March 7, 2005

Statement of Clean Air Council during Press Conference Announcing Sherwin-Williams' Acceptance of Air Quality Standards

Joseph Otis Minott, Esq., Executive Director, Clean Air Council:

"Sherwin-Williams' decision to drop its challenge to Pennsylvania's air quality regulations means a great deal for public health across the state. Reducing the emissions of volatile organic compounds from paints, primers and similar products will help to reduce the ozone smog pollution problem in our area. Children with asthma, senior citizens with respiratory problems, and even perfectly healthy adults who want to go out for a jog on a hot afternoon are all adversely affected by ozone smog pollution. It is good to see Sherwin-Williams will be taking the public's well-being into account as it formulates its products in the future.

"The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection deserves a lot of credit for making every effort to work with Sherwin-Williams, short of reducing air quality protections for the state's citizens. Today, Sherwin-Williams has shown that concern over its bottom line does not outweigh its respect for corporate responsibility and environmental stewardship."

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BACKGROUND: New environmental standards are currently in effect in Pennsylvania limiting the emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from 48 different coating categories, including paints, primers, stains and varnishes. Pennsylvania's final architecture, industrial and maintenance (AIM) coating standard was developed by the Department of Environmental Protection, with favorable comments from Clean Air Council, in order to reduce a form air pollution that causes ozone smog pollution, which is damaging to public health. Philadelphia and the surrounding counties do not currently meet federal health-based air quality standards for ozone smog pollution. The standard was approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and went into effect on December 23, 2004. On January 20, 2005, Sherwin-Williams petitioned EPA to reconsider and stay full approval of this standard. The company also filed a Petition for Review in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit on January 21, 2005. The company agreed to drop these challenges during a meeting this morning with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.