What is the main goal of the Clean Air Act?

The primary objective of the Clean Air Act is to maintain air quality and reduce pollution. This federal law provides a framework for regulating air emissions from various sources, aiming to safeguard public health and the environment. Through the establishment of national ambient air quality standards, the Act seeks to control pollutants that can adversely affect air quality, human health, and the ecosystem. By focusing on the reduction of air pollution, the Clean Air Act plays a crucial role in environmental protection and the promotion of cleaner air.

Other choices, while significant in the environmental protection realm, do not align with the specific aims of the Clean Air Act. Regulations on industrial emissions and water quality standards fall under separate environmental laws, such as the Clean Water Act, while protecting endangered species is governed by laws like the Endangered Species Act. Thus, the correct choice relates directly to the core mission of the Clean Air Act—maintaining and improving air quality on a national level.