As part of a National Day of Action, hundreds of students at Virginia Tech signed a petition Tuesday in support of improved air quality standards.

The VT Beyond Coal-sponsored event was one of dozens held nationwide to support efforts by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to strengthen air pollution regulations. The EPA’s proposed amendment to the Clean Air Act would bring significant reductions in dangerous ozone, which comes from sources such as coal-fired power plants.

According to the EPA’s research, if the regulation is passed, between 4,000 and 12,000 premature deaths will be avoided yearly. The number of annual heart attacks and emergency room visits will both decrease drastically. Additionally, between $13 billion and $100 billion dollars will be saved in health care costs nationwide each year.

Kara Dodson, Project Coordinator for Beyond Coal, introduced the event’s speakers, Dr. Linsey Marr and Matthew Monteverde.

Marr, a civil and environmental engineering professor at Virginia Tech, stressed the significant impact on public health that the amendment would have. “A new, stricter standard will promote cleaner air, which will lead to fewer visits to doctors and hospitals, fewer missed days of school and work, and fewer premature deaths,” Marr said. “By supporting the new ozone standard, you will help ensure that when you step outside for a breath of fresh air, that you are not endangering your health by doing so.”

Monteverde, a sophomore at Virginia Tech who suffers from asthma, talked about the role of our university as a leader. “At Virginia Tech, one of our mottos is that we invent the future,” he said. “What better way to do so than by supporting clean air for our future generations to breathe?”

Hokies gathered on the drillfield, amid blue and black balloons that represented clean air contrasting with polluted air, to sign public comment cards for the EPA. Supporters held posters advocating stricter air pollution control and the health improvements that it would bring.

Students also demonstrated support for the proposal by signing puzzle pieces, which were arranged together to form an 8’ x 4’ sign spelling “60-70,” the range in parts per billion that the EPA proposed as the new standard for ozone based on the recommendation of doctors and scientists.

The EPA is taking public comments on the proposed rule until March 22. For more information on the regulation, visit http://www.epa.gov/air/ozonepollution/actions.html#jan10s.