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Breathing Life into Urban Communities: The Clean Air Act's Impact
- Nashad Carrington
- Dec 20, 2023
- 6 min read
Without EPA oversight on mobile source pollutants in urban areas, we might as well hand out gas masks as fashion accessories and rename crosswalks 'hazardous material checkpoints.
The EPA plays a crucial role in safeguarding our air quality, especially in urban areas, by regulating mobile source pollutants. These regulations didn't just appear out of thin air; they emerged from a collective realization that our streets shouldn't double as exhaust fumes galleries, prompting the need for controls on vehicles and industrial emissions to keep our cities breathable and vibrant. But the communities we know to this day wouldn’t exist without significant legislative activity that has evolved over time:
The 1963 Clean Air Act (the “Act”) was the first federal legislation focused on air pollution control; but it primarily addressed stationary sources and didn't specifically target mobile sources like vehicles.
Amendments to the Act began emerging through the 1970s bringing substantial expansion, serving to establish the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) and setting national air quality standards. Though there wasn’t heavy regulation on mobile sources, the amendments laid the groundwork for future amendments to address them. 1977’s amendments marked a pivotal moment as it introduced the first set of regulations specifically aimed at controlling emissions from mobile sources. Additionally, the EPA was for the first time, required to set emissions standards for cars and light trucks, which laid down procedures for the development of fuel economy standards.
1990 Amendments provided a comprehensive update to the Act. These amendments further reduced vehicle emissions, focused on smog and toxic air pollutants from vehicles and fuels. It further introduced a reformulated gasoline program which was aimed at reducing emissions from vehicles, and established the requirement for clean-fuel vehicles and low-emission vehicles. Beyond the 1990 amendments, there have been ongoing updates and regulations by the EPA to further refine and tighten standards for vehicle emissions, fuel quality, and technologies aimed at reducing pollution from mobile sources.
These legislative milestones reflect a growing recognition of the significance of mobile sources in contributing to air pollution and the steps taken to regulate and control their emissions under the Clean Air Act.
Urban areas often face significant air pollution challenges due to the concentration of mobile sources, which can have disastrous effects on human and environmental health. (EPA -- "1990 Clean Air Act Amendment Summary: Title II; Provisions Relating to Mobile Sources"). Of all sources in urban areas, vehicles are a major source of pollutants like volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and carbon monoxide (CO). Modern vehicles have greatly improved pollutant discharge over that which existed in the 1960s, with more vehicles on the road than ever, cars and trucks are still significantly contributing to urban air pollution.
Methodologies to measure mobile sources of air pollution include vehicle emissions testing, remote sensing, and air quality monitoring networks. (California Air Resources Board -- “2020 Mobile Source Strategy”). These measurements are designed to assess the impact of mobile sources on urban air quality and help inform important policy decisions by lawmakers and regulatory boards and commissions. But why are these initiatives important?
Emissions Testing
State level emission testing programs are important for local communities and regulatory authorities to vigorously enforce testing requirements for several reasons:
Reducing Air Pollution: Emissions testing programs help reduce air pollution by ensuring meet specific standards, thereby limiting the amount of harmful pollutants released into the atmosphere (Nationwide Insurance -- “What is Emissions Testing?”);
Protecting Public Health: Enforcing testing requirements is crucial for safeguarding public health, as air pollutants from mobile sources have been linked to respiratory problems, cardiovascular issues, and other serious health concerns (EPA -- 1990 Clean Air Act Amendment Summary: Title II; Provisions Relating to Mobile Sources”);
Compliance with Regulations: Vigorous enforcement of testing requirements is essential for ensuring compliance with the Clean Air Act and other air quality regulations that are designed to protect the environment and public health; and
Supporting Technology Development: By enforcing testing requirements, regulatory authorities encourage the development and adoption of cleaner vehicle technologies, ultimately contributing to improved air quality and public health. (EPA -- "Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Testing”)
State-level emissions testing programs typically involve procedures such as on-board diagnostics inspections, tailpipe emissions testings and evaporative emissions testing. (Nationwide). These tests measure pollutants such as carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides to ensure vehicles are meeting specified standards.
