Air News Release (HQ): U.S. Makes Progress Toward Cleaner Air
*CONTACTS: *Cathy Milbourn milbourn.cathy@epa.gov 202-564-7849 202-564-4355 Dave Ryan ryan.dave@epa.gov 202-564-7827 202-564-4355 *FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE* March 10, 2010 *U.S.** Makes Progress Toward Cleaner Air * * * "National trends show improvements in the nation's air quality" *WASHINGTON** *- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is making the most recent data available on the state of the nation's air quality. Air pollution impacts public health, the environment, and the Earth's climate, and understanding these impacts are important priorities for the agency. EPA regulatory actions and voluntary efforts have led to cleaner cars, industries and consumer products, that in turn have contributed to improvements in the nation's air. Since 1990, nationwide air quality has improved significantly for the six common air pollutants: ground-level ozone, particle pollution, lead, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide. Emissions of toxic air pollutants, such as benzene, have declined about 40 percent nationwide between 1990 and 2005. These reductions are helping to improve public health by decreasing the number of emergency room visits, respiratory illnesses, and premature deaths. Positive impacts can also be seen in the environment, with regional haze decreasing. Despite this progress, about 127 million Americans live in counties violating at least one of the national air quality standards. The agency has taken recent actions to tighten air quality standards to help ensure improvements in air quality for everyone. EPA's most recent evaluation of air pollution, Our Nation's Air, Status and Trends Through 2008", "presents trends in air quality measurements, analyzes national emissions from key industrial sectors and takes a look at the relationship between air quality and climate change. More information: http://www.epa.gov/airtrends R066 Note: If a link above doesn't work, please copy and paste the URL into a browser. View all news releases related to air issues [ http://service.govdelivery.com/service/edition.html?code=USAEPA_16&format=Web&email_type=bulletin ] ________________________________________________________________________ Please join the conversation on our new open government Web site [ http://www.epa.gov/open/index.html?gd ]. EPA Seal You can view or update your subscriptions or e-mail address at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page [ https://service.govdelivery.com/service/user.html?code=USAEPA ]. All you will need is your e-mail address. If you have any questions or problems e-mail support@govdelivery.com for assistance. This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [ http://www.epa.gov/ ]. Visit Us on Facebook [ http://facebook.com/epa ] Visit Us on Twitter [ http://twitter.com/epagov ] Visit Us on YouTube [ http://youtube.com/usepagov ] Visit Us on flickr [ http://flickr.com/usepagov ] Sent by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency . 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW . Washington DC 20460 . 202-564-4355