What is a primary function of the Clean Air Act?

• A. Set emission standards for cars and limits on air pollutants
• B. Ban all emissions from factories
• C. Fund reforestation programs
• D. Establish water quality standards

Answer: (A)

The Clean Air Act is about limiting pollutants to protect health and the environment by controlling emissions from sources and setting air quality goals. It gives the EPA authority to establish standards for pollutants in the air (National Ambient Air Quality Standards) and to set emission limits for both mobile sources like cars and trucks and stationary sources like factories. States must develop plans to meet these standards, and enforcement ensures those limits are followed. This combination—setting emission standards for vehicles and limiting air pollutants—is the core function, which is why choosing that option is the best fit. The other ideas (banning all emissions, funding reforestation, or setting water standards) relate to different laws and aren’t the primary role of the Clean Air Act.