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Clean Air Act

Definition

The Clean Air Act is a federal law in the United States that aims to control air pollution and improve air quality. It sets standards for emissions from industries, vehicles, and other sources, and establishes programs to reduce pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter.

Analogy

Think of the Clean Air Act as a giant vacuum cleaner for the atmosphere. It sucks up all the harmful pollutants in the air and leaves behind clean, fresh air for us to breathe.

Related terms

Acid Rain Program: A program under the Clean Air Act that regulates emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from power plants to reduce acid rain.

National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS): Standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Clean Air Act to protect public health by limiting levels of common air pollutants.

Mobile Source Emissions: Emissions from vehicles such as cars, trucks, buses, and motorcycles. The Clean Air Act includes regulations to control these emissions and promote cleaner transportation options.