Air Pollutant Emissions Down, According to EPA
An early look at air quality and emissions data for 2006 shows continued improvement in the nation's air quality over the long term, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
By CleanLink Editorial Staff
An early look at air quality and emissions data for 2006 shows continued improvement in the nation's air quality over the long term, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Under the Clean Air Act, the EPA sets national air quality standards for six key pollutants, including nitrogen dioxide, ozone, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter and lead. Each year, the EPA examines the levels of these pollutants in the air and the emissions from various sources to see how both have changed over time and to summarize the current status of air quality.
The data reports that emissions of six key pollutants have dropped by more than half since 1970 and the national average concentration for each criteria pollutant is below the level of its air quality standard.
Total emissions of the six key pollutants dropped 54 percent between 1970 and 2006. During the same time period the U.S. gross domestic product increased 203 percent, vehicle miles traveled increased 177 percent, energy consumption increased 49 percent, and U.S. population grew by 46 percent. In addition, emissions of air toxics in 2002 were 35 percent lower than 1990 levels.
While national average concentrations of the six key pollutants are below national standards, results vary by site. Annual pollution levels at some monitoring sites do remain above one or more of the national air quality standards, with ozone and particulate matter remaining as the most persistent problems.
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