Sep 5 2014
The Environmental Protection Agency has won a U.S. Supreme Court ruling, which will allow it to progress with its strategy for reducing pollution generated by coal-fired power plants in many states. Scientists have found that this endeavor could help save many lives.
Particulate matter can severely affect the people who breathe it in. These particulates contribute to air pollution and power plant emissions are responsible for some types of these particulate matter. Ya-Ru Li and Jacqueline MacDonald Gibson state that the U.S. had trying to reduce the levels of particulate matter for a long period.
North Carolina State had over a decade ago anticipated that the U.S. federal government would impose stricter restrictions on emissions from power plants, and hence it approved goals that were comparatively more stringent than that imposed by other neighboring states. Over a period of 10 years, the state made 14 major coal-fired plants to cut down their sulfur dioxide emissions by 72% and nitrogen oxide emissions by 60%.
The researchers analyzed the results of North Carolina’s policy. When compared to other states in the southeastern part of the country, North Carolina was able to achieve more reduction in emissions. For the period from 2002 to 2012, levels of sulfur dioxide had dropped 13.6% annually across the southeastern states, while in North Carolina it had dropped 20% annually. Using a health impact model, the scientists estimated that the improved air in North Carolina helped save around 1,700 lives in the year 2012.
The scientists have published this report in Environmental Science & Technology – an ACS journal.