The Environmental Protection Agency has announced stricter standards for fine particle pollution, generally known as soot.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the announcement, EPA Administrator Michael Regan touted the standards as beneficial to the public, particularly to vulnerable groups, including low-income populations and minorities.
“Today’s action is a critical step forward that will better protect workers, families, and communities from the dangerous and costly impacts of fine particle pollution,” Regan said. “The science is clear — soot pollution is one of the most dangerous forms of air pollution, and it’s linked to a range of serious and potentially deadly illnesses, including asthma and heart attacks.”
The annual fine particle standard will be lowered from 12 micrograms per cubic meter to nine. The tighter standard, first proposed last year, will obligate states and localities to monitor soot levels and take action if they are out of compliance. EPA officials estimate the change will yield public health benefits of up to $46 billion by 2032, including up to 800,000 avoided cases of asthma symptoms, 4,500 avoided premature deaths, and 290,000 avoided lost workdays.
Administrators and advocates on the call predicted blowback from affected industries but said that for every $1 spent on compliance, $77 would be returned in the form of health benefits.
“This updated standard, paired with historic investments and standards from the Biden-Harris administration, will not only improve the health of our communities, but it will also bolster our economy by deploying billions of dollars, encouraging innovation, and creating good-paying jobs across the transition to cleaner technologies,” Regan said.
Earthjustice President Abigail Dillen called the new standard a tremendous step forward.
“We’re not going to leave any community behind,” Dillen said. “We’ve got to rein in the most polluting industries that are still emitting more pollution than any modern company should be allowed to do.”
Dr. Doris Browne, former president of the National Medical Association, spoke about how air pollution disproportionately affects black women and can harm pregnant women and their babies. She also predicted industry blowback, saying it was unwarranted.
“No doubt, there will be a loud hue and cry from industries that have to adhere to the standards,” Browne said. “Screaming from the hilltops about how the sky is falling and how this clean air standard will cost some jobs. When they use these scare tactics to misrepresent the standard, though, just remember the actual tens of billions in health benefits.”
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Agency officials estimated that 99% of counties will be in compliance with the standard by 2032, with a $600 million compliance cost for that year. However, they did not say how many counties comply with the new standard today. Regan stressed that economic growth will remain robust even under the stricter rules.
“Since 2000, [soot] concentrations have decreased thanks to preceding standards, while the U.S. gross domestic product has increased by 52%,” Regan said. “So we’ve heard this argument before. But the facts are well established that these standards really will increase the quality of life for so many people, especially those who are disproportionately impacted.”
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