Greta Jimenez
Criteria air pollutants are those that contribute the most to air quality degradation and are found all over the United States. These pollutants can harm human health and the environment, and cause property damage. The Clean Air Act requires the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for six commonly found air pollutants known as criteria air pollutants. Some examples of criteria air pollutants include sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides (NOx), ground-level ozone, and particulate matter (PM). These pollutants are released into the atmosphere through various human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, industrial processes, and vehicle emissions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Pollutants that contribute the most to air quality degradation |
| Examples | Sulfur dioxide, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Ground-level ozone, Carbon monoxide, Lead |
| Health Effects | Harm to health and the environment, and cause property damage |
| Sources | Burning coal, Fossil fuels, Industrial processes, Vehicles, Power plants, Metal processing, etc. |
| Standards | EPA sets National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for six common criteria air pollutants |
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Sulfur dioxide
The Clean Air Act requires the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for these six criteria air pollutants. The EPA works with state, tribal, and local air agencies to attain and maintain these standards throughout the country.
As a criteria pollutant, sulfur dioxide is closely monitored and regulated by environmental agencies to minimize its impact on human health and the environment. This involves setting standards and regulations to limit emissions and mitigate the harmful effects of this pollutant.
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Nitrogen oxides
At high enough concentrations, nitrogen dioxide can cause a reddish-brown haze, as seen in smog. On its own, nitrogen dioxide can cause lung irritation and weaken immune responses to respiratory infections. Individuals with pre-existing conditions such as asthma, young children, and the elderly are particularly susceptible to the effects of nitrogen dioxide exposure. Symptoms can include coughing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing, and in some cases, hospitalisation may be required.
Secondary pollutants formed with nitrogen dioxide, including ozone and particulate matter, also have negative health impacts. These secondary pollutants are a result of nitrogen dioxide reacting with other chemicals in the atmosphere. As a criteria air pollutant, nitrogen dioxide is regulated by the Clean Air Act, which requires the EPA to establish National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for common air pollutants that impact public health and welfare.
To ensure compliance with the NAAQS, areas are designated as either attainment or nonattainment. If an area is designated as nonattainment, states must develop a State Implementation Plan (SIP) to outline the steps necessary to achieve and maintain the required air quality standards. Through collaboration with state, tribal, and local air agencies, efforts are made to attain and maintain the NAAQS for nitrogen dioxide and other criteria pollutants across the country. These collective actions help to mitigate the harmful effects of nitrogen dioxide and other criteria air pollutants on human health and the environment.
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Ground-level ozone
Ozone is a highly reactive gas composed of three oxygen atoms. While ozone can be beneficial or detrimental depending on its location in the atmosphere, ground-level ozone is considered "bad" due to its negative impacts on human health and the environment. It is the primary component of smog and can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. It can also aggravate asthma, bronchitis, and other lung diseases, particularly in children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions. Furthermore, exposure to high levels of ground-level ozone can increase the risk of premature death in people with heart or lung disease.
The health risks associated with ground-level ozone are significant. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated ground-level ozone as one of six common air pollutants, or criteria air pollutants, that are subject to stringent air quality standards. These criteria air pollutants are found throughout the country and have detrimental effects on human health, the environment, and property. To address ground-level ozone pollution, the EPA works with state, tribal, and local agencies to implement measures to reduce emissions and improve air quality.
To ensure compliance with national air quality standards, the EPA designates areas as attainment or nonattainment based on their air quality levels. If an area does not meet the standards, states must develop a State Implementation Plan (SIP) outlining the steps they will take to improve air quality. By implementing these plans and reducing emissions of pollutants that contribute to ground-level ozone, state and local governments can work towards achieving and maintaining compliance with the EPA's air quality standards.
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Particulate matter
PM is not a single pollutant but a mixture of many chemical species. It is composed of small droplets of liquid, dry solid fragments, and solid cores with liquid coatings. These particles vary widely in size, shape, and chemical composition and may contain inorganic ions, metallic compounds, elemental carbon, organic compounds, and compounds from the Earth's crust.
PM is generally classified into two categories based on particle diameter: PM10 and PM2.5. PM10 refers to inhalable particles with diameters of 10 micrometers or less, while PM2.5 refers to fine inhalable particles with diameters of 2.5 micrometers or less. These fine particles pose the greatest risk to health and are the main cause of reduced visibility (haze) in certain regions.
PM10 and PM2.5 often have different emission sources and chemical compositions. PM2.5, in particular, can be formed through complex reactions of pollutants such as sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). Sources of PM2.5 emissions include construction sites, unpaved roads, fields, smokestacks, and fires.
Exposure to PM has been linked to a range of adverse health effects. Short-term exposure to PM10 has been associated with the worsening of respiratory diseases, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Long-term exposure to PM2.5 has been linked to more severe consequences, including premature death, particularly in individuals with chronic heart or lung diseases, and reduced lung function growth in children.
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Lead
For humans, lead exposure can occur through inhalation of polluted air or the ingestion of lead-contaminated soil, dust, or water. Once lead is introduced into the human body, it spreads through the bloodstream and accumulates in the bones. The level of exposure determines the severity of health impacts. Lead poisoning can adversely affect multiple systems in the body, including the nervous system, kidney function, immune system, reproductive and developmental systems, and the cardiovascular system. Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of lead exposure, which may contribute to behavioural problems, learning deficits, and lowered IQ.
To address lead pollution, the EPA has implemented regulatory efforts, such as the removal of lead from motor vehicle gasoline, resulting in a significant decrease in lead levels in the air between 1980 and 2014. Despite these efforts, lead remains a concern, with planning activities and maintenance plans in place to ensure continued compliance with NAAQS and the protection of public health and the environment.
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Frequently asked questions
Criteria air pollutants are those that are found all over the U.S. and contribute the most to air quality degradation. They can harm health and the environment and cause property damage.
Both. Sulfur Dioxide is a gaseous pollutant that is emitted primarily by industrial furnaces or power plants burning coal or oil containing sulfur. Nitrogen Dioxide is formed when fuel is burned at a very high temperature, usually above 1200 °F, in automobiles and power plants.
High exposure to sulfur dioxide affects breathing and can cause respiratory illness symptoms. Asthmatics and individuals with chronic lung disease or cardiovascular disease are the most sensitive to this pollutant.
PM10 refers to particulate matter in the air with aerodynamic diameters less than 10 micrometers. These are solid matter or liquid droplets from smoke, dust, fly ash or condensing vapors that can be suspended in the air for long periods.
Ground-level ozone, or photochemical smog, is a secondary pollutant formed in the atmosphere by the reactions of other pollutants. It is a strong irritant to the eyes and upper respiratory system.
