130 Million People Live in Unhealthy Air Zones, Says EPA Trends Report, September 4, 2002
EPA’s latest Trends Report reveals the extent of areas that violate the NAAQS for fine particles for the first time.
The report identifieds 129 counties where more than 65 million people live that appear to exceed the annual average PM2.5 standard, based on monitoring data for 1999-2001.
Another 395 counties where 91 million people live have PM2.5 monitors, but insufficient data to determine attainment status. The number of counties with insufficient data exceeds the nunmber of counties that are tentatively identified as attainment or nonattainment.
The report also indicates that 13 or the 85 areas previously designated nonattainment for PM10 failed to meet the NAAQS in 1999-2001. Surprisingly, 19 additional areas failed to meet the PM10 NAAQS, but have not been formally designated as nonattainment.
The report indicates that 291 counties throughout the United States are likely to violate the new ozone standard, based on 1999-2001 monitoring data.
EPA [www.epa.gov] offers the report online. The section labeled “Design Values” identifies potential nonattainment areas. The “Factbook” offers summary statistics for metropolitan areas and counties.
