American Lung Association Praises EPA’s Announcement of Funding for Air Quality Monitoring, Urges Agency to Strengthen Particulate Matter Pollution Standards

In response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement of funding for air quality monitoring, American Lung Association President & CEO Harold Wimmer issued the following statement:

“The American Lung Association applauds EPA’s announcement of more than $50 million for air quality monitoring in communities across the country. Right now, millions of people are exposed to dangerous levels of air pollution and without accurate and widespread monitoring, many do not know the extent of the health risks from the air they are breathing. This announcement from EPA will help ensure more monitors are operating in the communities that are most burdened by air pollution, which are often lower income and communities of color. Upgrading the nation’s air quality monitoring infrastructure is an environmental justice necessity and we appreciate EPA acting quickly to provide more resources. This is the first of the funding in the historic Inflation Reduction Act that EPA is distributing, and the Lung Association is pleased to see it go toward directly benefiting communities.

“Air quality monitoring is a critical step towards achieving healthy air. It is equally important that polluters are held accountable to health-protective standards for air pollution. We urge EPA to issue a proposal strengthening the standards for the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter at no higher than 8 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3) for annual PM2.5 and 25 µg/m3 for 24-hour PM2.5. Investments in air quality monitoring and more protective air quality standards go hand in hand.”