Article [below] is from today’s The Los Angeles Times.
Although the problem of ‘substantial amounts of particulate matter of <2.5 micrometer in diameter (PM2.5) in southern California smog’ had been a serious concern 20-40 years ago, the air has been quite dramatically cleaned up since ~1995. Consequently, any epidemiological claims that “more regulations and cleaner air will prevent an estimated 2,100 deaths” … is not substantiated by scientific evidence.
Here is yet-another example of “putting the cart before the horse.” In other words, U.S. governmental policy––leading to additional regulations and a waste of taxpayer money ($28 billion)––is again overruling/superseding scientific studies, reality, and common-sense. Certain cities in China and India might very well benefit from such additional regulations, but there is presently no city in the U.S. with this problem today.
Southern California air quality regulators mulling hike in vehicle registration fees for smog reduction
COMMENT:
Dan and others:
Attached is a paper I recently published in Risk Analysis that provides some context for the issue of health effects of PM2.5 with specific reference to Southern California. My paper addresses issues raised in four papers published in the same issue of Risk Analysis. There are several other commentaries on these papers published in the same issue that deserve careful reading.
Regards to all.
Roger
Risk analysis 36: 9:1755, 2016