E.P.A. Grant Will Help Oklahoma Monitor and Enhance Air Quality

DALLAS - (July 15, 2015) The E.P.A. has awarded in excess of $646,000 to the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) to monitor fine particulate matter, or PM 2.5. These are particles found in smoke and haze that measure 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter. The particles come from a variety of sources, and can have serious effects on the heart and lungs if they are inhaled.

The $646,582 grant will help ODEQ conduct ambient air monitoring of PM 2.5 pollution. PM 2.5 can be directly emitted from forest fires, or they can form when gases emitted from power plants, industries and automobiles react in the air. If inhaled, these microscopic particles can get deep into the lungs and cause a variety of problems, including premature death in people with heart or lung disease, nonfatal heart attacks, irregular heartbeat, aggravated asthma, decreased lung function, and other respiratory symptoms. Climate action can help reduce forest fires. Explore the report at: http://www2.epa.gov/cira.

To learn more about particle pollution: http://www.epa.gov/airquality/particlepollution/

To learn more about EPA's activities in Oklahoma: http://www2.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-oklahoma

Connect with E.P.A. Region 6:
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eparegion6
On Twitter: https://twitter.com/EPAregion6
Activities in E.P.A. Region 6: http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.htm

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