The Environmental Protection Agency is preparing to significantly strengthen limits on fine particle matter, widespread deadly air pollutants, even as industry groups warn that the standard could erase manufacturing jobs across the country. Several major companies, trade associations and lobbyists are trying to preempt the rule suggesting it could harm President Biden’s reelection chances. They say the tougher standard for soot and other pollutants could destroy factory jobs and investments in the Midwest and elsewhere… Health advocates say strengthening soot standards would yield significant medical and economic benefits by preventing thousands of hospitalizations, lost workdays and lost lives… “Our average ambient level of PM2.5 in this country is 8; in China and India, it’s about 5 to 6 times that level,” said Heidi Brock, the American Forest & Paper Association’s president and chief executive. “What sense does it make to offshore jobs from this country, where we have some of the cleanest air on the planet?” [A Washington Post  subscription may be required to read the full story]