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Air Trends

Lead

National Trends in Lead Levels
Local Trends in Lead Levels

National Trends in Lead Levels

Under the Clean Air Act, EPA sets and reviews national air quality standards for lead. Air quality monitors measure concentrations of lead throughout the country. EPA, state, tribal and local agencies use those data to ensure that lead is at levels that protect public health and the environment. EPA has tracked air quality trends for lead using data from this network of monitors. Nationally, average lead concentrations decreased dramatically after EPA's regulations reduced the lead content in on-road motor vehicle gasoline. For information on lead standards, sources, health effects, and programs to reduce lead, please see www.epa.gov/airquality/lead and www.epa.gov/otaq/aviation.htm.

Lead air quality between 1980 and 2014, based on the maximum 3-month average.  Chart shows a range of concentrations in 12 monitoring sites nationwide, with the average decreasing 92% from 1980 to 2014.

How to Interpret the Graphs
View the chart data in Microsoft Excel  (Download Excel Viewer) Exit EPA Disclaimer
View the chart data in HTML  (New window opens)


Lead air quality between 1990 and 2014, based on the maximum 3-month average.  Chart shows a range of concentrations in 27 monitoring sites nationwide, with the average decreasing 87% from 1990 to 2014.

How to Interpret the Graphs
View the chart data in Microsoft Excel  (Download Excel Viewer) Exit EPA Disclaimer
View the chart data in HTML  (New window opens)


Lead air quality between 2000 and 2014, based on the maximum 3-month average.  Chart shows a range of concentrations in 43 monitoring sites nationwide, with the average decreasing 60% from 2000 to 2014.

How to Interpret the Graphs
View the chart data in Microsoft Excel  (Download Excel Viewer) Exit EPA Disclaimer
View the chart data in HTML  (New window opens)



Local Trends in Lead Levels Note to users of screen readers:  The Local Trends information is available on the web only as graphical images.  Please call 919-541-5224 for assistance.

Air quality trends can vary from one area to another. Local trends can be viewed at individual monitoring locations in the map below or in this KML file (KML, 573 KB) using Google Earth or another KML browser. 

 Lead monitors that meet mimimum trends completeness criteria
 Lead monitors that have some data during the trend period but do not meet the mimimum trends completeness criteria

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