WASHINMGTON, DC – Sen. John Kerry made the following statement today, as the Environmental Protection Agency defined the standard ground-level ozone level at 75 parts per billion, as opposed to the 60 parts per billion standard recommended by the Administration’s own science advisers, as well as the advice of health and environmental advocates.

“Once again, at the eleventh hour the EPA under George Bush has put corporate interests ahead of the health of our children,” said Kerry. “By ignoring the advice of the public health community and the Administration’s own science advisors, more children and seniors will suffer from a health problems including chest pain, coughing, throat irritation and congestion. Rather than address the ill-effects of smog, the Administration has chosen to use smoke and mirrors pretending to solve a problem while allowing it to grow worse.”

###