NEW YORK – A recent study by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shows a sharp increase in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels across major U.S. cities following the Trump administration’s decision in 2022 to discontinue air‑quality monitoring at U.S. embassies abroad. The embassies, which had historically provided real‑time data on trans‑boundary pollution, were a key source of information for tracking industrial emissions from neighboring countries.
Since the cessation of the monitoring program, the EPA has reported a 22 % rise in average annual PM2.5 concentrations in the Midwest and a 15 % increase in the Northeast, surpassing the World Health Organization’s recommended safe limits. Health officials warn that prolonged exposure could lead to higher rates of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
Environmental advocacy groups are calling on the current administration to reinstate the monitoring network and to invest in more comprehensive air‑quality sensors. “Without accurate data, policymakers are flying blind,” said Dr. Maya Alvarez, director of Clean Air America. “We need transparent, cross‑border collaboration to protect public health.”
The report also highlights the need for updated regulations that address emerging sources of pollution, such as increased freight traffic and wild‑fire smoke, which have compounded the air‑quality challenges in recent years.