Biden Sets Tighter Standards For Deadly Soot Pollution

The Biden administration is setting tougher standards for deadly soot pollution, stating that reducing fine particle matter from tailpipes, smokestacks, and other industrial sources could prevent thousands of premature deaths a year, according to Matthew Daly's report for the Associated Press (AP).

The rule hopes to benefit children, older adults, and those with heart and lung conditions, as well as people in low-income and minority communities adversely affected by decades of industrial pollution.

Environmental and public health groups hailed the new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule finalized Wednesday as a major step in improving the health of Americans, including future generations.

Industry groups warned it could lead to the loss of manufacturing jobs and even shut down power plants or refineries. Business groups and Republican-led states are likely to challenge the rule in court.

EPA Administrator Michael Regan said the rule would have $46 billion in net health benefits by 2032, including prevention of up to 800,000 asthma attacks and 4,500 premature deaths.

He emphasized that the rule would particularly benefit children, older adults, and those with heart and lung conditions, as well as people in low-income and minority communities adversely affected by decades of industrial pollution.

Regan stated, “This rule really does represent what the Biden-Harris administration is all about, which is understanding that healthy people equal a healthy economy. We do not have to sacrifice people to have a prosperous and booming economy.”

The rule sets maximum levels of 9 micrograms of fine particle pollution per cubic meter of air, down from 12 micrograms established a decade ago under the Obama administration.

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