New EPA Soot Pollution Standard 2024

Elizabeth Ruiz

Posted 2/21/2024

On February 7, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a final Soot Pollution Standard to limit fine particle pollution, which includes soot (black carbon). The adjustment of the standard from a level of 12 micrograms per cubic meter to 9 is expected to prevent up to 4,500 premature deaths and 290,000 lost workdays, as well as increase money for health benefits by 2032. (epa.gov) Facility owners will be required to provide plans of how their organizations will meet the new standard. Facilities currently in the process of construction will need to adjust. (Manufacturing Dive)

The EPA was able to come to this decision based on technical information, public comments/concerns, and evidence gathered from its Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee which consists of scientists in the toxicology, environmental, and medical fields. (EPA and Manufacturing Dive)

Naturally, along with positive feedback from community leaders and members, there is some pushback from the manufacturing industry about the new regulations (Manufacturing Dive).

This article will give an overview of these opinions, explain what fine particulate matter pollution is and where it comes from, and the health issues it is known to cause.

So, What is Fine Particle Pollution, Soot, Black Carbon?

The EPA defines particulate pollution as a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets existing in the air. Some, such as dust, dirt, soot, and smoke are large or dark enough to be visible. Others must be detected with an electron microscope. These two types:

soot pollution standard based on particle size — Image 1: Information courtesy EPA; Image 2: Courtesy EPA

Some particles are emitted directly from sources such as construction sites, unpaved roads, fields, smokestacks, or fires. Most particles form in the atmosphere by complex reactions of chemicals such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides—pollutants emitted from power plants, industries, and vehicles.

Because these particles are so small and so common in the environment, they can be inhaled and cause serious health issues. Some of the particles less than 10 micrometers can enter the lungs and possibly bloodstream. The defined “fine” particles are most hazardous to our health. (EPA)

According to the Climate & Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), Black carbon increases the warming of the atmosphere and alters weather patterns and ecosystem cycles. It has a direct and significant effect on climate, weather, agriculture, and human health. Industries responsible for high emissions include:

Household Energy
Transport
Industrial Production
Agricultural Burning
Waste Burning
Fossil Fuels

(CCAC)

The EPA says, “A broad and growing body of science links particle pollution to a range of serious and sometimes deadly illnesses. Many studies show that these microscopic fine particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and that long- and short-term exposure can lead to asthma attacks, missed days of school or work, heart attacks, expensive emergency room visits and premature death.” (EPA)

The CCAC reports that fine particulate matter air pollution has been linked to health issues such as premature death in adults with heart and lung disease, strokes, heart attacks, chronic respiratory diseases such as bronchitis, aggravated asthma, and other cardio-respiratory symptoms. (CCAC)

Differing Opinions on the Soot Pollution Standard

In Support

As with anything else, the new standard is meeting mixed reviews. According to the EPA, public health leaders, environmental advocacy communities, and many federal and state government leaders are enthusiastic about the regulations. Many organizations such as the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health, the American Thoracic Society, and The Natural Resources Defense Council had positive comments. For example, Paul Billings, Senior VP for Public Policy with the American Lung Association is quoted in this statement:

The new, stronger particle pollution standards will save lives. Despite what polluting industries are saying about the new air pollution standards, the sky will not fall and the world will not come to end. Don’t believe the cherry-picked data, misleading maps and false claims of economic calamity: they’re just not true.
EPA estimates that in 2032, the nation will see 4,500 fewer premature deaths, 290,000 fewer lost workdays, 800,000 fewer cases of asthma symptoms and 2,000 fewer emergency department visits from the new standards. That’s not a calamity, the new standards are a lifesaver.
The American Lung Association looks forward to working with states and EPA to implement these new standards to maximize air pollution reductions and public health protections while still allowing for economic growth – as always happens with implementing the Clean Air Act.”
Paul Billings, American Lung Association

Opposing Viewpoints

These sentiments clash with those of many manufacturing groups, who say it will be more difficult to build new factories and create the new jobs that come with them (Manufacturing Dive). The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) claims that the new regulations will force communities to choose if investments can proceed or not without violating the standard, reduce the US GDP by $200 billion, and cost one million jobs by 2031. Because standards are different in other countries, they argue that outside manufacturing investment in the US would decrease.

Our readers are maintenance professionals, manufacturing professionals, leaders and community members all affected by the new regulations. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Sources:

New EPA Standard on Fine Particle Pollution

What They are Saying – EPA

Particulate Matter – EPA

Manufacturing Dive – EPA lowers maximum soot pollution emissions

Climate & Clean Air Coalition – Black Carbon

Midweek with Maintenance World

Looking for a midweek break? Keep up with the latest news brought to you by the Maintenance World Crew.

Cardinal Manufacturing, Helping to Bridge the Manufacturing Skills Gap

The manufacturing industry is a crucial contributor to the economy, accounting for over 11% of the total output in the United States. However, many manufacturing companies are currently facing a skills gap, with more open job positions than there are workers ready to fill them. A study conducted by Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute predicts that 2.1 million manufacturing positions will go unfilled by 2030, potentially leading to a loss of $1 trillion in GDP for the United States.

South Carolina Ranked as the #1 State for Manufacturing

Manufacturing has been a key component to the South Carolina economy in the last 10 years and the state's efforts to improve infrastructure and educate a highly skilled workforce are paying off. The state has been making headlines lately for its attractiveness to corporations around the world.

The Decade of American Reshoring

The COVID-19 pandemic and recent world events have pushed manufacturing companies to shift their production to the United States in 2023, with 1,8000 companies in the US alone planning to reshore production to the states. While reshoring efforts are ramping up, manufacturers must be wary of the skills gap.

Lost Radioactive Capsule Proves Preventive Maintenance is as Important as Ever">

Lost Radioactive Capsule Proves Preventive Maintenance is as Important as Ever

Preventive Maintenance is as important as ever and this is extremely evident considering a radioactive capsule was lost in the vast landscape of Western Australia for nearly 2 weeks. Emergency services had been scanning the truck’s route for the last seven days and finally found the capsule on Wednesday, February 1st. A team driving down the road used radiation detection equipment to locate the capsule on the side of the road, outside of Newman.

HBD Condition Monitoring Devices at the center of Ohio Derailment

It appears the three rail workers on board the train took the appropriate measure when the sensor alerted them a bearing/axel was too hot. However, upon conducting further research it appears the system of HBDs in North America are largely ineffective.

Failure Analysis Uncovers the Cause of the Keystone Oil Spill

After nearly 2 months of investigations and a root cause analysis, TC Energy Corp revealed the cause of the oil spill was likely a combination of a welding flaw and bending stress fatigue which resulted in a crack forming and eventually lead to the rupture. The cause of the bending stress is still unclear and remains a focal point of the root cause failure analysis a third-party is conducting.

Ohio Foundry Explosion

On February 20th around 2pm an explosion erupted at the I. Schumann & Co. Foundry in Bedford, Ohio. The foundry recycles scrap metal into bronze and brass ingots and pellets. Fire officials say the cause of the explosion is under investigation by state and federal authorities but it appears the blast originated near a kettle-like piece of equipment which holds molten metals before being poured into molds.

New EPA Soot Pollution Standard 2024