Trump’s EPA intends to disregard the impact of air pollution on public health

The EPA’s Approach to Valuing Human Life in Environmental Policy

Since the Reagan era, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has placed a monetary value on human life. While this may seem unsettling, the intention was to enable cost-benefit analyses for pollution regulations. By quantifying the benefits of reducing pollution—such as longer lifespans—the agency could justify stricter controls if the health gains outweighed the economic costs.

Every presidential administration since has continued this practice, assigning a specific value to human life when crafting air quality regulations.

Potential Shift in EPA Policy

According to a report, the Trump administration is considering abandoning this longstanding method. If implemented, the EPA would stop factoring in the value of human health when setting rules for ozone and fine particulate matter pollution.

Understanding the Dangers of Air Pollution

The harmful effects of air pollution have been recognized for decades—a key reason the EPA was established under President Nixon.

Both ozone and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) are linked to serious health problems, including asthma, heart disease, and emphysema.

Ozone in the upper atmosphere shields us from ultraviolet rays. However, when ozone forms near the ground—often due to nitrogen oxides released by vehicles and power plants—it contributes to smog. On days with heavy smog, vulnerable groups face heightened health risks, sometimes with fatal consequences.

PM2.5 is even more insidious. Recent studies have linked these tiny particles to a wide array of diseases, including Parkinson’s, kidney disease, Alzheimer’s, dementia, and type 2 diabetes. Even newborns are at risk, as maternal exposure to PM2.5 has been associated with low birth weight. Globally, exposure to fine particulate pollution is responsible for up to 10 million deaths each year.

Industry Trends and Policy Implications

This proposed regulatory change comes as data centers increasingly depend on more polluting energy sources. For instance, Elon Musk’s xAI reportedly operated over 400 megawatts of unlicensed natural gas turbines to supply its Colossus data center near Memphis, Tennessee—an area already labeled an “asthma capital” by the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America due to existing industrial and transportation pollution.

Reactions from Business Leaders

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has expressed support for the Trump administration’s proposed shift. “We appreciate the efforts of this administration to rebalance regulations with a common-sense approach. We look forward to examining the proposal from E.P.A,” said Mary Durbin, president of the chamber’s Global Energy Institute, in a statement to the New York Times.

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