EPA announces revised air quality standard

February 7, 2024 – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has revised the annual fine particulate (PM2.5) air quality standard. The new rule lowers the annual standard for fine particulate matter to 9.0 micrograms per cubic meter of air, down from the current standard of 12 micrograms. Over the next two years, the EPA will identify areas that do not meet the new standard. States would then have 18 months to develop compliance plans for those areas. By 2032, any area that exceeds the new standard could face sanctions. For more information go to the EPA webpage.