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Clean Air Act

Definition

The Clean Air Act is a federal law passed in 1970 that aims to regulate air pollution in the United States. It sets standards for air quality, establishes emissions limits for specific pollutants, and gives the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the authority to enforce these regulations.

Analogy

Think of the Clean Air Act as a traffic cop who regulates the flow of vehicles on a busy road. Just like how the cop sets rules and enforces them to ensure smooth traffic movement, the Clean Air Act sets guidelines and empowers the EPA to enforce them for cleaner air.

Related terms

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): This is a federal agency responsible for protecting human health and the environment by enforcing environmental laws and regulations.

Air Quality Standards: These are guidelines established by the EPA that define acceptable levels of certain pollutants in outdoor air to protect public health.

Pollutants: Substances or particles released into the atmosphere through human activities that can harm living organisms or damage natural resources.