Air Trends

Air Quality - National Summary

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Air Quality Trends

EPA creates air quality trends using measurements from monitors located across the country. The table below show that air quality based on concentrations of the common pollutants has improved nationally since 1980.

Percent Change in Air Quality
  1980 vs 2015 1990 vs 2015 2000 vs 2015
Carbon Monoxide -84 -77 -60
Lead -99 -99 -91
Nitrogen Dioxide (annual) -60 -54 -45
Nitrogen Dioxide (1-hour) -59 -47 -31
Ozone (8-hour) -32 -22 -17
PM10 (24-hour) --- -39 -36
PM2.5 (annual) --- --- -37
PM2.5 (24-hour) --- --- -37
Sulfur Dioxide (1-hour) -84 -81 -69

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Emissions Trends

EPA estimates nationwide emissions of ambient air pollutants and the pollutants they are formed from (their precursors). These estimates are based on actual monitored readings or engineering calculations of the amounts and types of pollutants emitted by vehicles, factories, and other sources. Emission estimates are based on many factors, including levels of industrial activity, technological developments, fuel consumption, vehicle miles traveled, and other activities that cause air pollution.

Emissions information is developed with input from state and local air agencies, tribes, and industry.  EPA tracks a range of emissions data, including how much of each pollutant is emitted from various pollution sources.  To view national, state, and local emissions summary data, see EPA’s Air Emission Sources site. The table below shows that emissions of the common air pollutants and their precursors have been reduced substantially since 1980.

Percent Change in Emissions
  1980 vs 2014 1990 vs 2014 2000 vs 2014
Carbon Monoxide -69 -62 -46
Lead -99 -80 -50
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) -55 -51 -45
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) -53 -38 -16
Direct PM10 -58 -19 -16
Direct PM2.5 --- -25 -33
Sulfur Dioxide -81 -79 -70

Emissions of air pollutants continue to play an important role in a number of air quality issues. In 2014, about 89 million tons of pollution were emitted into the atmosphere in the United States. These emissions mostly contribute to the formation of ozone and particles, the deposition of acids, and visibility impairment. To get detailed information about emissions estimates displayed below, please visit EPA's Clearinghouse for Inventories and Emissions Factors (CHIEF).

Annual emissions estimates are used as one indicator of the effectiveness of our programs. The graph below shows that between 1980 and 2015, gross domestic product increased 153 percent, vehicle miles traveled increased 106 percent, energy consumption increased 25 percent, and U.S. population grew by 41 percent. During the same time period, total emissions of the six principal air pollutants dropped by 63 percent. The graph also shows that between 1980 and 2014, CO2 emissions increased by 18 percent.

Between 1980 and 2014, GDP increased 147%, VMT increased 97%, energy consumption increased 26%, and U.S. population grew by 41%, while total emissions of the six principal pollutants decreased 63%.Note: CO2 emissions estimate through 2013 (Source: 2014 US Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report)
         Gross Domestic Product: Bureau of Economic Analysis
         Vehicle Miles Traveled: Federal Highway Administration
         Population: Census Bureau
         Energy Consumption: Dept. of Energy, Energy Information Administration
         Aggregate Emissions: EPA Clearinghouse for Inventories and Emissions Factors

Despite great progress in air quality improvement, approximately 121 million people nationwide lived in counties with pollution levels above the primary NAAQS in 2015. 

Approximately 121 million people nationwide lived in counties with pollution levels above the primary NAAQS in 2015.

In addition, from 1990 to 2011, emissions of air toxics declined by over 60 percent. These reductions are the result of implementing stationary and mobile source regulations.

In recent years, EPA has acted to dramatically improve America's air quality by designing and developing national programs that, when fully implemented, will achieve significant reductions in air emissions. The associated air quality benefits will lead to improved health, longevity, and quality of life for all Americans.

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Weather Influence

Weather conditions influence emissions and air quality.  EPA has developed statistical approaches to account for weather’s influence on ozone and fine particles.  While these approaches do not change the quality of air we breathe, they do help us understand how well emission reduction programs are working. More information is available for trends in ozone adjusted for weather conditions.

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