Particle Pollution (PM2.5) Designation History

EPA letter to Governor Pat McCrory on final PM 2.5 designations, Dec. 18, 2014
EPA letter to Governor Pat McCrory on PM 2.5 Designations, Aug. 19, 2014
North Carolina's Recommendations for Air Quality Designations for the 2012 Revised Annual PM_2.5 Standard - Letter from DENR Secretary John Skvarla to EPA (Dec. 13, 2013)
PM_2.5 Nonattainment Areas in North Carolina
Letter from DENR Secretary Bill Ross to USEPA about Proposed PM_2.5 Designations (Sept. 8, 2004)
Letter from Gov. Mike Easley to USEPA Administrator Michael Leavitt regarding PM_2.5 Nonattainment Designations (Sept. 9, 2004)
North Carolina PM_2.5 Design Values

2024 PM2.5 Annual Standard

On February 7, 2024, EPA strengthened the annual primary (health-based) National Ambient Air Quality Standard for fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) from 12.0 µg/m³ to 9.0 µg/m³. DAQ is preparing for this designation process.