The EPA Presents New Urban Air Toxics Strategy

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has turned its attention to urban air quality. Pursuant to Sections 112(c)(3) and 112(k)(3)(B) of the Clean Air Act, the EPA must develop a program to achieve a reduction in the emissions of hazardous air pollutants from urban area sources and the public risks associated with these sources to achieve a reduction of at least 75% in the incidence of cancer. The goal of the EPA’s new urban air toxics strategy is to reduce health risks posed by source emissions in and around cities.

As a first step, the EPA has issued the Draft Integrated Urban Air Toxics Strategy targeting 33 of 188 toxic air pollutants known to pose the greatest threat to public health in urban areas.