Title 42The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-73

§8901 Introductory provisions

Title 42 › Chapter CHAPTER 97— - ACID PRECIPITATION PROGRAM AND CARBON DIOXIDE STUDY › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER I— - ACID PRECIPITATION › § 8901

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Says that acid precipitation caused by people can pollute natural and man-made water systems, hurt farm and forest crops, damage fish, wildlife, and ecosystems, corrode building materials and monuments, harm public health and welfare, and reach places far from the pollution source. Sets goals to find the causes and sources, study the environmental, social, and economic effects, and, based on that research and where allowed by existing law, act to reduce or stop the emissions that cause acid precipitation and to fix or lessen its harmful effects. Acid precipitation — wet or dry fallout of acidic chemicals from the air.

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §8901

The Public Health and Welfare — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)The Congress finds and declares that acid precipitation resulting from other than natural sources—
(1)could contribute to the increasing pollution of natural and man-made water systems;
(2)could adversely affect agricultural and forest crops;
(3)could adversely affect fish and wildlife and natural ecosystems generally;
(4)could contribute to corrosion of metals, wood, paint, and masonry used in construction and ornamentation of buildings and public monuments;
(5)could adversely affect public health and welfare; and
(6)could affect areas distant from sources and thus involve issues of national and international policy.
(b)The Congress declares that it is the purpose of this subchapter—
(1)to identify the causes and sources of acid precipitation;
(2)to evaluate the environmental, social, and economic effects of acid precipitation; and
(3)based on the results of the research program established by this subchapter and to the extent consistent with existing law, to take action to the extent necessary and practicable (A) to limit or eliminate the identified emissions which are sources of acid precipitation, and (B) to remedy or otherwise ameliorate the harmful effects which may result from acid precipitation.
(c)For purposes of this subchapter the term “acid precipitation” means the wet or dry deposition from the atmosphere of acid chemical compounds.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Short Title

section 701 of title VII Pub. L. 96–294 provided that: “This title [enacting this chapter] may be cited as the ‘Acid Precipitation Act of 1980’.”

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 8901

Title 42The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73