Better Air for Young Lungs

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http://www.latimes.com

Friday, July 2, 1999

Better Air for Young Lungs

In 1996, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a report raising serious

concerns about the quality of air and " how children's health is directly and

uniquely affected by the environment. " That was enough to spur Martha

Escutia, then a California assemblywoman and a recent mother, to action.

The EPA report left no doubt that " children face an array of complex

environmental threats to their health--from asthma-inducing air pollution to

toxic chemicals. "

With the vulnerabilities of children in mind and to reduce environmental

hazards near schools and day-care centers, Escutia introduced legislation to

toughen California's air and water health standards. Her bill passed the

Legislature, only to be vetoed by Gov. Pete .

Now a state senator, Escutia (D-Whittier) has returned to the issue with a

more sharply focused bill that has a better chance to become law. The

measure would require the California Air Resources Board and the Office of

Health Hazard Assessment to review existing air quality standards and toxic

air contaminants and determine whether state criteria adequately protect

infants and children, who are more susceptible to toxins than are adults.

The ARB would develop a pilot program in six air-quality hot spots to assess

in detail the amount of pollutants that children are breathing. The end

result could be an overhaul of state environmental safety standards.

The Air Resources Board has estimated that to expand its monitoring program

could cost approximately $15 million over five years. Gov. Gray ' new

budget contains more than $2 million for the ARB to test air quality in the

Fresno area. An additional $1 million for Escutia's bill would be enough to

launch the program's first year. Other mothers will no doubt agree with

Escutia that it's a good way to spend some public dollars.

Copyright 1999 Los Angeles Times.