Air Pollutant

     According to the EPA website, lead is one of the most common air pollutants.  The major source of pollution caused by lead in the environment used to come from auto fuel emissions, but new regulation has ceased this.  Instead, lead comes mostly now from the manufacturing industry, where it is mostly used in making metals.

     The Clean Air Act was instated in 1990, and this forced each state to come up with a multi-point plan as to how they would maintain air quality standards by combating lead pollution in the environment.  Because of this legislation, many programs have been created that combat this pollution in different ways.  States are required to come up with a system to measure pollution, a plan to rectify or control excessive levels, and then another program to ensure that the plans have been put in place and are functioning appropriately.  Having this multi-faceted program enables states to ensure that their plans are working properly and to make necessary changes.

     In addition to the above, each state is required to submit their plan to the EPA, which must approve it.  The EPA has the authority to decline any plan and require states to make changes to it in order for it to function properly.  States are also required to make information on pollutant levels in their areas public information so that citizens can look at them at will.