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The Biden administration is setting tougher standards for deadly soot pollution.
Saying that reducing fine particle matter from tailpipes, smokestacks and other industrial sources could prevent thousands of premature deaths a year.
Environmental and public health groups hailed the new Environmental Protection Agency rule finalised Wednesday as a major step in improving the health of Americans, including future generations.
Industry groups warned it could lead to loss of manufacturing jobs and even shut down power plants or refineries.
What is soot pollution
Soot pollution, also known as fine particulate matter (PM2.5).
Its a dangerous form of air pollution made up of tiny particles and droplets.
They are 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter.
These particles are so small that they can easily enter your lungs and even deeper into your bloodstream, where they can cause a variety of health problems.
Sources: Soot pollution comes from a variety of sources, including the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas), wildfires, and industrial processes.
Health effects: Exposure to soot pollution can lead to a variety of health problems, including respiratory problems, heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and premature death.
Regulation: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets national air quality standards for PM2.5.
These standards have been tightened over time, but soot pollution remains a major public health problem.
Soot pollution is a global problem, but it is particularly severe in developing countries, where air quality standards are often weaker.
Soot pollution can also contribute to climate change by absorbing heat from the sun.
There are a number of things that can be done to reduce soot pollution, such as using cleaner fuels, improving energy efficiency, and reducing wildfires.
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