The basic framework of the law and its public health objective have remained intact. The enactment of the clean air act of 1970 1970 caa resulted in a major shift in the federal governments role in air pollution control. For the 1970 amendments moved environmental protection concerns to a prominent position on capitol hill, where they by. The 1970 amendments established the procedures under which epa sets national standards for ambient air quality, required a 90% reduction in. Many credit the literary works of henry david thoreau or teddy roosevelts patronage of national parks as the roots of the green movement in the us. History and structure of the clean air act theodore l. To implement the strict new clean air act of 1970, during his first term as epa administrator william ruckelshaus spent 60% of his time on the. Air quality, infant mortality, and the clean air act of 1970 abstract we examine the effects of total suspended particulates tsps air pollution on infant health using the air quality improvements induced by the 1970 clean air act amendments caaa. The clean air act of 1970 and adult mortality springerlink. On november 15, 1990, president bush signed into law the clean air act amendments of 1990, the first comprehensive changes to the act in years. Due to inconsistencies among state air programs, uncertainties in the scientific bases for the various criteria, and the jurisdictional obstacles to resolving regional and transboundary air quality concerns, congress strengthened the federal role in air pollution control in the clean air act of 1970. Clean air act of 1963, 1970 and 1990 definition and summary of the clean air act summary and definition. May 5, 2003 kenneth chay, ucberkeley and nber, carlos dobkin, ucberkeley ph. In 1955, states received some federal assistance under the.
Previous research has established an association between air pollution and adult mortality. Evolution of the clean air act overview of the clean air. History of air pollution control until 1970, air pollution was under the regulation of the individual states. Clean air act united states house of representatives. It was followed eight years later by legislation to control air pollution. The clean air act of 1970 and adult mortality kenneth chay, carlos dobkin and michael greenstone this version. Congress first funded research on automobile air pollution control. The government credits the clean air act with significant reductions in air pollutants. D if, after the date of the enactment of the clean air act amendments of 1990, the administrator modifies the method of determining compliance with the national primary ambient air quality standard, a design value or other indicator comparable to 0. The first 20 years of the clean air act programs from 1970 to 1990 resulted in.
The clean air act of 1970 has reduced air pollution by 62 percent, and americans are living healthier, longer lives. The primary goal of the clean air act is ensuring public health, but the act has a secondary effect of improving the environment by regulating the production of some greenhouse gases. Over a million stunning new images at your fingertips. In 1990, congress dramatically revised and expanded. Nov 28, 2012 if youre referring to the clean air act passed in the u. Air quality, infant mortality, and the clean air act of 1970 kenneth y. A summary of the act and its major requirements pdf.
The clean air act, like other laws enacted by congress, was incorporated into the united states code as title 42, chapter 85. To strengthen this automakers argument, we need to find the answer choice that shows that meeting the standards will be more burdensome now than it was in 1970. Benefits and costs of the clean air act, 1970 to 1990 study. The house of representatives maintains a current version of the u. The 1970 clean air act required states to develop state implementation plans for how they would meet new national ambient air quality standards by 1977. Regulations about local authority functions under sections 34, 35 and 36.
But it was the clean air act of 1970 that for the first time granted real power to the federal government instead of the states. Epas prospective study of the clean air act focuses on the effects of the 1990 clean air act amendments from 1990 through 2010 by estimating the incremental benefits of the 1990 amendments. An act to amend the clean air act to provide for a more effective program to improve the quality of the nations air. In principle, it was a law that would show excellent results. A history of the clean air act and environmental protection agency 2, 3 key federal legislation related to clean air is summarized below table i.
This act may be cited as the clean air act of 1963. The clean air act of 1970 represented a major shift in federal government responsibility for limiting the exposure of u. Clean air act of 1970 policy the clean air actcaa was passed in 1970 and sets laws that regulate the air emissions from stationary and mobile sources. November 15, 1990 marks a milestone in clean air act history, the signing of the 1990 amendments. Civil penalties for violations that occur prior to such date and do not continue after such date shall be assessed in accordance with the provisions of the clean air act 42 u. This act gives the epa the authority to regulate how much pollutants can enter the air in any state in the us congressional. It required that emissions from new automobiles be reduced by 90% during the period from 1971. Because many states fail to meet mandated targets, the first set of clean air act amendments is adopted.
Further, the environmental protection agency says the act has led to measurable health benefits. The plain english guide to the clean air act pdf epa. The impact of the clean air act pubmed central pmc. Pdf the major provisions of the clean air act of 1970 were summarized and their implementations discussed. Its a big job, and although a great deal of progress has been made, it will take time to make the air healthy throughout the country. The benefits and costs of the clean air act, 1970 to 1990. The united states has made great progress since 1970 in cleaning the air, but the job is far from complete. The obvious counterpoint would be that they were able to use new technology to respond to the restrictions then, so why not now. Clean air act text overview of the clean air act and air. Economics of education program, health care program, health economics program, public economics program, environment and energy program we examine the effects of total suspended particulates tsps air pollution on infant health. Diy brick rocket stove cooking without power duration. The donora smog disaster and the clean air act of 1970. Its success or failure has obvious consequences for the quality of the air we breathe. In 1990, congress dramatically revised and expanded the clean air act, providing epa even broader authority to implement and enforce regulations reducing air placed an increased emphasis on more costeffective approaches to reduce air pollution.
