A major annual report by the American Lung Association is likely to intensify a raging debate between the Environmental Protection Agency and environmental and public health groups over air quality.
"American Lung Association State of the Air: 2007" shows that while soot levels in the West decreased, the level of pollution rose east of the Mississippi River, where heavily polluting power plants are producing more electricity. Soot, regarded as among the most dangerous air contaminants, can coat lungs, be absorbed into the bloodstream, and cause bronchitis.
The American Lung Association, along with Earthjustice, are suing the EPA for failing to follow recommendations by scientists to lower the soot standard. Today's report will likely put more pressure on the EPA, which had never before ignored scientific recommendations when setting national ambient air quality standards.
Paradoxically, the report may do just the opposite when it comes to smog-forming ozone, which is currently up for review by the EPA. While the American Lung Association and other groups support stronger ozone standards, today's findings show that ozone pollution is dropping. The number of counties receiving a grade of A for ozone levels increased from 82 in 2000 to 145 this year. Overall, the report could be interpreted as good news for power plants, chief emitters of air contaminants. No fewer than three bills that would ratchet down emissions--including the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide--have been introduced in the Senate in recent weeks, putting the industry in legislative crosshairs. Today, one third of Americans live with potentially harmful levels of ozone, down from nearly a half a year ago.
The American Lung Association says the numbers are still far too high and vows to continue "fighting for tougher federal standards," says Terri Weaver, chair of the association. "Air pollution shortens lifespan...and it can make children and teens more vulnerable to lung disease for the rest of their lives." Despite some improvement in air quality, Los Angeles led the pack of most all-around polluted cities once again. Measuring only for ozone, the dirtiest cities included Houston, Dallas, New York, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia.
--Bret Schulte
Reader Comments