The Clean Air Act and the Economy

Today, as in the past, the Clean Air Act continues to cut pollution and protect the health of American families and workers.  Fewer premature deaths and illnesses means Americans experience longer lives, better quality of life, lower medical expenses, fewer school absences, and better worker productivity. Peer-reviewed studies show that the Act has been a good economic investment for America.  Since 1970, cleaner air and a growing economy have gone hand in hand.  The Act has created market opportunities that have helped to inspire innovation in cleaner technologies – technologies in which the United States has become a global market leader.

On this page:

• The Clean Air Act protects many Americans from pollution-related health problems 
• The Clean Air Act has been a good economic investment for Americans
• Experience shows that cleaner air and a growing economy can go hand in hand
• The Act’s public health safeguards encourage technology investments
• Environmental technology and services is a large and growing U.S. industry