Bill Overview
Title: Technology Assessment for Air Quality Management Act of 2022
Description: This bill addresses air quality monitoring technology, including by requiring the Environmental Protection Agency to update its Air Sensor Toolbox with specified information and establish an Air Quality Technology Working Group to report on air quality monitoring systems. The Government Accountability Office must inventory national air quality monitoring infrastructure by documenting specified elements, such as locations and populations near such monitors.
Sponsors: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Target Audience
Population: People affected by air pollution
Estimated Size: 331000000
- The bill aims to enhance air quality monitoring, which primarily impacts individuals living in areas with air pollution concerns.
- According to the World Health Organization, about 99% of the global population lives in places where air quality levels exceed WHO guidelines, indicating a worldwide impact.
- The bill involves upgrading the Environmental Protection Agency's tools and establishing working groups to improve air-monitoring accuracy, indirectly affecting anyone reliant on air quality data for health decisions.
Reasoning
- The target population primarily includes residents in urban areas and people living near industrial sites, where air quality is generally poorer.
- Considerations extend to individuals with respiratory issues or those who are more sensitive to air quality, such as children and the elderly.
- Given the policy includes updating technology and infrastructure, immediate effects on individual well-being may be limited, but potential long-term improvements in public health could be significant.
- While the budget is relatively modest given the scale of air quality issues, focused improvements in monitoring can drive more effective interventions over time.
Simulated Interviews
Software Engineer (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm hopeful that improved monitoring might eventually lead to clearer air policies.
- Technology upgrades are always good, but it feels like a small step in a city like mine.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Elementary School Teacher (Houston, TX)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any improvement in air quality monitoring should help us make better decisions for our school.
- I worry about my students' and my own health, so investments in monitoring are worth it.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Retired (Philadelphia, PA)
Age: 59 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As someone older, I think better air monitoring is crucial given my limited activity outdoors due to air quality concerns.
- Anything that can improve our environment for future generations is beneficial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Environmental Scientist (Denver, CO)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The upgrade in technology will provide more accurate data, which is exciting for my research.
- These changes could help us better understand local air patterns.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Public Health Official (Chicago, IL)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Accurate monitoring is essential for effective public health strategies.
- It's a step in the right direction, but we'll need more comprehensive policies to see significant health improvements.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Stay-at-home Dad (Miami, FL)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's important that we know the air quality accurately, especially with young kids who are always playing outside.
- I hope this means quicker responses to air quality issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Retired Farmer (Rural Montana)
Age: 65 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't see this affecting me much since I already experience clean air out here.
- I suppose it might be good for people in the cities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Delivery Driver (New York, NY)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More air quality monitors might mean better alerts for high pollution days, which is good for people like me constantly outside.
- I hope it eventually leads to cleaner air.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Agricultural Worker (Fresno, CA)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any improvements in monitoring that can reduce unexpected bad air days would be helpful.
- It might help bring attention to rural air quality concerns that often go unnoticed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Student (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy aligns with my interests in environmental health and data.
- Better data might expedite further policy measures, which is exciting.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $20000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $25000000)
Year 2: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 3: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 5: $18000000 (Low: $13000000, High: $23000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- There is significant uncertainty in the impact estimates, especially in terms of long-term savings and revenue.
- The policy's success heavily relies on the efficient implementation of technology and proper integration into existing systems.
- Monitoring and reporting infrastructure would need continuous updates to keep up with technological advancements and environmental changes.