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Mike Mitka

JAMA. 2006;296:2078.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has revised its particulate matter standards, saying the changes will improve air quality and save lives. But many public health experts disagree, saying the measure does not go far enough to protect human health.

The revision, announced September 21, affects maximum exposure levels for particle pollution, or soot, which can aggravate conditions such as asthma along with heart and lung disease and even lead to death. Although the Clean Air Act requires such revisions to be made every 5 years, this is the first since 1997.

The EPA characterized the revisions as historic.

Some health experts argue that new federal limits on maximum exposure levels for fine particle pollution are not strict enough. (Photo credit: Novastock/www.sciencesource.com)

"Regardless of the rhetoric, facts are facts: Today EPA is delivering the most health-protective national air standards in US history to all 300 million . . . [Full Text of this Article]

NEW STANDARDS