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[[File:NAAQS Non Attainment Counties 09302017.svg|thumb|350px|US counties that are designated "nonattainment" for the Clean Air Act's NAAQS, as of September 30, 2017
The U.S. '''National Ambient Air Quality Standards''' ('''NAAQS''', pronounced
The six '''criteria air pollutants''' (CAP), or '''criteria pollutants''', for which limits are set in the NAAQS are [[tropospheric ozone|ozone]] (O<sub>3</sub>), [[atmospheric particulate matter]] (PM<sub>2.5</sub>/PM<sub>10</sub>), [[lead]] (Pb), [[carbon monoxide]] (CO), [[sulfur oxide]]s (SO<sub>x</sub>), and [[nitrogen oxide]]s (NO<sub>x</sub>).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.epa.gov/criteria-air-pollutants|title=Criteria Air Pollutants {{!}} US EPA|last=EPA, OAR|first=US|website=US EPA|date=9 April 2014|language=en|access-date=2018-01-18}}</ref> These are typically emitted from many sources in [[Industrial sector|industry]], [[mining]], [[transportation]], [[electricity generation]] and [[agriculture]]. In many cases they are the products of the [[combustion]] of [[fossil fuels]] or industrial processes.<ref>[http://des.nh.gov/organization/commissioner/pip/factsheets/ard/documents/ard-41.pdf Factsheet] des.nh.gov {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229013911/https://www.des.nh.gov/organization/commissioner/pip/factsheets/ard/documents/ard-41.pdf |date=2020-02-29 }}</ref>
The [[National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants]] cover many other chemicals, and require the maximum achievable reduction that the EPA determines is feasible.
==Background==
The six criteria air pollutants were the first set of pollutants recognized by the [[United States]] [[Environmental Protection Agency]] as needing standards on a national level.<ref>Michigan Department Of Environmental Quality, January 2004. What is an Air Contaminant Pollutant? Fact Sheet</ref> The Clean Air Act requires the EPA to set US National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for the six CAPs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://epa.gov/air/criteria.html |title=National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) | Air and Radiation | US EPA |access-date=2011-02-11 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110202082735/http://www.epa.gov/air/criteria.html |archive-date=2011-02-02 }} US EPA</ref> The NAAQS are health based and the EPA sets two types of standards: primary and secondary. The primary standards are designed to protect the health of 'sensitive' populations such as asthmatics, children, and the elderly. The secondary standards are concerned with protecting the environment. They are designed to address visibility, damage to crops, vegetation, buildings, and animals.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.epa.gov/air/criteria.html |title=National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) | Air and Radiation | US EPA |access-date=2010-12-08 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101210101749/http://www.epa.gov/air/criteria.html |archive-date=2010-12-10 }}</ref>
The EPA established the NAAQS according to Sections 108 and 109 of the U.S. Clean Air Act, which was last amended in 1990.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.epa.gov/ttnnaaqs/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090428102936/http://www.epa.gov/ttnnaaqs |archive-date=2009-04-28 |title=EPA - TTN NAAQS}}</ref> These sections require the EPA "(1) to list widespread air pollutants that reasonably may be expected to endanger public health or welfare; (2) to issue air quality criteria for them that assess the latest available scientific information on nature and effects of ambient exposure to them; (3) to set primary NAAQS to protect human health with adequate margin of safety and to set secondary NAAQS to protect against welfare effects (e.g., effects on vegetation, ecosystems, visibility, climate, manmade materials, etc); and (5) to periodically review and revise, as appropriate, the criteria and NAAQS for a given listed pollutant or class of pollutants."<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/cfm/recordisplay.cfm?deid=158823|title = Air Quality Criteria for Lead (Final Report, 2006)}}</ref>
==Descriptions==
# [[Ground level ozone]] (O<sub>3</sub>): Ozone found on the surface-level, also known as tropospheric ozone is also regulated by the NAAQS under the Clean Air Act. Ozone was originally found to be damaging to grapes in the 1950s. The US EPA set "oxidants" standards in 1971, which included ozone. These standards were created to reduce agricultural impacts and other related damages. Like lead, ozone requires a reexamination of new findings of health and vegetation effects periodically. This aspect necessitated the creation of a US EPA criteria document. Further analysis done in 1979 and 1997 made it necessary to significantly modify the pollution standards.
