ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH UNIT:
THE AGENCIES & LAWS/ACTS
TODAY’S OBJECTIVES:
 Content
objectives:
 TSWBAT learn about 3 agencies and 8
laws/acts that regulate the environment
in the USA.
 Language objectives:
 TSWBAT learn about 3 agencies and 8
laws/acts that regulate the environment
in the USA by applying them to 11 real
life situations or dilemmas.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AGENCIES
•
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA)
Federal agency responsible
for reducing & controlling
environmental pollution
– This agency stands by itself
– http://www.epa.gov/
– http://www.youtube.com/wat
ch?v=dKOyhFIsL6E&feature
=plcp
–
•
Occupational Safety &
Health Administration
(OSHA)
Federal regulatory agency
responsible for workplace
environment. Publishes
information on
environmental issues &
regulations
– Part of the Dept. of Labor
– www.osha.gov
– http://www.youtube.com/wat
ch?v=B_mRHfz7RQk
–
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AGENCIES

National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH)
Federal regulatory agency that conducts research on
health hazards in the workplace
 Part of the CDC & HHS
 http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/

LAWS & ACTS –
REGULATE THE ENVIRONMENT
1. Clean Air Act:

Law that allows the
EPA to set standards
for major air
pollutants.
2. Comprehensive
Environmental
Response,
Compensation, &
Liability Act:

Law provides funding
to clean up
uncontrolled or
hazardous waste sites
& oil & chemical spills
LAWS & ACTS –
REGULATE THE ENVIRONMENT
3. Clean Water Act:

Law that sets
regulations on wastes
going into water and on
the operation of waste
treatment plants &
makes it illegal to
release pollutants into
the water
4. Safe Drinking Water
Act:

Law that protects the
quality of drinking
water. It also sets
standards for owners
and operators of public
water systems
LAWS & ACTS –
REGULATE THE ENVIRONMENT
6. National
Environmental Policy
Law that protects animal &
Act:
plant species threatened by
5. Endangered Species Act:

extinction.
 PA Endangered Species:


http://www.portal.state.pa.us/
portal/server.pt?open=514&ob
jID=621014&mode=2
Top 10 Species Worldwide:

http://www.youtube.com/watc
h?v=6P0vEH1sWm8

Law that requires all
governmental agencies
to consider and assess
the impact on the
environment before
taking any action that
might affect the
environment.
LAWS & ACTS –
REGULATE THE ENVIRONMENT
7. Toxic Substances
Control Act:

Law the authorizes
the EPA to set
standards for the
manufacturing, use,
transportation, and
disposal of toxic
substances
8. Occupational Safety
and Health Act:

Law that sets a series
of minimal safety and
health standards that
all employees must
meet.
NOW IT’S YOUR TURN…

Panaski’s Environmental
Dilemmas:
Read the 11 dilemmas
 Match the correct agency or
law/act that goes with each
dilemma
 There are no repeats!


When completed, turn the
worksheet in for class
work credit in Mrs. P’s box
by the window.