AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Environmental Protection Agency recently updated national air-quality standards due to negative health impacts of particulate matter exposure. The importance of these new regulations comes on the heels of a study that found particulate matter is responsible for eight heart-related diseases.
Particulate matter is a term used for a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air. This includes things like dirt, dust, smoke, or soot. Oftentimes this matter is not seen by the naked eye, but it’s there.
It is estimated the new standards will save an estimated 4,500 lives and deliver $46 billion in health benefits in 2032.
Statistics show that Black people are five times more likely to be killed from pollution-related diseases. Those diseases include asthma, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, kidney and liver diseases, neurological disorders, and skin diseases.
The numbers break down further to these:
Rich Segal spoke with Reverent Lennox Yearwood, who, in addition to being a veteran and a minister, is the president and CEO of Hip Hop Caucus.
The national nonprofit advances equal rights through the power of hip hop. The caucus has been increasing awareness on how disproportionate pollution is on communities of color. This carries further the message that was put out years when there were demands for “environmental justice.”