The proposal unveiled Friday by the EPA – which will only go into effect after a period of public comments – targets only fine particles, “which can remain in the lungs and cause adverse health effects”especially causing “asthma, heart attacks and premature deaths”observe The Wall Street Journal.
Fine particles come from many sources, such as smokestacks, trucks, construction sites, power plants and other industrial activities. Their diameter is less than 2.5 micrometres, or one thirtieth of a human hair.
The Washington Post remember that the Trump administration “he had rejected the strengthening of the rules on fine particles in 2020”in agreement with the industrial sector which deemed the current regulation, established in 2012, sufficient. “At the time, EPA scientists, health experts and environmental advocates were instead insisting on the need for stricter standards to protect public health”.
Avoid 4,200 premature deaths
With the arrival of Joe Biden in the White House, the debate has been put back on the table and the EPA has formulated a proposal that “further reduces the levels set in 2012 by the Obama administration”, specifies the American newspaper. The authorized level of fine particles would thus be reduced to 10 micrograms per cubic meter, against 12 micrograms today.
According to the agency, such a measure would prevent 4,200 premature deaths a year, as well as 270,000 sick leave days a year, with an economic gain of $43 billion by 2032.
This EPA proposal is “an integral part of the Biden government’s environmental justice efforts”to analyze The New York Times. Indeed, “Poor communities and minorities are disproportionately exposed to fine particulate matter and air pollution in general, as they often live near highways, power plants or other industrial facilities”emphasizes the newspaper.
A study by EPA scientists, published in 2018, specifically showed that African-American communities were more likely to develop fine particle-related diseases than the general population.
“Insufficient” progress.
“Environmental advocates described the Biden government’s announcement as a step in the right direction, while stressing that it was not enough to prevent people from being exposed to pollution.”relationships The hill.
“It’s Progress”admitted Vijay Limaye, climate and health expert at the Natural Resources Defense Council. “The problem is that there are still many more” problems related to exposure to air pollution “that have not been addressed”he said.
Paul Billings, vice president of the American Lung Association, believes the authorized level of fine particles should be reduced to “8 micrograms per cubic meter”to actually improve public health.
“Getting rid of these deadly particles is essential to protect public health”Mr. Billings told CNBC. But the EPA proposal, in his eyes insufficient, “falls short of President Biden’s commitments to environmental justice”.
