EPA – As Economy Grows Key Pollutants are Declining

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released today its annual interactive report tracking America’s progress in controlling air pollution. Our Nation’s Air: Trends Through 2022 shows that, between 1970 and 2022, the combined emissions of six key pollutants dropped by 78%, while the U.S. economy grew 304% over the same time.

“Even as the economy grows, we continue to see dramatic long-term reductions in air emissions. This progress is encouraging, and we will continue to collaborate with our partners to protect public health and ensure clean air for all,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan.

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Emissions of air pollution come from:

• stationary fuel combustion sources (such as electric utilities and industrial boilers),
• industrial and other processes (such as metal smelters, petroleum refineries, cement kilns and dry cleaners),
• highway vehicles, and
• non-road mobile sources (such as recreational and construction equipment, marine vessels, aircraft and locomotives).

Air pollution contains gas and particle contaminants that are present in the atmosphere. Gaseous pollutants include sulfur dioxide (SO₂), oxides of nitrogen (NO_x), ozone (O₃), carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and certain toxic air pollutants. Particle pollution (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀) includes a mixture of compounds that EPA groups into five major categories: sulfate, nitrate, elemental (black) carbon, organic carbon and crustal material.

Some pollutants are released directly into the atmosphere. Other pollutants are formed in the air from chemical reactions. Ground-level ozone forms when emissions of NO_x and VOCs react in the presence of sunlight. Air pollution impacts human health and the environment through a variety of pathways.

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National Averages

The national average concentrations of harmful air pollutants decreased considerably across our nation between 1990 and 2022:

• Carbon Monoxide (CO) 8-Hour, 81%
• Lead (Pb) 3-Month Average, 88% (from 2010)
• Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂) Annual,60%
• Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂) 1-Hour,54%
• Ozone (O₃) 8-Hour,22%
• Particulate Matter 10 microns (PM₁₀) 24-Hour, 34%
• Particulate Matter 2.5 microns (PM₅) Annual, 42% (from 2000)
• Particulate Matter 2.5 microns (PM₅) 24-Hour, 42% (from 2000)
• Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂) 1-Hour, 90%

However, EPA said: “It is important to note that air quality concentrations can vary year to year, even as human-caused emissions continue to decline. In 2022, national average concentrations of lead and nitrogen dioxide increased slightly over 2021 levels. Variations in weather, and events such as dust storms and wildfires can have an impact on air quality in affected areas. Many environmental impacts associated with climate change can impact air quality particularly affecting the severity and timing of the wildfire season, including changes in temperature, precipitation, and drought.”

Explore the report click: Here.