Recognizing the 25th Anniversary of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments
By Janet McCabe
November 15 marked the 25th anniversary of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. A lot can change over a quarter of a century, and air quality is a good example. Our nation can be proud that we have improved our air quality dramatically during the last 25 years. This success is due to the combined efforts of state, local, tribal and federal government, regulated industries and businesses, environmental and citizen groups, and scientists and technological innovators.
In 1990, prominent environmental issues like acid rain and ozone layer depletion were frequently in the headlines. Forests, lakes and the creatures that depend on them were dying because of acid rain, and the depletion of the ozone layer was a global problem that seemed almost too big to fix. Thanks to the Clean Air Act and a lot of innovation and commitment, there has been great progress. Power plants have cut sulfur dioxide emissions from power plants dramatically, reducing acid rain and ecosystem damage, with tremendous public health benefits from cleaner air. At the same time, we have phased out the most damaging ozone-depleting substances, and the ozone layer is making a gradual recovery. Over a period of decades, this will save millions of lives by avoiding skin cancers caused by dangerous ultraviolet radiation, while also preventing hundreds of millions of cases of eye cataracts.
In 1990, many more Americans were breathing unhealthy air compared to today. For example, as Congress deliberated on the 1990 amendments, there were 41 areas of the country, home to 30 million people, with unhealthy levels of carbon monoxide (CO) pollution, which is linked to heart attack risks and other health effects. Today, there are none — all of the areas that were identified in the 1990s as having unhealthy levels of CO now meet our health-based air quality standards. Additionally, since 1990, particle pollution and ground-level ozone smog, which are associated with premature death and other serious health effects, are down by 36 percent and 23 percent respectively. As a result, millions of Americans are breathing cleaner, healthier air. And today, thanks to the AirNow program, people can get daily updates on air quality forecasts in their area; there is even an app for it.
The cars that we drove to the movie theater to see “Home Alone” (which was released 25 years ago this week) are a lot different than cars being sold today. Not only did they lack backup cameras and Bluetooth connectivity, they were a lot dirtier. Thanks to the Clean Air Act amendments almost all vehicles and engines – including passenger cars, trucks, locomotives, ships, and engines used in construction, industrial, farm and recreational equipment – have become significantly cleaner through improved performance standards. You couldn’t buy an electric or hybrid in 1990; today there are dozens of models to choose from. Cleaner fuels and vehicle emission control technologies have had a dramatic impact in cutting particle pollution and smog, especially in urban areas, cut our oil use and save money.
The scenic vistas in our national parks and wilderness areas are clearer due to reductions in pollution-caused haze. Clean Air Act programs have cut pollution over broad regions, and further visibility improvements are taking place through state regional haze plans mandated by the 1990 amendments that are now in place for virtually all the states. Toxic pollutants were another focus of the 1990 amendments. Since 1990, as a result of toxic emissions standards for industrial facilities, there are about 1.5 million fewer tons of toxic air pollution released each year, as well as large reductions due to vehicle and fuels standards. This trend will continue as we implement newer programs like our Mercury and Air Toxics Standards and the Tier 3 Vehicle and Fuel Standards to further reduce toxic pollution.
As we work to reduce today’s health and environmental risks from air pollution, including risks from climate change and other major environmental issues, it is encouraging to look back and see how far we have come. I imagine that our 1990 selves would be impressed by the internet, smartphones and electric vehicles. I hope that 25 years from now an EPA official will write a blog post – or whatever they write in 2040 – to commemorate how much more progress has been made. As Congress overwhelmingly agreed in 1990, clean air is a public health issue, not a political one. We all deserve to breathe clean air and to live in a safe environment.
For more information on progress cleaning the air, remaining air pollution and climate protection challenges, and the Clean Air Act, see the EPA’s CAA Overview web site.
Nov 19, 2015 @ 22:34:17
As a fervent supporter of the EPA’s policies, I personally find it very satisfying to read about the myriad benefits born by the agency’s ability to enact meaningful change, particular through it’s ability to enforce regulations authorized by the Clean Air Act and its amendments. the ecological benefits reaped specifically from the legislation’s amendments that are mentioned in this post are astounding, and serve to attenuate the arguments of EPA opponents: in 1990 there were 41 areas in the United States, comprising about 30 million people, with unhealthy levels of carbon monoxide pollution. Now there are none. All of our engine powered automotives have become extensively more eco-friendly and efficient as well. Ultimately, thanks to the amendments to the Clean Air Act, there are now 1.5 million less pollutants released annually than there were in 1990. Like the post mentions there is more work to be done, and more progress will be made, “as we implement newer programs like our Mercury and Air Toxics Standards and the Tier 3 Vehicle and Fuel Standards to further reduce toxic pollution.” I look forward to reading about this progress in future blog posts to come.
Nov 19, 2015 @ 23:57:59
As a fervent believer in the EPA’s policies, I find it satisfying to read about the myriad benefits borne by the regulations enforced as a result of the Clean Air Amendments of 1990. The laundry list of accomplishments mentioned in this blog post serves to attenuate the arguments of opponents to EPA actions, and has bolstered my belief that the agency is doing work that is protecting the environment and the American people’s health: in 1990, there were 41 areas comprising 30 million people that were subjected to unhealthy levels of carbon monoxide pollution. Today, all of those areas have been deemed to have safe levels of carbon monoxide; since 1990, all of our engine run auto-motives have become substantially more Eco-friendly and efficient, thanks to efficient fuel standards. Ultimately, as a result of the regulations stemming from the 1990 amendments to the Clean Air Act, there are now 1.5 million fewer tons of pollutants emitted every year than there were in 1990. Despite this progress, there is still much work that needs to be done, and that will be done, as- as the blog notes- “we implement newer programs like our Mercury and Air Toxics Standards and the Tier 3 Vehicle and Fuel Standards to further reduce toxic pollution.”. I look forward to reading about this continued progress in future blog posts to come.
Nov 21, 2015 @ 09:27:08
oh nice
Dec 04, 2015 @ 12:30:01
Thankfully, the 1990 clean air act has virtually eliminated US-based acid rain which was THE environmental bugaboo back in the late 80s/early 90s. Just goes to show you that sound, science-based legislation works.
Dec 06, 2015 @ 12:54:49
Thanks For share this nice Thanks one. very help ful.