U.S. Air Quality Was Improving. Now It’s Getting Worse
by Eric Roston (Bloomberg) New data may signal a deadly change in America’s environmental health. — After years of decline, a spike in air pollution may have taken the lives of almost 10,000 additional Americans over two years.
Following a 24% drop between 2009 and 2016, particulate matter air pollution in the U.S. increased 5.5% in 2017 and 2018, according to a new analysis of Environmental Protection Agency data by two Carnegie Mellon economists. READ MORE
U.S. Air Quality Declining, Taking Lives (Planetizen)
Recent Increases in Air Pollution: Evidence and Implications for Mortality (National Bureau of Economic Research)
Excerpt from Planetizen: Researchers “found evidence for three potential sources of the pollution rebound: increased economic activity, virulent wildfires and a smaller number of EPA enforcement actions.”
The National Bureau of Economic Research published the working paper this week. READ MORE