environmental laws

quiz TOMORROW (allegedly)

clean air act 1970

set emission standards for cars and limits for release of air pollutants

clean water act 1972

set maximum permissible amounts of water pollutants that can be discharged into waterways; aims to make surface waters swimmable and fishable

convention on international trade in endangered species of wild fauna/flora (CITES) 1975

lists species that cannot be commercially traded as life specimins or wildlife products

comprehensive environmental response, compensation, and liability act (CERCLA) 1980

also called “superfund” act, designed to identify and clean up abandoned hazardous waste dump sites

montreal protocol 1989

phase-out of ozone depleting substances

kyoto protocol 2005

controlling global warming by setting greenhouse gas emissions targets for developed countries (The U.S. did not participate)

endangered species act 1973

identifies threatened and endangered species in the US and puts their protection ahead of economic considerations

safe drinking water act (SDWA) 1974

set maximum contaminant levels for pollutants in drinking water that may have adverse effects on human health

delaney clause of food, drug, and cosmetic act 1958

cancer causing substances can not be used as food additives

resource conservation and recovery (RCRA) 1976

controls hazardous waste with a “cradle-to-grave” system, meaning for the entire lifespan of the hazardous material