Air Quality
Many human activities result in air pollution, which negatively impacts human health, the environment, and economic efficiency. RFF experts have been analyzing policies to monitor and improve air quality since such regulations first came to pass.
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On the Issues — Jun 6, 2025
On the Issues: Electric Vehicle Charging Costs, Repeals to Clean Energy Tax Credits, and More
A biweekly newsletter connecting global current events, pressing climate and energy policy news, and economics research from RFF scholars. This week: Electric vehicle tax credits at risk, regulatory repeals, and more.
Resources Radio — May 27, 2025
Seeing the Invisible: Responses to Indoor Air Pollution, with Robert D. Metcalfe
Robert D. Metcalfe discusses his recent study of indoor air pollution levels in homes and how people respond when made aware of their exposure.
Journal Article — Feb 4, 2025
Wildfire Smoke, the Clean Air Act, and the Exceptional Events Rule: Implications and Policy Alternatives
A new paper, published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology, shows that this Exceptional Events Rule is allowing a substantial number of areas to meet air quality standards, despite increasingly poor air quality due to smoke.
Journal Article — Jan 10, 2025
Wildfire Smoke in the United States
A new paper, published in the Review of Environmental Economics and Policy, argues that increasing wildfire smoke is a serious threat to human health and the US economy.
Journal Article — Feb 4, 2025
Wildfire Smoke, the Clean Air Act, and the Exceptional Events Rule: Implications and Policy Alternatives
A new paper, published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology, shows that this Exceptional Events Rule is allowing a substantial number of areas to meet air quality standards, despite increasingly poor air quality due to smoke.
Journal Article — Jan 10, 2025
Wildfire Smoke in the United States
A new paper, published in the Review of Environmental Economics and Policy, argues that increasing wildfire smoke is a serious threat to human health and the US economy.
Issue Brief — Oct 17, 2024
Air Quality Impacts of New York State Cap-Trade-and-Invest Design
Air Quality Impacts of New York State Cap-Trade-and-Invest Design
Report — Mar 18, 2024
Prioritizing Justice in New York State Cap-Trade-and-Invest
This report, produced in partnership with the New York City Environmental Justice Alliance, analyzes the emissions effects of different cap-trade-and-invest policy designs in New York State.
RFF Live — May 19, 2023
Unplugging Emissions: Exploring New EPA Rules on Climate and Health
An RFF Live event examining three recent proposed and final rules on power-sector emissions from the US Environmental Protection Agency.
RFF Live — Mar 22, 2022
Climate Change and the Supreme Court
Examining US court cases that will play a large role in determining the future of US climate policy and environmental regulation
Policy Leadership Series — Aug 30, 2021
Policy Leadership Series with EPA Administrator Michael Regan
A conversation with the 16th Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency about the goals he has set during his first year as the head of the agency
Speech/Presentation — Jan 5, 2021
Wildfires, Smoke, and Outdoor Recreation in the Western United States
Wildfires, Smoke, and Outdoor Recreation in the Western United States
On the Issues — Jun 6, 2025
On the Issues: Electric Vehicle Charging Costs, Repeals to Clean Energy Tax Credits, and More
A biweekly newsletter connecting global current events, pressing climate and energy policy news, and economics research from RFF scholars. This week: Electric vehicle tax credits at risk, regulatory repeals, and more.
Resources Radio — May 27, 2025
Seeing the Invisible: Responses to Indoor Air Pollution, with Robert D. Metcalfe
Robert D. Metcalfe discusses his recent study of indoor air pollution levels in homes and how people respond when made aware of their exposure.
Resources Radio — Apr 23, 2024
Pollution Causes Crashes: Particulate Matter and Traffic Accidents, with Travis Roach
Travis Roach discusses how the prevalence of airborne particulate pollution known as PM2.5 can increase the incidence of fatal traffic accidents.
Resources Magazine Articles — Oct 4, 2023
Prioritizing Justice in New York State Climate Policy: Aiming for Cleaner Air in Disadvantaged Communities
Climate policy aims to decrease greenhouse gas emissions, but another important outcome from decarbonization is improved air quality. New research asks the question: Will disadvantaged communities see benefits?
Media Highlight — May 31, 2024
S&P Global: “US Utilities Support Cap-and-Trade Option for Next EPA Gas Rule”
An article about EPA's new rule on natural gas plants pulls a statement that the head of EPA's Office of Air in Radiation made during an RFF Live event.
Media Highlight — Sep 13, 2023
POLITICO: “Research Examines Community-Level Air Quality Improvements from Aggressive Climate Policies”
An article in POLITICO breaks down the findings of a new RFF report on the environmental justice implications of a new New York State climate law.
Media Highlight — Jul 29, 2023
Palabra: "Youth-Powered Science"
An article about research in New York City schools mentions a project co-led by RFF Fellow Beia Spiller, which involves New York students with air quality monitoring projects.
Media Highlight — Jan 27, 2023
Bloomberg: "Air and Climate Standards Top EPA's 2023 Rulemaking To-Do List"
Comments made by EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe during RFF's Big Decisions 2023 event in January feature heavily in a story about EPA priorities.