Alr Pollutant in the United States

Alr Pollutant in Environmental Law

Any type of substance or matter that en ters the ambient air. Ambient air means open air, so air within a confined area, such as a building, is not included. The Clean Air Act (CAA) regulates air pollution, which it defines to include biological, radioactive, physical, or chemical agents within its definition of pollutants. In addition to specifying the pollutants, the Clean Air Act and its regulations tackle sources of the problem.

For example, air quality control districts were set up under the CAA, and air quality limits were set for substances called criteria pollutants: sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide [see nitrogen oxides], ozone, lead, and small particulate matter, designated PM10. The methods of reducing the pollutants involved state implementation plans and preconstruction permits for new major stationary sources and major modifications of existing sources. The new integrated permit program provided under the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 will also include operating permits.

Air toxics [see hazardous air pollutants] are covered under a different section of the Clean Air Act; mobile source emissions fall under a new section of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, as do the constituents of acid deposition [see acid rain]. See also air permits; mobile sources; Prevention of Significant Deterioration; state implementation plans; visibility.
Based on “Environment and the Law. A Dictionary”.