Laws Flashcards
Remediation
Remediation: The removal of pollutants from a contaminated area.
Mitigation
Mitigation: Actions taken to reduce the severity of environmental damage, often offsetting harm through alternative measures such as habitat creation or pollution reduction
Reclamation
Reclamation: The process of rehabilitating disturbed land, often after mining or industrial use, to make it suitable for other purposes such as agriculture or wildlife habitat
Delaney Clause (Do not add C____)
Delaney Clause - A provision of the 1958 Food Additives Amendment to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act that prohibits the approval of any food additive found to cause cancer in humans or animals.
(Do not add CANCER)
Clean Air Act (CAA)
Regulates air emissions from stationary and mobile sources to protect public health and the environment.
Establishes National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for pollutants harmful to human health.
What are the 6 provisions of the Clean Air Act
Major Provisions:
Set emissions standards for industries and vehicles.
Required states to implement State Implementation Plans (SIPs).
Established the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
Allowed the EPA to regulate hazardous air pollutants (HAPs).
Created programs to reduce acid rain, ozone depletion, and air toxics.
Introduced the cap-and-trade program for sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emissions to combat acid rain.
What are the 6 Pollutants Monitored by the CAA (Criteria Air Pollutants)?
6 Pollutants Monitored by the CAA (Criteria Air Pollutants):
Carbon monoxide (CO)
Sulfur dioxide (SO₂)
Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂)
Ozone (O₃)
Particulate matter (PM10 & PM2.5)
Lead (Pb)
1970 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
1970 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)-
Requires federal agencies to assess the environmental impact of their projects before proceeding.
What are the 1970 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 2 major provisions?
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS): A report that evaluates potential environmental effects of major federal projects before approval.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (1970): Created under NEPA to enforce environmental regulations and monitor pollution.
1972 Clean Water Act (CWA)
1972 Clean Water Act (CWA)
Aims to restore and maintain the integrity of the nation’s waters by preventing pollution, supporting wastewater treatment, and protecting wetlands.
Requires permits for discharging pollutants into navigable waters.
1973 Endangered Species Act (ESA)
1973 Endangered Species Act (ESA)
Protects species at risk of extinction and their habitats.
Prohibits harm, trade, or destruction of critical habitats for listed endangered and threatened species.
1973 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES)
1973 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES)
An international treaty that regulates the global trade of endangered species to prevent their exploitation.
Divides species into three levels of protection based on their risk of extinction.
Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) (1974)
Ensures safe drinking water for the public by setting health-based standards for contaminants in water.
Regulates public water systems and protects groundwater from pollution.
Enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
1976 Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
976 Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
Governs the disposal of solid and hazardous waste.
Requires “cradle-to-grave” tracking of hazardous waste from creation to disposal.
Sets standards for landfills and underground storage tanks to prevent contamination.
1980 Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) (Superfund Act)
Created a fund to clean up hazardous waste sites and respond to environmental disasters.
Holds responsible parties accountable for contamination.
Established the National Priorities List (NPL) for the worst polluted sites.
1987 Montreal Protocol
1987 Montreal Protocol
An international treaty designed to phase out the production and use of substances that deplete the ozone layer, such as CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons).
One of the most successful global environmental agreements.
1997 Kyoto Protocol
1997 Kyoto Protocol
An international agreement aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions to combat climate change.
Set legally binding targets for industrialized nations to lower their emissions of CO₂, methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O).
The U.S. did not ratify the treaty.
National Emission Standards (NESHAPs)
National Emission Standards (NESHAPs)
Regulations under the Clean Air Act (CAA) that limit emissions of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) from industrial sources.
Targets pollutants like mercury, asbestos, benzene, and radioactive materials.
Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) (1970)
Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) (1970)
Ensures workplace safety by setting health standards and regulations for employees.
Overseen by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Requires businesses to provide protective equipment, proper training, and a safe working environment.
