

Allergy & Asthma Network is joining patient advocacy and public health groups in opposing efforts to block or weaken rules to protect clean air and reduce climate chan.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken steps to improve public health by ruling on stronger standards to cut carbon emissions and reduce air pollution. However, some members of Congress want to weaken EPA’s implementation of these standards.

A statement released by the 26 organizations urged Congress to safeguard the Clean Air Act instead of weakening the EPA rules.

The rules include stronger emission standards for new cars to reduce air pollution and protect respiratory health. Other EPA standards include:

People who have asthma and other respiratory illnesses are vulnerable to air pollution and the adverse health effects of climate change. Updated particle pollution standards would prevent 800,000 cases of asthma symptoms and save 4,500 lives by 2032, the statement says.

The EPA rules would also protect at-risk groups, including communities that are underserved, the elderly and children.