National Ambient Air Quality Standards The Environmental Protection Agency has promulgated primary and secondary National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for six criteria pollutants (carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, ozone, sulfur dioxide, and lead). Primary standards are adopted to protect public health (the health of "sensitive" populations such as asthmatics, children, and the elderly). Secondary standards are adopted to protect public welfare (protection against decreased visibility, damage to animals, crops, vegetation, and buildings).
State and Federal Ambient Air Quality Standards |
Pollutant | Averaging Time | Primary Standard | Secondary Standard |
Carbon Monoxide (CO) | 1-hr 8-hr | 35 9 | ---- ---- |
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) | Annual | 0.053 | 0.053 |
Particulate Matter (PM10) | 24-hr Annual | 150 50 | 150 50 |
| 24-hr Annual | 65 15 | 65 15 |
Ozone http://www.epa.gov/air/urbanair/ozone/index.html in parts per million (ppm) | 1-hr 8-hr | 0.12 0.08 | 0.12 0.08 |
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) | 3-hr 24-hr Annual | --- 0.14 0.03 | 0.5 --- --- |
Lead (Pb) | Calendar Quarter | 1.5 | 1.5 |
On July 18, 1997, EPA published revisions for two standards, ozone and particulate matter, to ensure a more effective and efficient protection of public health and the environment (62 FR 38651 http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-AIR/1997/July/Day-18/a18577a.htm). These revised standards are an 8-hour ozone standard of 0.08 parts per million, a 24-hour PM2.5 (particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 microns or smaller) standard of 65 micrograms per cubic meter and an annual PM2.5 standard of 15 micrograms per cubic meter. EPA is currently developing implementation guidance for states to use as they develop the necessary state implementation plans for the new standards.
For more information regarding the health and welfare effects of the criteria pollutants, go to the EPA Web site for criteria pollutants at http://www.epa.gov/air/urbanair/6poll.html
Back to the Kansas City Air Quality Emission Inventory Questionnaire page.
