Office of Air and Radiation
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The Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for developing and implementing policies and programs to protect the public from air pollution and radiation exposure, thereby contributing to public health and environmental sustainability.
Mission
The mission of OAR is to safeguard and improve the quality of the nation's air and to manage radiation exposure to protect public health. This includes setting national standards for air pollution, addressing climate change through greenhouse gas regulations, managing radiation from various sources, and enhancing indoor air quality.
Parent organization
OAR is part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), where it plays a central role in environmental protection concerning air and radiation.
Legislation
OAR operates under mandates from various environmental laws, notably the Clean Air Act, but was not established by a single piece of legislation.
Partners
- OAR works with state and local governments, other federal agencies, international bodies, and private sector entities to implement air and radiation policies.
Number of employees
No specific number of employees for OAR is publicly detailed; it's part of the broader EPA workforce.
Organization structure
- Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation leads the office, setting strategic direction.
- Directors of various divisions like Air Quality Planning and Standards, Atmospheric Programs, and Radiation Protection.
- Program Managers oversee specific initiatives like the Clean Air Markets Division or the Indoor Environments Division.
List of programs
- National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)
- Clean Air Markets Program
- Climate Change Programs
- Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Program
- Radiation Protection Program
Last total enacted budget
The budget for OAR is part of the EPA's overall appropriation, not specified separately.
Leader
The title of the leader of OAR is **Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation**.
Services provided
OAR provides regulatory oversight, policy development, research into air quality and radiation effects, technical assistance for pollution control, public education on air quality issues, and enforcement of environmental laws pertaining to air and radiation. It also supports climate change mitigation efforts and promotes cleaner technology.
Regulations overseen
OAR oversees regulations under the Clean Air Act, which include setting and enforcing standards for criteria pollutants, hazardous air pollutants, vehicle emissions, and greenhouse gases. Additionally, OAR manages regulations related to radiation protection from both natural and man-made sources.
Headquarters address
1200 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20460, USA
History
The Office of Air and Radiation was established as part of the reorganization within the EPA to better address the growing concerns of air pollution and radiation. Over the decades, OAR has evolved to tackle new challenges like climate change, stratospheric ozone depletion, and indoor air quality, adapting its strategies and regulations to meet modern environmental demands.