Public Input Welcomed on District of Columbia's Annual Ambient Air Monitoring Network Plan and Periodic Network Assessment

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revised ambient air monitoring regulations effective December 18, 2006. The requirements are outlined in 40CFR § 58.10. The revisions are expected to help the EPA, states, tribes and local air quality agencies improve public health protection and better inform the public about air quality in their communities. The monitoring regulation requires the District of Columbia to adopt and to submit to the EPA an annual monitoring network plan which provides for establishing and/or maintaining an air quality surveillance system. The annual monitoring network plan must be made available for public inspection for at least 30 days prior to submission to EPA.

Information for Comments on Ambient Air Monitoring Network

The public inspection period for this document is from May 25 to June 25, 2007. Please send any comments to:

Robert Day
Environmental Specialist
Monitoring and Assessment Branch, Air Quality Division
District Department of the Environment
51 N St., NE, 3rd Floor
Washington, DC 20002
Email: Robert.Day@dc.gov

More Information

In 1970, Congress passed the Clean Air Act that authorized the EPA to establish National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for pollutants shown to threaten human health and welfare. Primary standards were set according to criteria designed to protect public health, including an adequate margin of safety to protect sensitive populations such as children and asthmatics. Secondary standards were set according to criteria designed to protect public welfare (decreased visibility, damage to crops, vegetation, and buildings).

Seven pollutants currently have these NAAQS: ozone (O₃), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), particulate matter less than 10 microns (PM10), particulate matter less than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) and lead (Pb). These are commonly called the “criteria” pollutants. When air quality does not meet the NAAQS, the area is said to be in “non-attainment” with the NAAQS. For more information on the EPA’s NAAQS, please visit the EPA website.