Learn About Air Pollution

What is Air Pollution?

Air pollution is a mixture of natural and man-made substances in the air we breathe. It is typically separated into two categories: outdoor air pollution and indoor air pollution. We regulate outdoor or ambient air quality and have been monitoring ambient air quality in Georgia for more than forty years. During that time, the list of monitored compounds has grown to more than 200 pollutants at  34 sites in 25 counties  across the state.  Learn more.

Criteria Pollutants

The Clean Air Act (CAA) requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to identify pollutants that may endanger public health or welfare and set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for six common air pollutants known as “criteria” pollutants. EPA sets NAAQS for criteria pollutants based on the current science on potential health effects. The NAAQS are divided into two standards:

• Primary standards that protect public health
• Secondary standards that protect public welfare and environment (includes damage to animals, crops, vegetation, buildings, and reduced visibility).

More information about the six criteria air pollutants is available below.

• Carbon Monoxide
• Oxides of Nitrogen
• Sulfur Dioxide
• Ozone
• Lead
• Particulate Matter

Of the six criteria pollutants, ground-level ozone is currently the only pollutant in Georgia not meeting the NAAQS. Learn about Georgia pollution trends.

Hazardous Air Pollutants

Hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) or air toxics are known to cause cancer or other serious health impacts. There are 187 toxics air pollutants defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The US EPA collects information about hazardous pollutants released in the environment in a national database called the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI). For more information visit TRI for communities.