Air

"U.S. EPA's final air quality standard for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) entails new requirements for measuring peak exposures near roads, but it would monitor fewer roadside locations than the agency's original proposal."

"An effort by railroad companies to control dust blowing from coal trains has drawn the wrath of electric-power generators and the attention of federal regulators."

"The Environmental Protection Agency announced Monday that it would control -- for the first time -- short-lived spikes of an air pollutant common along major roads and linked to respiratory problems."

After checking the math, Oregon regulators were surprised to discover the state's only cement plant emitted more mercury into the air than a major coal-burning power plant.

"Children in Texas are more likely to miss school when certain types of air pollution increase -- even when the levels are below the limit set by the federal government, a new study says."

"Exhaust from cars and trucks exacerbates asthma in children and may cause new cases as well as other respiratory illnesses and heart problems resulting in deaths, an independent institute that focuses on vehicle-related air pollution has concluded."

"The Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday proposed a stricter standard for smog-causing pollutants that would bring substantial health benefits to millions of Americans while imposing large costs on industry and local governments."

"To ensure that the most vulnerable Americans are better protected from exposure to lead, the U.S. EPA is proposing to revise the monitoring requirements for measuring airborne lead."

"A $93 million court settlement requiring Duke Energy, one of the America's largest electric power companies, to eliminate sulfur dioxide emissions from a coal-fired plant in Indiana, was reached Tuesday, state and federal officials said."