Press Release

ST. LOUIS REGIONAL CLEAN AIR PARTNERSHIP WINS EPA'S 2005 CHILDREN'S ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RECOGNITION AWARD

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ST. LOUIS, MO ­ April 15, 2005... The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has honored the St. Louis Regional Clean Air Partnership (The Partnership) for its commitment to protecting children from environmental health risks by presenting the group with the 2005 Children's Environmental Health Recognition Award.

The national award recognizes The Partnership for its ongoing efforts to educate parents and caregivers about the health risks associated with poor air quality and to promote ways to reduce the emissions that cause harmful ground level ozone, a pollutant which often places children at an increased risk for respiratory problems. Their lungs are still developing and children tend to breathe more rapidly and inhale more air pollution as they play outside on hot, muggy summer afternoons, making them more susceptible to the impact of air pollution. They also breathe more through their mouth, meaning pollution bypasses the nose, which is the body's first line of defense. High levels of ozone can cause shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, headaches, nausea, and eye and throat irritation. For children who already suffer from respiratory conditions, such as asthma, high levels of ozone can make breathing nearly impossible.

Through its efforts, the Partnership has formed bonds with hundreds of St. Louis area businesses and organizations to spread its clean air message. Its partners include a variety of local schools and daycare facilities, which rely on the Partnership for up-to-date air quality forecasts. The Partnership provides the forecasts to area daycare directors, school nurses and physical education staff members, so they can adjust their schedules on poor air quality days to minimize the amount of time children spend outdoors.

The Partnership also teams up with CBS affiliate KMOV Channel 4 to provide viewers throughout the St. Louis area with tips on improving air quality and works to spread its clean air message through affiliations with family-friendly venues such as the St. Louis Zoo and Busch Stadium.

"We are honored to receive this award from the EPA," said Susannah Fuchs, air quality director for the American Lung Association of Missouri and spokesperson for The Partnership. "Our work in this area is so important because children are highly susceptible to the negative effects of air pollution. It is very good to be recognized for our efforts."

The St. Louis Regional Clean Air Partnership was formed in 1995, led by the American Lung Association of Missouri, St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association, East-West Gateway Council of Governments, Washington University and others, to increase awareness of regional air quality issues and to encourage activities to reduce air pollution emissions. To learn more about the Partnership call the American Lung Association of Missouri at 1-800-LUNG-USA or visit www.cleanair-stlouis.com.

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for more information, contact:

Shelene Scarborough or Julie Hauser
The Hauser Group, Inc.
(314) 436-9090

-or-

Susannah Fuchs
American Lung Association
(314) 645-5505

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