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Criteria Pollutants

Definition

Criteria pollutants are a group of six common air pollutants regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) due to their harmful effects on human health and the environment. These pollutants include carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, particulate matter, and sulfur dioxide.

Analogy

Imagine you're planning a picnic in a park. The criteria pollutants are like unwanted guests who can spoil your day - carbon monoxide is like someone smoking nearby, lead is like litter left behind by previous visitors, nitrogen dioxide is like car exhaust fumes polluting the air, ozone is like smog making it hard to breathe, particulate matter is like dust causing allergies or respiratory issues, and sulfur dioxide is like an unpleasant smell coming from industrial activities.

Related terms

Air Quality Index (AQI): An index used to report daily air quality levels and associated health risks based on concentrations of criteria pollutants.

Nonattainment Area: A geographic area that does not meet one or more of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards set by the EPA for criteria pollutants.

Acid Rain: Precipitation (rain or snow) with acidic components resulting from emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides reacting with atmospheric moisture.