Environmentalists are a devastated group with the increased air pollution due to increasing industrialization and CFC emissions. Pollution in the 21st century has been on the rise as the industrialists expand their operations at the expense of the environment (Bedsworth, 2012). The ordinary person has also contributed a heavy chunk into the pollution crisis through motor car emissions and burning of household wastes. Pollution in Los Angeles forms our major point of concern due to the increased carbon emissions, industrial effluents in form of fumes and smoke; which comes in the form of nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and ozone (Air Quality Legislation). It is worth mentioning that sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide are the greenhouse gasses responsible for the formation of acid rain.

In relation to the above mentioned problem, I will analyze The Federal Air Act. The act is a legislation aimed at promoting the public health through the reduction of air pollution (Bedsworth, 2012). The legislation was developed in the year 1970 and was amended later in 1990. The development of this act was due to the rising environmental concerns over the rising levels of CFC emissions, depletion of the ozone, noise pollution and the formation of acidic rain. Since the formulation of this legislation, a lot has been achieved in an effort to combat the effects of air pollution. In particular, pollution permits have been developed, and massive research conducted to ensure that, there is optimal gain for every unit of emission. The act also ensures that the levels of emissions are manageable and can be assimilated into our environment. For this research paper, I will examine the effectiveness of this legislation and come up with conclusive evidence on its effectiveness since adoption.

The timeline for completion of this research work is basically less than three weeks. This is because all the required data is available from the internet. This will be possible by reviewing useful articles, academic journals, and news sources that address this policy and the problem at large. Secondary data is also to be used in the analysis and used as evidence for the arguments presented.

The research shall look into the effectiveness of the policy since the adoption. I will determine the milestones made in reducing air pollution since the adoption of the legislation. This data will be available at the California Environmental protection Agency. Another important approach that I will use is an evaluation of the sustainability methods used by the agency in ensuring the preservation of the environment.

Part 2 Analysis of the problem

Cries over climate change have been a good reason for governments’ worry in the past few years. Increased lobbying by environmentalists has been answered by concerned citizens, who have questioned the various governments over their ability to act on the looming pollution crisis. Air pollution in particular refers to the atmospheric accumulation of substances that, in sufficient quantities and concentrations, pose a danger to human life, health and causes other major health effects on living matter and other materials. Air pollution results from burning solid wastes, industrial processes such as; manufacturing and transportation, power and heat generation processes among others (Colls, 2002). The major air pollutants that have formed the modern day crisis include; carbon monoxide, particulates, hydrocarbons, sulphur dioxide, photochemical oxidants and nitrogen oxides.

According to (Wilhelm et. al, 2014), the research provided evidence into the effects of pollution on human health noting that, the impact of traffic related air pollution on fetal growth was significant and particles from traffic pollution should be an area of focus in pollution research and further studies. The research was based on an analysis of the health of the children in Los Angeles California. There was a 5% increase per interquartile range in the number of low birth rates recorded due to exposure to pollution and related traffic pollutants.

Another study by (Diez, et. al, 2013), showed that there is a significant level of pollution emitted by flights at departure leading to multiple air pollutants. According to the study, they come in form of NO2 concetrationsSO2, EC and CO2. The research indicated that, in the single pollutant analyses, there were significant levels of NO2 concetrationsSO2, EC and CO2, which were positively associated with burn weight departures. The study indicated that, air pollution impact from aircrafts can be measurable in time-resolved monitoring data.

According to (Becerra et. al, 2013), there was a significant association of pollution from ambient pollutant monitors with the levels of autism, attributed to traffic sources of pollution. About 12-15% increase in levels of autism was attributed to ozone depletion while 3-9% was attributed to nitric and nitrogen oxides all resulting from traffic related pollution. (Ritz et. al, 2013) notes that, exposure to traffic derived pollution had a negative association with parietal diameter at 37 weeks of gestation. Due to NO. NO2 and NOx, there results derived estimation that there was a likelihood of a parietal diameter reduction of 0.2-0.3 mm for women.

Air pollution has adverse effects on the lives of the citizens of Los Angeles in particular. It poses a threat to their lives through the respiratory diseases that come with high levels of pollution in the air we breathe. Among the respiratory diseases that arise due to excessive pollution include; wheezing, coughing, asthma, difficulties in breathing as well as premature death. Some other known effects of air pollution are ozone depletion. (Becerra, et. al, 2010) notes that, the LUR results model found out that, there was a positive correlation between the prenatal air pollution exposure and the possibility of the child being born with autism. High levels of inefficiencies have been associated with heavy pollution especially where green accounting is applied. Pollution just like any other cost to the firm is also a major consideration for big firms that wish to conserve the environment. For them, significant resources are spent on pollution control and significant proportions of their production highly depend on the efficiency of the firm. Whereby, in the event that the pollution becomes uneconomical, they could consider closing up the business.

