May 9, 2005—The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently added 21 counties in 12 areas across nine states to the list of counties designated in December 2004 as meeting the nation’s new, more protective air quality standards for fine particle pollution (PM2.5), based on updated data.
Across the US, there are 30 states, home to more than 197 million people, designated as “in attainment.” The 12 additional newly designated attainment areas include more than 5 million people.
The 39 remaining nonattainment areas, with over 90 million people, are required to attain clean air as soon as possible but no later than 2010, except for possible extensions in severe cases.
For the complete list of designations, and more information on fine particle pollution, visit the EPA Web site.
