U.S. Air Quality Management: Local, Regional and Global Approaches

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to review approaches to air quality management (AQM) in the United States. To characterize AQM in the United States, four examples that addressed local, regional, and global scale air pollution are described. These examples include: (1) the Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) program, (2) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) program, (3) “Cap & Trade” programs, and (4) U.S. global pollution control efforts. These four examples were chosen because each presents a different approach to AQM. This was not intended to be a comprehensive description of U.S. AQM programs, but rather representative of selected examples that highlight the themes of this program. Some general principles that are illustrated in the article and are considered important characteristics of U.S. AQM are:

•	Ensure open access to information and transparency in decision making.
•	Develop and sustain a well-trained workforce.
•	Facilitate training, networking, and technology transfer among air quality managers.
•	Integrate planning and coordination of efforts across jurisdictions (across federal, state, and local agencies).
•	Educate and encourage participation of stakeholders.
•	Balance of societal benefits and costs.
•	Apply innovative approaches, where possible.
•	Fund research to improve the scientific basis for problem identification and effective AQM strategy development.

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Rick Sprott, State of Utah, John Bachmann, U.S. EPA, and William Russo, U.S. EPA, for their valuable input on this article.

Notes

¹It is estimated that approximately 50% of HAP emissions are from vehicle emissions. All HAP-specific mobile source regulations are national-scale efforts. New HAPs emission performance requirements were set in 2000 for conventional gasoline and cleaner burning reformulated gasoline. Under these new requirements, refiners must maintain their average 1998–2000 toxics performance levels for benzene, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, 1,3-butadiene, and POM. All five of these HAPs are known or probable human carcinogens. Additional efforts include reducing benzene level in gasoline and identifying 15 additional mobile source-related HAPs for evaluation. Programs in place that are expected to reduce HAPs emissions include the reformulated gasoline program, national low emission vehicle program, motor vehicle emissions standards and gasoline sulfur control requirements, heavy-duty engine and vehicle standards, and on-highway diesel fuel sulfur control requirements. Between 1990 and 2020, these programs are expected to reduce on-highway emissions of benzene, formaldehyde, 1,3-butadiene, and acetaldehyde by 75% or more (U.S. EPA, 2005c, 2005d).

²There has been a general ebb and flow of initiatives from state/local to federal levels over several decades. The 1990 CAA marked a period of increased activity at the federal level. Since around 2000, there has been a trend toward state initiatives in areas like HAPs, mercury rules and global warming. To some extent this reflects a philosophy of recent administrations toward more limited federal regulation and relatively greater state responsibilities.