WASHINGTON, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- States identified as violating national air quality standards for lead have until 2015 to become compliant, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said.
The EPA announced that 16 areas in 11 different states weren't in compliance with air quality standards for lead based on monitoring data from 2007-09.
The state identified as having counties with lead violations were; Pennsylvania, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, Texas, Missouri and California.
The EPA described non-containment areas as those that violate Clean Air Act requirements, which call on authorities to control lead pollution. In 2008, the EPA revised its standard of lead from 1.5 micrograms per cubic meter to 0.15 micrograms per cubic meter measures as total suspended particles.
The EPA said it found lead concentrations in the air fell more than 90 percent since the 1980s when lead was removed from gasoline.
Areas designated by the EPA have until the end of 2015 to implement plans to reduce lead pollution levels to meet national standards.
Lead inhibits the development of adolescents. The EPA said there is no known safe level of lead in the body.
