Statement of Bullard Center on EPA Strengthening Particulate Matter Standards

Statement of Bullard Center on EPA Strengthening Particulate Matter Standards

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced last week a strengthened standard for particulate matter, also referred to as soot or PM2.5. This new standard is 9 micrograms per cubic meter for average annual level, down from 12 micrograms per cubic meter.  This is an important step, and one which will save lives. “We are happy to see the EPA strengthen standards to reduce soot.  It’s a major environmental and health justice win since people of color in the United States breathe more particulate air pollution on average than the rest of the nation,” says Dr. Robert D. Bullard, who is often called the “father of environmental justice.” Particulate matter is harmful to public health, and Black people are exposed to PM2.5 at a rate 1.54 times higher than the rest of the population. This is environmental injustice at its worst.  

The EPA must now implement and enforce the new standard in the most rigorous way for people of color in Harris County, to experience some reprieve. The new standard will bring Harris County out of compliance for PM2.5, as well as counties encompassing Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, and large border towns.  Communities that have experienced many decades of environmental injustice, such as Pleasantville in Houston, and Joppa in Dallas, could be one step closer to justice if the new standard is enforced properly, and polluting industries are held to account.  With Houston already out of compliance for ozone pollution, bold steps must be taken in Harris County to protect people and ensure the basic human right to clean air.  In addition, we hope that the EPA will continue to further restrict how much pollution can be released based on current science.  When the standards for criteria pollutants and other toxins are strengthened and enforced, the EPA follows through on its mandate to be the environmental protectorate of the nation.

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*Exxon Mobil Baytown Chemical Complex in Houston, photo courtesy Healthy Gulf c/o SouthWings