The Clean Air Act is designed primarily to do what?

The Clean Air Act is primarily focused on controlling air pollution, making it essential for maintaining air quality and protecting public health. This federal legislation was enacted to establish comprehensive regulations aimed at reducing airborne contaminants that can harm individuals and the environment. It sets limits on emissions of hazardous air pollutants and establishes National Ambient Air Quality Standards to ensure that the air we breathe is safe and clean.

By addressing various sources of air pollution, including industrial emissions and automobile exhaust, the Clean Air Act plays a crucial role in managing pollutants that can lead to respiratory diseases, environmental degradation, and other health issues. The act also encourages states to develop their own air quality management plans, which further demonstrates its commitment to reducing air pollution on a wide scale.

In this context, other options miss the mark: promoting industrial growth and encouraging urban development are not primary objectives of the Act, and regulating water quality falls under different legislation, such as the Clean Water Act. Overall, controlling air pollution is the fundamental purpose of the Clean Air Act, making it critical for environmental health and policy.