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I work in an oil refinery in Northern California. The local fire
department (shut down many days a week because of lack of funds)
has "Breathing Assistance" painted right on the side of their
trucks. Why is that? Because the air in our district is so dirty
that many people have asthma, aggravated emphysema, and other
breathing difficulties.

This does not have to be. Please move to strengthen the Clean Air
Act in Calilfornia, and lead the way for improving breathing air
for all of us, all over the country.  Tomorrow is not soon enough
for us to have cleaner air to breathe.

-- On May 24, the ARB is scheduled to vote on a new rule to reduce
air pollution from California's construction equipment. This is the
first rule of its kind in the nation, and it could not come at a
better time.

-- Construction equipment is the second largest source of diesel
pollution in the state, accounting for 20% of particulate matter
(soot) and 16% of smog-forming Nitrogen Oxides (NOx). These
pollutants are two of the biggest pollution hazards for public
health in California and throughout the country.

-- Exposure to smog can have serious effects on respiratory
health. Inflammation and irritation of the respiratory tract can
cause shortness of breath, throat irritation, chest pains and
coughing, and lead to asthma attacks, hospital admissions and
emergency room visits.

-- Particulate air pollution or soot can be inhaled and reach deep
into the lungs. These tiny particulates can enter the circulatory
system and damage blood vessels. Particulate pollution is
associated with heart attacks, irregular heartbeat, asthma
attacks, reduced lung function and bronchitis.

-- These health impacts result in tens of thousands of premature
deaths in the U.S. from heart and lung disease annually, as well
as hospital admissions, emergency room visits, absences from
school or work, and restricted activities related to asthma
attacks. Children are especially vulnerable because their lungs
are still developing.

This new rule will:

-- Prevent 4,000 premature deaths;

-- Result in health benefits and reduced health care and hospital
visits of $18 to $26 billion;

-- Help bring the most polluted areas of the state, the Los
Angeles/Long Beach air basin and the San Joaquin Valley, into
attainment with federal air quality standards; and

-- By 2020, prevent 48 tons per day of NOx and 5 tons per day of
particulate air pollution from entering our air.