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Clean Air Act

Air Pollution and the Clean Air Act

Main Features
Progress Cleaning the Air & Improving People's Health

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.

chart illustraing progress in amount of air pollution

How the Act Works:
Solving Problems with Science and Technology

The Act calls for states and EPA to solve multiple air pollution problems through programs based on the latest science and technology information. 

Requirements and History

Congress designed the Clean Air Act to combat a variety of air pollution problems, and to tackle emerging pollution threats. <Learn more>

Role of Science and Technology

Under the Clean Air Act, health-based air quality standards are based on the latest science. Emissions standards for sources are based on information about available technologies. <Learn more>

Role of State, Local, Tribal and Federal Governments

The Clean Air Act calls for state, local, tribal and federal governments to work in partnership to clean the air.  <Learn more>

Public Participation

Stakeholders and the public play critical roles in developing standards and implementation of the Clean Air Act. <Learn more>

Flexibility and Accountability

Under the Act, EPA seeks to provide industry with flexibility on ways to control emissions while maintaining accountability for achieving reductions. <Learn more>

Clean Air and the Economy

Over forty years of experience with the Clean Air Act shows that clean air and a healthy economy can go hand in hand. <Learn more>
Air Pollution Challenges:
More to Do

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

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