EPA Announces New Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter
Video Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories - Duration: 01:30s - Published
EPA Announces New Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter
EPA Announces New Air Quality Standards , for Particulate Matter.
On February 7, the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) announced a new rule aimed at significantly
reducing levels of particulate matter (PM) in the air.
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ABC reports that the EPA updated the national
air-quality standards, citing the known
negative health impacts of exposure to PM.
ABC reports that the EPA's previous annual standard
was set at 12 micrograms of PM per cubic meter of air,
while the latest update lowers that to 9 micrograms. .
The EPA's 24-hour standard, which accounts
for short-term spikes in pollution,
will remain at 35 micrograms per cubic meter.
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Responses to the new rules have
been mixed, with environmental and
health groups praising the decision.
.
Today's action is a critical step
forward that will better protect
workers, families and communities
from the dangerous and costly
impacts of fine particle pollution, Michael Regan, EPA Administrator, via ABC.
The science is clear, soot pollution
is one of the most dangerous forms
of air pollution and it's linked to a range
of serious and potentially deadly illnesses,
including asthma and heart attacks, Michael Regan, EPA Administrator, via ABC.
On the other hand, industry groups have reportedly
signaled that it will hamper manufacturing
and eliminate jobs in the United States.
Harold Wimmer, president and CEO of the
American Lung Association, called the EPA's decision
"a step forward for public health," but still not enough.
It is disappointing that EPA did
not follow the strong science-based
recommendations of the Clean Air
Scientific Advisory Committee and
the health community to also revise
the 24-hour standard to more
fully protect public health, Harold Wimmer, president and CEO
of the American Lung Association, via ABC
EPA Announces First-Ever Regulations , for PFAS in Drinking Water.
On April 10, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it is issuing a country-wide regulation to limit the amount of "forever chemicals" in drinking water, CBS News reports.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are commonly found in the air, water and soil.
According to the EPA, there is no amount of exposure to PFAS that is considered safe.
They can be found in everything from
nonstick cookware to cleaning and personal
care products. But there's no doubt that
many of these chemicals can be harmful
to our health and our environment, EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan, via statement.
Exposure to PFAS has been linked to reproductive
problems, developmental delays, low birth weight,
immune system issues, high cholesterol, cardiovascular
issues and some cancers, CBS News reports. .
Public water utilities will now be required to
"test for six different types of PFAS chemicals"
in drinking water, CBS News reports.
The agency estimates that the new requirement will lower exposure to
PFAS for about 100 million people. .
Drinking water contaminated with
PFAS has plagued communities
across this country for too long, EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan, via statement.
$1 billion will be made available to help states
and territories comply with the new standards.
Those funds are part of a $9 billion investment generated by the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
President Biden believes that
everyone deserves access to clean,
safe drinking water, and he is
delivering on that promise, Brenda Mallory, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, via statement
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
EPA Takes Aim at, US Chemical Emissions, That Are Likely Carcinogens.
'The Independent' reports that over 200 chemical
plants in the United States will be required
to reduce toxic emissions under a new rule. .
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
released the new rule regarding toxic
emissions likely to cause cancer on April 9.
The rule is meant to deliver critical health protections
for communities faced with industrial pollution from
dangerous chemicals, such as chloroprene and ethyl oxide.
The rule will significantly reduce
emissions from the Denka Performance
Elastomer facility in LaPlace, Louisiana.
The facility is the largest producer of
chloroprene emissions in the U.S., according
to EPA Administrator Michael Regan.
Every community in this country
deserves to breathe clean air.
That’s why I took the Journey
to Justice tour to communities
like St. John the Baptist Parish,
where residents have borne
the brunt of toxic air for far too long, Michael Regan, EPA Administrator, via 'The Independent'.
We promised to listen to folks that
are suffering from pollution and act
to protect them. Today we deliver
on that promise with strong final
standards to slash pollution,
reduce cancer risk and ensure
cleaner air for nearby communities, Michael Regan, EPA Administrator, via 'The Independent'.
According to officials, the changes
are meant to reduce ethylene oxide and
chloroprene emissions in the U.S. by nearly 80%.
'The Independent' reports that the rule updates
several regulations on chemical plant emissions
that have not been altered in nearly 20 years.
