Sulfur Dioxide Health Standard - Final Rule

USEPA has issued a final new health standard for sulfur dioxide (SO2). EPA sets the 1-hour SO2 health standard at 75 parts per billion (ppb), to protect against short-term exposures ranging from five minutes to 24 hours. EPA is also revoking the current 24-hour and annual SO2 health standards because these existing standards would not provide additional health benefits.

EPA is also changing the monitoring requirements for SO2, and also changes the Air Quality Index to reflect the revised SO2 standard.

The final rule addresses only the SO2 primary standards, which are designed to protect public health. EPA will address the secondary standard, designed to protect the public welfare including the environment, as part of a separate review to be completed in 2012.

EPA expects to identify or designate areas not meeting the new standard by June 2012.

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