Broad Coalition Supports Children's Breathing Rights Act

Posted April 6th, 2006

LOS ANGELES (April 3, 2006)"In leading the charge to improve lung health for California's most at risk pollution, "our children" BREATHE California of Los Angeles County has assembled a diverse coalition of groups to support the Children's Breathing Rights Act of 2006 (SB 1205). Supporters include The Girl Scout Councils of California, California District Attorneys Association, California Safe Schools, The Foundation for Early Childhood Education, Natural Resources Defense Council, as well as many others. Opposition groups include trade associations representing some of California's major air polluters as well as business interest groups.

SB 1205 will impose stiff new penalties on air polluters and direct fines towards increasing enforcement against air polluters and for children's health initiatives in the air districts where the penalty was assessed. Fines will be directed to a new "Children's Breathing Rights Fund" that will provide funding for health services, including asthma services in schools and communities.

This important legislation comes on the heels of the U.S. EPA's estimate that one in every 10,700 Los Angeles residents are at risk of contracting cancer from breathing L.A.'s dirty air and a University of Southern California study that says the number of deaths from breathing sooty smog in California may be more than twice as high as previously estimated.

The Institute for Economics and Environmental Studies at Cal State Fullerton recently issued a study that said smog in the San Joaquin Valley is responsible for $3.2 billion in health costs annually and that those costs could be saved by compliance with federal and state ozone and particulate standards.

"California needs strong penalties for 'above-the-law' air polluters that have a clear and persistent pattern of violations," warns SB 1205's author State Senator Martha Escutia (D-Norwalk). "Otherwise, some of California's major polluting industries may find it more cost-effective to violate environmental law, rather than control pollution."

In the last ten years, cases of asthma in California have increased by 60 percent and asthma has become the #1 cause of school absenteeism in Los Angeles.

"I am very proud that BREATHE California of Los Angeles County is leading the charge on the Children's Breathing Rights Act. We need to implement change, through legislation as well as use of innovative technologies and other resources to improve the quality of air our children and our children's children will breathe for decades to come. I would like to thank all those that have lent their names and support to SB 1205 and to our opponents I say that we want to work with you in finding a way for you to see this legislation as a true benefit for our children and not a threat to your bottom line," said Enrique Chiock, President & CEO of BREATHE California of Los Angeles County.

The growing list of supporters of SB 1205 includes:

  • American Lung Association
  • Attorney General's Office
  • BREATHE California of Los Angeles County
    California District Attorneys Association
  • California Environmental Health & Justice Team of the Women's Policy Institute   California Environmental Rights Alliance
  • California Medical Association, California Safe Schools
  • California Thoracic Society, Clean Power Campaign
  • Environmental Working Group
  • The Foundation for Early Childhood Education
  • Girl Scout Councils of California
  • Natural Resources Defense Council
  • PHFE Management Solutions
  • Physicians for Social Responsibility, Los Angeles
  • St. Mark AME Church
  • Sierra Club-California

"The Girl Scout Councils of California believe this bill addresses the problem of chronic violators of California's air pollution laws and supports the bill's creation of a special fund dedicated to children's health initiatives, including asthma services in schools and communities," said Katie Lucas, Government Relations Director, Girl Scout Councils of California

SB 1205 will be heard in the California State Senate Judiciary Committee tomorrow (Tuesday, April 4, 2006) immediately following the adjournment of the Natural Resources and Water Committee, but no earlier than noon, in room 112.

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