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The Report on the Environment (ROE) presents information about trends in air, water, land, human health, and ecological condition. Users can access the full technical document, or an abbreviated "highlights" document in either PDF form or as an interactive website.

Key Air Quality Trends

As a general rule, emissions and concentrations of of air pollutants have decreased since the current monitoring system was initiated. In some cases, but not all, concentrations have been reduced below EPA standards for public health. The report also highlighted decreases in toxic compounds, acid rain, stratospheric ozone depletion, and increases in visibility (reduced haze) in national parks and wilderness areas, and greenhouse gases concentrations.

Key Water Quality Trends

For the most part, acidity has decreased in sensitive surface water ecosystems. Almost 1/3 of the nation's wadeable streams contain "high" levels of nitrogen and phosphorus. Over time, nitrate loads have increased in the Mississippi River. Phosphorus loads have decreased or been variable, depending on the watershed evaluated. Around 60% of shallow wells in agricultural areas contained at least one detectable pesticide compound. Much of the water data is from the US Geological Survey (USGS) National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) program. See also: US Geological Survey National and Regional Trends in Ground-Water Quality.

To to the Report on the Environment

October, 2008 Newsletter Articles

• EPA Releases "Report on the Environment 2008"
• Orienting Buildings Perpendicular to Prevailing Winds May Reduce Odors
• Poultry Waste Management Symposium To Be Held October 21-23
• US Geological Survey National and Regional Trends in Ground-Water Quality