Duncan Faircloth: “If I might interject, the fact that EPA has found several studies that indicate a correlation between loading of…”

“If I might interject, the fact that EPA has found several studies that indicate a correlation between loading of particulates in the air and premature mortality is important. This suggested link to human health problems needs to be promptly and thoroughly investigated. My objective is to provide protection of public health and the environment by designing control strategies that reduce harmful particulates and other pollutants form the air people breathe. However, I am concerned that EPA may be rushed to judgment by the Federal courts before real science has been developed to inform the agency about which particulates, in which geographic locations, and in which concentrations are harming people and the environment. There are many questions that need to be answered about particulate matter, as EPA's Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee, referred to as 'CASC,' made clear in its June 13, 1996, letter to EPA--to which the Senator from Idaho just referred. For example, we do not know the mechanisms by which particulates might affect public health. Since 1988, particulate matter concentrations have declined by more than 20 percent, with substantial future declines in particulates expected to result from compliance with existing clean air standards. Moving forward with the targeted research program recommended by the CASAC is essential to understand the health problems associated with particulates.”