Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)
(1974) set maximum contaminent levels for pollutants in drinking water that may have adverse effects on human health
Clean Water Act (CWA)
(1972) set maximum permissible amounts of water pollutants that can be discharged into waterways; aims to make surface waters swimmanble and fishable
Clean Air Act (CAA)
(1970) set emission standards for cars and limits for release of air pollutants
Kyoto Protocol
(2005) controlling global warming by setting greenhouse gas emissions targets for developed countries
Montreal Protocol
(1987) phase-out of ozone depleting substances
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA)
(1980) "Superfund," designed to identify and clean up abandoned hazardous watse dump sites
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (RCRA)
requires the EPA to identify hazardous wastes and set standards for their management, and it provides guidelines and financial aid for states to establish waste management programs.
Endangered Species Act
(1973) makes it illegal for Americans to import or trade in any product made from an endangered or threatened species inless it is used for an approved scientific purpose or to enhance the survival of the species
Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)
lists almost 700 species that cannot be commercially traded as live specimens or wildlife products because they are endangered or threatened
Delaney Clause of Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
(1958) prohibits the FDA from approving the use of any food additive found to cause cancer in animals or humans