Two significant congressional acts that helped reduce factory pollution in the United States are:
-
The Clean Air Act (CAA): Originally passed in 1963 and significantly amended in subsequent years, including major amendments in 1970, 1977, and 1990, the Clean Air Act regulates air emissions from stationary and mobile sources. It authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) to protect public health and the environment from air pollution, leading to significant reductions in factory-related air pollution.
-
The Clean Water Act (CWA): Enacted in 1972 and amended several times since, this act aims to restore and maintain the integrity of the nation's waters by preventing point source pollution, which includes discharges from factories directly into water bodies. The CWA provides the framework for regulating discharges of pollutants and sets water quality standards for various bodies of water, contributing to cleaner waterways affected by industrial activities.
Both acts have played essential roles in regulating pollution from factories and ensuring better environmental protection.