Ozone, Pollution and Power

Studies find global COVID-19 lockdowns have significantly reduced PM2.5 and NO2 pollution, but ozone up

Green Car Congress

MAY 12, 2020

Levels of two major air pollutants have been reduced significantly since lockdowns began in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but a secondary pollutant—ground-level ozone—has increased in China, according to new research. Ozone is harmful to humans at ground-level, causing pulmonary and heart disease.

Ozone

Ozone Pollution Global Iran

Harvard/Nanjing study: China’s war on PM2.5 pollution is causing more severe ozone pollution

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 3, 2019

In early 2013, the Chinese government declared a war on air pollution and began instituting stringent policies to regulate the emissions of PM 2.5. Cities restricted the number of cars on the road, coal-fired power plants reduced emissions or were shuttered and replaced with natural gas. Over the course of five years, PM 2.5

Ozone

Ozone Pollution China Chinese

Study finds COVID-19 lockdown in China brought only slight reduction in PM2.5 and ozone

Green Car Congress

JULY 29, 2020

Large improvements of air quality in China during the lockdown have been widely reported, but new research shows that two pollutants harmful to human health—fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) and ozone—were only slightly reduced. and ozone were only slightly reduced or barely affected.

Ozone

Ozone China Pollution 2020

TOAR shows present-day global ozone distribution and trends relevant to health; public database

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 6, 2018

Ozone levels across much of North America and Europe dropped significantly between 2000 and 2014. People living in parts of southern Europe, South Korea and southern Japan and China also experienced more than 15 days a year of ozone levels above 70 ppb. Trends in daily maximum ozone levels (known as 4MDA8) at urban and non-urban sites.

Ozone

Ozone Global North America Colorado

MIT study: half of US deaths related to air pollution are linked to out-of-state emissions

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 15, 2020

The study focuses on the period between 2005 and 2018 and tracks combustion emissions of various polluting compounds from various sectors, looking at every state in the contiguous United States, from season to season and year to year. Scientists have long known that pollution observes no boundaries, one of the prime examples being acid rain.

MIT

MIT Pollution Emissions 2005

Study of 60M US seniors strengthens link between air pollution and premature death

Green Car Congress

JUNE 29, 2017

and of 10 ppb in ozone were associated with increases in all-cause mortality of 7.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.1 of less than 12 μg per cubic meter and ozone of less than 50 ppb, the same increases in PM 2.5 and ozone were associated with increases in the risk of death of 13.6% (95% CI, 13.1 and 1.1% (95% CI, 1.0

Pollution

Pollution Ozone United States Personal

Study: 25% EV adoption would save US $17B annually from avoided climate change & pollution damages

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 18, 2020

A new study led by researchers from Northwestern University projects that if electric vehicles replaced 25% of combustion engine cars currently on the road, the United States would save approximately $17 billion annually by avoiding damages from climate change and air pollution. The open-access paper is published in AGU’s journal GeoHealth.

Climate Change

Climate Change Pollution Climate 2014

Hyundai Motor puts XCIENT Fuel Cell electric trucks into commercial fleet operation in California with $3.5M from EPA

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 15, 2022

EPA’s TAG program aims to reduce air pollution in areas of the nation with the highest levels of ambient ozone and fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) pollution. Under the TAG program, eligible state and local air pollution control agencies must directly apply to EPA, but can select partners for a project consortium.

Hyundai

Hyundai EPA California Commercial

Satellite method provides insight into ozone-NOx-VOCs sensitivity for different locations

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 7, 2017

Ozone pollution near Earth’s surface is one of the main ingredients of summertime smog. It is also not directly measurable from space due to the abundance of ozone higher in the atmosphere, which obscures measurements of surface ozone. —Jin et al.

Ozone

Ozone Insight Netherlands North America

Study quantifies impact of oil and gas emissions on Denver’s ozone problem

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 12, 2016

The first peer-reviewed study to directly quantify how emissions from oil and natural gas (O&NG) activities influence summertime tropospheric ozone (O 3 ) pollution in the Colorado Front Range confirms that chemical vapors from oil and gas activities are a significant contributor to the region’s chronic ozone problem.

Ozone

Ozone Oil Gas Emissions

University of Kentucky chemist receives NSF grant to study atmospheric reactions of pollution

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 16, 2019

The $461,000-project, titled “Heterogeneous Aging Mechanisms of Combustion and Biomass Burning Emissions,” will focus on how gases, such as ozone, react with pollutants emitted from power plants and forest fires. Guzman and his students will study how these pollutants are transformed on surfaces by oxidizing atmospheric gases.

Kentucky

Kentucky Pollution Grant Universal

EPA proposes tightening primary ozone standards to range of 65-70 ppb; final rule by October 2015

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 26, 2014

Counties where measured ozone is above proposed range of standards, based on 2011-2013 monitoring data. Earlier this year, EPA staff had recommended the further reduction of this primary ozone standard from the current 75 ppb (parts per billion) to a revised level within the range of 70 ppb to 60 ppb—and preferably below 70 ppb.

