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Lead Air Pollution

Timeline of Lead (Pb) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)

History of the NAAQS for Pb
Final Rule/Decision Primary/Secondary Indicator1 Averaging Time Level2 Form
1978

43 FR 46246 
Oct 5, 1978
Primary and Secondary Pb-TSP Calendar Quarter 1.5 µg/m3 Not to be exceeded
1991 Agency released multimedia "Strategy for Reducing Lead Exposures"
2008

73 FR 66964
Nov 12, 2008
Primary and Secondary Pb-TSP 3-month period 0.15 µg/m3 Not to be exceeded
2016

81 FR 71906
Oct 18, 2016
Primary and secondary standards retained, without revision.

1. Pb-TSP = Lead in total suspended particles

2. Units of measure are micrograms per cubic meter of air (µg/m3).