Meeting newly recommended air quality standards would save thousands of lives

In "Excess Morbidity and Mortality Associated with Air Pollution above American Thoracic Society Recommended Standards, 2017-2019," Kevin R. Cromar, PhD, program director at the Marron Institute of Urban Management, and colleagues from the ATS Environmental Health Policy Committee reviewed the most current scientific evidence on air quality and revised their recommendations to provide more protective standards for long- and short-term fine particulate (PM_2.5).

The new recommendation are to: (1) limit long-term (annual) PM_2.5 exposure to 8 micrograms per cubic meter (8 µg/m³) and to (2) limit short-term (daily) exposure to 25 µg/m³. The ATS report also reaffirms its recommendation of limiting ozone to 60 parts per billion (ppb).

"These recommendations, if implemented, would be expected to save thousands of lives," said Dr. Cromar. "On the other hand, the current EPA standards expose the American public to pollution levels that are known to result in significant morbidity and mortality. We understand that the EPA is considering revision of their particulate standards, and urge them to look carefully at the evidence base for our more stringent recommendations."

The researchers estimated that, by meeting ATS recommendations throughout the U.S., an estimated 14,650 deaths; 2,950 cases of lung cancer; and 33,000 additional illnesses would be prevented, while 39.8 million days of missed school and work would be eliminated. Compared with the current EPA standards, 11,850 more deaths; 2,580 more incidence of lung cancer; and 25,400 more illnesses would be prevented, and 27.2 million more impacted days would be saved.

The ATS researchers used the 2017-2019 federal ground monitor measurements reported by the EPA excluding exceptional events, as recorded in counties across the U.S. They calculated health estimates with the EPA's Environmental Benefits and Mapping (BenMAP) tool, using the differences in pollution concentrations detected by these monitors vs. concentrations that were adjusted in order to meet the ATS recommendations or EPA standards. Estimates reflect how many additional negative health outcomes could have been avoided had the ATS or EPA standards been met in all monitored counties.

Air pollution levels by state: https://healthoftheair.org/