Research and development has been a key part of the foundation for improvements in US air quality since the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 50 years ago. Although the scientific accomplishments and advances over the course of EPA’s history are often overshadowed by policy debates, much of the air pollution science and engineering we now consider to be routine did not exist when EPA was established. Many of the advances in air pollutant measurement, monitoring, modeling, and control were developed by EPA researchers or supported by EPA programs. The technical foundation built during EPA’s early years has since given the Agency the scientific ability to respond quickly and effectively to unexpected and emerging issues. Equally important, EPA also developed approaches to conducting and presenting science in policy settings to ensure that the science was as objective and complete as possible and was communicated effectively. A look back at some of the accomplishments of EPA scientists and engineers provides a reminder that the cumulative effect of continual, incremental advances can result in large and lasting benefits to society.

自50年前环境保护局（EPA）成立以来，研发一直是改善美国空气质量的基础的关键部分。尽管政策辩论常常掩盖了EPA历史上的科学成就和进步，但是当EPA成立时，我们现在认为是常规的许多空气污染科学和工程都不存在。空气污染物测量，监测，建模和控制方面的许多进步是由EPA研究人员开发的，或得到了EPA计划的支持。此后，在EPA成立初期建立的技术基础使该机构具备了科学，快速，有效地应对突发事件和新出现问题的能力。同样重要 EPA还制定了在政策环境中进行和展示科学的方法，以确保科学尽可能客观，完整并得到有效传播。回顾一下EPA科学家和工程师的一些成就，可以提醒我们，不断不断增加的进步所产生的累积影响可以为社会带来持久的好处。