Limiting Air Pollution: Programs and Processes

Limiting Air Pollution
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Limiting Air Pollution
The advent of industrialization marked a monumental development in the world since it played an instrumental role in consolidating civilization. For instance, in the United States, industrialization fueled the growth of major cities and economic prosperity at large. On the flip side, however, the same has mounted immense pressure on the life-supporting systems, which has impacted the environment in intolerable proportions (Patnaik, 2018). As such, relevant entities in the United States identified six criteria pollutants and instituted several programs and processes to mitigate the pollution.
Programs and Processes
One of the most fundamental programs that have been integral in limiting pollution is the Clean Air Act, enacted in 1970 and enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Against the backdrop of economic growth, the act has significantly cut pollution in the United States in varying dimensions. For instance, it advocates the introduction of standards that require new motor vehicles and non-road engines to reduce emissions (Environmental Protection Agency [EPA], 2022-a). In this regard, the act encourages using clean engine technologies and cleaner fuels. For instance, the act has seen the reduction of sulfur in gasoline and diesel by more than 90%. Similarly, the act dictates that proper pollution control measures be put into place when designing and building industrial facilities. 
The other notable program that reduces air pollution to a considerable degree is the Washington Department of Natural Resources trust lands. The trust lands facilitate growing and manufacturing climate-friendly wood products (Washington Communities and Schools Network, n.d.). Conventionally, healthy forest covers remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in the tree trunks and leaves. Since the Washington State manages the trust lands under the strictest environmental laws, it has managed to implement modern forest practices that dramatically reduce the ri...