How Accurate is EPA Pollution Reporting?

While we’re all probably aware that we’re sometimes exposed to air pollution in one way or another, we generally assume that some official (you know, like from the EPA) is keeping tabs on it to make sure it isn’t excessive. However, a recent analysis of EPA data suggests that for those of us living in certain areas, the risk is much higher than we think.

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[HorzaPanda]

While I'd like to believe the EPA is keeping tabs I'm aware that their funding isn't always the best. Sometimes that feels deliberate :X

[chelseashurmantine]

THANK YOU!!! It is insane and I’ve been saying it for years. I was an exterminator for many years and learned that the EPA no care at all about our health.

[kevinjobe]

The EPA doesn’t hold responsibility for pollution reporting. That authority is delegated to the states. The EPA just develops the framework for what is required. I’ve been in environmental management for about 15 years and I rarely have any direct communication with EPA.

[byrongsmith]

Thank you for covering this. There is nowhere near enough coverage of the effects and ubiquity of air pollution.

[smooth_space]

The EPA doesn't do this because it's seized by corporate power like all aspects of government

[grahamrankin]

Several years back our city council turned down a air quality monitoring station (at no cost to the city). During the rash of fires in Oregon in 2020, air quality was terrible, but we could only extrapolate from stations 50 miles away.

[plumokin]

It makes perfect sense, but I've never thought about the relationship between redlining and pollution until now

[Cybernaut]

Let's applause to HT for standing up to toxic air quality & promoting humanitarian welfare.
Thank you!

[tyrizzle]

It baffles me why this channel has such low viewership

[RainaRamsay]

That awkward feeling when you're pretty sure you recognize one of the plants shown, from your daily commute :/

[djguydan]

Same can be said for FDA and USDA, the numbers on facilities that are regularly monitored are surprisingly low.

[Randomgen]

As lackadaisical as the EPA can be, some of the state agencies are even more negligent.

As someone who used to have to deal with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality occasionally… let’s just say all the hotspots in TX are no surprise.

[gogreen]

Legit don't know how much I'm supposed to talk about this but I work for a state govt and participated in a review of this data (including asking facilities for their methodology).
Basically what we discovered is facilities will over report to the TRI (Toxics Release Inventory) because they don't want to spend the time/money collecting more accurate data if they fall under the maximum allowable. I assume it's similar in other states as well.
This report is super inportant to remind us all to double check how accurate air quality standards are (and for social and racial justice use), but, for the most part, the claims in this article are a bit overblown.

[nuarius]

Wait.... your telling me that the government based agency is misrepresenting information about how bad the pollution is form its largest political contributors...
[gasps in sarcasm]

[rockytran]

Hi, I’m Rocky Xuan Tran and I find your videos of healthcare triage totally correct and very helpful! Thank you! 😊

[adamwho]

All these high pollution areas are on the Gulf Coast. I am sure all the Republican lead states of Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and Texas are going to get right on fixing the problem....

[aarononeal]

You should talk about Ecosia they are a search engine that plants tress

[FloridatedHO]

Keep in mind that while 250, 000 is a lot of people, equivalent to a medium-small city, it is literally 0.075% of the US population. If someone told you that less than a tenth of one percent of Americans are exposed to dangerous levels of ethylene oxide, you would think that the EPA and gov regulations are doing a pretty good job. Just something to consider...I am in no way trying to exonerate polluting corporations.

[chulafferty]

Where have you been? This has been known since the early 70's. Check old 60 minute shows. America is such a caring country when it comes to it's own citizens and the environment?$!

[scottabc]

Thank you, South Philadelphia along with Chester and Marcus Hook PA are other classic examples of this. Also I learned Memphis TN has a pyramid