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| February 5, 2010
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States Required to Monitor Nitrogen Dioxide <br> Emissions Near Big-City Highways |
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a new standard last week for the amount of nitrogen dioxide in the air for short periods of time along busy highways and will require states to install monitoring equipment in large urban areas to measure pollution during periods of high traffic. Vehicles are a major source of nitrogen dioxide emissions, which can cause respiratory problems, The Wall Street Journal reported. EPA first proposed the tougher standards seven months ago. The final standard is 100 parts per billion, which businesses have complained is too strict, while environmentalists contend it doesn't go far enough.Monitoring equipment must be in operation by 2013. After that, three years of data will be collected before compliance determinations are made. Failure to comply could result in states losing highway funds beginning in 2016. Monitors will be required near highways in cities with at least 500,000 residents. Questions regarding this article may be directed to editor@aashtojournal.org. |