Lead Trends
Under the Clean Air Act, the EPA sets national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for lead at levels that are safe for public health and the environment. Air quality monitors operated by federal, state, local and tribal agencies throughout the country collect ambient measurements of lead concentrations to ensure that the NAAQS are being met. The charts below based on this measurement data show that nationally, lead concentrations have decreased substantially over the years. For information on lead standards, sources, health effects, and programs to reduce lead pollution, please see our Lead Air Pollution page.
