Federal air pollution regulators got a sample of Los Angeles on Thursday -- not just of its bad air, but of its unique citizenry, who testified as only Californians could about smog and its devastating health consequences.
Under court order to update ozone public health standards for the first time in a decade, Stephen L. Johnson, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency administrator, has proposed tightening them slightly in response to mounting evidence of health risks. But he is also accepting comment on whether standards should be left at their current levels.
Johnson's own science advisory panel, children's health experts and a long list of medical, scientific and environmental groups have recommended far tougher standards, which they say would save lives and reduce staggering health costs. But industry representatives and some policy groups say that implementing tighter regulations would cost billions and that there is not strong enough scientific evidence for changing current allowable emissions.
At an EPA field hearing in downtown Los Angeles, ordinary citizens got their turn, speaking vividly about waking up choking from asthma attacks, or how dreams of making it big in the big city have been crushed by failing health and ever-present, pollution-producing traffic. And some offered a bit of California dreaming by way of a solution.
"I wish you all love, and peace, and light and unity," said 21-year-old Ciera Morales of North Hollywood as she wept. Morales said she has suffered from asthma and bronchitis since childhood. "I have faith you will do the right thing," she said.
Others were not so sure, taking the EPA to task for even considering industry requests to hold off on tougher ozone regulations. Ozone is formed when nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds and other chemicals emitted from smokestacks and tailpipes swirl in the hot sun.
Greater Los Angeles and the Central Valley have the nation's worst ozone smog. Several residents of the Central Valley also spoke passionately about the health effects of air pollution in their farm fields and towns.
"We are getting sprayed like spiders," said Socorro Gaeta of Fresno, of pesticides sprayed on fields that can contribute to smog. "What you don't realize is these bugs are picking your fruits and vegetables, but our children cannot play sports. My son wants to play sports, but he can't because he passes out."