# [[Atmospheric particulate matter]]
#* PM<sub>10</sub>, coarse particles: 2.5 [[micrometre|micrometers]] (μm) to 10 μm in size (although current implementation includes all particles 10 μm or less in the standard)
#* PM<sub>2.5</sub>, fine particles: 2.5 μm in size or less. Particulate Matter (PM) was listed in the 1996 Criteria document issued by the EPA. In April 2001, the EPA created a Second External Review Draft of the Air Quality Criteria for PM, which addressed updated studies done on particulate matter and the modified pollutant standards done since the First External Review Draft. In May 2002, a Third External Review Draft was made, and the EPA revised PM requirements again. After issuing a fourth version of the document, the EPA issued the final version in October 2004.
# [[Lead]] (Pb): In the mid-1970s, lead was listed as a criteria air pollutant that required NAAQS regulation. In 1977, the EPA published a document which detailed the Air Quality Criteria for lead. This document was based on the scientific assessments of lead at the time. Based on this report (1977 Lead AQCD), the EPA established a "1.5 μg/m<sup>3</sup> (maximum quarterly calendar average) Pb NAAQS in 1978."<ref name=":3" /> The Clean Air Act requires periodic review of NAAQS, and new scientific data published after 1977 made it necessary to revise the standards previously established in the 1977 Lead AQCD document. An Addendum to the document was published in 1986 and then again as a Supplement to the 1986 AQCD/Addendum in 1990. In 1990, a Lead Staff Paper was prepared by the EPA's Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OPQPS), which was based on information presented in the 1986 Lead/AQCD/Addendum and 1990 Supplement, in addition to other OAQPS sponsored lead exposure/risk analyses. In this paper, it was proposed that the Pb NAAQS be revised further and presented options for revision to the EPA. The EPA elected to not modify the Pb NAAQS further, but decided to instead focus on the 1991 U.S. EPA Strategy for Reducing Lead Exposure. The EPA concentrated on regulatory and remedial clean-up efforts to minimize Pb exposure from numerous non-air sources that caused more severe public health risks, and undertook actions to reduce air emissions.
# [[Carbon monoxide]] (CO): The EPA set the first NAAQS for carbon monoxide in 1971. The primary standard was set at 9 ppm averaged over an 8-hour period and 35 ppm over a 1-hour period.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.epa.gov/airquality/carbonmonoxide/.|title = Air Quality Planning and Standards}}</ref> The majority of CO emitted into the ambient air is from mobile sources. The EPA has reviewed and assessed the current scientific literature with respect to CO in 1979, 1984, 1991, and 1994.<ref>http://www.epa.gov/ncea/pdfs/coaqcd.pdf. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110212220246/http://www.epa.gov/NCEA/pdfs/coaqcd.pdf |date=2011-02-12 }}</ref> After the review in 1984 the EPA decided to remove the secondary standard for CO due to lack of significant evidence of the adverse environmental impacts. On January 28, 2011 the EPA decided that the current NAAQS for CO were sufficient and proposed to keep the existing standards as they stood. The EPA is strengthening monitoring requirements for CO by calling for CO monitors to be placed in strategic locations near large urban areas. Specifically, the EPA has called for monitors to be placed and operational in CBSA's (core based statistical areas) with populations over 2.5 million by January 1, 2015; and in CBSA's with populations of 1 million or more by January 1, 2017. In addition they are requiring the collocation of CO monitors with NO<sub>2</sub> monitors in urban areas having a population of 1 million for more. As of May 2011 there were approximately 328 operational CO monitors in place nationwide. The EPA has provided some authority to the EPA Regional Administrators to oversee case-by-case requested exceptions and in determining the need for additional monitoring systems above the minimum required.<ref name="CO">{{Cite web|url=http://www.epa.gov/airquality/carbonmonoxide/pdfs/COFactSheet.pdf.|title=Air Quality Planning and Standards}}</ref> The EPA reports the national average concentration of CO has decreased by 82% since 1980.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.epa.gov/airtrends/carbon.html | title=National Air Quality: Status and Trends of Key Air Pollutants | date=8 July 2014 }}</ref> The last nonattainment designation was deemed in attainment on September 27, 2010. Currently all areas in the US are in attainment.<ref name="CO"/>
# [[Sulfur oxide]]s (SO<sub>x</sub>): SO<sub>x</sub> refers to the oxides of sulfur, a highly reactive group of gases. SO<sub>2</sub> is of greatest interest and is used as the indicator for the entire SO<sub>x</sub> family. The EPA first set primary and secondary standards in 1971. Dual primary standards were set at 140 ppb averaged over a 24-hour period, and at 30 ppb averaged annually. The secondary standard was set at 500 ppb averaged over a 3-hour period, not to be exceeded more than once a year. The most recent review took place in 1996 during which the EPA considered implementing a new NAAQS for 5-minute peaks of SO<sub>2</sub> affecting sensitive populations such as asthmatics. The Agency did not establish this new NAAQS and kept the existing standards.