The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will expand the nation’s air quality monitoring network and strengthen lead monitoring requirements to ensure that air quality is measured near industrial facilities that emit a half ton or more of lead per year. Previously, the agency required monitoring near facilities emitting at least one ton of lead per year. EPA is also requiring monitoring at a network of multi-pollutant air quality monitoring sites in large urban areas. These changes will ensure monitoring occurs at the largest sources of lead emissions and will help assess typical lead levels in communities throughout the country.
Monitors will continue to be placed at airports emitting at least one ton of lead per year. EPA will also require the states to conduct a year-long monitoring study at 15 airports that emit less than one ton to determine how these sources impact air quality in the surrounding area.
States have one year from the publication date of this rule to have the new monitors in place.
More information: http://www.epa.gov/air/lead
