FACT SHEET

EPA's Redesignation of the Canton, Stark County, Ohio Area for the 2008 Lead (Pb)

National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)

SUMMARY OF ACTION

•	On March 7, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) took action that will
reduce lead air pollution in Canton, Ohio. In this final action, EPA redesignated a portion of
the Canton (Stark County), Ohio area from "unclassifiable/attainment" to "nonattainment"
for the 2008 Pb NAAQS. This redesignation under Clean Air Act (CAA) section 107(d)(3) is
based on recorded violations of the 2008 Pb NAAQS at Ohio Environmental Protection
Agency's Republic Steel ambient air monitoring site located in Canton, Ohio and additional
relevant air quality information.

•	The table below summarizes EPA's decision regarding the final area redesignation in the
Canton, Ohio area.

Final Area Redesignation in Canton, Ohio Area

Area

Included
County

Initial Area Designation
(November 2011)

Final Area
Redesignation -
March 2023

Canton, Ohio

Stark (partial)

Unclassifiable/Attainment

Nonattainment

BACKGROUND

•	On October 15, 2008, the EPA revised the federal Pb standards to 0.15 |ig/m3 along with the
averaging time for the standards. A violation of the 2008 Pb NAAQS occurs if any arithmetic
3-month mean concentration is greater than 0.15 |ig/m3,

•	The EPA designated all areas of the United States as "unclassifiable,"
"unclassifiable/attainment," or "nonattainment" for the 2008 Pb NAAQS in two rounds on
November 16, 2010, and November 8, 2011.

•	Stark County, along with the remaining unmonitored areas of Ohio, was initially designated
as unclassifiable/attainment because available information did not indicate that the air quality
in this area exceeded the 2008 Pb NAAQS.

•	Recent data from the EPA's Air Quality System monitors located in Canton, Ohio indicate
design values that violate the standard for 2018-2020 and 2019-2021.

•	On April 26, 2022, the EPA notified the Governor of the State of Ohio regarding our
intended redesignation decision and established a 120-day period for the state to respond per
CAA section 107(d)(3)(B). On August 22, 2022, Ohio EPA submitted a response to EPA's
notification, concurring with EPA's intended boundaries for the proposed nonattainment
area.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

•	To download a copy of the final decision, go to EPA's Web site at:
httns:/Avww.ena.gov/lead-desi2r1ations.

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•	Today's decision and other background information are also available either electronically at
http://www.regulations.gov, EPA's electronic public docket and comment system.

•	For further technical information about the rule, please contact Andrew Leith, with EPA's
Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, at (919) 541-1069 or leith.andrew@epa.gov.

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