Kiera Jefferson
In the United States, a non-attainment area is a region that exceeds the pollution limits for one or more criteria pollutants, as defined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These pollutants include ozone, atmospheric particulate matter, lead, carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides, and nitrogen oxides. The EPA's Green Book provides detailed information on National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) designations and classifications, including non-attainment status. State and tribal governments play a crucial role in recommending designations for areas within their jurisdictions, and the EPA evaluates whether these standards are met across the country. Non-attainment areas are subject to specific regulations and control measures to improve air quality and protect public health and welfare.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A non-attainment area is a region that exceeds pollution limits for one or more criteria pollutants. |
| Criteria Pollutants | Ozone (O3), atmospheric particulate matter (PM2.5/PM10), lead (Pb), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2). |
| Standards | The National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) are set by the EPA and are detailed in the EPA Green Book. |
| Clean Air Act | The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1970 and 1990 set out standards for pollutants, which have been updated several times since. |
| State Implementation Plans (SIPs) | State governments must establish SIPs to address non-attainment areas and detail steps to achieve NAAQS. |
| EPA Evaluation | The EPA evaluates SIPs and can write Federal Implementation Plans (FIPs) if necessary. |
| Non-attainment Classification | The EPA classifies non-attainment areas from "marginal" to "extreme" based on how far an area is from meeting standards. |
| Deadlines | States must submit SIPs within 18 or 24 months of an area being designated as non-attainment, depending on the pollutant. |
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What You'll Learn
Criteria pollutants
In the United States, a non-attainment area is a region where the concentration of one or more criteria pollutants exceeds the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). These standards are set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1970 (and updated in 1990) to protect human health and prevent impacts on infrastructure, agriculture, and public welfare. The EPA has designated six criteria air pollutants: carbon monoxide (CO), lead (Pb), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), particulate matter (PM), and sulfur dioxide (SO2).
The EPA's non-attainment classifications range from "marginal" to "extreme," depending on how far an area deviates from the standards. Non-attainment areas are required to develop State Implementation Plans (SIPs) to outline the steps necessary to achieve the NAAQS. These plans are due for approval by the EPA within 18 or 24 months of the designation of a non-attainment area, depending on the specific pollutant in violation. For example, sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) are given an 18-month timeline, while ozone (O3) and carbon monoxide (CO) have a 24-month deadline.
The EPA Green Book provides detailed information on NAAQS designations, classifications, and non-attainment status for each pollutant. It includes reports, maps, and data downloads to help states and local governments understand their air quality status. The Green Book also offers interactive maps and data exports for further analysis.
Ozone (O3) is a significant criteria pollutant, and non-attainment areas related to ozone pollution have specific classifications. For instance, in 2022, the EPA reclassified the Denver metro/north Front Range area as "severe" under the 2008 ozone pollution standard, indicating a serious non-attainment status. The EPA evaluates ozone pollution data over a three-year period to determine these classifications.
Particulate matter (PM) is another critical criteria pollutant, with two main categories: coarse particle pollution (PM10) and fine particle pollution (PM2.5). These pollutants are composed of tiny liquid or solid particles that can be inhaled and are known to have adverse effects on human health. The EPA has set standards for both PM2.5 and PM10 to ensure that populations, especially sensitive groups like asthmatics, children, and the elderly, are protected from the harmful impacts of particulate matter pollution.
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State Implementation Plans (SIPs)
In the United States, a non-attainment area is a region that exceeds pollution limits for one or more criteria pollutants. These pollutants include ozone (O3), atmospheric particulate matter (PM2.5/PM10), lead (Pb), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur oxides (SOx), and nitrogen oxides (NOx). The criteria pollutants and their respective limits are defined in the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), outlined in the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1970. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates each pollutant through primary and secondary standards.
Infrastructure SIPs
Infrastructure SIPs cover an entire state and outline the strategies to uphold and achieve NAAQS set by the EPA. They demonstrate a state's ability to implement the necessary changes to meet new NAAQS and identify the primary methods to be employed. These plans are typically revised and submitted to the EPA for approval within three years of establishing new or updated NAAQS.
Nonattainment Area SIPs
Nonattainment area SIPs are tailored to specific non-attainment areas and take into account the unique local factors of each region. They are due for approval by the EPA within 18 or 24 months after an area is designated as a nonattainment area. The timing depends on the specific criteria pollutant that violates the NAAQS. For instance, SIPs for sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, coarse particle pollution (PM10), fine particle pollution (PM2.5), and lead (Pb) are due 18 months after the designation, while SIPs for ozone (O3) and carbon monoxide (CO) are due 24 months after.
SIP Development and Approval Process
The development of SIPs involves public participation, with states soliciting comments from the public on proposed SIPs before submitting them to the EPA for approval. The EPA reviews the SIPs and provides a preliminary judgment for further public comment before making a final decision. Once approved, the control measures outlined in the SIPs become legally enforceable. If a state fails to submit a SIP or if the submitted SIP is denied, the EPA is responsible for creating a Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) to address the nonattainment areas.
SIPs in Practice: An Example from New York
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) provides examples of SIPs in action. NYSDEC has submitted various SIPs to the EPA, including the NYS Implementation Plan for the Infrastructure Assessment for Nitrogen Dioxide and the NYS Implementation Plan for Regional Haze. These plans outline the strategies and regulations to address specific pollutants and improve air quality in nonattainment areas within the state.
