Air

Anything related to air quality, air pollution, or the atmosphere

EPA To Announce Final Risk Assessment for SO2

In response to lawsuits, EPA was scheduled to release its proposed rule for a new primary health-based standard by July 30, 2009. That has been postponed once again, and the new court-ordered date for release of the proposed rule is Nov. 16, 2009, with a final rule due by June 2, 2010.

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FDA Says Electronic Cigarettes Contain Toxic Chemicals

The Food and Drug Administration tested electronic cigarettes -- whose makers (most Chinese) tout them as safer than ordinary cigarettes. The FDA found that some e-cigarettes contained cancer-causing chemicals.

Air

Public

International

Source: LA Times, 07/23/2009

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"Deadly Pollutants Lurk in Coachella Valley Skies"

"The blue, cloudless skies over the Coachella Valley most days hide a darker truth: The area has serious, chronic air pollution challenges."

Air

Public

California

Source: Palm Beach Desert Sun, 07/13/2009

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"Court Overturns Bush-Era Smog Rule"

"A federal appeals court today struck down a Bush administration rule for controlling industrial emissions that form smog."

Air

Public

National (U.S.)

Source: NYTimes, 07/13/2009

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"Wood Burning Creates Top Cancer Risk in Oregon's Air, EPA Says"

"Pollution from burning wood in stoves, fireplaces and elsewhere is the top cancer risk in Oregon's air, according to a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency analysis."

Air

Public

Northwest (OR WA)

Source: Portland Oregonian, 07/09/2009

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"Court Upholds EPA 'Nonattainment' Designations for Soot"

"A federal appeals court yesterday upheld nearly all U.S. EPA designations of areas where airborne soot concentrations exceed national standards, rejecting challenges from state and local governments and industry groups."

Air

Public

National (U.S.)

Source: Greenwire, 07/09/2009

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EPA: Most US Residents Exposed to Excessive Air Pollution Risk

While it does have limitations, the updated National-Scale Air Toxics Assessment offers risk estimates for each of 180 substances, and three separate combined assessments.

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Coaches To Be Warned About Air Pollution

Should youth practice or play sports outdoors on days when the EPA cautions them against heavy exercise?

Air

Public

SE (AL AR FL GA KY LA MS NC PR SC TN)

Source: Louisville Courier-Journal, 07/08/2009

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Invisible Particles, Visible Harm

"Studies Are Homing in on Which Particles Polluting the Air Are Most Sickening -- and Why"

Air

Public

National (U.S.)

Source: Science News, 07/06/2009

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California Imposes World's Toughest Smog Rules for Ships

California this week put in place the toughest restrictions in the world on smog from ships, requiring reductions of more than 80 percent of soot from foreign and US ships out to 24 miles from shore. Tankers, cargo vessels and cruise ships burn bunker fuel, which has sulfur content as much as 1,000 times higher than on-road diesel. The US is moving forward to copy California's rules by 2015. Paul Rogers reports in the San Jose Mercury News.

Air

Public

California

Source: San Jose Mercury News, 07/06/2009