When have PM10 pollutants been regulated under the Clean Air Act?

The regulation of PM10 pollutants under the Clean Air Act is significant because these fine particulate matter particles, with a diameter of 10 micrometers or smaller, can pose health risks when inhaled. The Clean Air Act, originally enacted in 1970, aimed to regulate air emissions from stationary and mobile sources to protect public health and the environment. In 1970, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established, and it set air quality standards for a number of pollutants, including particulate matter.

In the context of PM10, the EPA set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for these particles to limit their concentrations in the air. The specific regulations for PM10 resulted from the acknowledgment of their impact on respiratory health and the environment. The first standards were established as part of the initial implementation of the Clean Air Act, thus making 1970 a key year for the regulation of PM10 pollutants.

This foundational regulation set the stage for ongoing refinement and more stringent standards in later years, but the recognition and initial regulation of PM10 were established at the outset of the Clean Air Act’s implementation, marking its importance from that point forward.