Air


'Safe Room' Offers Better Air Quality during Wildfires

A room air cleaner with a HEPA filter can provide a better environment for people who suffer from emphysema, allergies or asthma during fire season.

U.S., Illinois Want Power Co. to Install Pollution Control

Midwest Generation allegedly modified its coal-fired power plant in Illinois without installing and operating the required pollution control equipment.

Two Manufacturers Answer for No General Duty of Care

Two manufacturing companies will pay civil penalties and take corrective measures to settle Clean Air Act violations resulting from explosions at two plants in 2002 and 2003 in Louisville, Ky., and Pascagoula, Miss.

Foundation Study Suggests Link between Toxins and Myeloma

According to Dr. Brian Durie, the study supports the notion that genetic factors affecting toxin breakdown may be related to the development of myeloma.

Idling Buses Result in Penalty for Boston Firm

Massachusetts' law bars stopped motor vehicles from operating unnecessarily for more than five minutes.

Aluminum Recycler Aleris to Resolve CAA Violations

The company has agreed to pay a $4.6 million penalty, allowed as an unsecured claim in its bankruptcy proceeding, and improve controls at 15 plants at a cost of about $4.2 million.



Task Force: Duke Energy, China Huaneng Make Clean Energy Pact

Boston-based Clean Air Task Force commends actions, says agreement is expected to advance cleaner coal technologies.

Continental Carbon Company Settles Class Action Lawsuits

The carbon black manufacturer will pay the Ponca Tribe and class members $10.5 million to settle a suit alleging that emissions from its Ponca City plant damaged nearby properties.

UC-Davis Study: 75 ppb NAAQS Still Affects Lung Health

Researchers at the University of California Davis say ozone exposure at levels deemed safe by EPA can have a significant and negative effect on lung function.

San Francisco Bay Gets Stimulus for Port Truck Filters

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District will get $2 million to supplement state and local funds for installing diesel exhaust filters at the Port of Oakland.

EPA Awards Stimulus Funds to Lower Diesel Emissions

Cascade Sierra Solutions and Colorado to receive more than $3 million total in funds under the National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program.

ALA Experts to Testify, Urge Stronger NO2 Standards

The American Lung Association wants standards greater than those the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed.

Six Appalachian Communities to Benefit from EPA Grant

Wheeling Jesuit University will look at the impacts of mining, water management, and reducing toxin exposure in six West Virginia communities.

Bill Offers Tax Credit for Buying Idling Reduction Units

Earl Blumenauer's bill should ease the pain truckers feel when idling by providing a 50 percent tax credit or up to $3,000 for buying auxiliary power units that costs up to $8,500.

Hearing Dates Set for NO2 Air Quality Standards

EPA will hold public hearings in Arlington, Va., and Los Angeles on Aug. 3 and 6, respectively, to get feedback on proposed revisions to the nitrogen dioxide standard.

Agency Reconsiders Airborne Lead Monitoring Rules

The current standard requires monitoring in areas where lead emissions reach at least 1 ton in the air each year.

N.Y. & N.J. Port Approves Program to Retire Older Trucks

The program, which will cost as much as $28 million, is similar but smaller than the Clean Trucks Program of the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.