APES Environmental Laws

Clean Air Act

1963

This law established a federal program in the US Public Health Service that allowed for the research and monitoring of controlling air pollution. 

6 Criteria Pollutants: Ozone, Carbon Monoxide, Particulate Matter (10s and 2.5s - different sizes), lead, Sulfur Oxides (SOx), Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)

Regulated by EPA.

Clean Water Act

1972

Regulated pollutant discharge into water, funded cunstruction of sewage treatment plants, maintained already existing requirements for water quality standards. 

To make the waters of the United States fishable and swimable. 

Waters of the US:

• Any body of water that crosses state lines

• Navigable (big enough)

Regulated by EPA.

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)

1980

Congress set aside $$ to clean up hazardous substances and inactive hazardous waste sites.

Regulated by EPA.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

1973

Offers checks and balances between the flow of species between countries. Ensures international trade of species is legal and helps protect diversity of animals.

Regulated by UN.

Endangered Species Act

1973

Puts limits on hunting for the sake of animals and conserves the ecosystems of endangered species. 

Regulated by FWS (Federal Wildlife Service)

Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (Delaney Clause)

1958

Delaney Clause

Requires the FDA to ban food additives that are proven to cause cancer.

Regulated by FDA.

Kyoto Protocol

1997

Aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in industrialized nations.

Regulated by the UN.

Montreal Protocol

1987

A global aggrement to protect the ozone layer in the stratosphere by phasing out the production of substances that deplete the ozone in the atmosphere.

Regulated by UNEP (UN Environment Program)

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RECRA)

1976

Allows the government to track hazardous chemicals.  

“Cradle to grave”

Regulated by EPA.

Safe Drinking Water Act

1974

Set standards for water quality (regulating groundwater/drinking water).

Regulated by EPA.