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The Clean Air Act

The Clean Air Act. History of Air Pollution. 1948 – 5 day Killer fog in Donora, PA killed 20 people and made 6000 sick 1952 – 3000 people were killed from London’s “Killer Fog” 1963 – Original Clean Air Act was passed – but did not have the authority to enforce regulations or enact change

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The Clean Air Act

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  1. The Clean Air Act

  2. History of Air Pollution • 1948 – 5 day Killer fog in Donora, PA killed 20 people and made 6000 sick • 1952 – 3000 people were killed from London’s “Killer Fog” • 1963 – Original Clean Air Act was passed – but did not have the authority to enforce regulations or enact change • 1970 – Clean Air Act (as we know it) was passes and the EPA was born – primarily to enforce the CAA • 1990 – Clean Air Act was revised and expanded to give the EPA more authority to implement and enforce regulation

  3. Goals of the CAA • To reduce pollutants that cause smog, haze, acid rain • To reduce toxic pollution emissions that can cause cancer and other serious health effects • To phase out production and use of chemicals that destroy stratospheric ozone

  4. Focus on 6 Common Air Pollutants • Particulate Matter (AKA particle pollution) • Ground Level Ozone- O3 • Carbon Monoxide- CO • Sulfur Oxides (SO2) • Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) • Lead- Pb

  5. What does the EPA do? • Set limits to certain air pollutants anywhere in the US • Set limits to emissions from Chemical Plants, steel mills and utilities • Approve State/Local plans for air pollution control and clean-up • Provides research, experts, engineering designs and funding to develop plans

  6. Who carries out the work? • State and Local Governments carry out the regulations set by the EPA • Develop solutions for pollution problems • Monitor air quality, inspect facilities and enforce regulations • Develop State Implementation Plans (SIP) to control or clean up air pollution • State regulations can be stricter than EPA guidelines – but not less strict

  7. What about cars? • CAA lead to… • the elimination of lead in gasoline • Stricter regulations on tailpipe emissions • Lower sulfur fuels being used • Reformulated Gas used in many areas that are above regulation levels – reduces toxins from gas like Benzene • Stipulates that transportation projects can not receive federal funding unless it is aligned with state standards • 1990 – Inspection and Maintenance Programs in areas that are above safety standards – “Check Engine Light”

  8. And Acid Rain? • 1990 Amendments • Caps/Limits on NOx and SOxemissions • Power plants may purchase “allowances” to pollute • Can not exceed allowances – must take steps to reduce emissions • Power plants my sell unused allowances • Install monitoring systems for all industries purchasing allowances • Monetary Penalties for going over the limit

  9. The Clean Air Act has a proven record of progress dating back to 1970. According to a 1997 EPA Report to Congress, the first 20 years of Clean Air Act programs, from 1970 - 1990, led to the prevention in the year 1990 of: • 205,000 premature deaths • 672,000 cases of chronic bronchitis • 21,000 cases of heart disease • 843,000 asthma attacks • 189,000 cardiovascular hospitalizations • 10.4 million lost I.Q. points in children - from lead reductions • 18 million child respiratory illnesses

  10. Since 1970 • the six commonly found air pollutants have decreased by more than 50 percent • air toxics from large industrial sources, such as chemical plants, petroleum refineries, and paper mills have been reduced by nearly 70 percent • new cars are more than 90 percent cleaner and will be even cleaner in the future, • production of most ozone-depleting chemicals has ceased.

  11. Technological Innovation that came from the CAA • Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) and ultra-low NOx burners for NOx emissions; • Scrubbers which achieve 95% and even greater SO2 control on boilers; • Sophisticated new valve seals and leak detection equipment for refineries and chemical plans; • Low or zero VOC paints, • consumer products and cleaning processes; • Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) free air conditioners, refrigerators, and solvents; • Water and powder-based coatings to replace petroleum-based formulations; • Vehicles far cleaner than believed possible in the late 1980s due to improvements in evaporative controls, • catalyst design and fuel control systems for light-duty vehicles; and treatment devices and retrofit technologies for heavy-duty engines; • Idle-reduction technologies for engines, including truck stop electrification efforts; • Market penetration of gas-electric hybrid vehicles, and clean fuels

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