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NATURE

10 U.S. cities improve air quality

cleanair
Rochester, N.Y., is the No. 1 clean air success story according to a study done by the Foundation for Clean Air Progress   

July 8, 1999
Web posted at: 4:20 p.m. EDT (2020 GMT)

ENN



Rochester, N.Y., is the No. 1 clean air success story according to a study done by the Foundation for Clean Air Progress. Ten American cities have dramatically improved air quality and have been recognized by the Foundation for Clean Air Progress for their efforts.

"People in each of these cities should be proud that their efforts are paying off," said William Fay, president of the non-profit FCAP. "This demonstrates the power of partnership, proving that we can accomplish our air quality goals when we work together."

Data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was used to compile the list of 10 U.S. cities that have made the most significant progress in cleaning up their air over the last 10 years.

Details on the Top 10 Clean Air Success Stories can be found at The Foundation for Clean Air Progress web site.

The top 10 in order are Rochester, N.Y.; Buffalo, N.Y.; Milwaukee; San Diego; Boston; Sacramento; Detroit; Chicago; Newark, N.J.; and Los Angeles. Overall, these cities show ozone reductions ranging from 75 percent to 40.7 percent over the last 10 years. The average reduction was 54.3 percent.

The list is based on the EPA ozone level tracking data from major metropolitan areas. The data show the number of days, from 1988 to 1997, when ozone levels exceeded stringent federal standards issued in 1997.

The progress seen in the top 10 cities reflects national air quality improvements, according to a recent report conducted for FCAP by Tech Environmental Inc. an environmental consulting firm in Waltham, Mass. The U.S. has experienced a one-third reduction in pollutants since 1970 and more than 77 million tons of pollutants were eliminated from the air per year, according to the report. Reductions in emissions of pollutants include carbon monoxide (down 33 percent), nitrogen oxides (down 12 percent), volatile organic compounds (down 42 percent), sulfur dioxide (down 13 percent), particulate matter (down 75 percent), and lead (down 98 percent).

"We need to spread the word about how much cleaner the air has gotten in urban areas around the nation. Too many people are under the false impression that their air quality is getting worse, rather than better. When people are aware of what's possible, they're far more motivated to pitch in and help keep the progress going," said Fay.

FCAP's Top 10 Clean Air Success Stories were selected from 50 of the largest U.S. metropolitan areas that exceeded ozone level standards at least 50 days during the five-year period from 1988-1992. The top 10 cities also demonstrated the greatest improvement during the five-year period from 1992 to 1997.

Copyright 1999, Environmental News Network, All Rights Reserved



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RELATED SITES:
Foundation for Clean Air Progress
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Air and Radiation
Tech Environmental Inc.
South Coast Air Quality Managment District
State and Territorial Air Pollution Program Administrators and the Association of Local Air Pollution Control Officials
EPA's AIRNOW
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