The EPA said that the new rule will reduce a total of over
6,200 tons of toxic air pollutants annually in an effort
to address health risks in neighboring communities
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
EPA Issues Ambitious, New Rules Aimed at , Cutting Carbon Emissions.
On March 20, the Biden administration
announced new rules regarding
automobile emissions standards.
On March 20, the Biden administration
announced new rules regarding
automobile emissions standards.
NBC reports that officials have called the
new regulations the most ambitious plan to
reduce emissions from passenger vehicles.
NBC reports that officials have called the
new regulations the most ambitious plan to
reduce emissions from passenger vehicles.
The new rules include scaled back
tailpipe limits requested by the
Environmental Protection Agency last April. .
The new rules include scaled back
tailpipe limits requested by the
Environmental Protection Agency last April. .
The new rules come amid slowing
sales of electric vehicles, a critical part
of the plan to meet the new standards.
The new rules come amid slowing
sales of electric vehicles, a critical part
of the plan to meet the new standards.
Last April, the auto industry cited
lower sales growth in its objection
to the EPA's strict standards. .
According to the EPA, the industry
could meet the limits if 56% of new
vehicle sales are electric by 2032.
According to the EPA, the industry
could meet the limits if 56% of new
vehicle sales are electric by 2032.
The EPA plan also called for at least 13% of plug-in
hybrids or other partially-electric cars, in addition
to more efficient gasoline-powered vehicles. .
The EPA's proposed standards would
avoid over 7 billion tons of planet-warming
carbon emissions over the next 30 years. .
The EPA's new rules apply
to model years 2027 to 2032.
The Biden administration's new rules
are set to ramp up to nearly meet
the EPA's limits by 2032.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees , Are Announced.
2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees , Are Announced.
This year's honorees are
Mary J. Blige, Cher, Dave Matthews Band.
This year's honorees are
Mary J. Blige, Cher, Dave Matthews Band.
This year's honorees are
Mary J. Blige, Cher, Dave Matthews Band.
Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Kool & The Gang.
Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Kool & The Gang.
Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Kool & The Gang.
Ozzy Osbourne and
A Tribe Called Quest, NPR reports. .
Ozzy Osbourne and
A Tribe Called Quest, NPR reports. .
John Sykes, chairman of the Rock & Roll
Hall of Fame Foundation, issued a
statement about this year's inductees.
Rock & Roll is an ever-evolving
amalgam of sounds that impacts
culture and moves generations, John Sykes, chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, via NPR.
This diverse group of inductees
each broke down musical barriers
and influenced countless artists
that followed in their footsteps, John Sykes, chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, via NPR.
Additionally, the Musical Influence Award will go to Alexis Korner, John Mayall and Big Mama Thornton.
Additionally, the Musical Influence Award will go to Alexis Korner, John Mayall and Big Mama Thornton.
Additionally, the Musical Influence Award will go to Alexis Korner, John Mayall and Big Mama Thornton.
The Musical Excellence Award will be given to
Jimmy Buffett, MC5, Dionne Warwick
and Norman Whitfield.
The Musical Excellence Award will be given to
Jimmy Buffett, MC5, Dionne Warwick
and Norman Whitfield.
The Musical Excellence Award will be given to
Jimmy Buffett, MC5, Dionne Warwick
and Norman Whitfield.
The Musical Excellence Award will be given to
Jimmy Buffett, MC5, Dionne Warwick
and Norman Whitfield.
The Ahmet Ertegun Award, which honors those
who don't perform music but have made an impact
in the industry, will go to Suzanne de Passe.
The induction ceremony will take place on Oct. 19 and will stream live on Disney+.
It will be available to view on Hulu the following
day and will also air on ABC at a later date.
It will be available to view on Hulu the following
day and will also air on ABC at a later date
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Beloved 'Golden Bachelor' couple Gerry Turner and Teresa Nist are sadly calling it quits. Just three months after tying the knot in an ABC special in January, the couple, whose engagement was revealed in Nov, announced they are getting a divorce. They sat down with 'Good Morning America' to reveal their decision but offered little to an audience that will want to know what happened after witnessing their inspiring later-in-life love story unfold.
