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On May 24th, I strongly urge you to vote to strengthen state air
standards and reduce air pollution from construction equipment,
known technically as "In-Use Off-Road Diesel Vehicles."

Construction equipment is the second larges source of diesel
pollution in California, accounting for 20% of particulate matter
(soot) and 16% of smog-forming Nitrogen Oxides (NOx).  These
pollutants are two of the bigest pollution hazards for public
health not only in California but throughout the country.

Exposure to smog has been proven to have serious effects on
respiratory health, causing inflammation and irritation of the
respiratory tract, which, in turn, causes:  shortness of breath,
throat irritation, chest pains, coughing, asthma, hospital
admissions, and emergency room visits.

Soot reaches deep into the lungs, entering the circulatory system
and damaging blood vessels.  Inhaled soot is associated with heart
attacks, irregular heartbeat, asthma attacks, reduced lung
function, and bronchitis.  This negative health impact results in
tens of thousands of premature deaths every year, plus absences
from work and school.  Children are particularly vulnerable
because their lungs are still developing.

This new anti-pollution rule will:
* Prevent 4,000 premature deaths;
* Result in health benefits, reduced health care and hospital
visits of $18-$26 million
* Help to bring the most polluted areas of the state into
alignment with federal air quality standards;
* And, by 2020, prevent 48 tons per day of NOx and 5 tons per day
of soot from entering our air.

No valid excuses exist any longer for delaying what needs to be
done to reduce air pollution and do whatever is possible to
restore our environment to one that is healthy.  I'm not saying
this process will necessarily be easy or convenient or cheap; but,
in the long run, our lives depend upon it.  Greed and reduced
profit can no longer be the factors that stop our efforts to
reclaim our healthy environment.

This vote is a no-brainer.  We must do whatever is possible to
reduce air-pollution.  It's as simple as that.  Thank you in
advance.