May 24, 2012 the donora smog disaster and the clean air act of 1970. The federal clean air act california air resources board ca. Clean air act clean air act 1972 1990 control air pollution. This was the federal governments first active role in clean air policy. However, studies utilizing shortterm fluctuations in pollution may detect mortality changes among the already ill or dying, while prospective cohort studies, which utilize geographic differences in longrun pollution levels, may suffer from severe omitted variables bias. Basics of the clean air act eli summer school, 2018 duration. If youre referring to the clean air act passed in the u. Clean air act 10 impacts red, green, and blue says. The first legislation involving air pollution was enacted in 1955, and authorized funds for air pollution research. Overall, the estimates imply that at least 1,300 fewer infants died from 197172 than would have in the absence of the clean air act regulations. Howard baker center for public policy 28,956 views. Since the clean air act was passed in 1970, why is the air.
In these provisions, the phrases prior to enactment of this act and as amended by this act refer to enactment of the clean air act amendments of 1. Nrdc legislative facts the clean air act is a genuine american success story and one of the most effective tools in u. This legislation authorized the development of comprehensive federal and state regulations to limit emissions from both stationary industrial sources and mobile sources. Act, giving the federal government authority to clean up air.
For the 1970 amendments moved environmental protection concerns to a prominent position on capitol hill, where they by and large have remained ever since. Boost engagement with internal communication videos. Benefits and costs of the clean air act, 1970 to 1990 study design and summary of results. The evidence supports the conclusion that air pollution has a causal effect on infant health and that the 1970 clean air act provided significant health benefits. Code, which includes clean air act changes enacted since 1990.
The 1963 clean air act was amended in 1970 and 1990 and the law therefore consists of three sets of federal programs to establish air quality goals and to impose pollution control. The epa has allowed the individual states to elect. Oct 04, 2016 i believe that congress enactment of the 1970 amendments to the clean air act a few months later was an equally significant landmark. The clean air acts economic benefits past, present and future. The law was amended in 1977 and again in 1990 to extend deadlines but also to specify new strategies for cleaning up the air. With the 1990 clean air act amendments, congress revised the epas hazardous air pollutant program to a technologybased regulatory system.
In 1955, states received some federal assistance under the air pollution control act. The direct costs of implementing the clean air act from 1970 to 1990, including. Section 112 of the clean air act addresses emissions of hazardous air pollutants. The federal clean air act fcaa is the federal law passed in 1970, and last. Under the clean air act of 1970 and 1977, the epa set emissions limits for seven hazardous pollutantsberyllium, mercury, vinyl chloride, asbestos, benzene, radionuclides, and arsenic. Jun 29, 2010 basics of the clean air act eli summer school, 2018 duration. Concern about automobile pollutants dates back to the mid1950s, when the u. I believe that congress enactment of the 1970 amendments to the clean air act a few months later was an equally significant landmark. Airquality,infantmortauty,andthecleanairactof1970 abstract weexaminetheeffectsoftotalsuspendedparticulatestspsairpollutiononinfanthealthusing. Chay and michael greenstone august 2003 we thank david card, doug almond, josh.
Although the 1990 clean air act is a federal law covering the entire country, the states do much of the work to carry out the act. The clean air act is a federal law written to cover the regulation of air pollution in the united states both fixed sources such as coal power plants and moving sources like automobiles. Overview of the clean air act and air pollution us epa. A summary of the act and its major requirements congressional research service summary this report summarizes the clean air act and its major regulatory requirements. Americans are breathing easier and living healthier lives since the clean air act was enacted in 1970. Provision by local authorities of information for secretary of state. Clean air act 1972, 1990 control air pollution on a natural level air quality act of 1967 and earth day in 1970 chapter 186 laws and regulations can reduce outdoor air pollution safe drinking water act 1974 sets standards for drinking water quality many americans did not have safe drinking water chapter 203 using laws to protect drinking. Then in the 1960s, congress enacted a federal program authorizing the secretary of health, education and welfare to establish motor vehicle standards to reduce tailpipe emissions. The clean air act at 40 a clear track record of success. Benefits and costs of the clean air act, 1970 to 1990.
The act was updated in 1977 and dramatically in 1990. Clean air act house office of the legislative counsel. The principal statute addressing air quality concerns, the clean air act was first enacted in 1955, with major revisions in 1970, 1977, and 1990. Clean air act as of february 2004 clean air act pdf. The amendments in 1970 were an entirely rewritten version of the original clean air act. Clean air act of 1970 policy the clean air act caa was passed in 1970 and sets laws that regulate the air emissions from stationary and mobile sources. The major provisions of the clean air act of 1970 were summarized and their implementations discussed. Air quality, infant mortality, and the clean air act of 1970.
What are some pros and cons for the clean air act of 1970. The act and its federal bully pulpit led to the expanded influence or in some cases the creation of local agencies such as the california air resources board to administer the clean air act. Congress passed the core provisions of the clean air act in 1970. A recent epa analysis of the clean air act amendments of 1990 caaa found that the benefits from caaa regulation far outweigh the costs by a factor of 30 to 1 with highbenefit estimates exceeding costs 90 to 1 the benefits and costs of the clean air act, 1990 to 2020. Under section 812 of the 1990 clean air act, the epa is required to design and implement each study with the cooperation of the departments of labor and commerce, in addition to a panel of outside experts, and to issue periodic reports such as benefits and costs of the clean air act, 1970 to 1990. Pdf enforcing the clean air act of 1970 researchgate. Clean air act of 1963, 1970 and 1990 american historama. Prior to 1990, caa established a riskbased program under which only a few standards were developed. This report will be updated at the end of each congress, or sooner if congress enacts a law that substantively changes the statute. The actwhich underwent major revisions in 1990 and 2003deals with ambient air. The report estimates the benefits and costs of historical air pollution control programs under the clean air act by comparing the differences between two scenarios.
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