Air pollution is currently one of the major environmental concerns globally, as billions of people are now exposed to dangerous air. Many cities around the globe, including those in developed countries, are experiencing many health problems due to rising air pollution. The need to eliminate or reduce air pollution made the USA enact the Clean Air Act (CAA) in 1770. CAA is one of the comprehensive federal environmental laws that are aimed at reducing air emissions from stationary facilities such as factories and automobiles. Despite some challenges, CAA has led to positive ecological and socio-economic impact.
The primary objective of CAA is to help the USA achieve national ambient air quality standard to protect public health and public welfare while at the same time regulating the emission of dangerous air pollutants ( Ross, Chmiel & Ferkol, 2012) . The first significant element of CAA to reduce the outdoor concentration of air pollutants that are likely to cause smog, acid rain, and any other problem. The second key element CAA is to significantly lower emission of toxic air that can cause cancer, including any other serious effects. Thirdly, CAA is intended to eliminate the use of chemicals that can damage stratospheric ozone that is associated with global warming.
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The main stakeholders that are affected by CAA are manufactures of automobiles and industrial factories that emit a lot of greenhouse gases (GHG) and other hazardous air pollutants. They are expected to take measures that ensure a significant reduction of the emission of dangerous air pollutants ( Ross, Chmiel & Ferkol, 2012) . Further, according to Ross, Chmiel & Ferkol (2012), t he Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the main federal agency that is tasked with the responsibility of implementing CAA. Specifically, the EPA is required by the Act to formulate and execute National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) that factories and automobile companies must adhere to protect the atmospheric air. At the same time, states' environmental agencies are required to develop state implementation plans (SIPs) that are appropriate and applicable to local industries. The main role of national and state agencies is to ensure attainment of (NAAQS). The requirements of the Act are mainly enforced by the state agencies in collaboration with the EPA.
According to the report that was released by EPA in 2017, CAA has significantly six main types of air pollutant such as carbon monoxide, ozone, lead, and sulfur oxide, and nitrogen oxide. At the same time, the Act has helped in reducing numerous toxic pollutants. The rates of the six air pollutants reduced by about a significant percentage between 1970 and 2015, improving the quality of the environment ( Ross, Chmiel & Ferkol, 2012) . Secondly, the Act has led to a significant improvement in the quality of air. For instance, currently, more than 41 areas that were previously characterized by unhealthy levels of the environment now have healthy air, and they have managed to achieve health-based national air quality standard. Thirdly, airborne lead pollution has significantly declined since the enactment of CAA in 1970 ( Schmidt, 2010) . It is estimated that about 3.5 million people had lead in their blood in 1998 and this number reduced to 250,000 in 2010 ( Schmidt, 2010) . Hence, there has been a significant drop in airborne pollution. Therefore, generally, CAA has had a desirable impact on the environment.
One of the significant economic effects of CAA is the reduction in the cost of healthcare. The report that was released by EPA is 2010 revealed that CAA has helped in saving 160,000 premature deaths, and a significant reduction in other chronic diseases such as heart attacks and respiratory conditions (EPA, 2017). At the same time, has reduced lost workdays by about 13 million. Consequently, due to improved health, USA has experienced significant economic productivity. Secondly, the economic welfare and economic growth have increased substantially due to improved quality of the environment, especially air. Thirdly, the Act has enhanced the technological environment, particularly in the pollution control industry.
Besides, automotive technology has improved due to the Act. Technological improvements have led to rapid economic growth because of an increase in productivity. According to a cost-benefit analysis that was done by Ross, Chmiel & Ferkol (2012), the cost of implementing CAA is estimated to be $800 million while the benefit is expected to be between $120 billion and $280 billion annually. This is an indication that the economic benefits of CAA outweigh the costs, making it an effective environmental Act.
In conclusion, I believe that CAA has been successful in achieving its intended objectives. The primary purpose of the Act is to improve the quality of atmospheric air, and the available evidence proves that it has significantly reduced air pollution. At the same time, CAA has led to positive health and economic impact. Hence, CAA is one of the successful environmental laws in the country. The positive impact associated with the Act is mainly due to improved quality of air. As a result, the environmental and economic benefits of the Act outweigh the cost. Therefore, I would highly recommend the renewal of the Act when its expiry date comes. CAA is one of the effective environmental laws that should continue to exist to improve the quality of air and improve environmental protection.
References
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2017). The Clean Air Act and the Economy . Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/clean-air-act-overview/clean-air-act-and-economy
Ross, K., Chmiel, J. F., & Ferkol, T. (2012). The impact of the clean air act. The Journal of Paediatrics , 161 (5), 781-786.
Schmidt, C. W. (2010). Lead in Air: Adjusting to a new standard. Environmental health perspectives , 118 (2), A76.
