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Nonattainment status means that pollution levels are likely to exceed federal and state limits on many days throughout the year. Exceedances for ground-level-ozone are most likely to occur during the spring and summer while particle pollution exceedances may occur at any time. Poor air quality threatens economic prosperity, poses risks to human health and is harmful to the environment.
On April 30, 2012 the US Environmental Protection Agency designated the following metro Atlanta counties for non-attainment based on the 2008 National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ground-level ozone:
Bartow
Cherokee
Clayton
Cobb
Coweta
DeKalb
Douglas
Fayette
Forsyth
Fulton
Gwinnett
Henry
Newton
Paulding
Rockdale
At different times in the past, the following counties or partial counties in metro Atlanta, as well as areas surrounding Macon, Floyd and Chattanooga, have not met prior standards:
Metro Atlanta
Barrow
Bartow
Carroll
Cherokee
Clayton
Cobb
Coweta
DeKalb
Douglas
Fayette
Forsyth
Fulton
Gwinnett
Hall
Heard (partial)**
Henry
Newton
Paulding
Putnam (partial)**
Rockdale
Spalding
Walton
Macon
Bibb**
Monroe (partial)**
Chattanooga/Tenn. line
Catoosa
Walker**
Floyd
Floyd**
**Meets 2008 standard for ground-level ozone, not particle pollution.
However, the most recent air monitoring data demonstrates that Georgia is in compliance with the air quality standards it is currently required to meet.
But Georgia still has more work to do for clean air. Because of new health-based information, in 2008 U.S. EPA strengthened air quality standards for ground-level ozone. While this standard is currently being reconsidered, EPA has stated its intent to make ground-level ozone even more stringent later this year. This action may impact Georgia’s compliance.
Were the 2008 ozone standard to be promulgated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), across Georgia, a handful of counties or parts of counties could be classified as a nonattainment area for ground-level ozone, particle pollution or both. More information is expected from US EPA and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division on this issue soon.