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EPA Announces Revision to Air Quality Lead Standard Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a more stringent air quality lead standard. The new standard is 10 times more stringent than the previous standard: 0.15 micrograms per cubic meter (ug/m3); the previous standard was 1.5 ug/m3. The EPA also changed the calculation method to a more stringent three-month rolling average form which counts every exceedance. Revising the standard will improve health protection for at-risk groups, especially children. More than 6,000 new studies on lead health effects, environmental effects and lead in the air have been published since 1990. Evidence from health studies shows that adverse effects occur at much lower levels of lead in blood than previously thought. The most notable effects of lead are on the developing nervous system. Lead emitted into the air can be inhaled or, after it settles, can be ingested. Ingestion is the main route of human exposure. Once in the body, lead is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream and can affect many organ systems. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will establish a new lead ambient air monitoring network to measure Iowa’s lead exposures compared to the new standard. The DNR is in the process of reviewing recent emission inventory reports for lead emissions to determine where ambient air quality monitors would be required under EPA’s rule. Facilities with emissions above or near the threshold specified in the rule may be contacted by the DNR for additional information. More information on the new standard, sources and health impacts of lead, and an implementation schedule for the new standard is located at: |
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