Pollution costs have been quantified lately through the use of pollution quotas. Environmentalists have come up with the allowable levels of pollution and made it a means of regulation that, companies that engage in pollution activities purchase pollution quotas. The marginal rate of pollution of a company is used then to determine if the company will purchase that extra quota or will give up pollution. Through this method, companies have been able to pay for the damage or provide compensation means as the funds are focused on environmentally conservative initiatives. On this note, the polluting companies have found themselves in trouble. First, they have to pay for the quotas competitively and second, they face competition from lobby groups who purchased the quotas as a way to reduce the levels of pollution further.

The origin of the pollution dates back into the era of industrialization. Increased industrialization especially during the Second World War saw the levels of pollution rise significantly prompting the United States government to act (Daly and Zannetti, 2007). According to a survey conducted in California by the public policy institute of California, the responses indicated that, 45% of the people of Los Angeles believed that air pollution was a big problem. 47% of the respondents also believed that air pollution problem was much worse than it was 10 years ago (Daly and Zannetti, 2007). In the year 2013, the Los Angeles Long Beach riverside area was the most ozone-polluted city in the world and overall, it ranked fourth most polluted city.

The sources of the pollution as discussed above including burning of solid wastes, industrial processes such as manufacturing and transportation, power and heat generation. These processes involve high combustion engines that are largely air pollutants due to the combustion of fuel. Talking of pollution from manufacturing and transportation, the burning of chlorofluorocarbons has been a major cause of pollution in the recent years. Such compounds lead to the release of nitrogen oxides or sulphur oxides, which combine with atmospheric water to cause acidic rain. The motor vehicle emissions are also strong pollutants. This is especially in the light of use of mercury and lead as aides to combustion. These metals lead to genetic changes that cause mutations and cancers. The carbon monoxide produced further harms the environment as it does not combine well with atmospheric oxygen to form less harmful carbon IV oxide.

Air pollution is not a problem that we can wake up to and decide to solve once and for all. The accumulation of toxic wastes has not been as a result of an avoidable undertaking. However, we can control pollution to a larger extent. Most of the pollution that we have in modern day is as a result of economic activities such as process, manufacturing as well as other industrial processes (Daly and Zannetti, 2007). The future for pollution reduction remains bright due to the various undertakings to assimilate wastes, measures such as green accounting, as well as others like abatement. Various companies have been compelled to reduce the levels of pollution from their activities or at least try to reduce it through compensations to those who sacrifice production to ensure that they conserve the environment. This includes people who sacrifice their land from economic use and opt to plant trees as a conservation effort.

Pollution is a problem that calls for efforts from all stakeholders (Daly and Zannetti, 2007). The government can be a part of the pollution control. This is possible through the formulation of policies and laws against pollution or to regulate pollution. In many countries, the governments have adopted policies against unleaded petroleum. Most of the beauty products that are heavy in mercury content have also been banned. Companies that were regarded as high pollutants have been put to task to reduce the levels of pollution by the use of alternative energy sources. For instance, instead of the use of charcoal and coal as a source of energy, they have been forced to adapt the use of electricity or wind energy among other minor pollutants.

The private sector is an important player in the conservation of the environment. The relationship that exists between man and the environment is symbiotic in nature (Haerens, 2011). The environment tends to be unfriendly depending on what it is fed with by the humans, for example, the case of acidic rain is as a result of man’s activities. The global warming and the heavy presence of respiratory diseases are as a result of man’s activities. The private sector as composed of men and women in business should take responsibility through initiatives such as the corporate social responsibility to sure that optimal use of resources is made, and the environment conserved as appropriate. The future for business is also made brighter by such an initiative enabling business to thrive with sufficiency of a healthy human capital.

Individuals also have a greater role to play in the conservation effort. This is in the light that, household discharge contributes heavily to the world pollution levels. On this note, it would be very important if all the wastes from the households were disposed appropriately. On another dimension, it is important also to understand that, if man as a consumer refused to consume products from companies that are less responsible, the companies would be compelled to adopt more environmentally friendly ways of production. In a nutshell, the individual personality of every man is responsible for combatting the pollution levels because if all men were to reason in a way to conserve it, the government, private sector and the households would comply.

