EMA Supports ARB Decision to Review Air Standard for Fine Particles

    CHICAGO--June 20, 2002--Testifying before the California Air Resources Board, the Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA) supported the ARB staff decision to postpone adopting an ambient air quality standard for fine particles (PM2.5) in the air. The proposed 24-hour limit on the amount of fine particles was deferred when independent researchers identified a problem that changed the results of published studies used to develop the standard.
    "Rather than proceed with adopting a standard that may not be scientifically valid, ARB staff made a decision to pull the proposed PM2.5 24-hour standard from the agenda of the June 20th Board meeting. It is gratifying to see that ARB carefully considered the scientific evidence supporting the proposed standard and properly adopted a cautious approach to the problem," said Joe Suchecki, EMA Director of Public Affairs. "ARB staff is to be congratulated for putting science first in recommending that the Board not consider the short-term fine particle standard," continued Suchecki.
    ARB recently learned of new evidence from researchers at Johns Hopkins University indicating that a software program created incorrect results and that this same program had been used in many studies of PM and human health. Based on that new information, ARB scrapped months of effort needed to develop the proposed standard in order to take the time to do it right.
    "It was absolutely the correct decision: the entire basis for the standard needs to be reviewed," Suchecki said at the June 20th Board hearing. He also commented that PM researchers are now carefully reviewing their studies to ensure that a similar problem is not present in other studies and recommended that there "be sufficient time for the scientific and academic community to complete their review prior to any decision-making process."
    "Ambient air quality standards establish a goal for cleaner air. EMA and its member companies are concentrating on solutions to reduce PM emissions. EMA has worked cooperatively with ARB and the US EPA to develop clean engine technology and reduce emissions from our members' products, and we will continue to do so in the future," concluded Suchecki.

    The Engine Manufacturers Association is a trade association representing worldwide manufacturers of internal combustion engines used in applications such as trucks and buses, farm and construction equipment, locomotives, marine vessels, and lawn, garden and utility equipment. EMA works with government and industry stakeholders to help the nation achieve its goals of cleaner fuels, more efficient engines and cleaner air.