standards for fine particle pollution – also known as particulate matter or PM 2.5 – including

soot.

The updated annual standards will do more to protect the health and well being of American

families.

Science shows us that microscopic particles can penetrate deep into the lungs. This can

lead to a wide range of serious – and costly – health effects, including heart attacks,

strokes and aggravated asthma. Exposure to fine particle pollution is estimated to cause

tens of thousands of premature deaths each year.

The standards we finalized this week will reduce the impact of these illnesses on Americans.

They will also help them avoid expensive trips to the emergency room and extended hospital

stays. It’s estimated that by 2020 the strengthened PM 2.5 standards could provide health benefits

worth billions of dollars each year.

Thanks to safeguards we’ve already put in place we’ve made great strides towards reducing

particulate matter in the years to come. What that means is that the vast majority of American

communities will meet the updated standards by 2020 without taking any new action at all.

In fact, in 99 percent of our nation’s counties, the standards will require no additional state

or local efforts to implement.

In this case, the benefits far outweigh the costs. By strengthening the annual PM 2.5

standards, EPA and the Obama Administration have taken one more step towards cleaner air

and healthier communities across the country.