By Erica Peterson/KPR
Louisville, KY – Representatives from health and environmental groups are putting pressure on the Obama Administration to proceed with an air rule to control intrastate pollution. The Cross-State Air Pollution rule puts limits on sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide emissions from power plants in Kentucky and 25 other states. In a conference call today, American Lung Association representatives connected health problems from pollution to lost money from higher health care costs and missed work. Louisville Air Pollution Control District representative Cynthia Lee says,
"Here in Jefferson County, Louisville, Kentucky, absenteeism for students is highest due to asthma."
She says researchers are looking at data from air quality alert days and relating it to absenteeism.