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40 CFR § 50.13 - National primary and secondary ambient air quality standards for PM.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t40/s50.13"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "40 CFR § 50.13 - National primary and secondary ambient air quality standards for PM."
title_number: 40
title_name: "Protection of Environment"
section_number: "50.13"
section_name: "National primary and secondary ambient air quality standards for PM."
chapter_name: "ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY"
subchapter_number: "C"
subchapter_name: "AIR PROGRAMS"
part_number: "50"
part_name: "NATIONAL PRIMARY AND SECONDARY AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARDS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "42 U.S.C. 7401,"
regulatory_source: "36 FR 22384, Nov. 25, 1971, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "50"
---

# 50.13 National primary and secondary ambient air quality standards for PM.

(a) The national primary and secondary ambient air quality standards for particulate matter are 15.0 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m
<sup>3</sup>) annual arithmetic mean concentration, and 35 µg/m
<sup>3</sup> 24-hour average concentration measured in the ambient air as PM<sub>2.5</sub> (particles with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to a nominal 2.5 micrometers) by either:

(1) A reference method based on appendix L of this part and designated in accordance with part 53 of this chapter; or

(2) An equivalent method designated in accordance with part 53 of this chapter.

(b) The annual primary and secondary PM<sub>2.5</sub> standards are met when the annual arithmetic mean concentration, as determined in accordance with appendix N of this part, is less than or equal to 15.0 µg/m
<sup>3</sup>.

(c) The 24-hour primary and secondary PM<sub>2.5</sub> standards are met when the 98th percentile 24-hour concentration, as determined in accordance with appendix N of this part, is less than or equal to 35 µg/m
<sup>3</sup>.

(d) Until the effective date of the final Fine Particulate Matter National Ambient Air Quality Standards: State Implementation Plan Requirements rule to be codified at 40 CFR 51.1000 through 51.1016, the 1997 annual PM<sub>2.5</sub> NAAQS set forth in this section will continue in effect, notwithstanding the promulgation of the 2012 primary annual PM<sub>2.5</sub> NAAQS under § 50.18. The 1997 primary annual PM<sub>2.5</sub> NAAQS set forth in this section will no longer apply upon the effective date of the final Fine Particulate Matter National Ambient Air Quality Standards: State Implementation Plan Requirements rule; except that for areas designated nonattainment for the 1997 annual PM<sub>2.5</sub> NAAQS set forth in this section as of the effective date of the final Fine Particulate Matter National Ambient Air Quality Standards: State Implementation Plan Requirements rule, the requirements applicable to the 1997 primary annual PM<sub>2.5</sub> NAAQS set forth in this section will apply until the effective date of an area's redesignation to attainment for the 1997 annual PM<sub>2.5</sub> NAAQS pursuant to the requirements of section 107 of the Clean Air Act. The 1997 secondary annual PM<sub>2.5</sub> NAAQS and the 1997 24-hour PM<sub>2.5</sub> NAAQS shall remain in effect. The area designations and classifications with respect to the 1997 annual and 24-hour PM<sub>2.5</sub> NAAQS remain codified in 40 CFR part 81 in order to provide information on where the 1997 primary annual PM<sub>2.5</sub> NAAQS has been revoked and to facilitate the implementation of the 1997 secondary annual PM<sub>2.5</sub> NAAQS and the 1997 24-hour PM<sub>2.5</sub> NAAQS.

[71 FR 61224, Oct. 17, 2006, as amended at 81 FR 58149, Aug. 24, 2016]