In a concerning move, the U.S. government has announced that it will no longer be sharing air quality data gathered from its embassies and consulates. This decision has sparked worry among local scientists and experts who believe that this data was vital in monitoring global air quality and improving public health.
The State Department, in response to an inquiry from The Associated Press, stated that its air quality monitoring program would no longer be transmitting air pollution data from embassies and consulates to the Environmental Protection Agency’s AirNow app and other platforms. This change is due to funding constraints that have caused the department to turn off the underlying network. However, the department has directed embassies and consulates to continue running their monitors and data sharing may resume if funding is restored. This funding cut is just one of many under the current administration.
The U.S. air quality monitors were responsible for measuring dangerous fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, which can have severe health consequences such as respiratory diseases, heart conditions, and premature death. The World Health Organization estimates that air pollution kills around 7 million people each year.
The immediate reaction from scientists has been one of concern, as they believe that the data provided by the U.S. monitors was reliable and crucial in monitoring air quality around the world. This data also played a significant role in prompting governments to take action and improve air quality.
Bhargav Krishna, an air pollution expert at New Delhi-based Sustainable Futures Collaborative, expressed his disappointment at the loss of this data, stating that it was a significant blow to air quality research. He also highlighted the fact that the U.S. monitors were seen as a well-calibrated and unbiased source of data, making them a valuable reference for understanding air quality in developing countries.
Alejandro Piracoca Mayorga, a Bogota-based freelance air quality consultant, also shared his disappointment, stating that the U.S. embassies and consulates in Lima, Sao Paulo, and Bogota were a crucial source of access to independent air quality information. This data was especially valuable for comparison purposes with local monitoring networks.
Khalid Khan, an environmental expert and advocate based in Pakistan, echoed these sentiments, stating that the shutdown of air quality monitoring would have significant consequences. He noted that the monitors in the city of Peshawar, one of the most polluted cities in the world, provided crucial real-time data that helped policymakers, researchers, and the public make informed decisions about their health. The removal of these monitors means a critical gap in environmental monitoring, leaving residents without accurate information on hazardous air conditions. This is particularly concerning for vulnerable populations who are the least likely to have access to other reliable data.
The U.S. air quality monitoring program also had a significant impact in Africa, providing data for over a dozen countries including Senegal, Nigeria, Chad, and Madagascar. In some of these countries, the U.S. monitors were the only source of air quality data, as they were too expensive and complex for the local governments to maintain. The closure of this program will also affect the World Health Organization’s air quality database, as many poor countries rely on the U.S. embassy monitoring data.
Despite this setback, the U.S. air quality monitors have had a positive impact in some countries. In China, for example, data from the U.S. Embassy in Beijing famously contradicted official government reports, showing worse pollution levels than authorities acknowledged. This led to China taking action to improve air quality.
It is a real shame that the U.S. government has decided to stop sharing this vital air quality data. However, we must not lose hope. This decision has sparked a global conversation about the importance of monitoring air quality and the need for reliable data. It has also highlighted the crucial role that the U.S. monitors played in this effort. We must continue to advocate for the restoration of funding for this program and for the importance of monitoring air quality for the health and well-being of people around the world. Let us use this setback as motivation to work towards a cleaner and healthier future for all.
