EPA strengthens fine particulate air pollution standard  

ATLANTA — Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency significantly strengthened the national standard for fine particulate matter pollution, determining that many more people would have continued to die prematurely under the previous standard.    

“Today’s action is a very positive step,” said Keri Powell, Senior Attorney and Leader of SELC’s Air Program. “The strengthened standard will make the air safer to breathe for millions of Americans, reducing emergency room visits and saving lives. In light of science showing that public health remains at risk even under this stronger standard, we urge EPA to tighten it further in the future.” 

Commonly referred to as PM2.5 or soot, fine particulate matter consists of particles that are 2.5 micrograms or less in diameter, small enough to lodge deep into human lungs. Along with accelerating climate change, PM2.5 pollution poses severe health risks, including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and kidney disease. Nearly 63 million people nationwide experience unhealthy spikes in daily soot pollution. Communities of color suffer from the highest exposure levels and are at the greatest risk of premature death. 

The national standard limits the amount of PM2.5 pollution in the ambient air. Today’s action changes the annual standard from 12 micrograms per cubic meter to 9 micrograms per cubic meter. EPA initially considered reducing the ambient standard even further, to 8 micrograms per cubic meter. 

PM2.5 pollution is primarily caused by burning fossil fuels. EPA will determine which cities need to improve air quality to meet the new standard within a year. Based on current air monitoring data, it is likely that several Southern cities will be designated as “nonattainment” for the strengthened PM2.5 standard, meaning that ambient air pollution exceeds the level identified by EPA as protective of public health. It is up to the states to decide the best way to reduce PM2.5 pollution.  

“People in cities such as Atlanta, Knoxville, and Nashville will have healthier air to breathe once these standards are met,” said Powell.  

EPA projects that some cities, including Knoxville and Nashville, will comply with the strengthened standard by 2032 simply by implementing existing and expected control measures. Examples of measures to reduce PM2.5 pollution include paving unpaved roads, installing particulate controls on industrial polluters, and utilizing renewable energy like solar and wind instead of burning coal, oil, gas, or wood.