US proposes stricter air quality standards for soot
Washington (AFP) - The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed stricter standards on Friday for microscopic particles responsible for harmful air pollution. The EPA proposal, which will be subject to public comment and hearings before it would take effect, would toughen the national air quality standard for fine particles, also known as soot. Fine particle pollution can be caused by a number of sources including construction sites, smokestacks, wildfires, power plants and vehicles. It causes respiratory illnesses such as asthma, heart attacks and disproportionately affects low-income...