Posted by: Tamela Adamson-McMullen

Over time, monitors will begin appearing at roadways all across the United States, but breathe easy: They won’t be gauging how fast you’re driving.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is issuing new national air-quality standards for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and establishing new monitoring requirements in congested areas. NO2 is formed from vehicle, power plant and other industrial emissions and contributes to the formation of fine-particle pollution and smog.

EPA has set the standards at a level of 100 parts per billion (ppb) in one hour’s time. New monitors are due to start operating by Jan. 1, 2013. At the same time, EPA is retaining existing requirements that set the annual NO2 average at 53 ppb.

The new standards—the first in 35 years—are expected to protect millions of Americans from peak short-term NO2 exposures. (more…)