This study was conducted in 2009, Have you seen new reports?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) have come up with the ‘toxic 20′ highlighting the 20 US states with the most toxic air. The NRDC report was compiled from data collected for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Toxics Release Inventory, which ranked the 20 worst states based on air pollution from power plants. Power plants are heavy polluters of the environment and are constantly burning our already depleted supply of fossil fuels.
The Toxic 20 States from 2009, with Ohio being the worst:
1. Ohio
2. Pennsylvania
3. Florida
4. Kentucky
5. Maryland
6. Indiana
7.Michigan
8. West Virginia
9. Georgia
10. North Carolina
11. South Carolina
12. Alabama
13. Texas
14. Virginia
15. Tennessee
16. Missouri
17. Illinois
18. Wisconsin
19. New Hampshire
20. Iowa
The EPA estimates that reducing pollution by levels proposed in the “Mercury and Air Toxics” standards, expected to be finalized in November, could save as many as 17,000 lives and prevent more than 12,000 hospital visits every year.
So, if you live in Ohio, Pennsylvania or Florida, you’re at the highest risk of toxic air pollution. Appealing to your local government to make changes to the policies for operating power plants would be a step in the right direction.
To learn more about fossil fuels, view:
Can Carbon Dioxide Emissions be a Useful Product Too?
As California Goes, Does the Nation Follow?
