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PowerPoint Slides to accompanyThe Legal Environment of Business

and Online Commerce 4E,by Henry R. Cheeseman

Chapter 20Environmental Protection

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Environmental Protection Environmental Protection Agency

An administrative agency created by Congress in 1970 to coordinate the implementation and enforcement of the federal environmental protection laws

National Environmental Policy Act A federal statute enacted in 1969 that mandates

that the federal government consider the adverse impact a federal government action would have on the environment before the action is implemented

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Clean Air Clean Air Act

A federal statute enacted in 1963 to assist states in dealing with air problems

National ambient air quality standards Standards for certain pollutants set by the EPA

that protect human beings and vegetation, matter, climate visibility, and economic values

Toxic air pollutants Air pollutants that cause serious illness or

death to humans

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Clean Water Water pollution

Pollution of lakes, rivers, oceans, and other bodies of water Point sources

Sources of water pollution such as paper mills, manufacturing plants, electric utility plants, and sewage plants

Thermal pollution Heated water or material discharged into waterways that

upsets the ecological balance and decreases the oxygen content

Wetlands Areas that are inundated or saturated by surface water or

ground water that support vegetation typically adapted for life in such conditions

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Toxic Substances Chemicals used

for agricultural, industrial, and mining uses that cause injury to humans, birds, animals, fish, and vegetation

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Hazardous Waste Hazardous waste

Solid waste that may cause or significantly contribute to an increase in mortality or serious illness or pose a hazard to human health or the environment if improperly managed

Land pollution Pollution of the land that is generally caused

by hazardous waste being disposed of in an improper manner

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Nuclear Waste Radiation pollution

Emissions from radioactive wastes that can cause injury and death to humans and other life and can cause severe damage to the environment

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Preservation of Wildlife Endangered Species Act—a federal

statute enacted in 1973 that protects “endangered” and “threatened” species of animals

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Noise Pollution Unwanted sound

from planes, manufacturing plants, motor vehicles, construction equipment, stereos, and the like

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Environmental Protection Laws Air pollution

Clean Air Act Water pollution

Clean Water Act Toxic substances

Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act

Toxic Substances Control Act

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Environmental Protection Laws Hazardous waste

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Comprehensive Environmental Response,

Compensation, and Liability Act Nuclear waste

Nuclear Regulatory Commission Preservation of wildlife

Endangered Species Act Noise pollution

Noise Control Act