The European Union and the United States have updated their air quality standards
On February 20, 2024, representatives of the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament reached a provisional political agreement, proposing to establish new EU air quality standards. The new standard sets stricter limits for a variety of air pollutants, including fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), benzo (a) pyrene, arsenic, lead and nickel. Among them, the annual limits for pollutants such as PM2.5 and NO₂, which have a significant impact on human health, are halved by 3. The annual limit of PM2.5 has been reduced from the previous 25µg/m³ to 10µg/m³, approaching the recommended value of the World Health Organization by 1. These new standards will come into effect in 2030. Member states will have a transitional period to adapt to the new regulations. It is necessary to enhance air quality monitoring and implement stricter pollution reduction strategies in various fields
The European Union and the United States have updated their air quality standards
Air pollution is one of the main causes of global environmental health problems nowadays. To address this crucial issue, the European Union and the United States, as major global economies, have taken significant steps to update air quality standards in order to improve public health and environmental sustainability.
The European Union has updated the air quality standards
Although air quality has improved over the past three decades, the European Union acknowledges that air pollution remains a major challenge to environmental health, prompting significant measures to be taken to reduce environmental health risks. On February 20, 2024, representatives of the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament reached a provisional political agreement on proposing new EU air quality standards to achieve zero pollution and contribute to a non-toxic environment.
The new rules aim to establish stricter EU air quality standards by 2030, which will be more in line with the guidelines of the World Health Organization, and the thresholds and target values will be reviewed regularly. The revised directive covers a range of air pollutants, such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), benzo (a), arsenic, lead and nickel. Special standards have been set for each pollutant, and the annual limits for pollutants such as PM2.5 and NO2, which seriously affect human health, have been halved.
The EU ambient air quality standards are in accordance with the latest directives
Furthermore, the new rules also require member states to formulate roadmaps and air quality plans when the levels of specific pollutants exceed the prescribed thresholds or target values. Furthermore, when the warning threshold is exceeded, a short-term action plan must be formulated to reduce the emergency risk.
The United States has updated its air quality standards
On February 7, 2024, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) updated the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter and the Air Quality Index to protect millions of Americans from heart attacks, premature deaths, and other health problems. This update is an important step towards a cleaner environment, reducing the annual PM2.5 standard from 12.0 micrograms per cubic meter to 9.0 micrograms per cubic meter.
The national ambient air quality standards have been updated
The new standards address the long-standing concerns raised by public health experts and environmental activists. PM2.5 pollution can lead to serious health problems, such as respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems and cancer, posing a significant risk, especially for vulnerable communities. These new standards aim to provide a healthier future, especially for high-risk groups such as children, the elderly and individuals with health conditions. However, the 24-hour PM2.5 standards for level 1 and level 2, the PM2.5 standards for level 2, and the PM10 standards for level 1 and level 2 remain unchanged without revision.
Current air quality index
In addition to this major move by the Environmental Protection Agency, improvements have also been made in communication and monitoring, such as updating the air quality index and changes in the monitoring network. This will enable the public to obtain more information about air quality and enhance protective measures for communities exposed to overly polluted environments. The new HKI breakpoint will also be available on the AirNow website 60 days after its publication in the Federal Register.
The decision of the Environmental Protection Agency reflects a scientifically supported approach, and it is expected that these changes will have a positive impact on public health. According to the estimation of the Environmental Protection Agency, with the implementation of these new standards, it is possible to prevent 4,500 premature deaths and avoid the loss of 290,000 working days. Furthermore, it is projected that there will be a net health benefit of 46 billion US dollars by 2032.
Since 2000, the concentration of PM2.5 in outdoor air has decreased by 42%, while the gross domestic product (GDP) of the United States has increased by 52% during the same period. These data indicate that efforts to improve environmental quality have not undermined economic growth; On the contrary, they enhance health and well-being.
Based on the air monitoring data from 2020 to 2022, the dark green areas on the map indicate counties that do not meet the annual PM2.5 standard of 9 ug/m ³ (Environmental Protection Bureau, 2024).
Michael Reagan, the director of the Environmental Protection Agency, emphasized that these new standards will protect the most vulnerable and overburdened communities in the United States and contribute to the improvement of the overall national health. He said that this step would help people lead healthier and more productive lives and ultimately improve the health and well-being of the country in the long run.
The updates of air quality standards by the European Union and the United States mark a significant commitment and step towards the environment and public health. These updates may improve the quality of life for millions of people by providing cleaner air and a healthier environment. As Abigail Dylan, the chairperson of Earth Justice, said, these federal standards are crucial for protecting public health and ensuring environmental justice.
It is crucial that the air quality limits and regulations in Tilkiye are in line with the latest standards of the European Union and the United States. Although the existence of the draft regulation is a positive step, it is necessary to clarify the details during the release and implementation of the regulation. Furthermore, some of the values stipulated in the current draft regulations are lower than the latest limits set by the European Union and the United States as well as the thresholds set by the World Health Organization. This emphasizes the necessity for Tilkiye to align its commitment and efforts on air quality with similar efforts of the European Union and the United States. This consistency is crucial for adhering to international standards and promoting global environmental protection efforts more effectively.