EPA Finalizes Tougher Air Quality Standards to Protect Against Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter

Recently, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it had finalized a significantly stronger air quality standard that will better protect families, workers and communities from the dangerous and costly health effects of fine particle pollution, also known as soot.

According to the EPA announcement:

By strengthening the annual health-based national ambient air quality standard for fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) from a level of 12 micrograms per cubic meter to 9 micrograms per cubic meter, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s updated standard will save lives - preventing up to 4,500 premature deaths and 290,000 lost workdays, yielding up to $46 billion in net health benefits in 2032. For every $1 spent from this action, there could be as much as $77 in human health benefits in 2032.

Fine particulate matter can pose a significant threat to anyone’s health because it is small enough to be carried by the air and travel deep into the lungs, potentially causing a number of health concerns. It can be an exposure risk in both indoor and outdoor environments.

“In addition to strengthening the primary annual PM_2.5 standard, EPA is also modifying the PM_2.5 monitoring network design criteria to include a factor that accounts for proximity of populations at increased risk of PM_2.5-related health effects to sources of air pollution,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “To protect workers and the public from exposure to particle pollution, and to help companies comply with the Clean Air Act, the industrial hygiene and environmental scientists at EMSL offer testing and monitoring solutions. We have laboratories located across North America that provide air testing services, sampling supplies, and the industry’s leading particle counters and monitoring instruments.”

EMSL has even sponsored an educational video about indoor sources of particulate matter that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/v3FEI5WNjCI

To learn more about testing or monitoring for particulate matter or other airborne pollutants, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com .

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP 797, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOCs, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail