Established in 1977 under the Clean Air Act (CAA) Amendments of 1977 (see 42 U.S.C. §7409(d)(2)), CASAC provides independent advice to the EPA Administrator on the technical bases for EPA's National Ambient Air Quality Standards. CASAC also addresses research related to air quality, sources of air pollution, and the strategies to attain and maintain air quality standards and to prevent significant deterioration of air quality. To fulfill that mandate, the CASAC has reviewed criteria documents, science assessments, risk and exposure assessments, and policy-related assessments developed by EPA.

Most preliminary work of the CASAC is done by ad hoc panels focused on specific criteria pollutants. These panels are chaired by Chartered CASAC members. Draft advisory reports prepared by panels are transmitted to the CASAC for discussion and deliberation are forwarded to EPA only if the chartered CASAC determines they are appropriate.

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