Brian Barton
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines criteria air pollutants as the six most common air pollutants found all over the United States. These pollutants are harmful to public health and the environment, causing a wide variety of adverse health effects, including coughing and wheezing, aggravation of respiratory illnesses, and neurodevelopmental issues. The six criteria air pollutants include carbon monoxide, lead, ground-level ozone, particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. These pollutants are regulated by the EPA through the development of human health-based and environmentally based criteria for establishing permissible levels.
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Particle pollution
The US Clean Air Act requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for six common air pollutants known as "criteria pollutants". These criteria pollutants are found all over the United States and can harm human health, the environment, and cause property damage.
The sources of particle pollution differ for fine and coarse particles. Fine particles are typically produced by combustion and are more prevalent in indoor settings due to activities like cooking, smoking, dusting, and vacuuming. They can also be formed from complex atmospheric reactions involving chemicals such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, emitted from power plants, industries, and automobiles. On the other hand, particles of crustal (earth) and biological origin are more likely to be coarse.
The EPA regulates particle pollution by developing limits based on human health and environmental criteria. The agency provides tools like the Air Quality Index (AQI) to help individuals and communities understand the air quality in their areas and take appropriate actions to protect their health when necessary.
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Ground-level ozone
To ensure compliance with the NAAQS, the EPA works in collaboration with states, tribes, and local air agencies. Geographic areas that meet or exceed the national standards are designated as attainment areas, while those that fall short are classified as nonattainment areas. States with nonattainment areas are required to develop state implementation plans (SIPs) to outline the steps necessary to improve air quality. The EPA provides support to state and local governments through regional rules aimed at reducing emissions of pollutants that contribute to ground-level ozone.
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Carbon monoxide
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identifies carbon monoxide as one of six "criteria air pollutants" regulated by the Clean Air Act. These criteria pollutants are so named because the EPA develops limits for them based on human health and environmental criteria. The Clean Air Act requires the EPA to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for these six common pollutants, which also include ozone, particulate matter, lead, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide.
To protect public health and the environment, the EPA works collaboratively with state, tribal, and local air agencies to implement and maintain these standards across the country. This involves regularly reviewing the NAAQS, monitoring air quality, and addressing areas that do not meet the established standards. By doing so, the EPA strives to minimize the harmful impacts of criteria pollutants like carbon monoxide on human well-being and the natural world.
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Nitrogen dioxide
The primary sources of nitrogen dioxide pollution are motor vehicles, power plants, and other sources that burn fossil fuels. Industrial activities, such as the production of nitric acid and adipic acid, also contribute to nitrogen dioxide emissions. Once emitted into the atmosphere, nitrogen dioxide can undergo chemical reactions and contribute to the formation of other harmful pollutants, such as ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter.
The health effects of nitrogen dioxide pollution are significant. Exposure to high levels of nitrogen dioxide can irritate the respiratory system and exacerbate respiratory conditions such as asthma. It can also increase susceptibility to respiratory infections and cause or worsen cardiovascular problems. Vulnerable populations, including children, older adults, and people with pre-existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions, are at an even greater risk of experiencing adverse health effects from nitrogen dioxide exposure.
To protect public health and the environment, the EPA has set NAAQS for nitrogen dioxide. These standards include a 1-hour standard of 100 parts per billion (ppb) and an annual standard of 53 ppb. The EPA reviews these standards regularly and updates them as necessary to ensure that they adequately safeguard human health and the environment.
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Sulfur dioxide
The largest source of SO2 emissions is the burning of fossil fuels by power plants and other industrial facilities. Smaller sources include industrial processes such as metal extraction, natural sources such as volcanoes, and vehicles and heavy equipment that burn fuel with a high sulfur content. When SO2 emissions lead to high concentrations of SO2 in the air, they can contribute to the formation of other sulfur oxides (SOx).
SOx can react with other compounds in the atmosphere to form small particles that contribute to particulate matter (PM) pollution. These particles can penetrate deeply into the lungs and, in sufficient quantities, can cause health problems. Additionally, at high concentrations, gaseous SOx can harm trees and plants by damaging foliage and decreasing growth. SO2 and other sulfur oxides can also contribute to acid rain, which can harm sensitive ecosystems, and react with other atmospheric compounds to form fine particles that reduce visibility in certain areas.
To mitigate the impacts of SO2 pollution, control measures can be implemented to reduce SO2 emissions. These measures can also help reduce exposures to other gaseous SOx and decrease the formation of particulate sulfur pollutants. The EPA works with state, tribal, and local air agencies to attain National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for criteria air pollutants, as required by the Clean Air Act.
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Frequently asked questions
The Clean Air Act requires the EPA to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for six commonly found air pollutants known as criteria air pollutants. These pollutants are harmful to public health and the environment and are found all over the United States.
The six criteria air pollutants are carbon monoxide (CO), lead (Pb), ground-level ozone (O3), particulate matter (PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulfur dioxide (SO2).
Exposure to these pollutants has been associated with adverse health effects such as coughing and wheezing, the aggravation of respiratory illnesses like asthma, and neurodevelopmental effects in the case of lead.
Particle pollution and ground-level ozone are the most widespread health threats among the six criteria pollutants.
The EPA regulates these pollutants by developing human health-based and/or environmentally-based criteria (science-based guidelines) for setting permissible levels.
