2008 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) Designations...
On April 30, 2012, the EPA announced final designations under the 2008 ozone NAAQS and released its final rule for ozone area classifications, establishing December 31 of each relevant calendar year as the attainment date for each classification, and revoking the 1997 ozone NAAQS for purposes of transportation conformity. Collaborative efforts of stakeholders across South Carolina have focused on multi-pollutant strategies to reduce ozone, particulate matter 2.5, and air toxics, which in turn have improved air quality and have a positive impact on public health and the environment. As a result, these collaborative efforts have helped meet our collective goal of achieving the 2008 ozone NAAQS before nonattainment designations occurred.
Although the monitor in York County is meeting the 2008 ozone NAAQS, the EPA included the eastern, urbanized area of York County in the Charlotte-Gastonia-Salisbury, NC-SC nonattainment area. This is the same portion of York County that the EPA designated nonattainment in 2004 with the exception of the Catawba Indian Nation Reservation. EPA designated the remainder of the state, including the Catawba Indian Nation Reservation unclassifiable/attainment for the 2008 ozone standard. The list of the final designations and related information, is available at EPA’s website: http://www.epa.gov/ozonedesignations/2008standards/regs.htm