Part 3: Detailed description of the policy

The federal clean Air act is a legislation that was developed in the year 1970 with an aim of reducing the levels of pollution arising from hazardous air pollutants. The act composes of the national ambient air quality standards for most of the pollutants. Section 103 of the clean Air act part C provides for the modeling and inventory research as a method of pollution study, air pollutant identification and categorization, monitoring and analysis of the various pollution sources (Act, Clean Air Act, 1970). This clause provides the most vital part of the act as it stipulates the methods through which the air pollution is detected, controlled and managed. Subsection one is an important part that offers a significant insight into the individual and complex mixtures of the air pollutants and chemical transformations of the atmosphere. This clause enables the regulatory authorities to identify the hazards and come up with a way and means to develop an appropriate disposal procedure. (Act, Clean Air Act, 1970), subsection two of the same clause comes with the establishment of a national network that is responsible for monitoring, collecting and compilation of data that are used in the analysis and determination of levels of accumulation of the emissions, depositions, air quality, first conditions, visibility impairment, and surface water quality. Additionally, it ensures that, there is comparability of the data that is collected from other states. The act subsection three empowers the national air control authorities to develop and improvise sampling methods and technologies useful in the sampling, measurement, monitoring analysis and modeling to ensure a better understanding of the ozone precursor sources (Act, Clean Air Act, 1970).

The federal clean air act was an act that was developed by the federal government in the year 1970 with a sole aim of ensuring that the air pollution is controlled with provision for modifications. The act was later reviewed in 1990 to ensure that it addresses the rising pollution concerns (Act, Clean Air Act, 1970). Despite the fact that the federal air act has been largely effective as a whole, it is important to also note that, only the state governments have been responsible for the implementation. The states have been met with a demand to develop their own pollution control laws to ensure that they match their specific pollution concerns. Los Angeles ranked among the 10 dirtiest cities in the United States. This could only be fought through developing local legislation for pollution control. Over the past, the state of California has been able to develop what is today referred to as the California air quality legislation under that of the federal clean Air act.

There are four reasons for the formation of the clean air act. The first is that, it should protect and enhance the quality of the national air standards hence promote the levels of national health and welfare for a productive capacity (Act, Clean Air Act, 1970). The second reason is to provide technical assistance to state and local governments with the execution of their air control regulations and control programs. The third reason was to accelerate the national research and development program that is a key player in the achievement of a controlled pollution level. The final reason for the act was to encourage and provide assistance to the development of the regional air pollution control programs (Act, Clean Air Act, 1970). The main beneficiaries of the policy are the citizens of the United States as an overall objective. However, the development of local legislations under the federal law is an important element that provides the local people with a chance to handle their specific air pollution problem in a different or more severe way. For example, the law was not enough due to the deteriorating levels of pollution hence; there was a need to enact a state legislation to address the concerns of the failing Los Angeles city.

The policy has significantly affected the business community. Increasingly, Industries have faced shut downs and high costs in an effort to reduce the amount of pollution emitted. It is important to note that, in the modern day, pollution is an industrial menace as most of the industries faces high abatement costs and in other times, have to purchase pollution quotas. However, the environmentalist has been impacted positively as the war for a cleaner and safer environment has been backed up with strong legislation. The era of capitalism that has formed the basis of pollution is no more hence, governments are clearly engaging in control activities. The economist will refer to this as a market imperfection (Haerens, 2011). This is because the business community has been hampered and the ease of production limited by the law as regard the pollution levels. The policy was developed by the federal government committee on pollution and was passed in congress with a sole purpose of taking care of the social welfare in the face of increasing industrial growth and pollution consequently.

The development of this act came as a result of increased pollution in the United States. The increase in pollution and the presence of acidic rain the North-Eastern United States was an issue of major concern. Global concerns were also on the rise, and there was a need for the congress to address the issue once and for all. Following the development of this act, most of the countries among them Britain, Germany and France followed suit in the effort to control pollution in their own countries or at least reduce it to manageable levels (Haerens, 2011). The action to develop the act set pace for the modern environmental campaigns that have brought the world together in the fight for the conservation of the environment.

Part 4: Discussion of the policy implementation.

