78 Health Groups Urge EPA to Not Overturn Endangerment Finding, Greenhouse Gas Standards for Vehicles

Today, the American Lung Association sent a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) signed by 78 national, state and local health organizations urging the agency not to repeal the 2009 Endangerment Finding and Greenhouse Gas Vehicle Standards. 

The letter responds to EPA’s sweeping, unprecedented proposal to repeal both the Endangerment Finding, which is a scientific conclusion that greenhouse gas emissions harm humans, and all limits on greenhouse gas emissions for cars, vans and trucks. Many health professionals, health organizations and concerned citizens testified at the August EPA hearing to oppose the proposed actions. The comment period for this proposal closes on September 22, and individuals who are also concerned with the health consequences of these repeals can take action to tell EPA to reject these proposals.

The letter states, in part:

“The health professionals, patients and communities we represent understand the impacts of climate change not just because of the decades of peer-reviewed research, but because they’ve seen firsthand how climate-fueled disasters like wildfires, flooding and extreme weather harm patients and communities. 

“Repealing the Endangerment Finding and greenhouse gas emissions standards for vehicles would be a massive setback for health and a direct contradiction to EPA’s mission of protecting human health and the environment.

“Standards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles, and from other sources, have already helped to drive down the emissions that cause climate change. Climate change is harming Americans’ health across every region of the country. Worsened air quality from wildfire smoke, more days of high ozone pollution, stronger extreme weather events and increased spread of diseases are already putting health and lives at risk.

“People’s health across the United States will suffer if lifesaving pollution controls are left on the manufacturing floor and the overwhelming scientific consensus – and the law – on climate change is ignored. Children will have more asthma attacks. Grandparents will die early due to unhealthy air. On behalf of the patients, communities and sectors we serve, we urge you to withdraw these dangerous repeals.”

Read the full letter here.