EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -To protect public health and welfare nationwide, the CAA requires EPA to establish National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for six common air pollutants also known as “criteria” air pollutants. The pollutants are particulate matter, ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and lead.

Detailed explanation-2: -The Clean Air Act gives the Environmental Protection Agency the necessary tools to protect our families from a number of harmful pollutants that can cause asthma and lung disease – especially in children. Weakening these standards would allow more pollution in the air we breathe and threaten our children’s health.

Detailed explanation-3: -The term “air pollutant” means any air pollution agent or combination of such agents, including any physical, chemical, biological, radioactive (including source material, special nuclear material, and byproduct material) substance or matter which is emitted into or otherwise enters the ambient air.