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Future Directions
Over the years, air research by EPA’s Office of Research and Development has provided the science needed to address current concerns about particular air pollutants. When ground ozone became a health concern, researchers conducted groundbreaking work that provided critical information about the health effects of the air pollutant. Likewise, when particle pollution (PM) gained attention for its adverse health effects, EPA research shifted gears to focus on this pollutant.
The direction of EPA’s research is the result of the Agency’s regulatory needs, stakeholder input and Congressionally mandated research requirements. Research is planned to respond to current as well as emerging needs. Air research that has gained considerable attention are multipollutant research, accountability research and air quality research as it relates to climate change.
Multipollutant Research
Because air pollution is, by its nature, a mixture of interacting compounds, research is addressing the need to understand multipollutant impacts on health.
Accountability Research
In parallel, an air accountability research strategy will be developed in concert with the Human Health Research Program (LINK). This strategy will provide a means to evaluate the effectiveness of regulations and air pollution policies, and whether there are unexpected consequences associated with significant regulatory decisions.
Climate Change Research
Looking into the future, it is clear that there exists significant interplay between climate and air quality and that this interplay will have major health and environmental implications relative to air research. As “greenhouse” gases alter climate, the chemical dynamics and profiles of air pollutants will likely change with uncertain implications regarding health and environmental outcomes. The introduction of biofuels and other energy technologies complicates further predictions of benefits or adverse consequences.