Which agency is responsible for establishing the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)?

• A. Environmental Protection Agency
• B. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• C. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• D. National Institute of Standards and Technology

Answer: (A)

The Environmental Protection Agency sets the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Under the Clean Air Act, EPA establishes and periodically reviews NAAQS for pollutants that affect public health and welfare, creating primary standards focused on health protection and secondary standards to safeguard public welfare. These national standards guide states and local agencies as they design plans to reduce pollution and achieve and maintain clean air. Other agencies listed have different roles—OSHA focuses on workplace safety, CDC on disease prevention and health guidance, and NIST on measurement standards—so they do not establish ambient air quality standards.