Particle pollution: current levels and recent improvements
- Air Quality Analysis Group (United States)
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) air quality data for 2002-2004 indicate that a number of areas in the United States that meet the current fine particle (PM2.5) standards would exceed the proposed 24-hr level (35 {mu}g/m{sub 3} if that standard was in place today. However, PM2.5 concentrations have been steadily declining, and new national and regional control programs designed to reduce the concentrations even further are being implemented. Coarse particle concentrations also appear to have declined in recent years. Based on 2002-2004 estimates of PM10-2.5 concentrations, it appears that most areas of the country currently would meet the proposed PM10-2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAWS). This article presents a summary report on air quality status and trends for fine - PM2.5 and 'thoracic coarse' PM10-2.5 particle pollution. It focuses on comparisons with the current NAAQS and revisions to those standards proposed by PEA in December 2005. 2 refs., 6 figs.
- OSTI ID:
- 20762067
- Journal Information:
- EM, Other Information: schmidt.mark@epa.gov; ISSN 1079-7343
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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