New air standards issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in December are expected to have far-reaching effects on both pollution and public health. The new standards fall under the Clean Air Act’s power to control pollutants from coal and oil-fired power plants, and slashes allowable emissions of all hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) including metals like mercury and arsenic, acid gases, and particulate matter. Power plants have 3 years to conform to the new requirements and once fully in effect, the EPA estimates that the standards will reduce mercury emissions alone by as much as 90%.
The toxic pollutants covered under these standards have been linked to cancer, heart disease, lung disease and premature death and the reductions are expected to make a big impact on illness and death. The EPA estimates that the new standards will prevent as many as 11,000 premature deaths, 4,700 heart attacks, 2,800 cases of chronic bronchitis, and 130,000 asthma attacks—each year.
A lot of attention has been paid recently to the link between air pollution and heart disease. The EPA Aging Initiative has hosted a number of meetings discussing this link and is supporting the Green Heart Campaign which is intended to complement the Million Hearts Campaign by increasing awareness of the link and thereby reducing morbidity and mortality related to air pollution.
The Collaborative on Health and the Environment (CHE)—an international partnership committed to strengthening the scientific and public dialogue on environmental factors linked to disease—has also done a lot of work in this area, including releasing an important report on Environmental Threats to Healthy Aging. The Alliance will be co-sponsoring a conference hosted by CHE in June on promoting a healthy environment.
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slashes allowable emissions of all hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) including metals like mercury and arsenic, acid gases, and particulate matter.
metals such as mercury and arsenic, acid gases, and particulate matter.
it is a good standard and I am sure that we will see it improved
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Power plants have 3 years to conform to the new requirements and once fully in effect, the EPA estimates that the standards will reduce mercury emissions alone by as much as 90%.
I don't think that we will see improvements in the public or private sector. It will be the same. We need a new set of laws and a proper budget
Hello There. I found your blog using google. This is a very well written article. I’ll make sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful info. Thanks for the post. I will certainly return.
I admit, I have not been on this web page in a long time... however it was another joy to see It is such an important topic and ignored by so many, even professionals. professionals. I thank you to help making people more aware of possible issues
The toxic pollutants covered under these standards have been linked to cancer, heart disease
The new standards fall under the Clean Air Act’s power to control pollutants from coal and oil-fired power plants
New air standards issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Hello There. I found your blog using google. This is a very well written article. I’ll make sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful info. Thanks for the post. I will certainly return
by increasing awareness of the link and thereby reducing morbidity and mortality related to air pollution
Great blog.
I am really impressed. This is a n excellent approach. Great job!
It's a good idea from them. I wish that they can consistently execute this plan and not just give it up after a few months. If we are able to do this then we can actually improve our planet for a change.
i know what you mean. I have the same opinion. This is a must somehow
it is a good standard and I am sure that we will see it improved