North Carolina Administrative Code
Title 15A - Environmental Quality
Chapter 02 - ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
Subchapter D - AIR POLLUTION CONTROL REQUIREMENTS
Section .0400 - AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARDS
Section 02D .0401 - PURPOSE

(a) The purpose of the ambient air quality standards set out in this Section is to establish certain maximum limits on parameters of air quality considered desirable for the preservation and enhancement of the quality of the State's air resources. Furthermore, the objective of the Commission, consistent with the North Carolina Air Pollution Control Law, shall be to prevent significant deterioration in ambient air quality in any substantial portion of the State where existing air quality is better than the standards. An atmosphere in which these standards are not exceeded should provide for the protection of the public health, plant and animal life, and property.

(b) Ground-level concentrations of pollutants shall be determined by sampling at fixed locations in areas beyond the premises on which a source is located. The standards shall be applicable at each such sampling location in the State.

(c) No facility or source of air pollution shall cause any ambient air quality standard in this Section to be exceeded or contribute to a violation of any ambient air quality standard in this Section except as allowed by 15A NCAC 02D .0531 or 02D .0532.