Final answer:
Violations of the Clean Air Act occur when the established limits for the six 'criteria' pollutants (CO, O3, NO2, SO2, Pb, PM) are exceeded. These pollutants can cause health issues, environmental damage, and contribute to smog and acid rain.
Step-by-step explanation:
Violations of the Clean Air Act can occur when entities release more than the allowable limit of certain pollutants into the atmosphere. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set National Ambient Air Quality Standards for six principal pollutants, known as "criteria" air pollutants. These include:
- Carbon monoxide (CO)
- Ground-level ozone (O₃)
- Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂)
- Sulfur dioxide (SO₂)
- Lead (Pb)
- Particulate matter (PM)
Examples of activities that would constitute a violation include:
- Excessive emissions of carbon monoxide from vehicles or industrial processes
- Production of ground-level ozone through industrial emissions that exceed legal limits
- Releasing high levels of nitrogen oxides from combustion engines or power plants
- Combustion at power plants emitting sulfur dioxides beyond regulated limits
- Utilization of lead in fuels where prohibited or emissions of lead from industries like metal processing that exceed standards
- Discharging into the air particulate matter in sizes and amounts not compliant with the EPA standards
Their concentration levels above certain thresholds can lead to health issues, environmental damage, and are considered a violation of the Clean Air Act. Issues such as smog, acid rain, and various health problems including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, are linked to these pollutants.