On December 14, 2012, the EPA strengthened the annual health-based standard for fine particles to a level of 12.0 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m³) and retained the other particulate matter (PM) standards.

This page contains a variety of fact sheets and other documents describing that action.

For more information, visit the 2012 PM NAAQS page.

• Overview of EPA's Revisions to the Air Quality Standards for Particle Pollution (Particulate Matter) (PDF)(3 pp, 301 K, December 14, 2012)
  This fact sheet provides an overview of the 2012 National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for Particulate Matter (PM)
• Pollution Pollution and Health (PDF)(3 pp, 318 K, December 14, 2012)
  This fact sheet provides an overview of the what scientific studies show about health effects from particle pollution exposure, including who is most at risk.
• EPA's Revised Air Quality Standards for Particle Pollution: Monitoring, Designations and Permitting Requirements (PDF)(4 pp, 282 K, December 14, 2012)
  This fact sheet provides an overview to the process of designations and permits for the 2012 NAAQS.
• Revised Air Quality Standards for Particle Pollution and Updates to the Air Quality Index (AQI) (PDF)(5 pp, 379 K, December 14, 2012)
  This fact sheet provides an overview of the new updates to the AQI, based on the strengthened 2012 PM standard
• Map of the United States Counties that do not meet the Annual Health-based Fine Particle Standard of 12 μg/m3 (PDF)(1 pg, 141 K, July 15, 2012)
  This is a 2012 map of counties in the United States that do not meet the Annual Fine Particle Health Standard of 12 μg/m3. States will have until 2020-2025 to meet the new standard.
• Map of the United States Counties Projected to meet the annual Health-based Fine Particle Health Standard of 12 μg/m3 in 2020 (PDF)(1 pg, 207 K, December 14, 2012)
  This is a map of counties in the United States projected to meet the Annual health-based fine particle standard of 12 μg/m3 in 2020.
• Fine Particle Concentrations Based on Monitored Air Quality from 2009 - 2011 Table (PDF)(13 pp, 61 K, 2012)
  This is a 2012 table of counties in the United States with their 2009-2011 design values for the annual fine particle health standard of 12 μg/m3. States will have until 2020-2025 to meet the new standard.
• Projected Fine Particle Concentrations for Counties with Monitors in 2020 Table (PDF)(13 pp, 66 K, December 14, 2012)
  This is a table of counties in the United States and their projected 2020 design values for the annual health-based fine particle standard of 12 μg/m3.