Articles tagged with "public-health"
Adoption of Electric Vehicles Tied to Real-World Reductions in Air Pollution, Study Finds - CleanTechnica
A recent study by researchers at the Keck School of Medicine of USC provides the first statistically significant evidence linking the adoption of zero-emissions vehicles (ZEVs)—including fully electric and plug-in hybrid cars—to real-world reductions in nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) air pollution. Using high-resolution satellite data from the Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI), the team analyzed NO₂ levels across 1,692 California neighborhoods from 2019 to 2023. They found that for every 200 additional ZEVs registered in a neighborhood, NO₂ levels dropped by 1.1%. This confirms that increasing ZEV adoption contributes to measurable improvements in air quality, which is important given NO₂’s known health risks such as asthma, bronchitis, and cardiovascular disease. The study highlights that while ZEVs are primarily promoted to combat climate change, their immediate benefits include improved public health through cleaner air. During the study period, ZEV registrations in California increased from 2% to
energyelectric-vehiclesair-pollutionzero-emissions-vehiclespublic-healthclimate-changesatellite-dataEPA Cooks The Books On Industrial Pollution Costs - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica criticizes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the current administration for changing how it calculates the economic costs of industrial pollution. Specifically, the EPA will no longer assign a monetary value to the health impacts of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone pollution on human beings. Instead, the agency will focus solely on the economic costs that pollution regulations impose on corporations. This shift is seen as prioritizing corporate interests over public health, effectively weakening environmental protections by softening regulations deemed too burdensome for polluters. Fine particulates, which are tiny particles produced by burning fossil fuels, and ozone, a smog-forming gas, are linked to serious health problems including cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, asthma, cognitive decline, and premature death. Vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, low-income communities, and people of color are disproportionately affected. Research cited in the article highlights that fossil fuel-related air pollution causes approximately 8.7 million deaths
energypollutionindustrial-pollutionfossil-fuelsenvironmental-policyair-qualitypublic-healthEnvironmental “Protection” Agency to Stop Considering Health Impacts of Pollution - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica reports that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), under the Trump administration, has announced a policy shift to stop considering the health impacts of pollution in its regulatory decisions. This move is characterized as a significant rollback of public health protections, prioritizing the interests of fossil fuel companies over the wellbeing of American communities. Lee Zeldin is mentioned as a figure supporting these changes, which align with broader efforts by the administration to dismantle environmental safeguards. Patrick Drupp, Climate Policy Director at the Sierra Club, strongly criticizes the EPA’s new stance, calling it a betrayal of the agency’s mission to protect public health and the environment. He emphasizes that the administration’s actions favor corporate polluters at the expense of community health and future generations. The Sierra Club, highlighted in the article, is described as a major grassroots environmental organization dedicated to promoting clean energy, safeguarding health, and preserving natural spaces through activism and advocacy. The article underscores widespread concern among environmental groups about the EPA’s policy
energyenvironmental-policypollutionclean-energyfossil-fuelspublic-healthclimate-policyEPA to Delay Air Clean Up Plans for National Parks, Again - CleanTechnica
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced another delay in enforcing regional haze guidelines, granting states an additional three years to submit plans aimed at reducing harmful air pollution in national parks. These plans, required every ten years under the regional haze program, are designed to improve visibility and public health by implementing emission reduction technologies, compliance schedules, and monitoring strategies. The delay postpones efforts to address pollutants that degrade the natural beauty of national parks and pose health risks to visitors and nearby communities. Environmental groups, including the Sierra Club, have strongly criticized the EPA's decision. Sierra Club Senior Attorney Joshua Smith condemned the delay, accusing EPA leadership, specifically Lee Zeldin, of prioritizing fossil fuel interests over environmental protection and public health. The Sierra Club emphasized the urgency of enforcing the regional haze program to restore national parks to their pristine condition and safeguard the well-being of the public. As America’s largest grassroots environmental organization, the Sierra Club continues to advocate for clean energy, community health, and conservation through activism,
energyenvironmental-protectionair-pollutionregional-haze-programemission-reductionpublic-healthnational-parksWowza — NYC Congestion Pricing Cut Pollution 22% In Just 6 Months! - CleanTechnica
New York City implemented congestion pricing on January 5, 2025, aiming to reduce pollution by charging vehicles entering the Congestion Relief Zone (CRZ) in Manhattan below 60th Street. Data from 42 air quality monitors showed a significant 22% reduction in PM2.5 pollution within just six months. Specifically, average daily peak PM2.5 concentrations dropped by 3.05 µg/m³ inside the zone, where background levels typically range from 8-9 µg/m³. Importantly, pollution also decreased citywide by 1.07 µg/m³ and by 0.70 µg/m³ across the broader metropolitan area, countering concerns that traffic and pollution would simply shift to neighboring areas. The effectiveness of the CRZ improved over time as drivers adapted by switching to public transit, rescheduling trips, or taking alternative routes. Vehicle traffic declined by 11% overall, with heavy-duty truck traffic dropping 18% and passenger vehicles down
