North Carolina has marked ten years of meeting all federal health-based air quality standards, according to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The state was first designated in attainment with every National Ambient Air Quality Standard by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in August 2015 and has maintained compliance since then.
Governor Josh Stein commented on the milestone, stating, “Achieving ten years of meeting our clean air standards is a testament to what we can accomplish with sound policymaking and strong public and private partnerships. North Carolinians are able to breathe fresh air because of our state’s continued commitment to safeguarding our natural resources.”
DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson added, “Meeting the Clean Air Act’s public health standards means North Carolinians can live, work and play knowing the air they breathe meets the highest benchmark. Our work is not done. We must continue to implement effective strategies that ensure our air remains clean and healthy for generations to come.”
Mike Abraczinskas, Director of DEQ’s Division of Air Quality, said, “A decade of clean air was decades in the making. It took hard work and planning to achieve this milestone, and our Division staff played a monumental role in getting us here today. The full scale of public health benefits resulting from this work is impossible to quantify.”
The EPA sets National Ambient Air Quality Standards for six criteria pollutants: carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, particle pollution, and sulfur dioxide. These standards are designed to protect public health—especially for children, older adults, and people with asthma.
In previous decades—particularly during the 1990s and early 2000s—North Carolina faced significant challenges with nonattainment issues related to ozone and particle pollution. These problems also contributed to environmental concerns such as summer haze in the Blue Ridge Mountains and acid rain that damaged forests.
Several measures helped improve air quality across North Carolina over time. Among them were passage of the 2002 Clean Smokestacks Act; advances in federal fuel and engine standards; a shift away from coal-based energy generation; as well as emission reductions from homes, industry, and other sources through regulatory programs.
Despite overall improvements in air quality statewide over recent years—including better visibility in scenic areas like the Blue Ridge Mountains—there remain occasional days when pollution levels may affect public health. Residents are encouraged to monitor daily forecasts using tools such as the Air Quality Portal so they can plan outdoor activities accordingly.
