The prevention of sickness and death caused by air pollution has guided our nation's public health policy for years. I commend the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for upholding these important air quality standards to prevent the serious respiratory problems that can result from breathing unhealthy air, particularly for children and the elderly.
EPA air quality rules are in place for a very important reason -- to protect public health. If areas of the country are not meeting these standards, then every step must be taken to bring healthy, non-polluted air back to the Bay Area.
Motor vehicles are the largest source of smog in the San Francisco Bay Area, with air pollution from neighboring refineries and other industrial sources also contributing to non-attainment status. Bay Area jurisdictions must now expedite solutions to control pollution in our communities.
Everyone in America deserves to live in a community where air quality standards are met. Now, we must mobilize our efforts to guarantee healthy air quality in the Bay Area.
