Air quality standards in the U.S. 2023, by pollutant
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is required to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for six principal air pollutants to provide public health protection. The current annual standard for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is 12 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3). Once inhaled, PM2.5 can lead to various health issues in humans, including heart disease, lung cancer, and premature mortality. The current annual U.S. guidelines for PM2.5 are more than twice the levels recommended by the World Health Organization.