Open AccessNew air quality standards generate heat
Author(s) -
Carlowicz Michael
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
eos, transactions american geophysical union
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.316
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 2324-9250
pISSN - 0096-3941
DOI - 10.1029/97eo00099
Subject(s) - air quality index , particulates , environmental science , clean air act , soot , agency (philosophy) , ozone , air pollution , quality standard , emission standard , environmental protection , environmental engineering , meteorology , waste management , geography , chemistry , engineering , combustion , philosophy , organic chemistry , epistemology , chromatography
In November 1996, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed new national air quality regulations, revising public health‐related standards for both airborne smog and soot. Then the agency opened up the regulations for public comment. The result was a cool reception and some hot debate. The new standards for airborne particulate matter (PM) and ground‐level ozone are EPA's response to the mandates of the Clean Air Act. The current standard for PM limits particles smaller than 10 microns to a concentration of 50 micrograms per cubic meter annually, and 150 μg/m 3 daily. The proposed standard would include smaller particles (down to 2.5 microns) and would require concentrations of PM not to exceed 15 μg/m 3 annually and 50 μg/m 3 daily.