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  2. Lead Air Pollution

National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for Lead (Pb)

National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for Lead (Pb)
Basic Information
Federal Register Citations
  • 80 FR 278
  • 73 FR 66964
  • 73 FR 29184
Code of Federal Regulations Citations
  • 40 CFR Part 50
  • 40 CFR Part 53
Docket Numbers
  • EPA-HQ-OAR-2010-0108

On this page:

  • Rule Summary
  • Rule History
  • Additional Resources
  • Compliance

Rule Summary

On September 16, 2016, based on its review of the air quality criteria for lead (Pb), the Environmental Protection Agency issued a decision to retain the existing 2008 standards without revision. The primary and secondary Pb standards are 0.15 micrograms per cubic meter Pb in total suspended particles as a 3-month average.

Rule History

10/18/2016 - Final Decision to Retain the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for Lead (Pb) (pdf) (417 KB)

01/05/2015 - Proposal to Retain the Current NAAQS for Pb (pdf) (474 KB)

11/12/2008 - Final Rule Establishing Current Lead (Pb) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) (pdf) (631 KB)

05/20/2008 - Proposed Rule to Establish Lead (Pb) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) (pdf) (712 KB)

Additional Resources

National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for Lead (Pb) Fact Sheets and Additional Information

2010 Lead (Pb) Air Monitoring Requirements & 2013 Method for Determination of Lead (Pb) in Total Suspended Particulate Matter Fact Sheets

Scientific and Technical Documents Supporting the NAAQS for Lead

Compliance

Lead (Pb) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) Implementation Guidance Documents

Related Rules

07/03/2013 – Final Method for the Determination of Lead (Pb) in Total Suspended Particulate Matter (pdf) (321 KB)

02/05/2013 – Proposed Method for the Determination of Lead (Pb) in Total Suspended Particulate Matter (pdf) (319 KB)

12/27/2010 – Final Revisions to Lead (Pb) Ambient Air Monitoring Requirements (pdf) (204 KB)

12/30/2009 – Proposed Revisions to Lead (Pb) Ambient Air Monitoring Requirements (pdf) (176 KB)

2008 Lead (Pb) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) Implementation Actions

1978 Final Rule: National Primary and Secondary Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for Lead (Pb) and Implementation Plans for Lead NAAQS

Lead Air Pollution

  • Lead Basics
  • Setting and Reviewing Lead Standards
  • Lead Standards Setting Regulatory Actions
  • Implementing Lead Standards
  • Lead Implementation Regulatory Actions
  • SIP Checklist
  • SIP Training and Assistance
  • Implementation Data and Reports
  • Information for Other Criteria Air Pollutants
Contact Us about Lead Air Pollution
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on May 12, 2025
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