Particulate Matter (PM)

Regulatory Actions 

Related to PM

Cross-State Air Pollution Rule 

(CSAPR)

•

Mercury and Air Toxics Standards 

(MATS)

•

• Clean Diesel

Regulatory Actions

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information about getting and using the free Acrobat Reader.

DC Circuit Court Decision on Fine Particle National Ambient Air Quality Standards 

Implementation Rule and New Source Review/Prevention of Significant Deterioration 

Permitting Rule 

• Summary of January 4, 2013 Court Decision (PDF) (2pp, 212k)

EPA Revises the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particle Pollution

December 14, 2012 - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency took important steps to 

protect the health of Americans from particle pollution by strengthening the annual health 

National Ambient Air Quality Standard for fine particles (PM2.5) to 12.0 micrograms per 

cubic meter (μg/m3

). The agency also retained the existing standards for coarse particle 

pollution (PM10).

• Final Rule (PDF) (203pp, 4.1 MB) - Federal Register - January 15, 2013

• Press release

• Overview Fact Sheet (PDF) (3pp, 301k)

• Fact Sheet: Health (PDF) (3pp, 318k)

• Fact Sheet: Standards and Air Quality Index (PDF) (5pp, 380k)

• Fact Sheet: Implementing the Standards (PDF) (4pp, 287k)

• Regulatory Impact Analysis (PDF) (474pp, 10.2 MB)

Tables and Maps

• Maps: 

EPA Projections Show 99 percent of U.S. Counties With Monitors Would Meet the Annual Fine Particle Health Standard 

of 12.0 μg/m3 in 2020 (PDF) (1pg, 206k)

◦

Most Of The U.S. Already Meets the Annual Fine Particle Health Standard of 12.0 μg/m3◦ (PDF) (1pg, 147k)

• Tables: 

◦ Projected Fine Particle Concentrations in 2020 for Counties with Monitors (PDF) (13pp, 69k)

◦ Fine Particle Concentrations Based on Monitored Air Quality 2009 - 2011 (PDF) (13pp, 64k)

EPA Announces Two Public Hearings on Proposed Revisions to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particle 

Pollution 

June 28, 2012 - EPA will hold two public hearings on the proposed revisions to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for particle 

pollution.

One hearing will be held on July 17, 2012, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at: 

William J. Green Federal Building 

600 Arch Street 

Philadelphia, PA 19106 

215-813-2583

• List of Registered Speakers for July 17, 2012, Philadelphia Public Hearing (PDF) (3 pp, 120k)

The other hearing will be held on July 19, 2012, in Sacramento, California, at: 

California Air Resources Board 
1001 "I" Street 

Sacramento, CA 95814 

916-322-2990

• List of Registered Speakers for July 19, 2012, Sacramento Public Hearing (PDF) (2 pp, 48k)

• Announcement (PDF) (2 pp, 181k) - Federal Register - July 2, 2012

• Issues on which EPA is specifically requesting comment (5pp, 140k)

EPA Proposes to Revise the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particle Pollution 

June 14, 2012 - The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing revisions to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for particle 

pollution. These revisions would strengthen the annual "primary" fine particle standard to protect public health and would establish a 

separate "secondary" fine particle standard to protect visibility in urban areas. 

• Proposed Rule (PDF) (167pp, 2.2 MB) - Federal Register - June 29, 2012 

◦ Correction Notice (PDF) (2pp, 244k) - Federal Register - June 29, 2012

• Overview Fact Sheet (PDF) (4pp, 307k)

• Fact Sheet: Health (PDF) (2pp, 291k)

• Fact Sheet: Standards and Air Quality Index (PDF) (5pp, 400k)

• Fact Sheet: Implementing the Standards (PDF) (4pp, 347k)

• How to Comment (PDF) (2pp, 313k)

• Regulatory Impact Analysis (PDF) (522pp, 4.2 MB) - June 29, 2012

• Tables and Maps 

◦ Maps: 

EPA Projections Show Virtually All Counties Would Meet the Proposed Primary Fine Particle Standards in 2020 

(PDF) (1pg, 462k)

◦

Monitoring Data Show Few Additional Counties Would Not Meet Proposed Primary Fine Particle Standards (PDF) 

(1pg, 425k)

