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Smart Talk Thursday: Lung Association questions EPA on pollution regs; Baseball will be played this summer
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Scott LaMar/WITF
Last April, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator Andrew Wheeler announced the agency was going to retain a piece of legislation called the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for Particulate Matter without changes. The move has been heavily criticized by environmental advocates.
Fine particulate pollutants or particulate matter are made up of particles (tiny pieces) of solids or liquids that are in the air. These particles may include dust, dirt, soot, smoke or drops of liquid. Particle pollution has been associated with heart attacks, asthma, and respiratory problems such as inflammation, coughing or difficulty breathing.
Historically, the Lancaster, Harrisburg, and Lebanon regions have had some of the highest levels of particle pollution in the country, although there has been improvements recently.
Kevin Stewart, Director of Environmental Health at the American Lung Association appears on Thursday’s Smart Talk to explain why he thinks not updating particulate matter regulations is a bad idea.
Also, there will be Major League baseball this summer after details were worked out between team owners and players this week. The season will include 60 games, many new rules to keep players safe from COVID-19 and no fans in the stands.
Journalist Andrew Linker, who has authored books on baseball and covered baseball for decades is on Smart Talk to discuss what it may look like.
Finally, Harrisburg Senators President Kevin Kulp joins us to address minor league baseball this season and in the future.