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President Biden's plan to help curb rising gas prices in the U.S. is being criticized for potentially harming those with asthma and other respiratory diseases.
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) tells DailyMail.com that the plan to lift a ban on E15 fuel use over the summer will be harmful.
The fuel is 15 percent ethanol, hence the nickname, and is generally considered more environmentally friendly than typical gasoline varieties, but produces low levels of air pollution that can harm people living close to the ground.
For people suffering from asthma or other respiratory illnesses, having fuel back up during the summer months can have a detrimental impact on their quality of life.
Gas prices have risen sharply in the US in recent months due to rising crude oil prices. The US government is relying on E15 gas, which contains more ethanol, to lower prices
“Any action that increases air pollution is bad news for the asthma community,” Kenneth Mendez, president and CEO, told DailyMail.com in an email.
Gas prices in America have skyrocketed in recent months, eclipsing $4 a gallon this spring.
While prices have fallen from $4.326 per gallon to $4.098 per AAA last month, more relief is needed for Americans.
Prices could rise again this summer, as they often do as the weather warms.
President Biden (pictured) lifted the EPA's ban on E15 gas over the summer, saying it could reduce prices by up to ten cents per gallon
The rise in gas prices is associated with inflation in the cost of crude oil, its main ingredient.
While almost all gasoline Americans use in their cars today contain some ethanol, increasing the amount of ethanol means there is less crude oil.
The problem with E15 is that ethanol is effectively alcohol. It evaporates very quickly in the air. On a hot summer day, dangerous fog can form directly over the road.
“We know that air pollution from vehicle emissions and fuel production/consumption threatens the health of people with upper respiratory diseases such as asthma,” Mendez said.
In response to the dangers posed by E15 gas during the summer months, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned its use over the summer of 2011, along with all gasoline blends containing more than 10 percent ethanol.
The Biden administration hopes lifting the regulations this summer can help ease upward price pressure and help Americans at the pump.
However, it could come at a cost.
"The Coalition for Clean Air is concerned that increasing the ethanol content of gasoline above 10 percent could increase lung-scorching summer smog," Bill Magavern, the coalition's policy director, told DailyMail.com in an email.
Experts say E15 gas can create dangerous, ground-level smog that is particularly dangerous for people with asthma and other respiratory diseases
The ground-level smog has been linked to difficulty breathing, inflamed and damaged airways, and worsening conditions for people with asthma. Children are particularly at risk.
“So we are taking a short-term approach to reduce gas prices, which will likely lead to a variety of health impacts this summer,” said Dr. Aaron Reuben, an environmental health expert at Duke University, told DailyMail.com.
"I would caution individuals who live in areas with high vehicle traffic (and states like California with ongoing air quality problems) to keep an eye on air quality this summer and try to limit their own exposure as much as possible. For example, exercise indoors on days with poor air quality if you can."
It's likely that lifting the ban won't have much of an impact overall, according to an analysis.
According to an analysis by quartz Only 1.5 percent of U.S. gas stations offer E15 gas, and others may not have the proper equipment to distribute it.
Biden predicts a higher result and says it could cut gas prices by as much as 10 cents a gallon.
“While I understand why the government is taking these types of measures to reduce fuel prices, a better approach is to accelerate investment and promotion of clean energy,” Mendez said.