To the Editor:

Re “E.P.A. Plans Limit on Evidence Used for Health Rules” (front page, Nov. 12):

I spent much of Friday studying a literature review on the effects of fine particulate matter on public health that cites the Harvard S ix Cities study mentioned in your article.

Now I read that this enormous body of research that thousands of scientists have contributed to over five decades, research that I and others have spent countless hours studying so we can build on this monumental effort, might be entirely disregarded by the Environmental Protection Agency in future decision making.

Setting aside for a moment that the proposed Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science rule is clearly a threat to evidence-based decision making, I find the idea of spending valuable time and resources on justifying efforts to weaken our nation’s environmental protections to be foolish at best.

Are we so shortsighted? Clean air and clean water are priceless resources that add immeasurable value to our nation’s natural heritage. Risking them for short-term profits is nothing short of a betrayal of the American people, and of our forebears who fought so that future generations could step outside just to enjoy the fresh air.