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www3.epa.gov/airquality/sulfurdioxide/.|title = Sulfur Dioxide | Air & Radiation | US EPA}}</ref> In 2010 the EPA decided to replace the dual primary standards with a new 1-hour standard set at 75 ppb. On March 20, 2012, the EPA "took final action" to maintain the existing NAAQS as they stood.<ref>[http://www3.epa.gov/airquality/sulfurdioxide/pdfs/20120320factsheet.pdf Factsheet] epa.gov {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415150152/https://www3.epa.gov/airquality/sulfurdioxide/pdfs/20120320factsheet.pdf |date=2016-04-15 }}</ref> Only three monitoring sites have exceeded the current NAAQS for SO<sub>2</sub>, all of which are located in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The violations occurred between 2007–2008 and the state of Hawaii suggested these should be exempt from regulatory actions due to an 'exceptional event' (volcanic activity). Since 1980 the national concentration of SO<sub>2</sub> in the ambient air has decreased by 83%.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.epa.gov/airtrends/sulfur.html | title=National Air Quality: Status and Trends of Key Air Pollutants | date=8 July 2014 }}</ref> Annual average concentrations hover between 1–6 ppb. Currently all ACQR's are in attainment for SO<sub>2</sub>.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.epa.gov/airquality/sulfurdioxide/basic.html.|title = Air Quality Planning and Standards}}</ref>
# [[Nitrogen oxide]]s (NO<sub>x</sub>): The EPA first set primary and secondary standards for the oxides of nitrogen in 1971. Among these are nitric oxide (NO), nitrous oxide (N<sub>2</sub>O), and nitrogen dioxide (NO<sub>2</sub>), all of which are covered in the NAAQS. NO<sub>2</sub> is the oxide measured and used as the indicator for the entire NO<sub>x</sub> family as it is of the most concern due to its quick formation and contribution to the formation of harmful ground level ozone.<ref name="airqualityNO">{{Cite web|url=http://www.epa.gov/airquality/nitrogenoxides/.|title = Air Quality Planning and Standards}}</ref> In 1971 the primary and secondary NAAQS for NO<sub>2</sub> were both set at an annual average of 0.053 ppm. The EPA reviewed this NAAQS in 1985 and 1996, and in both cases concluded that the existing standard was sufficient. The most recent review by the EPA occurred in 2010, resulting in a new 1-hour NO<sub>2</sub> primary standard set at 100 ppb; the annual average of 0.053 ppm remained the same. Also considered was a new 1-hour secondary standard of 100 ppb. This was the first time the EPA reviewed the environmental impacts separate from the health impacts for this group of criteria air pollutants.<ref name="airqualityNO"/> Also, in 2010, the EPA decided to ensure compliance by strengthening monitoring requirements, calling for increased numbers of monitoring systems near large urban areas and major roadways. On March 20, 2012, the EPA "took final action" to maintain the existing NAAQS as they stand.<ref>Fact Sheet – Air Quality Designations for the 2010 Primary Nitrogen Dioxide (NO<sub>2</sub>) National Ambient Air Quality Standards http://www.epa.gov/airquality/nitrogenoxides/designations/pdfs/20120120FS.pdf.</ref> The national average of NO<sub>x</sub> concentrations has dropped by 52% since 1980.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.epa.gov/airtrends/nitrogen.html | title=National Air Quality: Status and Trends of Key Air Pollutants | date=8 July 2014 }}</ref> The annual concentration for NO<sub>2</sub> is reported to be averaging around 10–20 ppb, and is expected{{when|date=April 2023}} to decrease further with new mobile source regulations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.epa.gov/airquality/nitrogenoxides/basic.html.|title = Air Quality Planning and Standards}}</ref> Currently all areas of the US are classified as in attainment.<ref name="airqualityNO"/>
::In April 2023, the EPA finalized its "Good Neighbor Plan", which phases in tighter standards for NO<sub>x</sub>, using a [[cap and trade]] system during the summer "ozone season". This is intended to reduce ground-level ozone in non-attainment areas downwind of industrial sources like power plants, incinerators, and industrial furnaces, often in other states.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-announces-final-good-neighbor-plan-cut-harmful-smog-protecting-health-millions|title=EPA Announces Final "Good Neighbor" Plan to Cut Harmful Smog, Protecting Health of Millions from Power Plant, Industrial Air Pollution|first=OA|last=US EPA|date=15 March 2023|website=www.epa.gov|accessdate=29 July 2023}}</ref>
==Standards==
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{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Pollutant !! Type !! Standard!! Averaging Time!!
