Non-attainment area

In United States environmental law, a non-attainment area is an area that exceeds pollution limits for one or more criteria pollutants: ozone (O3), atmospheric particulate matter (PM2.5/PM10), lead (Pb), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur oxides (SOx), and nitrogen oxides (NOx).

[2] The primary standards are set at levels that are designed to protect human health, for sensitive populations which maybe effected by pollutants such as asmatics, children and the elderly.

[3] The six criteria pollutants in particular are tracked due to their known harmful effects on human health and the environment.

[5][6]   Current and previous standards are stored in an EPA Green Book for the criteria pollutants.

[5] State and tribal governments must recommend designations for areas across their jurisdiction for passing or failing under the new NAAQS within one year.

[6] The EPA reviews the recommendations from state and tribal governments and the local air quality data, and awards one of three classifications to a region within 2 years of the addition or revision to the NAAQS .

[12][9] Depending on the criteria pollutant that is in violation of the NAAQS, the nonattainment area SIP is due at different times.

[9][13] The EPA can write FIPs to address nonattainment areas if tridal government's opt to refrain from producing a SIP.

109) (CAA), the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for each pollutant, both primary and secondary, can be reviewed and revised by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

[15] The revision process follows 6 general phases which seek to gauge current scientific understanding, include public input, reassess the risk of each pollutant, and create comprehensive policy.