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Air Quality In The U.S.
Globally, poor air is a serious problem. According to the World Health Organization, exposure to air pollution is linked to the premature deaths of an estimated 7 million people every year. In fact, 91% of the people on the planet live in places where air pollution exceeds WHO guideline limits.
In the United States, air pollution has dramatically improved over the
last four decades due in large part to federal regulations put in place under
the Clean Air Act of 1970. Fine
particulate matter (known as PM2.5) and other pollution, including ozone,
sulphur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide, have all decreased during this time
span.
But according to recent research, this trend has unfortunately done an
about-face. New data reveals that air
pollution has increased nationally since 2016.
An analysis of Environmental Protection Agency data by researchers at
Carnegie Mellon University found that, on average, fine particulate pollution
increased 5.5% across the country between 2016 and 2018.
This increase in fine particulate pollution was associated with nearly
10,000 additional premature deaths in the United States during that time
period.
According to researchers, there are several factors likely causing
this uptick in unhealthy air, including increases in both driving and the
burning of natural gas. Wildfires out
west are also thought to be a major contributor.
The researchers also suggest that a decrease in enforcement of the
Clean Air Act may also be playing a role.
The law put in place strict air pollution standards for vehicles,
factories, power plants, and other sources, and is credited with saving hundreds
of thousands of lives.
It’s time for clean air to be recognized as a basic human right.
***********
Web Links
America’s Air Quality Worsens, Ending Years of Gains, Study Says
Photo, posted April 6, 2007, courtesy of Brett Weinstein via Flickr.
Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio.
View all episodes
By Randy Simon
4.7
1515 ratings
Globally, poor air is a serious problem. According to the World Health Organization, exposure to air pollution is linked to the premature deaths of an estimated 7 million people every year. In fact, 91% of the people on the planet live in places where air pollution exceeds WHO guideline limits.
In the United States, air pollution has dramatically improved over the
last four decades due in large part to federal regulations put in place under
the Clean Air Act of 1970. Fine
particulate matter (known as PM2.5) and other pollution, including ozone,
sulphur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide, have all decreased during this time
span.
But according to recent research, this trend has unfortunately done an
about-face. New data reveals that air
pollution has increased nationally since 2016.
An analysis of Environmental Protection Agency data by researchers at
Carnegie Mellon University found that, on average, fine particulate pollution
increased 5.5% across the country between 2016 and 2018.
This increase in fine particulate pollution was associated with nearly
10,000 additional premature deaths in the United States during that time
period.
According to researchers, there are several factors likely causing
this uptick in unhealthy air, including increases in both driving and the
burning of natural gas. Wildfires out
west are also thought to be a major contributor.
The researchers also suggest that a decrease in enforcement of the
Clean Air Act may also be playing a role.
The law put in place strict air pollution standards for vehicles,
factories, power plants, and other sources, and is credited with saving hundreds
of thousands of lives.
It’s time for clean air to be recognized as a basic human right.
***********
Web Links
America’s Air Quality Worsens, Ending Years of Gains, Study Says
Photo, posted April 6, 2007, courtesy of Brett Weinstein via Flickr.
Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio.
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