Which agency is responsible for setting National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)?

• A. FDA
• B. EPA
• C. NIH
• D. USDA

Answer: (B)

The Environmental Protection Agency sets National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Under the Clean Air Act, EPA establishes NAAQS for the seven criteria pollutants to protect public health (primary standards) and public welfare (secondary standards). These standards are reviewed and updated periodically using scientific assessments, and states implement plans to meet them through regulatory controls and monitoring. Agencies like FDA, NIH, and USDA do not set these national air quality standards; they regulate food and drugs, support biomedical research, and manage agriculture, respectively. Understanding EPA’s role helps distinguish national air quality policy from other areas of public health and regulations.