Current Air Quality. Location Search Use this box for geographic or locaion based searches. The U. How does the AQI work? Yellow Moderate 51 to Air quality is acceptable. However, there may be a risk for some people, particularly those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
Orange Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups to Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected. Red Unhealthy to Some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.
Purple Very Unhealthy to Health alert: The risk of health effects is increased for everyone. Maroon Hazardous and higher Health warning of emergency conditions: everyone is more likely to be affected. Each of these pollutants has a national air quality standard set by EPA to protect public health: ground-level ozone particle pollution also known as particulate matter, including PM2. Air quality is acceptable. Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. After conducting hearings during that summer, the House and Senate approved the proposal.
The documents below shed more light on EPA's birth and early years. Note that these documents are now in EPA's archive. To find one, click on the Search EPA Archive button and copy the name of the document into the search box on the archive home page.
To ensure the best search results, be sure to put quotes around the name of the document. Search EPA Archive. Reorganization Plan No. Skip to main content. EPA History.
Contact Us. The Origins of EPA. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. It is an agency of the United States federal government whose mission is to protect human and environmental health. Headquartered in Washington, D. Why was the EPA created? It was formed in response to widespread public environmental concerns that gained momentum in the s and s.
The EPA regulates the manufacturing , processing, distribution , and use of chemicals and other pollutants. Also, the EPA is charged with determining safe tolerance levels for chemicals and other pollutants in food, animal feed, and water. The EPA enforces its findings through fines, sanctions , and other procedures. That position is currently held by Michael Regan , the first Black man to ever hold that position.
He is expected to reverse many of the regulatory rollbacks of the Trump administration. The EPA oversees several programs intended to promote energy efficiency, environmental stewardship, sustainable growth, air and water quality, and pollution prevention.
These programs include:. The EPA also runs programs to. The EPA is also responsible for the detection and prevention of environmental crimes, monitoring pollution levels, and setting standards for the handling of hazardous chemicals and waste.
As part of its strategic plan, when violations occur, the EPA investigates and pursues action against violators. Environmental offenses are categorized as civil or criminal. Civil offenses arise when environmental violations occur and no consideration is given to whether the offender knew of their transgression. Because of the severity of charges and punishment, criminal convictions require proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
The largest civil penalty assessed for violating environmental law. For civil violations, the EPA may enforce actions by issuing orders or seeking court rulings. Criminal violations are enforced by the EPA or the governing state, with punishments imposed by a judge. The agency suggests contacting local, state, or other federal agencies to find out who is responsible. For example, the U. Fish and Wildlife Service is responsible for the Endangered Species Act, while local and state wildlife officers are responsible for concerns about foxes, birds, rabbits, and other animals.
The U. Army Corps of Engineers is the agency that determines and issues permits for wetland areas. Not everyone supports the EPA. Some critics argue that the EPA's environmental regulations are too expensive and offer little benefits.
Others claim that the EPA stifles the economy, contributes to unemployment rates, and adversely affects international trade. These opponents believe that the associated costs for companies to remain in compliance with environmental laws and standards erode profits and cause widespread layoffs, contributing to unemployment.
These absorbent costs also prevent companies from being competitive globally.
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