Test 2 Flashcards
Why the Clean Air Act
to protect our air to promote public health and welfare
What pollutants are included in the NAAQS
- sulfur dioxide
- nitrogen oxides
- particulates
- carbon monoxide
- ozone
- lead
What criteria must pollutants meet to be included in the NAAQS
Things emitted from a mobile or stationary source and may be reasonably anticipated to endanger public health
What policy decisions play a role in setting the standards for the NAAQS
the establishment of uniform national ambient standards necessary to protect public health within an adequate margin of safety
Who do the standards for the NAAQS create obligations for
each state is responsible for air quality standards within its borders
explain what factors are considered when determining the allowable amount of air pollution emitted from a stationary source and why
if existing source, technology based within a reasonable available control, stiffer if deadlines are missed if new (as soon as you modify you become new) strictest technology based emission limits based on the best of the best
explain how HAPs differ fro the criteria pollutants regulated by the NAAQs
HAPs is a more precautionary list. basically anything that MAY be harmful. it can change over time and EPA can +/- pollutants if conditions are met (subtract only if data says not reasonably anticipated to cause adverse effects)
explain how cap and trade programs, particularly the acid rain program can limit pollution over time
?
Explain the difference between a technology-based and a risk/health based standard
tech based is what can tech do economically and efficiently,
health based is what will keep us healthy.
sometimes you need to reign tech back and sometimes you have to push tech forward
explain the key concepts and problems in air pollution control
uniform national standards, stationary versus mobile sources, cross border pollution, ambient vs emission, health vs technology, non-attainment
ambient vs emission (effluent) standards
ambient- how many pollutants an area can have in it (public/state)
emission- regulation of specific pollutants ie factory smoke (individual)
uniform national standards
some rules for everyone across the united states
non-attainment
not achieving standards, must make a goal to get back in attainment
Discuss the difference in regulation between stationary sources and mobile sources (who regulates it and how)
stationary doesn’t move like a factory
mobile is anything that moves likes cars
describe the broad legislative goal of the clean water act
water quality that provides protection and propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and recreation in and on the water
what is discharge
chemicals, heat, sand, anything that can negatively impact the wildlife
what is a point source
a specific location that a pollutant can be tracked to
What is a pollutant
anything that negatively impacts the wildlife/waters
what is a wetland (public interest)
ecosystem services, act as a filter
- things in filter aren’t anywhere else
- lots of specific species
- drinking water (surface water)
- recreation
who does the NPDES create obligations for
industrial point sources
through what agency(ies) is the NPDES administered
EPA
explain the difference between conventional pollutants and toxic pollutants
conventional are biological and natural such as oxygen, suspended solids, fecal coliform, pH
toxic can cause death, disease, abnormalities aka huge health risks
explain how water quality standards are different from effluent standards
?
List three possible levels of enforcement of the CWA
fines (administrative)
civil penalties or injunction (judicial)
criminal penalties (judicial)
