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 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

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

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

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

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

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”

And Acid Rain? 1990 Amendments Caps/Limits on NOx and SOx emissions 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

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

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.

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