The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has revised its particulate matter standards, saying the changes will improve air quality and save lives. But many public health experts disagree, saying the measure does not go far enough to protect human health.
The revision, announced September 21, affects maximum exposure levels for particle pollution, or soot, which can aggravate conditions such as asthma along with heart and lung disease and even lead to death. Although the Clean Air Act requires such revisions to be made every 5 years, this is the first since 1997.