Soot pollution is one of the most dangerous forms of air pollution and is linked to a range of serious and potentially deadly illnesses, including asthma and heart attacks. The United States EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) finalized new, tighter standards on PM2.5 air pollution, also known as soot.
Particulate matter pollution (PM2.5) is a type of air pollution that can penetrate deep into our lungs and hearts, contributing to countless chronic illnesses. In early 2023, the EPA proposed new PM2.5 standards, which health and environmental advocates argued were not strong enough. After hearing from the public, including 32,000 Earthjustice supporters, the EPA delivered stronger air quality protections. This type of pollution kills nearly 50,000 people in the United States every year, and the EPA’s new standards are expected to reduce air pollution and save thousands of lives.
But manufacturing and construction groups had already objected to the proposed lower limit. The new rule strikes at the heart of the U.S. cement industry and also other manufacturing industries as it would lead to fewer hours of operation at plants, which would mean layoffs and concern more unemployment.
The new rule comes under the Clean Air Act, which sets legal limits for emissions from soot and other major air pollutants. These restrictions are revisited by the US Environmental Protection Agency every five years.
States will now be required to revise their implementation plans under the Clean Air Act to demonstrate how they will achieve compliance with the new control.