Remote Sensing
Several collaborative research programs are conducting remote sensing for urban air pollutants, aiming to monitor and forecast surface air quality using observations of aerosols and trace gases at local, regional, and global scales. These programs are designed to make the best collection efforts by utilizing various remote sensing techniques, including satellite- data, crowd-sourced air quality studies, and portable sensors. By capturing and analyzing data from the atmosphere, remote sensing technology provides valuable information about the spatial and temporal distribution of air pollutants, supporting urban planning efforts, and improvising environmental decision-making processes related to air pollution. (Remote Sensing Laboratory, Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas -- “Urban Air Quality” and EIT Urban Mobility, a body of the European Union -- “Real-Time Pollution City Map Through Collaborative Sensing and Analysis Collaborative and Dynamic Urban Air Pollution Monitoring”).
Future research made possible through these efforts includes the development of more advanced remote sensing methods, integration of data across multiple satellites, and the continued application of remote sensing in understanding and combating air pollution. These collaborative research projects and programs contribute heavily to ongoing challenge of assessing urban air quality and play a crucial role in providing data-driven insights to support the development of effective mitigation strategies, policies, and regulations. (Tel-Aviv University. --“Special Issue: ‘Remote Sensing Applications for Urban Air Quality Research: The Continuing Challenge’”).
Air Quality Monitoring Networks
Air quality monitoring networks are established by environmental agencies and organizations to systematically measure air pollutants such as particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide. The data collected from monitoring sites and instruments is used to inform the public, support regulatory actions, and guide policy development aimed at protecting public health and the environment. These networks offer numerous benefits to the communities they serve, including:
Public Health Protection: Data collected from these networks help communities understand the quality of the air they breathe, enabling them to take precautions when air quality is low and supporting new efforts to reduce exposure to harmful pollutants. (U.S. Government Accountability Office, Report GAO-22-106136 --“Air Quality Information: Needs Remain for Plan to Modernize Air Monitoring”).
Regulatory Decision Making: Air quality monitoring data is used by regulatory authorities to assess compliance with air quality management plans, and support the enforcement of regulations aimed at reducing air pollution. (Report GAO-22-106136).
Research and Innovation: The data collected from these networks support scientific research on air quality and its impacts, as well as the development and testing of new air pollution control technologies and strategies. (EPA -- “Clean Air Status and Trends Network (CASTNET)”).
Networks exist in the United States and across the globe, including but not limited to:
National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring System (NAAQMS) is managed by the U.S. EPA, measures air pollution levels at fixed locations across the United States (Report GAO-22-106136);
Clean Air Status and Trends Network (CASTNET) is a national monitoring network in the U.S. that was established to assess trends in pollutant concentrations, atmospheric deposition, and ecological effects caused by changes in air pollutant emissions (CASTNET); and
Air Quality Monitoring Network (AQMN) operated by the Environmental Protection Agency in South Australia, the network collects ambient air quality data to inform the public and support enhanced regulatory actions. (EPA South Australia -- “Annual Air Quality Statement 2022”).
NAAQMS, CASTNET, AQMN, and other networks have been impactful in supporting and promoting various action items, policies, technologies, and programs, including:
Development of Air Quality Standards: Data collected from these networks have supported the development and implementation of air quality standards aimed at protecting public health and the environment;
Emission Reduction Programs: Information from these networks has been used to design and evaluate programs aimed at reducing emissions from industrial facilities, vehicles, and other pollution sources;
Public Awareness Campaigns: Data collected from these networks are used to inform the public about air quality issues and support public awareness campaigns aimed at reducing exposure to harmful air pollutants; and
Technological Innovations: Networks have driven the development and deployment of innovative air quality monitoring technologies, including low-cost sensors and remote sensing techniques.
Monitoring networks play a critical role in protecting public health, supporting regulatory decision making, and driving innovation in air quality management. Data that is collected from these networks is essential for understanding air quality issues, informing the public, and guiding the development and implementation of policies and programs that are aimed at reducing air pollution and its impacts. But, to address the impact of mobile sources on urban air quality, state and local governments need a framework for developing their own policies. This framework should at minimum include:
Setting more stringent emission standards for vehicles and fuels;
Promoting the use of electric and low-emission vehicles on their roads;
Implementing transportation planning measures to reduce traffic congestion and vehicle miles traveled; and
Encouraging the adoption of alternative fuels and sustainable transportation modes.
As we navigate the realms of environmental stewardship, the Clean Air Act stands as a beacon of hope for urban communities. Improving air quality isn't just about the environment; it's a commitment to the health and future of our youth. By championing cleaner air, we're sculpting a world where they can breathe freely and dream limitlessly.
Contact the team at GRŌ for assistance in reviewing and developing your community impact standards.
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