Key Issues > Air Quality
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Air Quality

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that more than 100 million people live in counties where one or more air quality standards––usually for ozone or particulate matter––was exceeded.

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Under the Clean Air Act, the Environmental Protection Agency seeks to protect and enhance the quality of the nation’s air, and protect Americans from the harmful effects of air pollution. EPA sets air quality standards for six key air pollutants that have been linked to a variety of adverse health effects, such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, decreased lung function, and premature death in individuals with other health problems. EPA also implements numerous programs to limit emissions of the six key air pollutants, as well as toxic chemicals and greenhouse gases, from a variety of stationary sources such as power plants, and mobile sources, such as motor vehicles.

Looking for our recommendations? Click on any report to find each associated recommendation and its current implementation status.
Air Pollution: EPA Needs Better Information on New Source Review Permits
http://gao.gov/products/GAO-12-590

GAO-12-590: Published: Jun 22, 2012. Publicly Released: Jul 23, 2012.
Air Emissions and Electricity Generation at U.S. Power Plants
http://gao.gov/products/GAO-12-545R

GAO-12-545R: Published: Apr 18, 2012. Publicly Released: May 18, 2012.
Diesel Pollution: Fragmented Federal Programs That Reduce Mobile Source Emissions Could Be Improved
http://gao.gov/products/GAO-12-261

GAO-12-261: Published: Feb 7, 2012. Publicly Released: Feb 7, 2012.
Air Quality: Information on Tall Smokestacks and Their Contribution to Interstate Transport of Air Pollution
http://gao.gov/products/GAO-11-473

GAO-11-473: Published: May 11, 2011. Publicly Released: Jun 10, 2011.

More Reports

Environmental Protection: Status of GAO Recommendations to EPA
http://gao.gov/products/GAO-16-722T

GAO-16-722T: Published: Jun 14, 2016. Publicly Released: Jun 14, 2016.
Climate Change: HHS Could Take Further Steps to Enhance Understanding of Public Health Risks
http://gao.gov/products/GAO-16-122

GAO-16-122: Published: Oct 5, 2015. Publicly Released: Nov 3, 2015.
Capitol Power Plant: Architect of the Capitol Should Update Its Long-term Energy Plan before Committing to Major Energy Projects
http://gao.gov/products/GAO-15-436

GAO-15-436: Published: Sep 3, 2015. Publicly Released: Sep 3, 2015.
Environmental Litigation: Information on Cases against EPA and FWS and on Deadline Suits on EPA Rulemaking
http://gao.gov/products/GAO-15-803T

GAO-15-803T: Published: Aug 4, 2015. Publicly Released: Aug 4, 2015.
Technology Assessment: Nuclear Reactors: Status and Challenges in Development and Deployment of New Commercial Concepts
http://gao.gov/products/GAO-15-652

GAO-15-652: Published: Jul 28, 2015. Publicly Released: Jul 28, 2015.
EPA's Science Advisory Board: Improved Procedures Needed to Process Congressional Requests for Scientific Advice
http://gao.gov/products/GAO-15-500

GAO-15-500: Published: Jun 4, 2015. Publicly Released: Jun 4, 2015.
EPA Science Advisory Panels: Preliminary Observations on the Processes for Providing Scientific Advice
http://gao.gov/products/GAO-15-636T

GAO-15-636T: Published: May 20, 2015. Publicly Released: May 20, 2015.
Environmental Litigation: Impact of Deadline Suits on EPA's Rulemaking Is Limited
http://gao.gov/products/GAO-15-34

GAO-15-34: Published: Dec 15, 2014. Publicly Released: Jan 14, 2015.
EPA Regulations and Electricity: Update on Agencies' Monitoring Efforts and Coal-Fueled Generating Unit Retirements
http://gao.gov/products/GAO-14-672

GAO-14-672: Published: Aug 15, 2014. Publicly Released: Sep 15, 2014.
Environmental Regulation: EPA Should Improve Adherence to Guidance for Selected Elements of Regulatory Impact Analyses
http://gao.gov/products/GAO-14-519

GAO-14-519: Published: Jul 18, 2014. Publicly Released: Aug 11, 2014.
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  • portrait of Alfredo Gomez
    • Alfredo Gomez
    • Director, Natural Resources and Environment
    • gomezj@gao.gov
    • 202-512-3841