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Overview of the Clean Air Act and Air Pollution

The United States has made great progress since 1970 in cleaning the air, but the job is far from complete. November 15, 1990 marks a milestone in Clean Air Act history, the signing of the 1990 Amendments. These amendments set the stage for protecting the ozone layer, reducing acid rain and toxic pollutants, and improving air quality and visibility.

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 69% between 1970 and 2014.Aggregate emissions of six common pollutants dropped 69% between 1970 and 2014.

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. 

Air Pollution Challenges:

Despite the dramatic progress to date, air pollution continues to threaten Americans’ health and welfare.

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