The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released the final rule Tuesday on cutting toxic air pollutions produced by chemical plants and requiring regular air quality monitoring. The rule focuses on ethylene oxide and chloroprene and aims to protect vulnerable communities and advance President Biden’s goal to end cancer.
The rule will affect 200 petrochemical plants that are mostly situated along the Gulf Coast and make synthetic organic chemicals, as well as several types of polymers and resins, such as neoprene. Residents in that area are diagnosed with higher rates of cancer than in other parts of the country.
The new regulations are expected to reduce emissions from this plants by almost 80%. It also target additional pollutants, such as benzene, 1,3-butadiene, vinyl chloride and ethylene dichloride. The EPA estimated that lowering these chemical emissions will decrease volatile organic compounds by 23,700 tons per year.
“We promised to listen to folks that are suffering from pollution and act to protect them. Today we deliver on that promise with strong final standards to slash pollution, reduce cancer risk, and ensure cleaner air for nearby communities,” said EPA Administrator Michael Regan.
