from masterresource
By Robert Bradley Jr. — July 11, 2024
“Total emissions of six common pollutants (PM2.5) from 1970 to 20222.5 and afternoon10so2NoX, VOC, CO and Pb) decreased by 78%. The development comes as U.S. economic indicators remain strong. (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Our Nation’s Air Quality: Trends to 2022”)
Failing to convince climate alarm skeptics (science favors CO2’s positive rather than negative effects) [CO2]), and because changes in climate policy won't affect the climate for decades, if ever, critics of fossil fuels turn to standards for known air pollutants. It is widely believed that such emissions cause deaths (5 million per year), as if these emission sources fail to save lives every day – and there are many more.
but trend Each of the five criteria pollutants associated with consumer-driven, taxpayer-neutral energy is positive. More improvements are expected. The increasing sustainability of fossil fuels has been a theme in political economy for decades. Fact: Oil, natural gas and coal are now environmental products, unlike a half century or more ago, when air pollutants from mobile and stationary sources were largely uncontrolled.
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In the words of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, as shown in the figure below: “Between 1970 and 2022, six common pollutants (PM2.5 and afternoon10so2NoX, VOC, CO and Pb) decreased by 78%. The development comes as U.S. economic indicators remain strong.
source：https://gispub.epa.gov/air/trendsreport/2023/#home
“Since 1970, the Clean Air Act and technological advances by American innovators have dramatically improved America’s air quality. Since then, total emissions of criteria and precursor pollutants have dropped by 78% . Cleaner air brings important public health benefits, and we commend our state, local, community and industry partners for helping further long-term improvements to our air quality.
Since 1990, national air pollutant concentrations have declined significantly:
- Carbon monoxide (CO) 8 hours, 81%
- Lead (Pb) 3-month average, 88% (since 2010)
- Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) per year, 60%
- Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) 1 hour, 54%
- Ozone (O3) 8 hours, 22%
- Particulate matter 10 microns (PM10) 24 hours, 34%
- Particulate matter 2.5 microns (PM2.5) per year, 42% (since 2000)
- Particulate matter 2.5 microns (PM2.5) 24 hours, 42% (since 2000)
- Sulfur dioxide (SO2) 1 hour, 90%
- Many air toxics fell, with percentages varying by pollutant
Despite increases in air pollutant concentrations related to fires, carbon monoxide and particulate matter pollution, national average air quality concentrations remain below current national standards.
EPA’s final statement: “Our Nation’s air quality continues to improve…However, efforts must continue to ensure healthy air for all communities. EPA and our partners at the state, tribal, and local levels will continue to work to address the complex air quality issues we face. A matter of quality. But based on achievable technological change, sound science rather than outlier research is needed to inform public policy.
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