The Drive for Cleaner Air

The New Haven Environmental Justice Network has joined the growing number of health, business and environmental groups working to reduce toxic emissions from cars and light trucks through adoption of stricter vehicle emission standards. Making Connecticut's air healthy for our children and our future is a very important issue for our membership across the state. Adoption of stricter vehicle emission standards can dramatically reduce the amount of toxic and dangerous chemicals in our air.

The Clean Cars legislation promises to be one of the hottest issues in the upcoming 2004 General Assembly session and has already gained the support of key legislative leaders and organizations across the state who are concerned about the health impact of toxic vehicle emissions. The proposed standards, called Low Emission Vehicle II (LEV II), are stricter than existing federal standards and have already been passed in California, New York, Massachusetts and Vermont.

About 40 percent of the state's toxic air pollution is generated by cars and trucks on our clogged roads and highways- more than any other source. Exposure to the pollutants - including benzene, acetaldehyde, formaldehyde and 1,3-butadiene, known and probable carcinogens - can trigger asthma attacks and reduce lung function, and is suspected of contributing to the onset of asthma. Smog levels in Connecticut are particularly high and unhealthy during the warm summer months.

The proposed clean cars law would direct the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection to adopt the more stringent California clean car regulations, requiring auto dealers to sell a variety of cleaner vehicles starting in 2008, including the new hybrids that are already on the market.

According to a recent study by the Connecticut Fund for the Environment, the LEV II standards will cut toxic pollutants and smog substantially more than existing federal standards, providing a healthier environment for our citizens. CFE's study found that four important air toxics in Connecticut would be cut by an additional 33% by adopting LEV II standards, which is expected to reduce the number of cancer cases in our state by about 130 over ten years.The stronger LEV II standards will also reduce respiratory problems, with about 14,000 fewer people in the EPA’s high respiratory health risk category for asthma and respiratory illnesses.

Here in Connecticut, we can and must take action to protect our citizens and reduce air pollution. The stricter standards, first adopted in California, and now in place in New York, Massachusetts and Vermont, will have a more positive impact than any other single action we can take as a state to provide our citizens with healthier air.