The EPA Is Significantly Changing Limits Surrounding Air Pollution In One US State
The EPA is tightening restrictions pertaining to the presence of particulate matter in the air, the enhanced guidelines are aimed at improving air quality in the state of Texas, in particular.
The Environmental Protection Agency has once again announced it is changing the limits of air pollution in Texas. Soot or “particulate matter” is a key component of air pollution, and this new regulation comes with stricter limits for it. This could be a major step forward in cleaning up Texas’ air quality if all residents abide by the regulation.
According to The Texas Tribune, one town, in particular, may continue to be ignored. The town of Joppa, which is just south of Dallas, is a low-income, mostly African-American community. Despite the fact that their air quality isn’t up to standard, not much has been done to protect them or change the regulations over air pollution.
In fact, Joppa used to be called “Sloppy Joppa” because of the smell that permeated the town’s atmosphere. The smell has been described as closely related to that of a hair perm. A bit chemical and toxic. Air pollution in its finest form.
The EPA has reported that the air quality in Joppa is still not up to standards set by the Clean Air Act, and residents of Joppa are campaigning for change. Residents have started a petition and plan to lobby their state representatives for stronger regulations and more funding for air quality improvements from air pollution. It remains to be seen if the efforts of these passionate citizens will pay off.
The EPA also provided information about other pollution sources such as smog, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, and volatile organic compounds which are all regulated by the EPA.
Additionally, California recently passed legislation banning gas-powered cars in an effort to reduce air pollution. This is the first law of its kind in the country.
Walmart has also unveiled several initiatives to help combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as investing in renewable energy and reducing single-use plastic packaging. Walmart is a huge contributor to air pollution across the country and has started to explore charging for plastic bags.
It is clear that the collective effort of both individuals and large corporations can make a huge impact on air quality in Texas and across the nation. It is imperative that all citizens do their part to help protect our planet and make sure we are leaving it better off than before. By following regulations, investing in renewable energy sources, and reducing our consumption – we can all help to reduce air pollution.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is committed to protecting the environment by monitoring and regulating air quality in the state of Texas. They are dedicated to ensuring clean and healthy air for everyone who lives, works, and plays in the region. Working together, we can ensure a better future for the generations to come.
We all have a responsibility to take action and do our part to ensure air quality is safe and clean. There are many ways we can help reduce air pollution in Texas. We can start by using low-emission vehicles or public transportation when possible, reducing energy consumption by turning off lights when not in use, and avoiding the use of traditional fuels such as coal or wood for heating and cooling.
We can further help reduce air pollution by avoiding the burning of leaves, brush, and garbage outdoors, and properly disposing of hazardous materials like automotive fluids. Companies and individuals can also limit the use of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in our homes and businesses to help with air pollution.
