air pollution

Scientists and public health officials have long tracked the pollutants that cause smog, acid rain, and other environmental health hazards and shared them with the public through the local Air Quality Index. But the monitoring system misses hundreds of harmful chemicals released in urban fires.

A major investigation shows local governments are increasingly exploiting a loophole in the Clean Air Act, leaving more than 21 million Americans with air that’s dirtier than they realize

Congressional investigators say the use of a regulatory loophole to erase smoke pollution from the official record is on the rise.

Air regulators approved a rule to stop selling new big rigs and buses that run on diesel starting in 2036. The rule is part of the state's efforts for better air quality and fight climate change.

Trucking companies say the deadlines for converting big rigs, delivery trucks and other heavy vehicles are unachievable and will cause “chaos and dysfunction” of California’s economy. The move is designed to clean communities’ air, especially near ports, warehouses and freeways.

A growing body of research is finding links between air quality and mental health, as therapists report seeing patients with symptoms linked to pollution.

The American Lung Association released its annual air quality report this week.

In another worldwide first, California would require new trucks to be zero-emissions in 2040. Large companies would gradually convert fleets. Truckers worry about the costs and practicality of electric trucks.

The Valley air district has distributed hundreds of millions of dollars in public funds to help farmers upgrade tractors to newer, cleaner burning machines. But despite hefty grants, the programs are inaccessible to many small farmers, and ag equipment still contributes to the Valley’s smog problem.

After a federal judge ruled that the EPA wrongly approved of a flawed plan to reduce San Joaquin Valley air pollution, clean air advocates hope the federal agency will step in to strengthen regulations of polluting industries.