Tobacco Documents Online

WUM ONE + ONE DOES NOT EQUAL TWO If notr for the serious economic and health impacts its actions will have on workers and businesses across the country, the Environmental Protection Agency's recent attempt to ~ solve indoor air pollution could be lightliy dismissed as another example of the terrifying cliche: ~"I'm from the government, and I'm here to help. " The more sobering view of EPA's proposed actions will lead this country in a direction that is both expensive and dangerous to all Americans' health. The EPA began its programi to solve indoor air pollution -- and~ the numerous illnesses nKCC to t -by issuing, an unsubstantiatedl report that linked second-hand tobacco smoke to cancer. While the report was without, scientific foundation, it' was politically correct and'was thus accepted by many as gospel. With its report in hand,, the EPA then set out to convince the public and other govennmental agencies that by eliminating environmental tobacco smoke you eliminate the health effects of indoor air pollutiom Case closed, problem solved. If only it were that simple. Because the EPA has failed to engage in a scientific andl comprehensive study of ' indoor air pollution -- and relies on its own suspect: report - it is giving millaons of Americans the false sense that there is a simple solution to improving indoor air quality. What EPA hasn't addressed is what happenss when businesses ban smoking and workers stilll get sick. As a, matter of fact,

% I 2 in ~ a review of 203 : air quality investigations of schools; health facilities,, and government and business offices, National Institute of Safety and Hea1thh concluded that tobacco smoke played a contributing role in only two percent' of the building complaints investigated. One place where the EPA's thesis falls apatt is in its own Washington headquarters. The Agency's building, is considered "sick" because it lacks the adequate ventilation to deal with such air pollutants as chemicals,, fibers and gases. The ! illnesses caused to the employees are serious in nature and are incurred despite a smoking ban in viatually the entire complex. Instead of using itss own experiences with indoor air quality to initiate a comprehensive scientific study of the problem, the Agency bows to political pressure and cops a quick out. On the surface it might appear that the only losers , are smokers and tobacco companies. In fact, the greatest threat is to i the health and safety of ~11 workers,. Unless the EPA engages in a thorough study of indoor air pollution,, we will never be able to, improve job conditions for American workers. By taking the easy way out, the Agency is creating the false sense of security that smoke-free buildings : are healthy buildings. T°hatlogic did not hold~ upforthe29people who died in aPhiladelphial hotel when they were exposed, by way of the air conditioning system, to deadly micro-organisms that became known as I.egionnaire.s Disease.

3 Aliready in this country Americans spend $115 billion annually complying with pollution contnof regulations. And, it is a"11HUM that overall each American pays some $450 more in higher taxes and prices because of EPA regulations. That is $1, $IDID a year more for a family of four. We don't need more regulations, what we need are regulations that work. In order to improve this country's indoor air quality the EPA needs to conduct thorough scientific studies that examine the various forms of pollution -- chemical, fiber, smoke,, dust, etc. -- and to consider how best to reduce thee pollutants. Once such a study is completed, standards can be set for total indoor air quality. Then, individual businesses should be allowed to meet them in ways that best suit their particular situations. Studies show, that allowing flexibilityto improve general air quality in a, variety, of ways is far less costly than having remote authorities impose uniformi responses to particular pollutants. Without a comprehensive approach to total indoor air quality, the EPA is, not in a position to do more than blow smoke at the American people..