The number of airborne pollutants decreased by significant amounts in the year 2014, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
On average, fuel emissions have been reduced by about 1.5 million tons per year, alongside about 3 million tons of nonhazardous air pollutants. Chemicals such as benzene and mercury have been reduced by at least 60%, and the presence of lead in the air has decreased by 84%. Many of these 
dwindling toxins are carcinogens and can damage internal systems. Lead in particular has a correlation with slow brain development in children.
Increased efficiency in the automobile industry has removed approximately 3 million tons of pollutants per year, including particulates and sulfur dioxide. Toxins from cars and trucks are expected to be reduced by 80% by 2030. Chemicals such as benzene, toluene and xylene emitted could be potentially reduced by 5,600 tons per year by proposed emission standards for petroleum refineries.
The EPA’s Plan EJ 2014 addresses these environmental issues by working with state, local and tribal agencies. It aims to to promote strategies addressing air toxins, to help inform communities of the possible dangers, and to prioritize and reduce human exposure. The EPA has partnered with groups in Indianapolis for the “Building Lead Safe Communities” Project to address the risk of children’s exposure to lead, to compile soil lead data, to identify hotspots through air sampling, and to develop local solutions. Programs like these are expected to grow in the future, helping to keep our communities safe.
