By Matt Warren, Science Magazine, May 2, 2018

New air quality data reveal that nine out of 10 people around the world breathe highly polluted air, The Guardian reports. The World Health Organization (WHO) found that more than 90% of the world’s population lives in areas where the level of fine particulates, such as sulfate and nitrates, exceeds recommended limits.

Although the level of these dangerous pollutants appears to be dropping in parts of Europe and the Americas, other regions have seen an increase in particulates, particularly Southeast Asia and the Middle East. WHO estimates that fine particulates cause the deaths of 7 million people each year, mainly in low-income countries, and says that “urgent action” is needed to reduce the burden of pollution in these nations.

Tuesday, Sept. 11th, from 6-8 pm at the West Liberty University Highlands Center in Triadelphia – The WVDEP will be having a public hearing to hear concerns about air pollution. Specifically, the meeting is to address Chesapeake’s permit to release hazardous air pollutants from the Dytko pad on Stone Church Rd. The WVDEP currently doesn’t look at or regulate the cumulative air pollution from frack pads and compressors in this area. This industry is exempt from key federal environmental regulations such as the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act. Some of the air pollutants this industry is currently permitted to release from frack pads and compressors in this region are various amounts of: carbon monoxide: volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, ethylbenzene, toluene, sulfur dioxide, acetaldehyde, acrolein, methanol, n-hexane, nitrous oxide, xylenes, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, methane, carbon dioxide equivalent, benzene and formaldehyde. Any interested person can participate in this public hearing.