President Biden Protects Latinos by Strengthening Standards to Reduce Soot Pollution

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its final rule for soot (PM 2.5), a dangerous pollutant produced by burning fossil fuels that has harmed Americans’ health for decades. Approximately 63 million people in the U.S. are exposed to unhealthy levels of soot emissions daily. Still, Latinos are among the most vulnerable populations to outside air contamination, leading to devastating health effects such as aggravated asthma, heart disease, premature death, and infant mortality.

The EPA estimates the new soot rule will save 4,500 lives, improve public health, and prevent 290,000 lost workdays. It will also bring $46 billion in net benefits for all of us.

In response to President Biden’s strengthened air pollution standards, Climate Power En Acción Deputy Executive Director Antonieta Cádiz released the following statement:

“Soot produced by burning fossil fuels is responsible for devastating health impacts across our country, especially in many communities of color, like Latinos. The Biden Administration’s soot pollution standard is a welcome step to improving the air we breathe from coast to coast. Importantly, the rule represents real progress in the fight against the historical inequities and injustices suffered by communities overburdened by pollution,” said Antonieta Cádiz, Deputy Executive Director of Climate Power En Acción. “The stronger, science-based soot pollution protections mark a notable contrast to Trump’s environmental record, who rejected stricter rules on soot to favor big polluters instead of protecting people.”