Hydrocarbons also arise from gas-powered vehicles and from industrial processes. Hydrocarbons are an important part of the production of photochemical smog (Hodges 61). The last type is nitrogen oxides that result from high-temperature combustion, such as that occurring in electric power plants, motor vehicle engines and other fuel usage. Nitrogen oxide contributes to the acid in precipitation and production of photochemical smog. Nitrogen oxide is also dangerous because it causes serious illness and deaths even if the exposure to NO2 is short.
The Industrial Revolution in the 19th century was the beginning of Global Air pollution as we know it today. But who is responsible for these main atmospheric problems? Industry can be claimed to be responsible because they use carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide and other toxic gases in their industrial processes. There are many interest groups throughout the country who think they know who is responsible.
There wasn't any legislation on the horizon until the 1950's. The first federal legislation appeared in 1955 with the Air Pollution Control Act. The Motor Vehicle Air Pollution Act was passed in 1965, regulating national automobile emissions for the first time. Then the Air Quality Act of 1967 was passed, providing funds for federal research and designating air quality control regions to help establish air pollution standards. In the United States, the serious effort against local and regional air pollution began with the Clean Air Act of 1970, which was amended in 1977 and 1990. This law requires that the air can contain no more than specified levels of particulate matter, lead, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, ozone, and various toxic substances (Encarta). A more notable interest group founded in 1996, Clean Air Task Force (CATF), is committed to restoring healthier air through education and research. "CATF works closely with more than 40 state, local, regional and national organizations to educate the public, media, industry and public decision makers on the science and economics of clean air policies through fact-based and locally appropriate advocacy" (CATF).