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Announcements
September 16, 2009
EPA will reconsider its 2008 decision setting national standards for ground-level ozone.
Learn more
This web site provides information on the process EPA, the states, and the tribes follow to designate areas as "attainment" (meeting) or "nonattainment" (not meeting) the ground-level ozone standards established in 2008.
A designation is the term EPA uses to describe the air quality in a given area for any of six common air pollutants known as criteria pollutants. One of these pollutants is ground-level ozone. (The other criteria pollutants are particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and lead.) Breathing air containing ozone can reduce lung function and increase respiratory symptoms, thereby aggravating asthma or other respiratory conditions. Ozone exposure also has been associated with increased susceptibility to respiratory infections, medication use by asthmatics, doctor visits, and emergency department visits and hospital admissions for individuals with respiratory disease. Ozone exposure may also contribute to premature death, especially in people with heart and lung disease. High ozone levels can also harm sensitive vegetation and ecosystems.
Once nonattainment designations take effect, the state and local governments have three years to develop implementation plans outlining how areas will attain and maintain the standards by reducing air pollutant emissions contributing to ground-level ozone concentrations.
EPA strengthened the air quality standards for ground-level ozone in 2008. (under reconsideration) Learn more about the 2008 standards.
This web site contains the following information:
Area Designations for the 2008 Ground-level Ozone Standards: The status of this effort is summarized here.Area Designations for the 1997 Ground-level Ozone Standards: EPA issued these designations on April 15, 2004. They are summarized here.
Ozone Conditions: Provides regional ozone maps showing current (in season) and historical ozone conditions.
Air Quality Forecast: Two-day air quality forecasts, including ozone, for dozens of cities. (Some include web cam shots of real-time conditions)
Basic Information: Background on ozone attainment issues and EPA actions to address ozone emission concerns.
Frequent Questions: Answers to common questions regarding ozone and the designations process.
Related Links: Related sites offering further information and assistance.
Glossary: Explanations of the technical terms and acronyms used throughout the site.
Policy Guidance: Provides access to rules, policy, and guidance documents produced by EPA's Office of Air and Radiation.
Visit the PM designations page to learn more about fine particle designations.