That's why maintaining stronger pollution standards is vital, Burbank officials said.
"Burbank sits in a bowl against the mountains," Burbank Mayor Jef Vander Borght said. "Any pollution that's generated by the surrounding areas ends up sitting against the mountains because the prevailing winds bring it in that direction. On top of that we're bisected by two freeways and we have an airport."
The agency's comments follow similar complaints lodged by the EPA's Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee that EPA administrator Stephen Johnson disregarded the committee's recommendations for limits on pollutants called 2.5 particle matter. The matter ? fine particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter ? is emitted by combustible engines found in cars, diesel trucks and aircraft, and are also released into the atmosphere as road dust from worn rubber tires and brake linings.
This dust and soot can be inhaled into the lungs, causing lung cancer and a number of other respiratory problems. The particles also seep into the blood stream, reaching vital organs. The EPA is revising its PM 2.5 standards as a result of a court order. Proposed EPA standards would tighten limits on daily levels of PM 2.5 from 65 to 35 micrograms per cubic meter but would not decrease the current standard of 15 micrograms per cubic meter for annual levels of PM 2.5.
The EPA is also proposing to revoke limits on PM 10, larger particles the agency says do not pose significant health risks.
Limits on the larger particles are redundant in light of the PM 2.5 standards, said Dave Jesson, environmental protection specialist for the EPA.
South Coast Air Quality Management District officials argue that PM 10 standards should not be removed because such pollution is still a threat to public health.
