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The EPA released updated National Ambient Air Quality Standards for particulate matter (PM2.5) to curb a deadly air pollutant that significantly harms public health, causing premature death and decreased lung function, and that is responsible for over 100,000 deaths in the United States every year.
EPA’s final air quality standards for PM2.5, also known as soot, lower the annual standards from 12 mcg/m3 to 9 mcg/m3, and will prevent up to 4,200 premature deaths and 270,000 lost workdays per year while bringing as much as $43 billion in net health benefits in 2032, when the standards are in full effect.
While most of the soot in Arizona is associated with cars and trucks, coal plant pollution contributes to ambient soot levels, and some of the most dangerous and deadly plants, like the Springerville and Coronado coal plants, emit millions of tons of CO2 pollution that harm the health of Arizonans and worsen the climate crisis.
“Communities of color are exposed to higher concentrations of soot pollution, and at Chispa, AZ, we have been calling on the EPA to do more for our communities since we are at the forefront of the climate crisis,” said Chispa Arizona Organizing Director DJ Portugal. “With Latinx children being 40% more likely to die from asthma and other respiratory illnesses, we are glad the EPA finally took this important action that will be of great benefit to the health of our communities”.
“Soot pollution causes harmful impacts to our health, whether generated by diesel engines or burning coal or gas, and is especially harmful to those most vulnerable–young children, the elderly, and those with other underlying health issues,” said Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter Director Sandy Bahr. “EPA’s updated National Ambient Air Quality Standards for particulate matter are a long-overdue step that will protect communities, including mine, by curbing the most dangerous and deadly effects of toxic soot pollution like cancer, asthma, and heart disease,” she said.