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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





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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

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