Q408. Should I be worried about a local facility's GHG emissions?
A408. The “Bubble Map” in FLIGHT provides a visual representation of the location and magnitude of each facility’s GHG emissions relative to one another.
Current ambient air concentrations of CO2 and other GHGs remain well below published exposure thresholds for any direct adverse health effects, such as respiratory or toxic effects. Rather, GHG emissions contribute to the air pollution – the mix of those GHGs in the atmosphere - that causes climate change which in turn endangers public health and welfare. For example, a warmer climate will increase the risk of heat-related illnesses and death, and will worsen conditions for air pollution. For more information, visit http://www3.epa.gov/climatechange/impacts/.
Geographic areas covered by bubbles in the map are not necessarily at higher risk for climate change related health impacts than areas not covered by a bubble, however, some of these facilities release other substances which may be directly harmful to human health. Explore Envirofacts to learn more about other pollutants monitored by EPA.
Updated on
Source: EPA Data Publication FAQs http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ghgdata/faq.html#q1, and revised later
Approval / Publishing History: Version 3, Revised per direction of B. Cook, 10/04/2016
Expiration: none
Relevant Subpart/Component: GHG Data and Publication
History Panel For Internal Use - Not Visible to the Public