Credit: The Hollywood Reporter Duration: 02:04Published
Ford Orders Recall , Over Potential SUV Gas Leak.
ABC reports that Ford has ordered
a recall for almost 43,000 small SUVs
due to a potential risk of fire. .
The recall impacts some Bronco
Sport SUVs from 2022 and 2023,
as well as 2022's Escape SUVs. .
According to Ford, gasoline can leak from
fuel injectors near or onto hot engine surfaces,
which increases the risk of starting fires.
The recall does not reportedly include repairing
any potential fuel leak, which the company
claims only impacts about 1% of their SUVs.
ABC reports that Michael Brooks, executive director
of the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety,
has called Ford's decision a "Band-aid type recall.".
Brooks claims that even a 1% failure
rate is high and places drivers
at potential risk for a crash.
The NHTSA said that it lacks legal
authority to pre-approve recall fixes. .
The agency added that it would, "closely track their performance using field data.".
However, Brooks suggests that Congress
needs to change laws so that the NHTSA can , "require something more than the rubber
stamp that NHTSA is currently deploying.”.
That is a post-remedy inquiry
that won't make the fixes better,
and further stretches out the process
and leaves consumers in limbo. , Michael Brooks, executive director of the
nonprofit Center for Auto Safety, via ABC
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
US Life Expectancy on the Rise , Following Pandemic Decline, CDC Report Says.
According to the latest federal
mortality data, life expectancy in
the United States increased in 2022. .
The report published by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health
Statistics (NCHS) raised life expectancy to 77.5 years.
The report published by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health
Statistics (NCHS) raised life expectancy to 77.5 years.
The positive change comes after two
years of decline following the pandemic.
The positive change comes after two
years of decline following the pandemic.
While life expectancy has yet to reach
pre-pandemic levels, 2022 showed
an increase of 1.1 years compared to 2021.
2022 ended up recording 3.27 million
deaths in the U.S., which was
184,374 fewer deaths than the year before.
According to the report, heart disease
and cancer remained the two most
prevalent causes of death in the U.S. .
According to the report, heart disease
and cancer remained the two most
prevalent causes of death in the U.S. .
COVID-19 dropped to fourth on
the list, and unintentional injuries
took over the number three spot.
COVID-19 dropped to fourth on
the list, and unintentional injuries
took over the number three spot.
ABC reports that both males and
females saw approximately the same
increase in life expectancy from 2021 to 2022.
Over the same period of time,
the death rate decreased
for nearly every age group. .
Another NCHS report found that rates of
drug overdose deaths from synthetic opioids
increased by 4.1% between 2021 and 2022.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Phase One Investigative Maui Wildfire Report , to Be Released Next Month.
ABC reports that seven months after deadly
wildfires devastated Maui, an investigative
report will be released on April 17, 2024.
Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez commissioned the
Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) to conduct an
independent investigation alongside several local agencies.
The first phase of the investigation is meant
to analyze how the disaster unfolded during
the first 24 to 72 hours, as well as its aftermath. .
The report also includes
a comprehensive timeline of events. .
According to the AG's office, the FSRI research
team ran into unexpected delays while
gathering information critical to their review. .
In November of 2023, subpoenas were served to the
Maui Emergency Management Agency, the County
of Maui Department of Public Works and the
County of Maui Department of Water Supply.
Those subpoenas demanded materials relevant
to the investigation, including documents and photos, as well as video and audio recordings.
Being able to review all of the data,
which is extensive, has a tremendous
impact on the comprehensive analysis
of the fire incident and our
recommendations to make Hawaiʻi
a safer place to live, work and play, Steve Kerber, Ph.D., PE, vice president and executive director of FSRI, via ABC.
An analysis of this magnitude cannot be
rushed, and we must allow for the time
needed to make sure this investigation,
based on science, is done correctly, Anne Lopez, Hawaii Attorney General, via ABC.
I am confident that the Phase One
report will provide some answers
to the questions surrounding
the tragic wildfire incident, Anne Lopez, Hawaii Attorney General, via ABC
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Production of the new 2024 Jeep® Gladiator is underway at the Toledo (Ohio) Assembly Complex, the home it shares with the iconic Jeep Wrangler.
Revealed during the 2023 North American International..