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Air Quality

National Information
Under the Clean Air Act, EPA establishes air quality standards to protect public health, including the health of "sensitive" populations such as people with asthma, children, and older adults. EPA also sets limits to protect public welfare. This includes protecting ecosystems, including plants and animals, from harm, as well as protecting against decreased visibility and damage to crops, vegetation, and buildings.

AIRData reports and maps

AIRData gives you access to air pollution data for the entire United States. Want to know the highest ozone level measured in your state last year? Ever wonder where air pollution monitoring sites are located? Are there sources of air pollution in your town? You can find out here! AIRData produces reports and maps of air pollution data based on criteria that you specify.

Region 5 State Implementation Plans (SIPs)

The Clean Air Act places most of the responsibility on states to prevent and control air pollution. In order for a state to operate an air quality program, the state must adopt a plan and EPA must approve the plan. Federal approval provides for some consistency in different state programs and ensures that a state program complies with the requirements of the Clean Air Act and EPA rules. The vehicle for demonstrating compliance with the Act and EPA rules is the State Implementation Plan (SIP). A SIP adopted by the state government and approved by the EPA is legally binding under both state and federal law and may be enforced by either government.

Region 5 contacts for the six criteria pollutants

U.S. EPA uses six "criteria pollutants" as indicators of air quality: What are the six common air pollutants?

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Lead (Pb)

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)

Ozone (O3)

Particulate Matter (PM)

Sulfur dioxide SO2

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