Perhaps in the near future we can all look forward to living in Los Angeles -- or least having air that very much resembles the fabled orange smog that hangs above the city. If industry interests get their way and new air pollution regulations are axed by the Environmental Protection Agency under pressure from industry lobbyists and lawmakers looking for campaign cash from the oil, gas, and manufacturing sectors we all have a lot of coughing to look forward to. How sad that it could be for those of us who want to take a deep breath in ten years. Public health advocates are fighting back, but industry hired guns are out to threaten, cajole, and gesture meaningfully in the direction of the corporate checkbook in hope that the EPA will look beyond the damaging effects of worsening air quality and towards the corporate profits that really matter. And what of those effects? The American Lung Association has conducted a number of studies on the effects of air quality on asthma and lung disease rates -- particularly among children. National statistics show that children spend an average of 50 percent more time outdoors than do adults.A recent study conducted by the American Lung Association shows that as many as 27.1 million children age 13 and under, and over 1.9 million children with asthma are potentially exposed to unhealthful levels of ozone based on the new 0.08 ppm, eight-hour ozone level standard.Minority children are disproportionately represented in areas with high ozone levels. Approximately 61.3% of black children, 69.2% of Hispanic children and 67.7% of Asian-American children live in areas that exceed the 0.08 ppm ozone standard, while only 50.8% of white children live in such areas. And the EPA has no illusions about how important new smog-reduction standards could be for reducing mortality and protecting the public health. From the article: The EPA has estimated a reduction to 70 parts per billion could result annually in 2,300 fewer nonfatal heart attacks; 48,000 fewer respiratory problems, acute bronchitis and asthma attacks; 7,600 fewer respiratory related hospital visits, and 890,000 fewer days when people miss work or school. Ah, but it might cost companies money -- money they need...to donate to Congress, for instance! -- so it's better to let the air get worse, let kids get sicker, and pretend the environment is nothing but a backdrop for those dreams of avarice.