energypollution-reductioncongestion-pricingurban-planningair-qualitypublic-healthtransportation-policyCourt Sides with Sierra Club and Advocates to Strike Down EPA Clean Air Designation - CleanTechnica
A federal appeals court has ruled in favor of the Sierra Club and environmental advocates by striking down the EPA’s decision to redesignate the Detroit area from “nonattainment” to “attainment” under the Clean Air Act for ground-level ozone pollution. This legal victory, stemming from a 2023 lawsuit, prevents Michigan from avoiding stricter pollution controls and permitting requirements that are crucial for reducing ozone precursor emissions. The ruling comes amid rising asthma rates in Detroit, particularly affecting Black communities, and addresses longstanding air quality issues in the region. The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit found that the EPA acted unlawfully in allowing the redesignation, thereby reinstating stricter air quality standards and permitting rules for new pollution sources in the Detroit area. While the court upheld some EPA findings that let Michigan avoid other nonattainment requirements, the decision effectively closes a loophole that had made it easier for states to circumvent stricter pollution controls. Advocates emphasize that this ruling is a significant step toward improving
energyenvironmental-lawpollution-controlair-qualityClean-Air-ActEPA-regulationspublic-healthTrump’s EPA Abandons Defense of National Soot Standard That Saves Lives - CleanTechnica
The Trump administration’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken the unprecedented step of abandoning its defense of the strengthened national standards for fine particulate matter (PM2.5), commonly known as soot. These standards, part of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) under the Clean Air Act, were tightened last year to reduce the allowable annual soot concentration from 12 to 9 micrograms per cubic meter. This change was based on extensive scientific evidence and expert recommendations, aiming to protect public health by preventing thousands of premature deaths and delivering cleaner air, especially for communities near highways, factories, and power plants. Despite the projected health benefits and the importance of the soot standard, the EPA has filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to strike down the rule. Environmental advocates, including the Sierra Club, have condemned this move as a dangerous betrayal of the EPA’s mission to protect communities from toxic pollutants. They argue that the rollback favors fossil fuel interests at the
energyclean-airEPAparticulate-matterpollution-controlenvironmental-policypublic-healthSierra Club Releases Nearly 1,000 New Emails from Trump’s EPA - CleanTechnica
The Sierra Club has released 952 pages of emails obtained through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, revealing communications between Trump-era EPA officials and various industry groups, including automakers, chemical manufacturers, and energy associations. These records expose efforts by corporate polluters and lobbyists to influence the EPA to roll back environmental protections, such as vehicle emissions standards and California’s waiver policy aimed at reducing tailpipe pollution. Notably, companies like Toyota and Ford sought direct meetings with EPA leadership to discuss these rollbacks, while trade groups like the American Petroleum Institute coordinated support for nullifying emissions waivers. The emails also highlight industry attempts to weaken regulations on harmful chemicals such as PFAS and PFOA, with chemical companies like Chemours and industry associations lobbying against Biden administration protections. The Sierra Club views these disclosures as evidence that the Trump administration’s EPA prioritized polluters’ interests over public health and environmental safeguards. The organization plans to continue using FOIA requests to increase transparency and holds that these communications
energyenvironmental-regulationEPAvehicle-emissionschemical-manufacturingair-qualitypublic-healthWhat's Contaminating Our Once-Pristine Water Sources? - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica highlights the critical issue of water contamination in the United States, emphasizing the vital role clean water plays in public health, ecosystems, and the economy. It notes that about one-third of the US population relies on streams vulnerable to pollution for drinking water. Despite the importance of reducing water pollution, the article criticizes recent political actions, particularly under the Trump administration, for undermining scientific research and regulatory efforts aimed at protecting water quality. The administration is portrayed as dismissive of peer-reviewed science, often prioritizing private industry interests over environmental and public health concerns. A detailed case study from Iowa illustrates the problem: a comprehensive $1 million research project by the Central Iowa Source Water Research Assessment (CISWRA) found that many of the state’s rivers, which serve as drinking water sources for approximately 600,000 people, are heavily contaminated with harmful substances such as nitrates, phosphorus, nitrogen, bacteria, pesticides, and other chemicals. The study linked these contaminants primarily to
energywater-pollutionenvironmental-sciencewater-qualitypublic-healthsustainabilityclean-waterHow Al Gore used AI to track 660M polluters
