Kiera Jefferson
The Clean Air Act requires the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for six common air pollutants, also known as criteria air pollutants. These pollutants are common in the United States and much of the world and are generally combustion products released by the burning of fossil fuels. They include particulate matter, ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and lead. These criteria air pollutants are used to evaluate and regulate contaminants that diminish air quality and pose risks to health, property, and the environment. While the term criteria air pollutants specifically refers to US programs, similar standards have been adopted by other countries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of pollutants | 6 |
| Location | Found all over the U.S. |
| Health impact | Can harm human health and the environment, and cause property damage |
| Standards | National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) |
| Regulating body | Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) |
| Pollutants included | Particle pollution, ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and lead |
| Primary standards | Provide public health protection, including for sensitive populations such as asthmatics, children, and the elderly |
| Secondary standards | Provide public welfare protection, including against decreased visibility and damage to animals, crops, vegetation, and buildings |
| Nonattainment | Areas that do not meet the standards face fines and penalties |
| Improvement | From 1970 to 2022, emissions of the six pollutants dropped by 78% in the U.S. |
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What You'll Learn
- Carbon Monoxide is released from combustion processes and is harmful to human health
- Lead is released from ore and metal processing, waste incinerators, and battery manufacturing
- Sulfur Dioxide is emitted by electrical generation sources burning sulfur-containing fuels
- Nitrogen Dioxide is a highly reactive gas, part of the Nitrogen Oxides group, and is harmful to human health
- Particulate Matter is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets, often from industrial processes
Carbon Monoxide is released from combustion processes and is harmful to human health
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a harmful, colourless, odourless, and tasteless gas that is formed by the incomplete combustion of fuels, such as natural gas, gasoline, or wood. It is emitted by a wide range of combustion sources, including motor vehicles, power plants, wildfires, and incinerators. CO is also released during various industrial processes, including food, chemical, and metal manufacturing.
When people are exposed to carbon monoxide, the CO molecules displace the oxygen in their bodies, leading to poisoning. The early signs of CO poisoning, such as mild headaches and breathlessness, are often ignored because they resemble flu symptoms. However, as exposure continues, individuals may lose consciousness and be unable to escape to safety. In the United States alone, the CDC estimates that approximately 400 people die annually from unintentional CO exposure.
Carbon monoxide is one of the six criteria air pollutants identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the Clean Air Act. These criteria air pollutants are used to evaluate and regulate contaminants that diminish air quality and pose risks to human health, property, and the environment. The other five pollutants include particle pollution, ground-level ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and lead.
To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, it is crucial to take preventive measures, such as installing CO alarms and properly maintaining fuel-burning appliances. Additionally, certain appliances, such as barbecue grills, camp stoves, and portable generators, should never be used indoors. By following these precautions, we can reduce the harmful effects of carbon monoxide on human health and improve overall air quality.
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Lead is released from ore and metal processing, waste incinerators, and battery manufacturing
Lead is one of the six criteria air pollutants that are commonly found in the United States and can harm human health, the environment, and cause property damage. The six criteria air pollutants include particle pollution, ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and lead.
Lead is released into the air through ore and metal processing, waste incinerators, and lead-acid battery manufacturing. Ore and metal processing involves the smelting of lead ore, which is primarily lead sulfide (PbS). The sulfide is oxidized to form lead oxide and sulfur dioxide gas. Waste incinerators also release lead into the air during the combustion process. Lead-acid battery manufacturing involves the production and recycling of lead-acid batteries, which can result in the release of lead compounds and other toxic emissions.
The release of lead into the atmosphere has been a concern for thousands of years, with evidence of lead pollution dating back to ancient smelting practices in Anatolia (modern-day Turkey). Today, lead smelting and refining processes continue to contribute to lead emissions, with lead compounds constituting approximately 70% of metal hazardous air pollutants (HAPs).
To address the issue of lead pollution, there have been efforts to develop novel processes for recovering lead from end-of-life lead-acid batteries and to replace traditional smelting operations with alternative methods, such as hydrometallurgical electrowinning or leaching followed by low-temperature calcination. These methods aim to reduce the environmental and health impacts associated with lead pollution.
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Sulfur Dioxide is emitted by electrical generation sources burning sulfur-containing fuels
The Clean Air Act requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for six commonly found air pollutants known as criteria air pollutants. These pollutants are found all over the United States and can harm human health, the environment, and cause property damage. The six criteria air pollutants are particle pollution, ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and lead.
