Air Pollution

This page has a list of publications and news articles related to Air Pollution. Find more information about our research on Air Pollution.

Robust scientific evidence supports EPA’s new air quality standard to improve public health

February 13, 2024

HEI acknowledges the decision by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to lower the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for fine particulate matter air pollution (PM2.5) from 12 µg/m3 (micrograms per cubic meter) to 9 µg/m3. This is the first change in the PM2.5 NAAQS limits since 2012. The EPA has estimated that their decision to lower the limit may prevent as many as 4,500 premature deaths in the U.S., including many from historically marginalized and other vulnerable communities that often face the greatest risks from air pollution exposure.

HEI President Elena Craft comments on air quality standards for soot

January 11, 2024

The following is excerpted from an article in Politico’s E&E News quoting HEI President Elena Craft. Please note you can read the full article here with a subscription.

E&E News

New study examines air pollution’s health impact across Asia

May 31, 2023
Cover of HEI Research Report 213

Much of what is currently known about the adverse effects of ambient air pollution comes from studies conducted in high-income regions, especially North America and Europe, with relatively low air pollution levels.

Newsletter
Health Effects Institute
2023

In this issue of HEI's quarterly Update, read about:

  • New members of the HEI Board and scientific committees
  • The launch of HEI’s Environmental Justice Program
  • A new report on air quality and health impacts in Africa
  • Two recently launched studies on non-tailpipe emissions

...and more!

 

Annual Report 2022
Health Effects Institute
2023
Topics: 

Insights that Endure: Investing in Science for Lasting Impact summarizes the significant progress HEI made during 2022 on the goals laid out in its Strategic Plan for 2020-2025.

New State of Global Air Special Report on air quality and health in Africa

October 25, 2022

Nearly all the African continent faces severe health impacts caused by air pollution, with several countries experiencing some of the highest levels of air pollution in the world, according to a new HEI report, The State of Air Quality and Health Impacts in Africa.

Newsletter
Health Effects Institute
2022

In this issue of HEI Update, read about:

  • HEI’s comprehensive new scientific review on traffic-related air pollution
  • An HEI study assessing health effects at very low air pollution levels in Canada
  • A new inclusive summer fellowship
  • Our successful hybrid Annual Conference 2022

…and more!

 

New Canadian study reports health effects at very low air pollution levels

July 13, 2022

A comprehensive new HEI study examining potential health risks from low levels of air pollution exposure in millions of Canadian citizens reports increased risks of mortality, including at the lowest levels of exposure to fine particulate matter air pollution (PM2.5), levels tha

Research Report 212
Michael Brauer
Jeffrey R. Brook
Tanya Christidis
Yen Chu
Dan Crouse
Anders Erickson
et al
2022

This report presents a comprehensive HEI study examining potential health risks from low levels of air pollution exposure in millions of Canadian citizens. Michael Brauer at The University of British Columbia and his colleagues combined satellite data, air monitor sampling, and atmospheric modeling to estimate outdoor PM2.5 exposures across Canada from 1981 to 2016.

Special Report 23
Health Effects Institute
2022

This comprehensive scientific review examines the evidence for associations between several adverse health effects and traffic-related air pollution (TRAP). The review, the largest of its type to date, was conducted by a panel of 13 renowned experts who evaluated 353 published scientific reports on traffic pollution and related health effects between 1980 and 2019.