#EPA to Stop Considering Lives Saved When Setting Rules on #AirPollution
In a reversal, the agency plans to calculate only the cost to industry when setting pollution limits, & not the monetary value of saving human lives, documents show.
#Trump #law #EnvironmentalLaw #PublicHealth #pollution #health
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/12/climate/trump-epa-air-pollution.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share
Ugh, why even have the agency at this point then? fucking get it behind the shed and shoot it in the head. It's what the administration does best isn't it?
@Nonilex this is literally no surprise just another manifestation of let the serfs die while serving us
For decades, the #EPA has calculated the #health benefits of reducing #AirPollution, using the cost estimates of avoided #asthma attacks & premature #deaths to justify #CleanAir rules.
Not anymore.
Under #Trump, the EPA plans to stop tallying gains from the health benefits caused by curbing 2 of the most widespread deadly #air pollutants, fine particulate matter & ozone, when regulating industry, acc/to internal agency emails & documents reviewed by The NYT.
It’s a seismic shift that runs counter to the #EPA’s mission statement, which says the agency’s core responsibility is to protect human #health & the #environment, #EnvironmentalLaw experts said.
The change could make it easier to repeal limits on these #pollutants from #coal burning power plants, #oil refineries, #steel mills & other industrial facilities across the country, emails & documents show. That would most likely lower costs for companies while resulting in dirtier #air.
Fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, refers to particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, small enough to penetrate deep into the #lungs & enter the #bloodstream. #Ozone is a #smog-causing gas that forms when nitrogen dioxide & volatile organic compounds are emitted from power plants, factories & vehicles & mix in the #air on hot, sunny days.
#Trump #EPA #law #EnvironmentalLaw #PublicHealth #pollution #health
Long-term exposure to both #pollutants is linked to #asthma, #heart & #lung #disease, & premature #death. Even moderate exposure to PM2.5 can damage the lungs about as much as smoking.
#Trump #law #EnvironmentalLaw #PublicHealth #pollution #health
