Clean Air Act
Clean Air Act
The Clean Air Act (kliːn eər ækt, from the English words "clean", "air", and "act") is a significant piece of legislation in the United States that regulates air emissions from stationary and mobile sources. This law authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) to protect public health and public welfare and to regulate emissions of hazardous air pollutants.
History
The Clean Air Act was first passed in 1963 and was the first federal legislation regarding air pollution control. It established a federal program within the United States Public Health Service and authorized research into techniques for monitoring and controlling air pollution.
In 1970, amendments were made to the Act which required the EPA to develop and enforce regulations to protect the general public from exposure to airborne contaminants. These amendments are sometimes referred to as the Clean Air Act of 1970.
Provisions
The Clean Air Act includes several key provisions, such as the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), State Implementation Plans (SIPs), New Source Performance Standards (NSPS), and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPs).
The Act also includes provisions for addressing acid rain, ozone depletion, and automobile emissions.
Impact
The Clean Air Act has had a significant impact on air quality in the United States. According to the EPA, the reductions in fine particle and ozone pollution prevented more than 160,000 premature deaths, 130,000 heart attacks, and millions of cases of respiratory problems in 2010 alone.
Related Terms
- Air Pollution: The introduction of harmful substances into the air.
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): The agency responsible for enforcing the Clean Air Act.
- National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS): Standards established by the EPA under the Clean Air Act.
- State Implementation Plans (SIPs): Plans required by the Clean Air Act to be developed by states to meet the NAAQS.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Clean Air Act
- Wikipedia's article - Clean Air Act
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