Air Pollutants - Ozone - Standards & Requirements
National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Ozone
Since the first ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (standard) was established in 1971, EPA has revised them several times. Using the tabs and links below you can find information on the current ozone standard and regulatory actions, as well as a detailed history of ozone standards.
1979 National Ambient Air Quality Standard for Ozone (February 8, 1979)
(Primary and Secondary Standards are the same)
| Averaging Time | Level (Parts per Million) |
|---|---|
| 1 - Hour 1 | 0.12 |
1 This standard is met when there are no days in a calendar year with maximum hourly average levels above 0.12 ppm. On June 15, 2005 EPA revoked the 1-hour ozone standard in all areas, although some areas have continuing obligations under that standard.
History and Implementation of the 1971 1-hour Standard for Ozone
| June 1996 | EPA issued a three-volume criteria document encompassing hundreds of new scientific studies, finding "strong" scientific evidence of adverse health effects from ozone at levels allowed by the 1979 standard. | |
| 1995 | EPA and 37 eastern states form the Ozone Transport Assessment Group work with stakeholders to study ozone transport for two years. | |
| 1994 | EPA obtained a voluntary remand based on a promise to consider the newer studies. | |
| 1991 | The number of counties designated for nonattainment reached 371. Concerned about the new science indicating adverse effects at levels allowed by that standard, the American Lung Association went to court to compel EPA to act. | |
| 1979 | EPA revised the 1-hour standard to 0.12 ppm | |
| 1971 | EPA established a 1-hour standard of 0.08 ppm |
Additional Resources
- National Ambient Air Quality Standards (DHEC)
- Air Pollution Control Regulations and Standards (DHEC)
- Ground-level Ozone Regulatory Actions (EPA)
- History of Ground-level Ozone Standards (EPA)
- Ozone Air Quality Standards (EPA)
- May 21, 2012: EPA published designations for the 2008 ozone standard
- May 14, 2012: DHEC requests to participate in EPA's Ozone Advance Program (EPA Web page)
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For more information please contact the Bureau of Air Quality at (803) 898-4123 or by email.