The Clean Air Act: Key Features for Reducing Air Pollution in the United States

Clean Air Act

sets limits on criteria pollutants: SPLONC (SOx, PM, lead, ozone, NOx, CO)

The Clean Air Act is a US Federal law that aims to protect and improve the quality of the air we breathe. The act was first signed into law in 1963 and has since been amended several times. Its primary mission is to reduce pollution from mobile sources, stationary sources, and hazardous air pollutants. Here are some key features of the Clean Air Act:

1. National Air Quality Standards (NAAQS): The act sets national air quality standards for six key pollutants. These pollutants are ozone, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and lead. The EPA sets these standards through a scientific assessment of the risks posed by each pollutant.

2. Emission Standards: The act requires the EPA to set emission standards for various sources of air pollution. This includes cars and trucks, power plants, factories, and other industrial facilities. The standards are designed to limit the amount of pollution that these sources can emit into the air.

3. Permits: The act requires national and state regulatory agencies to issue permits for new and existing sources of air pollution. These permits set limits on the amount of pollution that a facility can emit into the air.

4. Monitoring and Reporting: The act requires the EPA and other regulatory agencies to monitor the air quality and report the results to the public. This helps to track the progress of efforts to control air pollution and identify areas that need more attention.

5. Enforcement: The act gives the EPA and other regulatory agencies the authority to enforce the emissions standards and other requirements. This includes fines, penalties, and other sanctions for companies that violate the law.

In summary, the Clean Air Act is an important law that protects public health and the environment by reducing air pollution. It sets national standards for the quality of the air we breathe, regulates emissions from various sources, and monitors air quality to identify areas that need improvement. The act has been successful in improving air quality in the United States, but there is still work to be done to ensure that everyone has access to clean air.

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