Former Vice President Al Gore, through the nonprofit Climate Trace which he co-founded, has launched an AI-powered tool that tracks fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution from over 660 million sources globally. This initiative aims to provide precise, accessible data on pollution levels and sources, addressing a significant public health crisis linked to conventional air pollution. The project was inspired by Gore’s experience with communities in Memphis, Tennessee, affected by pollution from a nearby refinery and a crude oil pipeline, highlighting the need for transparent monitoring of pollutant plumes near populated areas. The tool, developed in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University, uses AI to manage and visualize vast amounts of pollution data, making it possible to track emissions worldwide—something previously unimaginable without advanced technology. Scientific research has increasingly revealed the extensive health risks of PM2.5 exposure beyond lung cancer and heart disease, including strokes and other serious conditions causing hundreds of thousands of deaths annually in the U.S. Gore hopes that raising awareness of these health impacts,
energyAIpollution-trackinggreenhouse-gas-emissionsclimate-changepublic-healthfossil-fuelsClimate Change Is Bringing Legionnaire’s Disease to a Town Near You
The article highlights the growing public health threat posed by Legionnaire’s disease, a bacterial pneumonia linked to Legionella bacteria that thrives in warm, stagnant water found in large cooling systems such as those in apartment buildings. This summer, New York City has experienced a significant outbreak, with over 100 cases and five deaths, primarily linked to massive air conditioning units that disperse bacteria-laden mist into the air. While Legionnaire’s disease has traditionally been a localized issue, climate change is expanding its reach by creating warmer conditions that favor bacterial growth, especially in older urban infrastructure across the Northeast and Midwest. Legionella bacteria are commonly found in natural water sources but usually in concentrations too low to cause illness. However, the combination of rising temperatures and aging water systems in cities has increased the risk of outbreaks. Vulnerable populations—including the elderly, young children, pregnant people, and immunocompromised individuals—are at higher risk, with about 5,000 annual deaths in the U.S., often concentrated
energyclimate-changepublic-healthLegionnaire's-diseaseair-conditioninginfrastructurebacterial-infectionCoal Is Linked To Cancer, Not Wind Power - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica highlights the significant health risks associated with coal power, emphasizing its strong links to cancer and other serious diseases. Research from Duke University and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health shows that coal pollution contributes to premature deaths, cardiovascular diseases, lung cancer, and developmental disorders, with lung cancer risk increasing in populations relying heavily on coal-fired power plants. Coal miners face even greater dangers, with markedly higher mortality rates from respiratory diseases like black lung and COPD, particularly in Central Appalachian states. Additionally, coal combustion produces coal ash containing hazardous substances such as radium, which poses a cancer risk up to 35 times higher than previously understood. Despite these dangers, coal ash is still used in construction and road projects, raising concerns about public exposure. The article also contrasts coal's well-documented harms with the unfounded claims made by former President Donald Trump regarding wind power. Trump has disparaged wind energy as a "con job" and falsely accused wind turbines of harming humans and whales
energycoal-powercoal-ashcancer-riskfossil-fuelsair-pollutionpublic-healthNew Jersey Wins $2 Billion Settlement From DuPont Over PFAS Contamination - CleanTechnica
The article discusses the recent $2 billion settlement won by New Jersey from DuPont over contamination caused by PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances), also known as "forever chemicals" due to their persistence in the environment. PFAS are widely used in consumer products such as food packaging, non-stick cookware, textiles, cosmetics, and firefighting foam because of their water- and grease-resistant properties. However, these chemicals do not break down naturally and have been linked to serious health issues, including cancers, fertility problems, and developmental disorders in children. Despite the growing evidence of harm, the U.S. federal government has cut nearly $15 million in research funding on PFAS contamination in farms, a move criticized by public health advocates as prioritizing corporate profits over citizen health. The article highlights the environmental and health risks posed by PFAS contamination in agriculture, noting that pesticides and sewage sludge used as fertilizer introduce these chemicals into soil and water, thereby entering the food supply. The
materialsPFASchemical-contaminationenvironmental-pollutionwater-pollutiontoxic-chemicalspublic-healthNew Coal Ash Rules Thrill Utility Companies But Threaten Human Health - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica highlights the serious health and environmental risks posed by coal ash, the toxic residue left from burning coal, which utility companies have stored for decades due to its hazardous nature. Despite the availability of cleaner and more cost-effective energy alternatives like wind, solar, and geothermal, the current U.S. administration continues to support the fossil fuel industry, including coal, effectively allowing these companies to avoid the full costs of environmental cleanup. This perpetuates the externalization of coal ash’s harmful impacts on human health and the environment. Coal ash contains numerous toxic substances such as lead, cadmium, chromium, arsenic, mercury, boron, molybdenum, and thallium, each linked to severe health problems. Exposure to these elements can cause nervous system damage, kidney and lung diseases, various cancers, skin and intestinal ulcers, and neurological impairments, among other issues. The article underscores that even low-level exposure to these toxins can be harmful, emphasizing the urgent need for
energycoal-ashfossil-fuelsenvironmental-impacttoxic-wastepublic-healthrenewable-energyAs Measles Cases Surge, Mexico Issues a US Travel Alert
measlesoutbreakMexicoUS-travel-alertpublic-healthChihuahuavaccination