Catalog of Environmental Programs 2012
| Federal agencies that contribute to EPA's environmental goals, and how they make a difference. |
the Catalog |
All Programs |
Programs by EPA Strategic Goal 1. Climate Change and Improving Air Quality 2. Protecting America's Waters 3. Cleaning Up and Sustainable Development 4. Safety of Chemicals and Preventing Pollution |
Programs by Agency AID, ARC, CNCS, CPSC, CSB, DHS, DOC, DOD, DOE, DOI, DOJ, DOL, DOS, DOT, ED, FHFA, GSA, HHS, HUD, NASA, NRC, NSF, OSTP, SBA, TVA, USDA, USPS, USTR, VA |
Department of Transportation |
EPA Goal 1: Climate Change and Improving Air Quality |
FHWA: Air Quality
Purpose
Toxic air pollutants-also known as Hazardous Air Pollutants or HAPs-are those that are known
to cause or suspected of causing cancer or other serious health ailments. The Clean Air Act
Amendments of 1990 listed 188 HAPs and addressed the need to control toxic emissions from
transportation. In 2001, EPA issued its first Mobile Source Air Toxics Rule, which identified
21 mobile source air toxic (MSAT) compounds as being hazardous air pollutants that
required regulation. A subset of six of these MSAT compounds were identified as having
the greatest influence on health and included benzene, 1,3-butadiene, formaldehyde,
acrolein, acetaldehyde, and diesel particulate matter (DPM). More recently, EPA
issued a second MSAT Rule in February 2007, which generally supported the findings
in the first rule and provided additional recommendations of compounds having
the greatest impact on health. The rule also identified several engine emission
certification standards that must be implemented. Unlike the criteria pollutants,
toxics do not have National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) making evaluation
of their impacts more subjective.
To address stakeholders concerns and requests for MSAT analysis during project
development and alternative analysis, FHWA developed the Interim Guidance on Air
Toxic Analysis in NEPA Documents.
Source(s) of Information
1. FHWA's Air Quality Programs
Related EPA Program(s)
Research: Air, Climate and Energy:
The Air, Climate and Energy (ACE) Research Program promotes innovative, sustainable, and integrated solutions to air pollution
and climate change. For example, the ACE Program provides research to EPA’s programs to improve public health and the
environment, increase life expectancy, and protect the most susceptible populations. ACE provides models and tools
necessary for policy makers at all levels of community and government to make the best decisions.
ACE’s integrated research supports the Agency’s implementation of the Clean Air Act (CAA), especially the National Ambient
Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), which set limits on how much tropospheric ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide,
sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and lead are allowed in the atmosphere. The program also evaluates the risks associated
with hazardous air pollutants, also known as air toxics. ACE is an active participant in the U.S. Global Change
Research Program (USGCRP), the interagency Federal effort to improve scientific understanding of climate change and global change.
Beginning in FY2012, the following Research Programs will be integrated into the Air, Climate and Energy Research Program:
• Clean Air Research
• Global Change Research
• Biofuels Research (within the Sustainability Program)
• Mercury Research (within the Human Health and Ecosystems Program)
Authorizing Legislation
• CAA
• Clinger Cohen Act,
• Economy Act
• EISA
• ERDDA
• NCPA
• NEPA
• PPA
Other Programs under Goal 1
Other Programs from DOT
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