Clean Air Act

The CAA contains key provisions to control common pollutants which, at the time of the 1970 amendments, formed dense, visible smog in many of the nation’s cities and industrial centers. To protect public health and welfare nationwide, the law requires EPA to establish national ambient air quality standards based on the latest science, and requires states to adopt enforceable plans to achieve the standards. State plans also must control emissions that drift across state lines and harm air quality in downwind states. Congress designed the law to minimize pollution increases from growing numbers of motor vehicles, and from new or expanded stationary sources (i.e., power plants, industrial plants, and other facilities that are not mobile). The law calls for new stationary sources to be built with best technology, and allows less stringent standards for existing stationary sources.

The CAA empowered the EPA to establish National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Most of the specific laws associated with the Clean Air Act are established and enforced at the state level.

The EPA has set National Ambient Air Quality Standards for six principal pollutants, which are called criteria air pollutants. Periodically, the standards are reviewed and may be revised. The current criteria air pollutants are:

Carbon monoxide
Lead
Nitrogen dioxide
Ozone
Particle pollution
Sulfur dioxide

Through the CAA, States are required to adopt enforceable plans to achieve and maintain air quality standards as well as emissions that can potentially drift over state lines. View your state's air quality implementation plan.

Tier 4 Engine Emissions

All diesel-powered golf course maintenance equipment manufactured after 2015 must meet the Tier 4 emissions standards established by the EPA. This rule requires manufacturers to reduce the levels of particulate matter and nitrogen oxides (NOx) to a level that is 50-96 percent lower than previous generation of diesel engines. This rule does not effect equipment you already own, but if you haven't upgraded in a while, your next purchase should be one that's less polluting to the air.

Open Burning/Smoke

Regulations restricting or prohibiting open burning are typically written and enforced by state, regional, and/or local governments. These rules are aimed at reducing the generation of smoke, preventing smoke and ash from impacting people and the environment, and preventing wildfires.

States often have rules covering various aspects of open burning, such as limits on the types of materials that can be burned, quantity, and hours of the day when burning can be performed. Open burning is also often regulated locally by a fire code or ordinance. Many localities limit open burning to vegetation removed from the property during clearing. In many areas you are required to obtain a permit for this type of open burning.

Dust

Airborne dust generated from construction activities may be regulated by regional and local rules. Typical rules require builders to implement best management practices including: establish vegetation, watering, sequential clearing, wheel washing, reducing vehicle speed, prompt removal of dirt/mud tracked onto highways.

Some localities may require contractors/builders to obtain a permit from the local air pollution control authority before construction begins.

CFCs

In 1994, through the Clean Air Act, the EPA banned the distribution and sale of aerosol and pressurized products, including pesticide products, that contain chlorofluorocarbons. This did not include a ban on use of products already in the hands of users, but by this point, the products would be out of date and using them would likely be contrary to label specifications.

Refrigerants

Technicians who repair or service refrigerants used in stationary refrigeration and air conditioning systems must be trained and certified by an EPA-approved Section 609 Technician Training and Certification Program.