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Announcements
December 22, 2008
EPA designates areas as attainment and nonattainment for the 24-hour PM2.5 National Air Quality Standards.
August 21, 2008
EPA Seeks Public Comment on its Proposed Modifications to the State and Tribal Recommendations for PM2.5 Designations
August 19, 2008
In response to recommendations from state and tribal representatives, EPA has sent letters outlining the areas it is considering designating as “attainment” or “nonattainment” for the 24-hour fine particle standards.
This Web site provides information about EPA's actions designating areas whose air quality does not meet the health-based standards established in 1997 and 2006 for fine particle pollution.
A designation is the term EPA uses to describe the air quality in a given area for any of six common pollutants known as criteria pollutants. Those pollutants include fine particles, which are unhealthy to breathe and have been associated with premature mortality and other serious health effects. Fine particles are 2.5 micrometers in diameter and smaller and are also referred to as PM2.5.
Once nonattainment designations take effect, the state and local governments have three years to develop implementation plans outlining how areas will attain and maintain the standards by reducing air pollutant emissions contributing to fine particle concentrations.
EPA strengthened the air quality standards for particle pollution in 2006. Learn more about the 2006 fine particle standards.
The Agency expects designations based on 2005-2007 air quality data will take effect in 2009. Learn more about the area designations for the 2006 daily fine particle standards.
Area designations for the 1997 fine particle standard became effective in 2005. Learn more about the area designations for the 1997 fine particle standards.
This Web site contains the following information:
Area Designations for the 1997 Fine Particle (PM2.5) Standards: EPA issued these designations on December 17, 2004 and made modifications in April 2005. They are summarized here.
Area Designations for the 2006 24-Hour Fine Particle (PM2.5) Standards: EPA is in the process of determining compliance with this standard. The status of this effort is summarized here.
Air Quality Forecast: Links to the Air NOW Web site with PM2.5 air quality forecasts for dozens of cities around the country.
Basic Information: Background on PM2.5 attainment issues and EPA actions to address PM2.5 emission concerns.
Fine Particles & Health: Information about the health effects of fine particles.
Frequent Questions: Answers to common questions regarding fine particles and the designations process.
Related Links: Related sites offering further information and assistance.
Glossary: Explanations of the technical terms and acronyms used throughout the site.
A similar set of Web Pages exists for EPA's designated 8-hour ozone nonattainment areas designated in April 2004. Visit the 8-hour ground-level ozone designations page to learn more about the ozone designations.