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6 N A T I O N A L N U R S E W W W . N A T I O N A L N U R S E S U N I T E D . O R G M A R C H 2 0 1 5 CALIFORNIA C lean air is a human right. This was the call of California Nurses Association RNs who joined envi- ronmental activists at a public hearing held by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Sacramento, Calif. on Feb. 2 regarding the EPA's new proposed ozone standard. CNA welcomed the EPA's proposed reduction to smog limits, but called on the EPA to go further in adopting an even more stringent standard to improve the health and quality of life for millions of Americans. While the EPA's new standard would strengthen the current 75 parts per billion (ppb) by lowering the number to 65 to 70 ppb, nurses warn of dangers to public health any time pollution exceeds 60 ppb and demand more transformative action to protect the next generation. Matthew Elliott, an RN at Kaiser Permanente in South Sacramento, spoke on behalf of all RNs about the need to confront and tackle air pollution in our communities. "You don't need a medical professional to tell you that air is a fundamental part of life," said Elliott. "We need it not just to survive, but to enjoy a long-lasting, fulfilling life." During a lunch break rally, 50 nurses marched down J Street in red scrubs and surgical masks, chanting, "Clean air is healthcare!" Nurses were joined by more than 100 students from across California, along with close to a dozen community, religious, and environmental groups, to denounce industry efforts to loosen air quality standards. "As an ICU nurse, I regularly care for patients suffering from the life-threatening results of chronic pulmonary diseases," said Elliot. "These diseases are both caused and aggravated by ozone levels above 60 parts per billion." California Nurses Association/National Nurses United consistently campaigns for environmental health justice, playing a lead- ing role in opposing the Keystone XL pipeline, protesting the Detroit water shut- off, and actively participating in the United Nations Climate Change Summit in Peru. CNA will file final written public comments regarding the EPA standards in March. —Kate Usher RNs call on EPA to toughen pollution standards Clean air is healthcare, they say NEWS BRIEFS