Soot Pollution Makes Air Unsafe For 96 Million

More than one third of all Americans live in areas with unsafe levels of fine particle pollution, or soot pollution, according to a Jan. 19 PIRG report, “Plagued By Pollution.”

PIRG researchers analyzed nation-wide data on 2004 emissions of soot, which can trigger asthma attacks, heart attacks, strokes, lung cancer and even premature death. Recent scientific studies show that adverse effects occur at levels below the current national healthbased air quality standards.

Even at these too-lenient standards, 96 million Americans breathe air polluted with soot at levels that could cause harm. The state PIRGs are urging the Bush administration’s environmental officials to adopt a tougher standard for soot pollution.

SAVING THE ARCTIC—Though pro-drilling advocates promise to renew their fight, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge was spared once again. The Refuge is the last pristine section of Alaska’s North Slope.

Arctic Protected For Now . . .

On Dec. 21, the United States Senate voted to drop a provision calling for drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Arctic supporters celebrated the eighth straight year of stopping drilling plans. Unfortunately, the victory will again be a temporary stay in a longer-term campaign by drilling proponents to open the last pristine section of Alaska’s North Slope.

The Senate voted in late December to remove drilling language from the defense spending bill. Immediately afterwards Sen. Domenici of New Mexico declared, “We’re going to do ANWR next year, and we won’t get it messed up like we did this year.” The state PIRGs and our allies will be ready.

FDA Lets Drug Makers Off The Hook

In a sweeping change to longstanding policies, the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) new drug-labeling rules would give drug-makers protection from lawsuits filed in state court.

The change comes despite lessons from unsafe drugs like Vioxx, which find their way to the pharmacist’s shelves even after safety trials expose dangerous side effects. There have been 60,000 deaths from Vioxx-associated heart attacks.

According to FDA whistle-blower Dr. David Graham, the “FDA is part of the problem.”

The FDA’s new rule would shield drug makers from the only recourse for consumers, by throwing out the claims of consumers even if the drug-maker defied state law, or if the FDA review was proven inadequate.

Coalition Presents Lobbying Reform Plan

With Congress under the gun to strengthen the rules governing lobbying in the wake of the Jack Abramoff scandal, a coalition including the state PIRGs has laid out a road map on how to do it.

The competing proposals moving through Congress each take some important steps, but none include the comprehensive reforms required to change the way in which business is done in Congress.

The coalition, which includes the state PIRGs’ national lobbying office, called on Congress to enforce ethics rules through an independent office or ethics commission, slow the revolving door, prohibit private interests from financing trips, ban gifts to members of Congress, and strengthen financial disclosure reports.

“With Congressional elections around the corner, senators and representatives are eager to take some action, but it ought to be strong reform that fixes the problem, not the symptoms,” said Gary Kalman, the PIRGs federal democracy advocate.