◦

◦ Monitoring Data Show Few Counties Would Not Meet Proposed Secondary Fine Particle Standards (PDF) (1pg, 361k)

EPA Projections Show Virtually All Counties Would Meet the Proposed Secondary Fine Particle Standards in 2020 

(PDF) (1pg, 400k)

◦

◦ Tables:

◦ Projected Fine Particle Concentrations in 2020 for Counties with Monitors (PDF) (13pp, 99k)

◦ Fine Particle Concentrations Based on Monitored Air Quality 2008 - 2010 (PDF) (12pp, 31k)

◦ Visibility Index Based on Monitored Air Quality from 2008 - 2010 (PDF) (6pp, 21k)

◦ Projected Visibility Index in 2020 for Counties with Monitors (PDF) (5pp, 21k)

• Technical Support Documents 

◦ EPA’s Policy Assessment for the PM NAAQS Review 

◦ EPA’s Risk and Exposure Assessment for the PM NAAQS Review

◦ EPA’s Science Assessment 

◦ Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) Review 

◦ Additional information for the PM NAAQS review 

EPA responds to Senators' questions about the status of the current PM NAAQS review 

October 14, 2011 – In the letter, the Administrator states that she is prepared to propose the retention - with no revision - of the current 

PM 10 standard and form when it is sent to OMB for interagency review.

• Letter to Senator Klobuchar (PDF) (1pp, 61k)

• Letter to Senator Stabenow (PDF) (1pp, 61k)

EPA Makes Findings of Failure to Submit Infrastructure State Implementation Plans (SIPs) - 2006 PM2.5 Standard

August 31, 2011 - EPA issued findings that 6 states, Washington DC and Puerto Rico missed Clean Air Act deadlines for submitting 

plans, or elements of plans, for implementing EPA's national air quality standards for the 2006 PM2.5.

• Fact Sheet (PDF) (3pp, 50k)
• Federal Register Notice (PDF) (15pp, 46k)

EPA Makes Findings of Failure to Submit State Implementation Plans (SIPs) - 2006 PM2.5 Standard

May 28, 2010 - EPA issued findings that 29 states missed Clean Air Act deadlines for submitting plans, or elements of plans, for 

implementing EPA's national air quality standards for the 2006 PM2.5.

• Fact Sheet (PDF) (2pp, 24k)

• Federal Register Notice (PDF) (18pp, 38k)

EPA Makes Findings of Failure to Submit State Implementation Plans (SIPs) - 1997 PM2.5 Standard

November 19, 2009 - EPA issued findings that 3 states missed Clean Air Act deadlines for submitting plans, or elements of plans, for 

implementing EPAs national air quality standards for the 1997 PM2.5.

• Fact Sheet

• Federal Register Notice (PDF) (15pp, 165k)

EPA determines PM2.5 nonattainment areas have air quality that attains the level of the 1997 PM2.5 NAAQS 

November 18, 2009 -- Several PM2.5 nonattainment areas currently have air quality that attains the level of the 1997 PM2.5 NAAQS. 

EPA identifies these areas through clean data determinations published in the Federal Register. The clean data determination notices 

explains that certain SIP requirements are suspended by the published clean air determination for these areas. 

• Fact Sheet

EPA signed a final rulemaking notice (PDF) (20pp, 453k) determining that the Martinsburg-Hagerstown, WV-MD nonattainment 

area, the Parkersburg-Marietta, WV-OH nonattainment area, and the Wheeling, WV-OH nonattainment area have attained 

the level of the 1997 PM2.5 NAAQS.

•

EPA signed a final rulemaking notice (PDF) (32pp, 804k) determining that the Chicago, IL-IN nonattainment area and the 

Evansville, IN nonattainment area have attained the level of the 1997 PM2.5 NAAQS.

•

EPA Proposes Revisions Air Quality Index Reporting and Significant Harm Level for Particle Pollution

January 15, 2009 -- EPA is seeking comments on a proposal to revise the Agencys Air Quality Index (AQI) states use to report daily 

concentrations for fine particle pollution, also known as PM2.5. The proposal also would set a significant harm level for PM 2.5, which 

states use in developing emergency episode plans. EPA will hold a public hearing March 5, 2009 in in the Dallas area.

