A recent poll conducted by the American Lung Association (ALA) reveals that a significant majority of American voters are in favor of stricter standards for particulate matter (PM), also known as particle or soot pollution. This finding emerges a month after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its decision to reinforce the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter.
As per an ALA press release, 78% of voters who participated in the poll, which was conducted by Global Strategy Group, indicated their support for more stringent standards for particle pollution. The data further shows that 84% of Black voters and 75% of Hispanic voters are in favor of the EPA imposing stricter limits on soot.
An EPA press release dated Feb. 7, 2024, stated that the agency has set the level of the primary (health-based) annual PM2.5 standard at 9.0 micrograms per cubic meter. Additionally, it plans to revise the Air Quality Index to enhance public awareness regarding the risks associated with PM2.5 exposure and modify the monitoring network to increase air quality protection in communities affected by significant air pollution.
According to another ALA press release, over three-quarters of voters believe that these new limits will positively impact the quality of air they breathe. Furthermore, 73% said that it would have a beneficial effect on future generations of Americans. The results also revealed that a majority of voters would welcome tougher standards on pollutants emitted by power plants: 82% support stricter limits on mercury and other toxic air emissions from power plants; 76% support stricter limits on carbon emissions from new and existing power plants; and 78% support establishing stricter limits for smog from power plants, oil refineries, and other industrial facilities.
"Particle pollution kills thousands of people in the United States each year. EPA’s recent strengthening of the annual particle pollution standard will make an important difference, especially for communities near a pollution source like a power plant or a busy road," said Harold Wimmer, president and CEO of the American Lung Association, in the press release.
