David J. Phillip/AP
READ MORE ABOUT:
Reports are in that the EPA is moving towards finally labeling carbon dioxide as a pollutant, which will have huge implications in the way that it's regulated—which is good news for anyone who's concerned about climate change. Companies that emit carbon dioxide have already been told they'll have to start reporting their CO2 emissions, if they exceed a certain amount.
But in order to fully understand the importance of this measure, and how a regulatory system bent on curbing CO2 might work, it might be useful to take a look at the 6 pollutants that the EPA's already watching. Any idea which pollutants the EPA is keeping tabs on?
They're lead, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, ozone, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen dioxide. To regulate the pollutants, the EPA sets a National Ambient Air Quality Standard for each. Companies must adhere to the standards by law. And now, carbon dioxide looks like it'll be joining the ranks, as a pollutant that's harmful to public health—due mostly to the fact that it makes up the biggest share of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere that contribute to global warming.
And here's how they chart the trends: (from the EPA)
For each of these pollutants, EPA tracks two kinds of air pollution trends: air concentrations based on actual measurements of pollutant concentrations in the ambient (outside) air at selected monitoring sites throughout the country, and emissions based on engineering estimates of the total tons of pollutants released into the air each year. Despite the progress made in the last 30 years, millions of people live in counties with monitor data showing unhealthy air for one or more of the six common pollutants.
As of now, the two air pollutants deemed most dangerous are particulate pollution and ground-level ozone—but those are monitored in regard to individual health, not the overall health of the planet. Such attention paid to CO2 should almost be considered revolutionary. But we'll have to see how what's certain to be a bureaucratic mess and a massive regulatory headache pan out before we dole out the congratulations. It's a great step forward nonetheless.
More on Air Pollutants:
Planet Hazard: Mapping Air Pollutants in the U.S.
Magic Carpets Suck Out Air Pollutants
-
- {}
