Utah General Contractors - Business and Law Practice Exam

Which class of substances does the Clean Air Act especially regulate?

1. Radioactive materials

2. Pesticides

3. Greenhouse gases

4. Ozone-depleting substances

The correct answer is: Ozone-depleting substances

The Clean Air Act places a significant focus on the regulation of ozone-depleting substances due to their harmful effects on the stratospheric ozone layer, which protects the Earth from excessive ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The Act empowers the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish and enforce regulations aimed at reducing or eliminating the release of substances that contribute to ozone depletion, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons. This emphasis on ozone-depleting substances is a crucial aspect of environmental protection efforts outlined in the Act. While greenhouse gases are also important and have been addressed under different provisions of the Clean Air Act, the specific regulatory focus on ozone-depleting substances arose in response to international agreements like the Montreal Protocol, which aimed to phase out the use of these harmful chemicals. The regulation of pesticides falls under different regulatory frameworks, and radioactive materials are typically regulated by other agencies and laws directed at nuclear safety, not primarily by the Clean Air Act.