Bush Leaves Lasting Legacy of Achievement in Clean Air and Public Health

WASHINGTON – In response to the death of former President George H.W. Bush, the following statement was made by Rhea Suh, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council:

“George H.W. Bush left a legacy all Americans share with every breath we take. As president, he led efforts to pass one of the most successful environmental packages in history, the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990.

“By cutting pollution from cars, trucks, power plants and other sources, the measures have sharply reduced toxic chemicals in the air we breathe, dangerous ozone and the acid rain that was destroying American forests. The measures decreased asthma attacks, bronchitis, heart disease and other ills, preventing some 200,000 premature deaths and 20 million lost days at work or school every year to deliver up to $90 in public health benefits for every dollar invested in compliance.

“NRDC joins the nation in saluting this American leader, expressing thanks for his service to our country and honoring his memory.”

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The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC