Lead Monitoring

BACKGROUND

On November 12, 2008 EPA substantially strengthened the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for lead (see 73 FR 66964).  EPA revised the level of the primary (health-based) standard from 1.5 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3) to 0.15 µg/m3, measured as total suspended particles (TSP) and revised the secondary (welfare-based) standard to be identical in all respects to the primary standard.  In conjunction with strengthening the lead (Pb) NAAQS, the EPA promulgated new monitoring requirements.

The following documents are intended to assist monitoring agencies as they work to implement the new Pb monitoring requirements.

NETWORK DESIGN AND MONITORING SITING

• Network design Issues
• Modeling of Pb sources
• AERMOD post processer to calculate maximum 3-month rolling average
• Review of Pb Emission Inventories
• 2005 Pb National Emission Inventory

SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS

• Pb sampling methods
• Pb analysis methods
• Quality Assurance

DATA REPORTING

• Reporting Pb data to AQS <coming soon>
• New Pb method codes <coming soon>

For additional information, please contact Kevin Cavender of the Air Quality Assessment Division, Ambient Air Monitoring Group, 919-541-2364, cavender.kevin@epa.gov.