What are the two standards criteria pollutants are regulated based on?

The regulation of criteria pollutants is primarily based on the establishment of primary and secondary standards. Primary standards are designed to protect public health, ensuring that air quality levels are safe for the general population, including sensitive groups such as children and individuals with pre-existing health conditions. These standards set the maximum permissible levels of pollutants in the air to safeguard human health.

Secondary standards, on the other hand, focus on protecting the environment and ensuring that air quality supports the welfare of ecosystems, wildlife, and vegetation. These standards account for the adverse effects pollutants can have on animal life, crops, and overall environmental quality, thereby promoting a healthier ecosystem.

By having these two distinct types of standards, regulatory bodies can address both immediate public health concerns and the long-term health of the environment. This dual approach is essential for comprehensive air quality management and aligns with the goals of the Clean Air Act.

The other options do not specifically capture the framework established for regulating criteria pollutants. Federal and state standards refer to the overarching jurisdiction under which these pollutants are managed rather than the criteria themselves. Health and environmental standards, while components of primary and secondary standards, do not delineate the regulatory framework as effectively as the primary and secondary distinction. Safety and compliance standards are broader terms that can apply to various