Comment submitted by G. Kaas

Dear EPA, I cannot fathom why we as a nation are possibly considering loosening regulations that have been put in place to help protect our children and future generations to come from the unfortunate consequences of industrial activities. For far to long the government has allowed companies to lobby and convince organizations such as yourselves to reduce emission standards in an effort to reduce their overhead costs and boost shareholder earnings. Since the onset of the 21st century it has become alarmingly clear that many of our actions as a species are putting a emense strain on our planet in regards to mass species extinction, global warming, loss of biodiversity, and pollution of our air, water and ground. As a consequence, recent studies have indicating that cancer rates are increasing in many age groups and many agree are at least partly caused by the chemically saturated world in which we live and raise our children. In conclusion, I ask that the government please do what is best and right for its own citizens by protecting them from the chemical fallout that is produced by our industrial companies every single minute of ever single day. If we don't become the world standard for environmental policy, how do we expect other countries to join us to make this world a better place for everyone. "If the Bill of Rights contains no guarantee that a citizen shall be secure against lethal poisons distributed either by private individuals or by public officials, it is surely only because our forefathers, despite their considerable wisdom and foresight, could conceive of no such problem." -Rachel Carson, Silent Spring; Sincerely, Garrett Kaas, Genetics PhD candidate, garrett-kaas@uiowa.edu