Definition

An air quality standard defines the maximum amount of a pollutant averaged over a specified period of time that can be present in outdoor air without harming public health, and thus, it defines clean air.

Definition and Description

National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) are regulatory standards set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and several different governing agencies worldwide to establish permissible levels of common air pollutants in the outdoor atmosphere. These standards define the maximum concentrations of specific air pollutants, including criteria pollutants such as particulate matter, ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and lead, which are considered harmful to public health and the environment. The primary goal of NAAQS is to protect human health and welfare by limiting the presence of these pollutants in the air. Governing bodies are required to monitor air quality, develop plans to achieve and maintain compliance with NAAQS, and implement control measures to reduce pollution levels when necessary.