PA Emissions Inspector Certification Practice Exam

What is the primary purpose of the Clean Air Act?

1. To manage water pollution

2. To regulate drinking water quality

3. To control air pollution on a national level

4. To protect endangered species

The correct answer is: To control air pollution on a national level

The primary purpose of the Clean Air Act is to control air pollution on a national level. This significant piece of legislation, first passed in 1963 and amended several times, establishes comprehensive federal and state regulations to improve air quality and protect public health and the environment. The Act empowers the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for pollutants considered harmful to public health and the environment. By focusing specifically on air quality, the Clean Air Act addresses issues such as emissions from vehicles, industrial sources, and the introduction of hazardous air pollutants. The other options represent different environmental concerns but do not align with the specific goals of the Clean Air Act. Water pollution management and drinking water quality are primarily addressed by the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act, respectively. The protection of endangered species is governed by the Endangered Species Act. Therefore, while all of these acts play vital roles in environmental protection, the Clean Air Act is exclusively dedicated to controlling air pollution.