The US State Department has terminated its global air quality monitoring program, known as DOSAir, due to budget constraints. This initiative, which began in 2008, aimed to provide accurate pollution data from US embassies worldwide and played a crucial role in improving air quality in cities like Beijing.
Program Overview
Initially launched to share air quality data in Beijing, the program expanded to approximately 80 cities globally. It helped challenge local government figures and prompted significant environmental reforms in China. Researchers credit the program with preventing up to 895 premature deaths and saving $465 million in medical costs annually for median cities.
Impact of Termination
While individual embassies can still operate their air monitors, they will no longer send data to the State Department. The termination of real-time data transmission raises concerns among scientists and researchers about the future of air quality research in many countries that relied on this information.
Economic Considerations
Despite its success, the program faced cuts amid broader federal budget reductions. Experts argue that the monitoring initiative was cost-effective, estimating its annual maintenance costs at tens of thousands of dollars. The program not only raised public awareness of pollution but also reduced hardship payments for diplomats in polluted areas.
Future of Air Quality Data
With the program’s abrupt end, many countries may struggle to maintain progress in air quality improvements. The absence of reliable data could hinder efforts to mitigate pollution and protect public health.
For further details, visit the original article on WIRED.