Air Quality in the DC Area

We deserve to breath clean air because our health is at stake. Unfortunately, our region's air has been seriously polluted for decades and this impacts the health of all area residents, especially vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly. Poor air quality contributes to a range of illnesses, from headaches to asthma, and is responsible for hundreds of emergency room visits throughout the year.

The DC Region is currently in severe "non-attainment" of federal air quality standards under the Clean Air Act, which means there is more air pollution in the area than the federal government permits. As a result, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) - our regional government - is required to create a plan (State Implementation Plan - SIP) to improve the region's air quality and is monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). COG is also required to show that the transportation plan for the region will not cause violations of national air quality standards.

Because car and truck emissions are a leading source of air pollution, any plan COG produces must reduce driving to reduce air pollution. However, many plans at COG include proposals for expensive road projects that will increase driving, traffic, and air pollution in the region. In fact, there has been a dramatic increase in driving (vehicle-miles traveled) over the past thirty years, causing an overall increase in air pollution from vehicles despite government limits on tailpipe emissions and rules requiring that air quality play a role in transportation decision-making. Poorly-planned development is largely to blame for the increase in driving and pollution.

By contrast, well-planned development with town centers (smart growth) reduces driving by building communities that offer a variety of transportation choices (walking, biking, taking transit or driving), thereby lowering emissions and improving air quality.

More on Air Quality:
History of Poor Air Quality in the DC Region
Sources of Air Pollution
More Highways = More Air Pollution
Power Plant Pollution in Virginia
Health Impacts of Air Pollution
2003 State Implementation Plan - SIP (plan to meet air quality standards)
Solutions
Penalties for Not Meeting Federal Air Quality Standards

Contacts

Related Issues:
Sprawl and Health
Road Projects
Transit

Reports:
"Clearing the Air With Transit Spending" (Sierra Club) including:

• How Sprawl Harms Our Health
• Cars and Trucks Contribute to Smog