Jeremy Taylor

Air Quality Coordinator

Our Program


Common Air Pollutants

The U.S. Clean Air Act requires EPA to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards for six common air pollutants. These pollutants (known as "criteria pollutants") are found all over the United States. They are particulate matter (often referred to as particle pollution), ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and lead.

These pollutants can harm human health, harm the environment, and cause property damage. Of the six pollutants, particle pollution and ground-level ozone are the most widespread health threats. EPA calls these six pollutants "criteria" air pollutants because it regulates them by developing limits that are based on human health and/or environmental criteria. 

-U.S. EPA 


What is the purpose of air quality standards?

-From: Encyclopedia of Physical Science and Technology (Third Edition), 2003