^reDSn^s ' © N& pro-i^ Our Nation's Economic Growth with Cleaner Air Air Quality Improves as America Grows Air Quality Trends Show Clean Air Progress Between 1970 and 2018, the combined emissions of the six common pollutants (PM2.5 and PMi0, S02, NOx, VOCs, CO and Pb) dropped by 74 percent This progress occurred while the U.S. economy continued to grow, Americans drove more miles and population and energy use increased. Comparison of Growth Areas and Declining Emissions 1970-2018 While some pollutants continue to pose serious air quality problems in areas of the U.S., nationally, criteria air pollutant concentrations have dropped significantly since 1990 improving quality of life for many Americans. Air quality improves as America grows. Declining National Air Pollutant Concentration Averages . j mmm CO-74% Pb (from 2010) -82% N02 annual -57% N021-hour -50% O3 -21 % PM10 -26% PM2.5 annual (from 2000) -39% PM2.s 24-hour (from 2000) -34% S02 -89% Most Recent National Standard 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 ¦ Pb (3-month) ¦ CO (8-hour) ¦ N02(anr ¦ NO2 (1-hour) H O3 (8-hour) ¦ PM2.5 (annual) BPM2.5 (24-hour) ¦ PMw(24-hou Air Pollutant Emissions Decreasing Emissions of key air pollutants continue to decline from 1990 levels. These reductions are driven by federal and state implementation of stationary and mobile source regulations. CO Emissions Direct PM10 Emissions Direct PM2.S Emissions S02 Emissions NOx Emissions -59% VOC Emissions -4? OA Stationary Fuel Combustion Industrial and Other Processes Highway Vehicles Non-Road Mobile Unhealthy Air Days Show Long-Term Improvement The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a color-coded index EPA uses to communicate daily air pollution for ozone, particle pollution, NO2, CO, and SO2. A value in the unhealthy range, above national air quality standard for any pollutant, is of concern first for sensitive groups, then for everyone as the AQI value increases. Fewer unhealthy air quality days means better health, longevity, and quality of life for all of us. Number of Days Reaching "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" Level or Above on the Air Quality Index (Among 35 Major U.S. Cities for Ozone and PM2.5 Combined) ,296 706 702 721 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Unhealthy air quality days vary year to year, influenced not only by pollution emissions but also by natural events, such as dust storms and wildfires, and variations in weather, Status and Trends Through 2018 ------- |