EPA report warns of greenhouse gas risk

WASHINGTON, April 17 (UPI) -- A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency report says greenhouse gases contribute to air pollution and could pose a public health threat.

The proposed finding, which now moves to a public comment period, came out of a scientific review ordered by the U.S. Supreme Court.

"In both magnitude and probability, climate change is an enormous problem," the EPA report said. "The greenhouse gases that are responsible for it endanger public health and welfare within the meaning of the Clean Air Act."

The proposed endangerment finding identified six greenhouse gases that pose a potential threat -- carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride -- the EPA said Friday in a release.

"This finding confirms that greenhouse gas pollution is a serious problem now and for future generations. Fortunately, it follows President (Barack) Obama's call for a low carbon economy and strong leadership in Congress on clean energy and climate legislation," EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson said in a statement. "This pollution problem has a solution -- one that will create millions of green jobs and end our country's dependence on foreign oil."