Reducing Air Pollution Relevant Laws and Prevention Strategies

Clean Air Act U.S. Congress passed the Clean Air Acts in 1970, 1977, and 1990 enforced by states and major cities. Directs the EPA to establish national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for six outdoor criteria pollutants.

Clean Air Act Primary standard—protect human health Secondary standard—prevent environmental and property damage Each standard specifies the maximum allowable level for a pollutant, averaged over a specific period.

SUCCESS!!! For the most part, this act has been very successful with meaningful drops in the six criteria pollutants since its passage. Primary Pollutant Reduction Percentage (2009 EPA report) Lead 78% Carbon Monoxide 68% VOCs 54% Particulate Matter (<10 microns) (<2.5 microns) 31% 8% Sulfur Dioxide 59% Nitrogen Oxide 35% Ground Level Ozone 14% CO2 up by 16%

TRI Law EPA also has established national emission standards for more than 188 hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) that may cause health and ecological effects. Chlorinated hydrocarbons Vocs Toxic metal compounds Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) TRI law passed in 1990 requires 21,500 refineries, power plants, mines, chemical manufacturers, and factories to report their releases and waste management methods for 667 toxic chemicals

FAILURES  Continuing to rely on pollution cleanup rather than prevention. Ban on leaded gasoline attributed to major drop in this pollutant, yet other substances have not been banned. Older coal-burning plants, cement plants, oil refineries, and waste incinerators have not been required to meet the air pollution standards for new facilities under CAAs Congress has not required increase in the fuel-efficiency standards for vehicles.

FAILURES  Inadequate regulation of two-cycle gasoline engines. Lawn mowers, leaf blowers, jet skis, etc. 1-hour ride on a typical jet ski produces the same amount of pollution as the average car does in 1 year. No regulation of airports and oceangoing ships in American ports. Clean Air Acts do not deal with reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Nothing to deal with indoor pollution BETTER ENFORCEMNT (cap and trade)

What can we do? Stationary Source Motor Vehicle Burn low-sulfur coal Remove sulfur from coal Convert coal to a liquid or gaseous fuel Shift to less polluting fuels Disperse emissions above thermal inversion layer Remove pollutants in smokestacks Tax each unit of pollution produced Mass transit Bicycles and walking Less polluting engines Improve fuel efficiency Remove older cars Give tax incentives for buying energy-efficient cars Restrict driving in polluted areas Car exhaust inspections Stricter emission standards

Individuals Matter