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[Sulfur dioxide]] (SO<sub>2</sub>)
| Primary
| 75 ppb
| 1-hour
| 99th Percentile of 1-hour daily maximum concentrations, averaged over 3 years
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|-
| rowspan="3" | Fine particulate matter (PM<sub>2.5</sub>)
| Primary
| 9.0 μg/m<sup>3</sup> (12 μg/m<sup>3</sup> prior to May 6, 2024)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/03/06/2024-02637/reconsideration-of-the-national-ambient-air-quality-standards-for-particulate-matter |title=Reconsideration of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter |date=6 March 2024 |author=[[Environmental Protection Agency]]}}</ref>
| annual
| Annual mean, averaged over 3 years
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| Primary and Secondary
| 0.12 ppm (235 μg/m<sup>3</sup>)
| 1-hour{{ref|
| expected number of days per calendar year, with maximum hourly average concentration greater than 0.12
| {{USCFR|40|50|9|a}}
|-
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| {{USCFR|40|50|12|a}}
|}
* {{note|
* Source: [https://www.epa.gov/criteria-air-pollutants/naaqs-table USEPA]▼
▲*{{note|b|b}}As of June 15, 2005, the 1-hour ozone standard no longer applies to areas designated with respect to the 8-hour ozone standard (which includes most of the United States, except for portions of 10 states).
▲*Source: [https://www.epa.gov/criteria-air-pollutants/naaqs-table USEPA]
== Detection methods ==
The EPA [[National Exposure Research Laboratory]] can designate a measurement device using an established technological basis as a '''Federal Reference Method''' (FRM) to certify that the device has undergone a testing and analysis protocol, and can be used to monitor NAAQS compliance. Devices based on new technologies can be designated as a '''Federal Equivalent Method''' (FEM).{{
==Air quality control region==
An air quality control region is an area, designated by the federal government, where communities share a common air pollution problem.<ref>{{
▲<ref>{{cite web|title=EPA document|url=http://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyNET.exe/P10053PA.TXT?ZyActionD=ZyDocument&Client=EPA&Index=Prior+to+1976&Docs=&Query=AP102%20or%20f&Time=&EndTime=&SearchMethod=1&TocRestrict=n&Toc=&TocEntry=&QField=pubnumber^%22AP102%22&QFieldYear=&QFieldMonth=&QFieldDay=&UseQField=pubnumber&IntQFieldOp=1&ExtQFieldOp=1&XmlQuery=&File=D:\zyfiles\Index%20Data\70thru75\Txt\00000006\P10053PA.txt&User=ANONYMOUS&Password=anonymous&SortMethod=h%7C-&MaximumDocuments=10&FuzzyDegree=0&ImageQuality=r75g8/r75g8/x150y150g16/i425&Display=p%7Cf&DefSeekPage=x&SearchBack=ZyActionL&Back=ZyActionS&BackDesc=Results%20page&MaximumPages=1&ZyEntry=1&SeekPage=x&ZyPURL}}</ref>
==See also==
{{col div|colwidth=40em}}
* [[Air pollution]]
* [[Air quality index]]
* [[Asthma]]
* [[Atmospheric dispersion modeling]]
* [[Contamination control]]
* [[Clean Air Act (1990)]]
* [[Portable
* [[Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976]]
{{colend}}
==References==
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== External links ==
* [
* [
* [
* [
▲*[http://www.epaalumni.org/history/video/interview.cfm?id=38 EPA Alumni Association Oral History Video "Early Implementation of the Clean Air Act of 1970 in California.”]
{{Richard Nixon}}
{{US Environmental law}}
{{Natural resources}}
[[Category:Air pollution in the United States]]
[[Category:
[[Category:Environmental law in the United States]]
[[Category:Environmental science]]
[[Category:Environmental chemistry]]
[[Category:Natural resource management]]
[[Category:Smog]]
[[Category:United States Environmental Protection Agency]]
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