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a colourless gas or liquid with a strong, choking odour. It is emitted by the burning of fossil fuels or other materials that contain sulfur. SO2 is primarily emitted by electrical generation sources that burn sulfur-containing fuels, such as coal and oil. The burning of fossil fuels by power plants and other industrial facilities is the largest source of SO2 in the atmosphere. Smaller sources of SO2 emissions include locomotives, ships, and other vehicles and heavy equipment that burn fuel with a high sulfur content.
SO2 is also produced during the smelting of mineral ores (such as aluminum, copper, zinc, lead, and iron) that contain sulfur. This process releases SO2 into the air, which can then contribute to the formation of acid rain. Acid rain can have detrimental effects on the environment, including damage to forests and crops, changes in soil acidity, and the acidification of lakes and streams, making them unsuitable for fish.
In addition to its environmental impacts, exposure to SO2 can have significant health consequences. Short-term exposure to high levels of SO2 can be life-threatening, causing difficulty breathing, wheezing, and a burning sensation in the nose and throat. Prolonged exposure can lead to respiratory illness and aggravate existing heart and lung conditions. EPA's national and regional rules to reduce SO2 emissions aim to protect human health and improve air quality.
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Nitrogen Dioxide is a highly reactive gas, part of the Nitrogen Oxides group, and is harmful to human health
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) is a highly reactive gas and a member of the Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) group of gases. It is formed primarily from the burning of fuel, with vehicles and power plants being the most significant sources of NO2 emissions. NO2 is harmful to human health, particularly the respiratory system. Short-term exposure can irritate the airways and aggravate respiratory diseases, especially asthma, leading to coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. Prolonged exposure to elevated NO2 concentrations may contribute to the development of asthma and potentially increase susceptibility to respiratory infections.
NO2 is one of the six criteria air pollutants specified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States. These criteria air pollutants are contaminants that serve as key indicators of air quality and are regulated by the EPA. The six pollutants include particle pollution, ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and lead. These pollutants are harmful to human health and the environment and can cause property damage.
The EPA tracks two types of air pollution trends for these six criteria pollutants: air concentrations measured at monitoring sites across the country and emissions estimates based on the total amount of pollutants released into the air annually. These measurements help evaluate and regulate air quality, with the EPA setting National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) under the Clean Air Air Act to protect public health and the environment.
While nitrogen dioxide emissions have decreased over the years due to cleaner power plants, industrial sites, and vehicles, it remains a significant concern for human health. Individuals living near emission sources, such as busy roads or industrial areas, are at higher risk of adverse health effects from NO2 exposure. Vulnerable subpopulations, including children and individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions, are particularly susceptible to the harmful impacts of nitrogen dioxide pollution.
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Particulate Matter is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets, often from industrial processes
Particulate Matter (PM) is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets, often from industrial processes. It is one of the six criteria air pollutants monitored and regulated by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Clean Air Act. PM is classified according to size, with the two major types being PM10 and PM2.5. These particles are so small that they can be inhaled, bypassing the body's natural defences and causing serious health problems.
PM10 particles are inhalable particles with diameters generally 10 micrometres and smaller. They are large particulates that irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. Sources of PM10 include dust from roads, farms, dry riverbeds, construction sites, and mines.
PM2.5 particles are fine inhalable particles with diameters generally 2.5 micrometres and smaller. They pose the greatest risk to health as they can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream. The main sources of PM2.5 include the combustion of fuels in power generation facilities, industries, and vehicles, as well as chemical reactions between gases.
The EPA has established National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter to protect public health and welfare. The annual and daily permissible levels of particulates have been repeatedly lowered over the decades. As of 2024, the EPA's annual standard for PM2.5 is 9 μg/m3, and the 24-hour standard is 35 μg/m3. The EPA also has standards for PM10, with an annual limit of 150 μg/m3 and a 24-hour limit of 35 μg/m3.
The six criteria pollutants designated by the EPA include ground-level ozone, particle pollution (PM), carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur oxides. These pollutants are regulated based on their health and environmental impacts, with the concentrations in the atmosphere indicating overall air quality.
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Frequently asked questions
The 6 criteria air pollutants are carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, ground-level ozone, and particle pollution.
These pollutants are called "criteria" air pollutants because they are regulated by agencies such as the EPA, which develops human health-based and environmentally-based standards for permissible levels.
The health effects of these pollutants include dizziness, confusion, irregular heartbeat, aggravated asthma, and even premature death. They are especially harmful to sensitive populations such as asthmatics, children, and the elderly.
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