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Virginia Administrative Code
Title 9. Environment
Agency 5. State Air Pollution Control Board
Chapter 30. Ambient Air Quality Standards
12/31/2024

9VAC5-30-65. Particulate matter (PM2.5).

A. The primary and secondary ambient air quality standards for particulate matter are:

1. 15.0 micrograms per cubic meter -- annual arithmetic mean concentration.

2. 65 micrograms per cubic meter -- 24-hour average concentration.

B. Particulate matter shall be measured in the ambient air as PM2.5 (particles with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to a nominal 2.5 micrometers) by a reference method based on Appendix L of 40 CFR Part 50, or other method designated as such, or by an equivalent method.

C. The annual primary and secondary PM2.5 standards are met when the annual arithmetic mean concentration, as determined in accordance with Appendix N of 40 CFR Part 50, is less than or equal to 15.0 micrograms per cubic meter.

D. The 24-hour primary and secondary PM2.5 standards are met when the 98th percentile 24-hour concentration, as determined in accordance with Appendix N of 40 CFR Part 50, is less than or equal to 65 micrograms per cubic meter.

E. The PM2.5 standards set forth in this section were established by EPA on July 18, 1997 (62 FR 38652) and became effective on September 8, 2004, by adoption by the board. The PM2.5 standards set forth in this section shall continue to apply only for purposes of the following:

1. Control strategy implementation plan revisions, maintenance plans, and associated emissions budgets relative to the PM2.5 standards in this section.

2. Designation of nonattainment areas and maintenance areas relative to the PM2.5 standards in this section.

Nothing in this section shall prevent the redesignation of any nonattainment area to attainment at any time.

F. The primary annual standard set forth in subsection A of this section shall no longer apply as of October 24, 2016. The secondary annual standard and the 24-hour standard set forth in subsection A of this section shall remain in effect.

Statutory Authority

§ 10.1-1308 of the Code of Virginia; §§ 108, 109, and 302 of the Clean Air Act; 40 CFR Parts 50, 53, and 58.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 20, Issue 24, eff. September 8, 2004; amended, Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 21, eff. August 1, 2007; Volume 25, Issue 12, eff. March 18, 2009; Volume 33, Issue 17, eff. May 17, 2017.

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