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National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)
The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1970 instruct the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) to protect public health and welfare. NAAQS are defined as the maximum amount of a pollutant averaged over a specified period that can be present in outdoor air without harming public health and, thus, defines clean air. The Clean Air Act identifies two types of NAAQS: primary and secondary.
Primary standards are designed to protect public health, including protecting the health of "sensitive" populations such as asthmatics, children, and the elderly. Secondary standards are designed to protect the public welfare from adverse effects, including those related to effects on soils, water, crops, vegetation, man-made (anthropogenic) materials, animals, wildlife, weather, visibility, and climate; damage to property; transportation hazards; economic values; and personal comfort and well-being.
The Clean Air Act requires the EPA to set NAAQS for six principal pollutants, called "criteria pollutants," that are common in outdoor air, considered harmful to public health and the environment, and that come from numerous and diverse sources. These pollutants include particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, carbon monoxide, and lead. The criteria pollutants and their respective limits are defined in the NAAQS, which were part of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1970. The EPA has regulated each criteria pollutant through two different standards, primary and secondary. The primary standards are set at levels designed to protect human health, while the secondary standards are set to prevent impacts on infrastructure, agriculture, and public welfare.
The EPA reviews the NAAQS and the science behind them periodically to determine whether changes are warranted. The NAAQS are reviewed for scientific accuracy and relevance every 5 years. The revision process follows 6 general phases that seek to gauge current scientific understanding, include public input, reassess the risk of each pollutant, and create comprehensive policies. Each NAAQS goes through two to three drafts before being deemed final. Once all the documents are final, they are given to the U.S. EPA Administrator to select a proposed NAAQS, which is released through the Federal Register for public comment. Following the comment period, the Administrator considers the comments received, makes changes to the proposed NAAQS if warranted, and publishes the final NAAQS in the Federal Register.
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Clean Air Act Amendments
In the United States, a non-attainment area is an area that exceeds pollution limits for one or more criteria pollutants. These criteria pollutants include ozone (O3), atmospheric particulate matter (PM2.5/PM10), lead (Pb), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur oxides (SOx), and nitrogen oxides (NOx). The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1970 established the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) which set the criteria for these pollutants.
The Clean Air Act (CAA) is the United States' primary federal air quality law, aimed at reducing and controlling air pollution across the country. The CAA has undergone numerous amendments since its initial enactment in 1963, with major amendments occurring in 1970, 1977, and 1990. The 1970 amendments were significant in that they required the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to identify the most harmful air pollutants and develop NAAQS and air quality criteria to regulate them.
The 1977 amendments further strengthened the CAA by mandating the EPA to conduct a "new source review" process to determine if maintenance activities required the application of New Source Performance Standards (NSPS). Additionally, the Acid Rain Program (ARP) was introduced to control emissions that contribute to acid rain.
The 1990 amendments were particularly focused on addressing acid rain and nitrogen oxide (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from fossil fuel-powered electric power plants and other industrial sources. The Acid Rain Program, established under these amendments, was the first cap-and-trade emissions program in the United States, aiming to gradually reduce SO2 and NOx emissions over time. Furthermore, the 1990 amendments expanded the federal government's authority and responsibility, particularly in controlling toxic air pollutants and protecting the stratospheric ozone layer.
The Clean Air Act Amendments have played a crucial role in improving air quality and protecting public health and the environment. The EPA, in coordination with state, local, and tribal governments, continues to enforce and update regulations to ensure the effectiveness of the CAA in reducing air pollution.
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EPA classifications
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies nonattainment areas as regions that exceed pollution limits for one or more criteria pollutants. These pollutants include carbon monoxide (CO), lead (Pb), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), particulate matter (PM), and sulfur dioxide (SO2). The EPA has set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for each of these pollutants, which are outlined in the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1970.
The EPA Green Book provides detailed information about NAAQS designations, classifications, and nonattainment status. It includes reports, maps, and data downloads that are regularly updated to reflect the current status of each area. The EPA also publishes an online list of current nonattainment counties for all criteria pollutants, which is updated periodically.
State and tribal governments play a crucial role in the classification process. They are responsible for recommending designations for areas within their jurisdictions based on available air quality data. The EPA reviews these recommendations and awards one of three classifications to a region within two years: attainment/unclassifiable, unclassifiable, or nonattainment. Attainment/unclassifiable areas are those that meet or exceed the NAAQS standards, while unclassifiable areas lack sufficient data for a definitive judgment. Nonattainment areas are those that exceed the NAAQS standards for one or more pollutants.
To address nonattainment areas, state governments must establish State Implementation Plans (SIPs) that outline the steps necessary to achieve the NAAQS standards. These plans must be submitted to the EPA for approval and are enforceable in court once accepted. The EPA provides support to states by offering guidance and resources, such as the Green Book, to help them understand the designations and create effective SIPs.
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Frequently asked questions
A non-attainment area is an area that exceeds pollution limits for one or more criteria pollutants. These pollutants include ozone (O3), atmospheric particulate matter (PM2.5/PM10), lead (Pb), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur oxides (SOx), and nitrogen oxides (NOx).
The criteria pollutants and their respective limits are defined in the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). NAAQS is part of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1970 and is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA has set standards for six primary pollutants, including ground-level ozone pollution.
State and tribal governments must recommend designations for areas within their jurisdiction based on available air quality data. The EPA reviews these recommendations and awards one of three classifications to a region within two years: attainment/unclassifiable, unclassifiable, or nonattainment.
