PM2.5 fine particle News

Measures to control methane and black carbon (soot) emissions could improve air quality and public health, in addition to slowing the rate of climate change, according to recent research. By 2030, the reduced pollution could prevent between 700,000 and 4.7 million premature deaths each year, with 80% of the benefits occurring in Asia. Previous studies have linked the formation of ozone at ground ...

Aug. 2, 2012

By GLOBE SERIES

Today, the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a settlement with ASARCO requiring the company to spend $150 million to install new equipment and pollution control technology to reduce emissions of toxic heavy metals at a large smelter located in Hayden, Ariz. The company will also fund local environmental projects valued at $8 million, replace a ...

Nov. 3, 2015

By US EPA - Environmental Protection Agency

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Justice announced a settlement with ASARCO that requires the company to spend $150 million to install new equipment and pollution control technology to reduce emissions of toxic heavy metals at a large copper smelter in Hayden, Ariz. The company will also fund local environmental projects valued at $8 million, ...

Nov. 3, 2015

By US EPA - Environmental Protection Agency

The European Commission today welcomed the adoption of the directive on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe. The directive mirrors closely the Commission proposal of September 2005 and demonstrates the European Union's strong commitment to improving air quality in the EU by setting binding standards for fine particles PM2.5. Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said: 'The European ...

Apr. 14, 2008

By European Commission, Environment DG

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold two public hearings on the proposed updates to the national air quality standards for fine particle pollution (PM2.5). A federal court ruling required EPA to update the standards based on best available science. The proposed updates, which meet that requirement, build on steps already taken by EPA to reduce pollution in communities across ...

Jul. 9, 2012

By US EPA - Environmental Protection Agency

The European Commission welcomes the European Parliament's second reading amendments today on the directive on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe which confirmed the recent agreement negotiated between the Portuguese presidency and the Parliament. The agreement mirrors both institution's strong commitment to improving air quality, setting for the first time binding standards for fine ...

Dec. 12, 2007

By European Commission, Environment DG

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced a new voluntary clean air program, 'PM Advance,' to help communities continue to meet soot pollution standards, improve air quality and protect public health. PM Advance focuses on working with communities to develop strategies for reducing harmful fine particle emissions. Soot, also known as fine particle pollution (PM2.5), can ...

Jan. 17, 2013

By US EPA - Environmental Protection Agency

People exposed to fine particle (PM2.5) and ozone pollution are at increased risk of suffering out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, according to a recent Finnish study. Cardiac arrest is more likely within 24 hours after exposure to PM2.5 and up to several days after exposure to ozone. Previous studies have already linked air pollution with sudden events causing cardiac (heart) arrest, when the ...

Jul. 4, 2013

By European Commission, Environment DG

Environmental Protection UK has questioned the lack of urgency in action to address air pollution in light of a new report by the Department of Health's Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP). The report finds that air pollution, largely from road traffic, was a contributory factor in up to 200,000 premature deaths during 2008. The new report 'the Mortality Effects of ...

Dec. 21, 2010

By Environmental Protection UK

Delhis air is the worst among world mega cities, the World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed recently, even as IndiaSpend’s #breathe network of air-quality sensors reported fine-particulate-matter (PM2.5) levels were almost four times above daily safe levels, on average, for the seven-day period from Sept.22 to 28, 2016. For long-term exposure, these 24-hour levels are nearly 11 times ...

Oct. 4, 2016

By Camfil Ltd

Managing air quality has become an increasingly complex partnership between regional, national and local bodies in Europe. A recent study explores the development and achievements of urban air quality management over recent decades, from controlling emissions at source to new, flexible approaches, based on managing risks associated with impacts on health and the environment. The future of air ...

Feb. 5, 2009

By European Commission, Environment DG

Elderly patients with Parkinson’s disease are at greater risk of emergency hospitalisation, as well as premature death, following short periods of increased air pollution by fine particles, finds a US study. The researchers believe that these findings support the theory that fine particles may affect the brain. They also found possible links between pollution and hospitalisation rates for ...

Oct. 9, 2014

By European Commission, Environment DG

In response to a court order, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today finalized an update to its national air quality standards for harmful fine particle pollution (PM2.5), including soot, setting the annual health standard at 12 micrograms per cubic meter. By 2020, ninety-nine percent of U.S. counties are projected to meet revised health standard without any additional actions ...

Dec. 14, 2012

By US EPA - Environmental Protection Agency

It is recognised that reducing greenhouse gas emissions could have important co-benefits for health as a result of improved air quality. A new study estimates that increasing EU emissions reductions targets from 20 per cent to 30 per cent by 2020 could increase such co-benefits worth between 6.5 and 25 billion Euros per year. Using methods developed under the EU's CAFE1 programme, which aims to ...

Nov. 6, 2008

By European Commission, Environment DG

Across the country this holiday season, families and friends will gather around fires in woodstoves or fireplaces. But how you build that fire – and what you burn – can have a significant impact on air quality and health, both inside your home and out. Whether you’re using a woodstove, pellet stove, or your fireplace, seeing smoke from your chimney means your fire isn’t ...

Dec. 22, 2014

By US EPA - Environmental Protection Agency

HELENA, Montana (ENS) - Two citizens groups are appealing the air permit for the Highwood Generating Facility, a new coal-fired power plant proposed for construction on top of the Great Falls Portage National Historic Landmark outside of Great Falls, Montana. On behalf of the Montana Environmental Information Center and Citizens for Clean Energy, the public interest environmental law firm ...

Jun. 1, 2007

By Environment News Service (ENS)

Recent research has investigated the effectiveness of air quality management at the regional level in Italy and found that some of the most commonly adopted measures do not always produce the highest emissions reductions. Italian air quality legislation was reformed in 1999 in order to comply with the 1996 European Air Quality Framework Directive1. At the time, the 20 Italian administrative ...

Jan. 29, 2010

By Science for Environment Policy - European Commission DG Environment News Alert Service

A new study links heavy air pollution from coal burning to shorter lives in northern China. Researchers estimate that the half-billion people alive there in the 1990s will live an average of 5½ years less than their southern counterparts because they breathed dirtier air. China itself made the comparison possible: for decades, a now-discontinued government policy provided free coal for ...

Jul. 9, 2013

By Associated Press

In response to a court order, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today proposed updates to its national air quality standards for harmful fine particle pollution, including soot (known as PM2.5). These microscopic particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and have been linked to a wide range of serious health effects, including premature death, heart attacks, and strokes, as well as ...

Jun. 15, 2012

By US EPA - Environmental Protection Agency

Long-term exposure to fine particles (PM2.5) can trigger atherosclerosis, adverse birth outcomes and childhood respiratory diseases, according to a World Health Organisation (WHO) review released today. REVIHAAP – the “Review of evidence on health aspects of air pollution” – also suggests a possible link with neurodevelopment, cognitive function and diabetes, and ...

Jan. 31, 2013

By European Commission, Environment DG