With funding from the EPA, Appalachian Voices purchased dozens of PurpleAir PM sensors, and distributed these to individuals and grassroots organizations in Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and Pennsylvania.
Blog Archives
Upper South and Appalachia Citizen Air Monitoring Project begins data collection
TAGS: coal dust fine particulate matter national ambient air quality standards U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Upper South and Appalachia Citizen Air Monitoring Project
EPA strengthens air pollution rules for particulate matter
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency strengthened air pollution rules for particulate matter pollution, as it released its final National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
TAGS: coal dust EarthJustice Environmental Justice fine particulate matter national ambient air quality standards
Environmental justice council recommends strict soot and ozone standards
Today, the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council voted unanimously to submit a letter to the Biden administration highlighting the disproportionate impact of fine particulate matter and ozone pollution on low-income communities and communities of color.
TAGS: Environmental Justice fine particulate matter national ambient air quality standards ozone pollution White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council
EPA poised to botch update of important air quality rule
PM 2.5 is a lethal combination of metals, organic matter, acids and other substances so tiny that they can be inhaled and delivered directly into the bloodstream. These airborne pollutants are emitted by tailpipes, power plants and numerous other industries. In our region, coal mine dust is an additional source of this pollutant.
TAGS: national ambient air quality standards particulate matter U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
EPA proposes moderate improvements for public health; must do more
The proposal is a step in the right direction, but it doesn’t go nearly far enough. In Appalachia, our people are breathing fugitive mine dust and toxic emissions from numerous industries. Time and again, state regulatory practices have fallen short in curbing the impacts of these industries. Fugitive coal mine dust in particular has not been regulated in any meaningful way. EPA can and should do more to protect our health.
TAGS: Air Pollution EarthJustice NAAQS national ambient air quality standards particulate matter U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Monitoring air quality across Appalachia
After a decade of focusing on water pollution from coal mining, Appalachian Voices’ coal impacts team is embarking on an ambitious project to monitor air pollution in communities impacted by coal mining and other fossil fuel infrastructure, and in other communities where air quality is an environmental justice concern.
TAGS: air quality American Rescue Plan Center for Coalfield Justice Coal River Mountain Watch Friends For Environmental Justice Inflation Reduction Act national ambient air quality standards particulate matter Pittsylvania County NAACP Statewide Organizing for Community eMpowerment U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Appalachian Voices receives EPA grant for community air monitoring project
Appalachian Voices has received $118,000 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to fund the Upper South and Appalachia Citizen Air Monitoring Project.
TAGS: air quality American Rescue Plan Center for Coalfield Justice Coal River Mountain Watch Friends For Environmental Justice Inflation Reduction Act national ambient air quality standards particulate matter Pittsylvania County NAACP Statewide Organizing for Community eMpowerment U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
As EPA Prepares to Update Federal Air Quality Limits, Coal Dust Looms Large in Eunice
Frustrated with constant coal dust, residents of Eunice, West Virginia, asked the state to install an air quality monitoring device in their community. The request was denied.
TAGS: Air Pollution air quality coal community coal dust Coal River Valley national ambient air quality standards particulate matter PM 2.5 West Virginia West Virginia Division of Air Quality West Virginia Division of Mining and Reclamation
