Design Values
A design value is a statistic that describes the air quality status of a given area relative to the level of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Design values are especially helpful when the standard is exceedance-based (e.g. 1-hour ozone, 24-hour PM10, etc.) because they are expressed as a concentration instead of an exceedance count, thereby allowing a direct comparison to the level of the standard.
- Design values are defined in the guidance below and are consistent with the NAAQS in CFR Part 50. As such, they are often based on multiple years of data, ensuring a stable indicator.
- Design values are typically used to classify nonattainment areas, assess progress towards meeting the NAAQS, and develop control strategies.
- Design values are computed and published annually by EPA's Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards and reviewed in conjunction with the EPA Regional Offices.
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Design Values 2005 - 2007
- PM2.5 Design Values
(PDF) (8pp, 189k) - Summary
(Excel spreadsheet) (11.6 MB) - Detailed Information (Contains Design Values from 1999-2001 to 2005-2007)
- PM10 Design Values
(PDF) (8pp, 231k) - Summary
(Excel spreadsheet) (454k) - Detailed Information
- Ozone Design Values
(PDF) (5pp, 114k) - Summary
(Excel spreadsheet) (662k) - Detailed Information
- Carbon Monoxide Design Values
(PDF) (4pp, 96k) - Summary
(Excel spreadsheet) (123k) - Detailed Information
- Sulfur Dioxide Design Values
(PDF) (4pp, 84k) - Summary
(Excel spreadsheet) (180k) - Detailed Information
- Nitrogen Dioxide Design Values
(PDF) (3pp, 33k) - Summary
(Excel spreadsheet) (133k) - Detailed Information
- Lead Design Values
(PDF) (5pp, 101k) - Summary
(Excel spreadsheet) (159k) - Detailed Information
Design Values 2004 - 2006
- PM10 Design Values
(PDF) (4pp, 180k) - Summary
(Excel spreadsheet) (45k) - Detailed Information
- Ozone Design Values
(PDF) (5pp, 86k) - Summary
(Excel spreadsheet) (738k) - Detailed Information
- Carbon Monoxide Design Values
(PDF) (4pp, 44k) - Summary
(Excel spreadsheet) (28k) - Detailed Information
Design Values 2003 - 2005
- PM10 Design Values
(PDF) (4pp, 34k) - Summary
(Excel spreadsheet) (43k) - Detailed Information
- Ozone Design Values
(PDF) (9pp, 71k) - Summary
(Excel spreadsheet) (564k) - Detailed Information
For more information:
- Guideline on Data Handling Conventions for the 8-hour Ozone NAAQS (PDF) (17pp, 52k) EPA-454/R-98-017, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, December 1998.
- Guideline on Data Handling Conventions for the PM NAAQS (PDF) (55pp, 248k) EPA-454/R-99-008, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, April 1999.