The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a few days ago that five of the country’s states are violating one of its recently added pollution standards.

The issue involves soot particles, which are known to cause respiratory problems for children and the elderly by lodging in people’s lungs and blood vessels. According to the agency’s research, in order to make sure that the sickening risks are kept to a minimum, the particles released must not be bigger than 2.5 micrometres. The main producers of the particles are factories, cars, power plants and diesel-burning trucks.

The five states accused are Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan, and each of their officials will get a chance to address the issue before the EPA reaches a conclusion.

John Summerhays, an EPA environmental scientist, explained that this badly needed reduction represents a very difficult task and agency is currently developing a three-year plan in order to bring the emissions down to the wanted standards. The problem is considered one of the top priorities, and helping with the process are many more agencies and nonprofit organizations from all across the country.

"There's more and more health evidence suggesting that short-term exposure to fine particles can really have a health impact," said Janet McCabe, executive director of Improving Kids' Environment, an Indianapolis nonprofit, as quoted by the Associated Press. "Just standing on the sidewalk, breathing in exhaust for a few minutes can impact your health," she added.

For now, the EPA is conducting an exhaustive research, meant to determine which states demand its immediate attention, and by December, the final designations list should be completed.
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