Overview of the Clean Air Act and Air Pollution
Progress Cleaning the Air:
Actions to implement the Clean Air Act have achieved dramatic reductions in air pollution, preventing hundreds of thousands of cases of serious health effects each year.
Aggregate emissions of six common pollutants dropped 73% between 1970 and 2017.
How the Act Works:
The Act calls for states and EPA to solve multiple air pollution problems through programs based on the latest science and technology information.
- Requirements and History
Congress designed the Clean Air Act to combat a variety of air pollution problems, and to tackle emerging pollution threats. <Learn more about CAA requirements and history>
- Role of Science and Technology
Under the Clean Air Act, health-based air quality standards are based on the latest science. Emissions standards for sources are based on information about available technologies. <Learn more about solving problems with science and technology>
- Role of State, Local, Tribal and Federal Governments
The Clean Air Act calls for state, local, tribal and federal governments to work in partnership to clean the air. <Learn more about the partnership among governments>
- Public Participation
Stakeholders and the public play critical roles in developing standards and implementation of the Clean Air Act. <Learn more about developing programs through dialogue>
- Flexibility and Accountability
Under the Act, EPA seeks to provide industry with flexibility on ways to control emissions while maintaining accountability for achieving reductions. <Learn more about building flexibility and accountability into CAA programs>
- Clean Air and the Economy
Over forty years of experience with the Clean Air Act shows that clean air and a healthy economy can go hand in hand. <Learn more about clean air the economy>
Air Pollution Challenges:
Despite the dramatic progress to date, air pollution continues to threaten Americans’ health and welfare.