• Proposed Rule (PDF) (39pp, 167k)

• Fact Sheet and Public Hearing Information (PDF) (4pp, 55k)

EPA Makes Findings of Failure to Submit State Implementation Plans (SIPs) -- 1997 Fine Particle Pollution (PM2.5) Standard 

October 3, 2008 - EPA issued findings that 21 states and territories missed Clean Air Act deadlines for submitting plans, or elements 

of plans, for implementing EPA’s 1997 national air quality standards for particle pollution. The notice also identifies 35 states who have 

submitted complete SIPs.

• Fact Sheet

• Federal Register Notice, Oct 22, 2008 (PDF) (5pp, 188k)

Clean Air Fine Particle Implementation Rule Will Help States Control Fine Particle Air Pollution

March 29, 2007 - EPA finalizes Clean Air Fine Particle Implementation Rule defining requirements for state plans to meet the 1997 

national air quality standards for fine particle pollution. 

• Fact Sheet

• Federal Register Notice, April 25, 2007 (PDF) (82pp, 572k)

• PM2.5 Nonattainment Area Designations

EPA Completes Benefits and Costs Analysis of National Air Quality Standards for Particle Pollution

October 6, 2006 - EPA has completed its benefits and costs analysis of the national air quality standards for particle pollution, which 
EPA strengthened on Sept. 21, 2006. This regulatory impact analysis is designed to inform the public and states about the potential 

costs and benefits of implementing these important air quality standards. It is not a part of the standard selection process.

• Fact Sheet

• Read the Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) 

• Federal Register Notice Announcing Availability of RIA (PDF) (2pp, 181k) 

EPA Finalizes Amendments to its National Air Quality Monitoring Requirements

September 28, 2006 - EPA has finalized amendments to its national air quality monitoring requirements, including those for monitoring 

particle pollution. 

• Final Rule (PDF) (94pp, 709k) 

• Fact Sheet (PDF) (4pp, 42k)

• Presentation (PDF) (11pp, 494k) 

EPA Strengthens National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particle Pollution.

September 21, 2006 - Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued the strongest national air quality standards for particle 

pollution in our country’s history.

• Federal Register Notice, October 17, 2006 (PDF) (90 pp, 802 KB) 

• Fact Sheet (PDF) (8 pp, 63 KB) 

• Presentation 

◦ Text Slides (02/14/07) (PDF) (21 pp, 246 KB) 

◦ Graph and Maps (10/25/06) (PDF) (10 pp, 1.2 MB) 

EPA's Provisional Assessment of Recent Studies on Health Effects of Particulate Matter Exposure Available

July 20, 2006 - In order to ensure that the EPA Administrator is fully aware of the new science before making a final decision on 

whether to revise or retain the current National Ambient Air Quality Standards for particulate matter, EPA conducted a survey and 

provisional assessment of relevant new studies. This final report is the result of that effort.

• Provisional Assessment of Recent Studies on Health Effects of Particulate Matter Exposure (PDF) (206 pp, 1.1 MB) 

Direct Final Fine Particle Pollution De Minimis Emission Levels for General Conformity Applicability

March 31, 2006 - EPA established “de minimis” emission levels for fine particle pollution. These emissions thresholds will be used to 

determine whether requirements would apply under EPA’s General Conformity rules.

• Direct Final Rule (PDF) (7 pp, 207 KB)

• Parallel Proposal (PDF) (4 pp, 189 KB)

• Fact Sheet (PDF) (2 pp, 24 KB)

Interim Policy for General Conformity Applicability in PM2.5 Nonattainment Areas (PDF) (2 pp, 73 KB) (applies until EPA 

establishes final de minimis thresholds for PM2.5)

•

EPA Extends Public Comment on Implementing Proposed Particle Standards

March 29, 2006 - EPA is announcing a 90-day extension to the public comment period for its advanced notice of proposed rule making 

on how best to implement any new standards that may result from the recently proposed revisions to the particulate matter air quality 

standards. The public comment period will now end on July 10, 2006, rather than on April 10, 2006.

• Extension Notice (PDF) (8pp, 207 KB)

EPA Seeks Public Comment on Implementing Proposed Particle Standards

February 3, 2006 - EPA is seeking public comment on how best to implement any new standards that may result from the recently 

proposed revisions to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for particulate matter (PM). This action will assure the public that 

EPA is aware of and is considering the multiple issues associated with implementing any revised or new particulate matter standards.

• Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (PDF) (12 pp, 242 KB)
• Fact Sheet 

• How to Comment 

EPA Proposes to Revise the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particle Pollution 

December 20, 2005 - The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed revisions to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for 

particle pollution. The proposed revisions would strengthen a fine particle standard, and would improve and refocus the coarse particle 

standards on those particles that are associated with public health concerns. EPA will accept comments for 90 days after the 

publication of the proposal in the Federal Register.

• Proposed Rule (PDF) (90 pp, 1.5 MB)

• Fact Sheet 

• Press Release

• How to Comment

• Transcript of EPA conference call, December 20, 2005 (PDF) (16 pp, 197 KB) 

• Presentation: Proposal to Revise National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particle Pollution 

◦ Text Slides (PDF) (20 pp, 266 KB) updated 03/02/2006

◦ Table and Maps (PDF) (4 pp, 743 KB) updated 12/27/2005

◦ Modeled Estimates for the Year 2010 (PDF) (5 pp, 993 KB)

◦ Modeled Estimates for the Year 2015 (PDF) (4 pp, 973 KB)

Table: PM2.5 Annual and Daily Design Values for Counties with Monitors 1999-2003 Baseline Values vs. Projected 

Values in 2010 and 2015 (PDF) (16 pp, 33 KB)

◦

◦ Methods for Projecting Air Quality Concentrations for Evaluating Alternative PM2.5 Standards (PDF) (3 pp, 20 KB)

◦ PM10 Maps (PDF) (3 pp, 1.7 MB)

• Technical Support Documents 

◦ Interim Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) for the Proposed National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter 

◦ Executive Summary (PDF) (14 pp, 536 KB)

◦ Chapter 1: Overview of this Regulatory Impact Analysis (PDF) (5 pp, 57 KB)

◦ Chapter 2: Scope and Magnitude of the Problem (PDF) (32 pp, 3.1 MB)

◦ Chapter 3: Analysis Methodology and Summary Results (PDF) (26 pp, 384 KB)

◦ Appendix A: Five City Analysis Results (PDF) (109 pp, 657 KB)

◦ Appendix B: AERMOD Local-Scale Analysis (PDF) (36 pp, 1.1 MB)

◦ Appendix C: AirControlNET Controls Database (PDF) (55 pp, 453 KB)

◦ Appendix D: Additional Cost Data (PDF) (15 pp, 29 KB)

◦ Appendix E: Methods for Projecting Air Quality Concentrations (PDF) (3 pp, 34 KB)

◦ Memorandum: Basis for proposed determinations regarding retention of 24-hour PM10 standard (PDF) (7 pp, 212 KB)

◦ White Paper: Preliminary Analyses of Proposed PM2.5 NAAQS Alternatives (PDF) (24 pp, 2.8 MB)

◦ EPA Criteria Document

◦ EPA Staff Paper

◦ Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee comments on the EPA Criteria Document and Staff Paper

EPA Proposes Amendments to its National Air Quality Monitoring Requirements

December 20, 2005 - In a separate but related action, EPA has proposed amendments to its national air quality monitoring 

requirements, including those for monitoring particle pollution. The proposed changes include the design of a network to monitor PM10

-2.5. EPA will accept comments for 90 days after the publication of the proposal in the Federal Register.

• Proposed Rule (PDF) (100 pp, 3.78 MB)

• Fact Sheet 

• How to Comment

• Technical Support Documents: 

◦ DRAFT National Ambient Air Monitoring Strategy (PDF) (125 pp, 1.4 MB)

◦ Spreadsheet Showing Areas Where PM10-2.5 Monitors Would be Required (PDF) (11 pp, 292 KB) updated 02/10/06

◦ Clean Air Science Advisory Council review of the PM10-2.5 federal reference method (PDF) (121 pp, 2 MB)

◦ Maps supporting proposed PM10-2.5 monitoring requirements (PDF) (8 pp, 397 KB)

◦ Creation of PM10-2.5 Database in Support of NAAQS & Monitoring Rule Proposals (PDF) (4 pp, 607 KB)
Last updated on Monday, March 18, 2013

http://www.epa.gov/airquality/particlepollution/actions.html#dec12