Latest Air quality News

Oil tanks catch fire at quarry in Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC

Mar. 14, 2024 17:08 PM EDT

ROCKVILLE, Md. (AP) — Several oil tanks caught on fire late Thursday morning at a quarry in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C., sending thick plumes of black smoke into the air that were visible for miles. The fire was contained by early afternoon while three tanks continued...

Tired of diesel fumes, these moms are pushing for electric school buses

Feb. 26, 2024 12:45 PM EST

Areli Sanchez’s daughter, Aida, used to be one of 20 million American kids who ride a diesel bus to school each day. Aida has asthma. When she was little, she complained about the smell and cloud of fumes on her twice-daily trip. “When she would come home from...

High air pollution levels in Thai capital spark order for city employees to work from home

Feb. 15, 2024 08:41 AM EST

BANGKOK (AP) — City employees in Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, were ordered Thursday to work from home for two days, and those in the private sector were encouraged to do so as well, as air pollution soared to unhealthy levels. Air pollution has been a problem for many years in...

Biden sets tighter standards for deadly soot pollution from tailpipes, smokestacks

Feb. 07, 2024 16:46 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is setting tougher standards for deadly soot pollution, saying that reducing fine particle matter from tailpipes, smokestacks and other industrial sources could prevent thousands of premature deaths a year. Environmental and public health...

Air pollution and politics pose cross-border challenges in South Asia

Jan. 20, 2024 22:22 PM EST

LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — The air smells burnt in Lahore, a city in Pakistan’s east that used to be famous for its gardens but has become infamous for its terrible air quality. Toxic smog has sickened tens of thousands of people in recent months. Flights have been canceled....