The implementation of the act has been largely successful. This is in the light that, when we look at part A of the overall act that addresses the air quality and emission limitation, the act lists the various radioactive pollutants, among them cadmium, polycyclic and arsenic among others. Benzene, acetaldehyde, chloroform and selenium compounds are also among the compounds named in the air quality criteria (Act, Clean Air Act, 1970). The listing of the compounds is open to further modification to come up with more compounds, toxic to public health. The second part on ozone protection that was amended in 1990 addresses the role of the ozone and notes of the progress made this far (Act, Clean Air Act, 1970). The part B notes that advances in the atmospheric chemistry facilitated by this legislation has led to the discovery of the ozone depletion levels and an understanding of the ozone formation. Part C is a regulatory bit that permits the build or an addition of a stationary air pollution source. This makes it a major criterion before building any industry likely to produce toxic emissions. Part D of the act requires that a plan of non-attainment status is submitted for the non-attainment areas in no more than 5year –intervals.

Title II of the moving sources of pollution part one addresses motor vehicle emissions (Act, Clean Air Act, 1970). The part have been implemented and achieved effectiveness through the development of acts that are responsible for restraining the violations, and the development of a study for the emissions of the non-road vehicles. The title is responsible for setting the standards for the airline emissions and aircraft engine standards that ensure that they are at par with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Part C of the title provides that, in addition to other efforts, there is need for the formation of programs such as the California pilot program among others to ensure that it has a focus on pollution on the non-attainment areas. The provision was meant to be applied for light trucks in California. Clean alternative fuels are also a major part of the provision and the act plays a critical role in ensuring its sale in numerous locations for convenience. The development of the clean fuel vehicles is part of the California pilot program; developed from the federal clean air act.

Some of the instruments used in the pollution control efforts include the use of permits. These permits are permitted in ownership such that certain companies are issued with permits in accordance with the set issuance criteria. The act also makes use of the sewage treatment grants as major way with which the waste is handled. Only licensed sewage treatment companies are allowed to manage sewage waste to reduce the environmental impact that may result from the waste management system (Hester, Harrison, and Royal Society of Chemistry (Great Britain), 1998). Models are also used in the study facilitated by the act, to ensure that the situation at hand is better understood. This is in the light that, environmental pollution levels can only be understood by the development of models that are aimed at coming up with an understanding of the real phenomena.

The implementation of the policy is a joint effort of all the stakeholders’ involved. This is in the light that, state governments have played a critical role in developing a legislation under the federal legislation, with a sole aim of coming up with a mean to ensure that the objectives of the federal act are met. On this note, all stakeholders have been called upon from various capacities, through regulation, persuasion and other means to ensure that the law is adhered to. Companies and the civil population have done it through the corporate social responsibility and other local initiatives. Numerous numbers of people have been served by this policy as it aims at addressing a common phenomenon for all people. Every living person can benefit from the reduced pollution levels due to the reduced levels of global warming and the better living standards in the face of reduced respiratory disease and infections that come as a result of air pollution.

Part 5: Results of the policy

The policy has been largely effective when we view it from the perspective that; largely, it has been able to meet the objectives that it originally intended to meet. The levels of pollution have also significantly reduced compared to the past situations where acidic rain had been experienced. Through this act, the authorities have been empowered with the power to regulate the amount of carbon emissions in their jurisdictions and limit the number of industries that are coming up with carbon and sulphur emissions as their production emissions. Measures to conserve the environment have also been enacted to ensure that the wastes are assimilated into the environment to prevent smog and other results of pollution.

The limitations of the policy are mainly that economic activities highly depend on the various production processes that are seen as pollutants. On this light, it is important to note that the efficient production and profit maximization objective has been impeded by the pollution control quest. This is due to the move requesting the various economic units to control the levels of emissions or provide a compensatory package in the form of pollution permits, taxes quotas or some other times requiring them to provide a green zone where they plant trees as a compensatory move. However, environmentalists have come to loggerheads with economists over this (Haerens, 2011). The intervention of the government has established the limits of pollution and accepted the fact that the economy highly depends on some of these activities.

The policy has been crafted in a manner that it incorporates all the aspects of the pollution control problem. However, modifications could be done through more of moral suasion other than the imposition of stringent measures against companies that engage in pollution. It is also important that the government also invests more heavily in alternative fuel in order to phase out the use of petroleum gas as a source of fuel. This would be a major move in doing away with pollution once and for all.

In conclusion, pollution remains a problem that is here to stay. The effects have been severely felt, especially in the developed countries that have high levels of pollution. Among these countries, we have the United States, China, some parts of Europe and Australia. However, measures to fight such effects have been fruitful, and the environments are getting much better. The Federal air act has been key in the pollution control, especially with the management of the levels of emissions and the development of policies and programs that are critical in conservation efforts.

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