The Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments air quality planning region is below the National Ambient Air Quality Standard federal standards for the six criteria air pollutants. However, the region has a history of previously being in non-attainment for carbon monoxide (CO) and is likely to be designated as non-attainment on air quality standards for ozone in the near future.
The Pikes Peak Region has four air pollutant sensors in the region which collect emissions data for four of the six criteria pollutants, including ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter. Only the sensors at Manitou Springs and the U.S. Air Force Academy monitor for ozone.
The National Ambient Air Quality Standard for zzone is measured by calculating the 8-hour average ozone concentration. To determine this, monitoring stations record ozone levels continuously, and the fourth-highest eight-hour average readings over a three-year period are used to determine compliance with the standard. This calculation is known as the Ozone Design Value, commonly expressed as ODV or simply DV. An area is considered compliant if the ODV does not exceed the set standard, currently at 70 parts per billion (ppb).
The Environmental Protection Agency is required to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards for harmful pollutants, per the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. Every five years the EPA is required to reevaluate the NAAQS to ensure adequate protection of human health and the environment, based on the best available science. In the graph below, you can see the timeline of revised standards including:
- 1990 standard of 125 parts per billion (ppb) was revised to 84 ppb. in 1997
- 1997 standard of 84 ppb was revised to 75 ppb. in 2008
- 2008 standard of 75 ppb was revised to 70 ppb in 2015
- The 2015 standard of 70 ppb is the most recent standard in effect
The graph below shows the Pikes Peak region’s Ozone Design Values (ODVs) since 1997, alongside the ozone NAAQS (EPA’s air quality standard for ozone). An upward trend in regional ozone concentrations can be observed.
For more information on ozone and what you can do to help, see the Ozone Awareness page.
Air Quality Index (AQI)
The U.S. Air Quality Index (AQI) is a tool used to measure and communicate air quality levels in a specific area. It provides a numerical value that represents the concentration of pollutants such as ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. The AQI is divided into color-coded categories ranging from “Good” (green) to “Hazardous” (maroon), helping the public understand potential health risks associated with outdoor air quality. Higher AQI values indicate greater pollution levels and an increased likelihood of health effects, especially for sensitive groups like children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory conditions.
To learn more about the AQI, visit airnow.gov. These resources can also help to plan outdoor activities and keep you informed on Air Quality Action Days. To keep the AQI handy and watch for Air Quality Action Days, sign up for EnviroFlash emails, or get the free AirNow app. You can also explore an interactive map to see air quality sensors and the current AQI in your region and across the state.