Reducing acid rain has significantly reduced damage to water quality in lakes and streams, and improved the health of ecosystems and forests.Acid rain, which includes wet and dry deposition of acidic compounds from the atmosphere, results from emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. A national system of marketable pollution allowances has dramatically cut power plant emissions of sulfur dioxide, reducing acid rain as well as secondary formation of fine particle pollution that contributes to premature death.State and local permitting authorities usually administer the pre-construction permit programs that determine how to apply these requirements to facilities.These requirements are applied through pre-construction permitting programs that are administered by state, local, tribal, or EPA permitting authorities, depending on the location.For example, new coal-fired power plants typically install control devices that capture up to 98 percent of the sulfur dioxide and in many cases 90 percent of the nitrogen oxide emissions, relative to uncontrolled levels.In areas that meet air quality standards, new and modified large plants and factories must apply the best available technology considering cost and avoid causing significant degradation of air quality or visibility impairment in national parks.In areas not meeting air quality standards, to avoid making pollution worse, new and modified large plants and factories must meet the lowest achievable emission rate and obtain offsetting emissions reductions from other sources.Public health is protected as economic growth proceeds. This means that as new, cleaner facilities are built, the country's industrial base becomes cleaner overall. The Act requires that when new industrial facilities are designed and built, good pollution control must be part of the design. New power plants and factories use modern pollution control technology. Sulfur in gasoline has been reduced by 90 percent, and sulfur in diesel fuel has been reduced by 99 percent, from pre-regulation levels. cities led to improvements in average life expectancy at birth of approximately seven months. For example, one study found that reductions in fine particle pollution between 19 in U.S. Independent scientific research shows that reductions in air pollution are associated with widespread public health benefits.points in children due to lead exposure, and millions of other cases of health effects. A peer-reviewed 1997 EPA Report to Congress reviewed the benefits of the Act from 1970 to 1990, and concluded that in 1990 alone, pollution reductions under the Act prevented 205,000 early deaths, 10.4 million lost I.Q. The 2011 report did not include the large benefits of the pre-1990 Clean Air Act.Health Effect Reductions (PM2.5 & Ozone Only) This chart shows the health benefits of Clean Air Act programs that reduce levels of fine particles and ozone. State emission control measures to implement the Act, as well as EPA's national emissions standards, have contributed to air quality improvements.īecause of the Act, Americans breathe less pollution and face lower risks of premature death and other serious health effects.Ī peer-reviewed EPA study issued in March 2011 found that the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 are achieving large health benefits that will grow further over time as programs take full effect. The Act has prompted deployment of clean technologies, and has helped provide impetus for technology innovations that reduce emissions and control costs. The scenic vistas in our national parks are clearer due to reductions in pollution-caused haze.ĮPA has taken initial steps to limit emissions that cause climate change and ocean acidification. Mobile and industrial pollution sources release much less toxic pollution to the air than in 1990.Īctions to protect the ozone layer are saving millions of people from skin cancers and cataracts. Interstate air pollution has been reduced. Power plants have cut emissions that cause acid rain and harm public health. New plants and factories install modern pollution control technology. New cars, trucks, and nonroad engines use state-of-the-art emission control technologies. The value of Clean Air Act health benefits far exceeds the costs of reducing pollution. economy has grown.Īmericans breathe less pollution and face lower risks of premature death and other serious health effects.Įnvironmental damage from air pollution is reduced. History of Reducing Air Pollution from Transportation in the United Statesįor more than forty-five years the Clean Air Act has cut pollution as the U.S.Impact of Five Major Rules for Vehicles and Engines Progress Reports on Market-Based Air Programs for Power Plants and Industry
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