Ozone

Ozone EPA Standards 2015

Study finds rising temperatures increase risk of unhealthy ozone levels absent sharp cuts in precursors

Green Car Congress

MAY 5, 2014

Ozone pollution across the continental United States will become far more difficult to keep in check as temperatures rise, according to new work led by the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). Ozone formation. Even short periods of unhealthy ozone levels can cause local death rates to rise.

Ozone

Ozone Climate Change Pollution Climate

Obama Administration withdraws proposed rulemaking on strengthened ozone standards

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 2, 2011

In a statement released this morning, President Barack Obama said he has requested that US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson withdraw the agency’s draft Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) rulemaking. Earlier post.) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).

Ozone

Ozone Obama Standards EPA

Study finds power law scaling relationship between urban population and NO2 pollution

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 25, 2013

The approximate linear relationship for each region is notable, suggesting that the dependence of urban NO 2 pollution upon population follows a power law scaling with population. Even though larger cities are typically more energy efficient with lower per-capita emissions, more people still translates to more pollution.)

Pollution

Pollution Power Powered India

EPA tightens ground-level ozone standard to 70 ppb

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 1, 2015

issued its final rule revising the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ground-level ozone to 70 parts per billion (ppb) from 75 ppb to protect public health. Ground-level ozone forms when nitrogen oxides (NO x ) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) react in the air. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Ozone

Ozone EPA Standards District of Columbia

Study first to quantify amount of US pollution resulting from Chinese manufacturing for exports

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 21, 2014

Average annual percentage of black carbon pollution related to Chinese exports. China is responsible for only a small percentage of the annual pollution in the US, but powerful global winds known as “westerlies” can push airborne chemicals across the ocean in days, particularly during the spring, causing dangerous spikes in contaminants.

Pollution

Pollution Chinese Manufacturer Ozone

MIT study says combustion emissions cause ~200,000 premature deaths/year in US; vehicles and power generation top sources

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 29, 2013

Annual average concentrations of fine particulates from US sources of combustion emissions from (a) electric power generation; (b) industry; (c) commercial and residential sources; (d) road transportation; (e) marine transportation; (f) rail transportation; (g) sum of all combustion sources; (h) all sources. Source: MIT. Click to enlarge.

MIT

MIT Emissions Ozone Power

EPA Proposes Transport Rule to Cut Pollution from Power Plants in 31 States and DC; New Approach for Pollution Reduction

Green Car Congress

JULY 6, 2010

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing regulations employing the “good neighbor” provision of the Clean Air Act to reduce interstate transport of upwind state emissions from power generation that contribute to air quality problems in downwind states. NO x emissions would drop by 52%.

Pollution

Pollution EPA Transportation DC

EEA report finds most Europeans in cities still exposed to levels of air pollution exceeding WHO guidelines

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 18, 2019

The European Environment Agency’s (EEA’s) “ Air quality in Europe — 2019 report ” shows that almost all Europeans living in cities are still exposed to air pollution levels that exceed the health-based air quality guidelines (AQGs) set by the World Health Organization (WHO). About 8% of the urban population in the EU-28 was exposed to PM 2.5

Pollution

Pollution Estonia 2017 Ozone

EPA researchers find deaths from air pollution falling over time, but many sectors continue to pose a risk

Green Car Congress

APRIL 1, 2013

In a new study apportioning air pollution health burdens across US sectors, researchers at the Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) determined that mortality from air pollution has fallen over time but that many sectors continue to pose a substantial risk to human health.

Pollution

Pollution Ozone EPA 2005

Texas study finds PHEV use could increase ozone at night, decrease ozone during the day

Green Car Congress

APRIL 22, 2011

A study by researchers at the University of Texas found that in general, use of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) can lead to an increase in ozone during nighttime hours (due to decreased scavenging from both vehicles and EGU stacks) and a decrease in ozone during daytime hours.

Ozone

Ozone PHEV Texas San Antonio

Report: 4 of 10 Americans live with unhealthy air, and EVs can help

Baua Electric

MAY 6, 2024

Air pollution remains a major threat to the health of many Americans, but stricter emissions rules could help, according to the American Lung Association. population—live in areas with unhealthy areas of air pollution. And spikes in deadly air pollution are the most severe recorded in the history of the report.

Ozone

Ozone Los Angeles Pollution EPA

Northwestern/Princeton study explores air quality impacts of aggressive conversion to EVs

Green Car Congress

APRIL 15, 2019

Researchers from Northwestern University and Princeton University have explored the impact on US air quality from an aggressive conversion of internal combustion vehicles to battery-powered electric vehicles (EVs). This despite evidence that suggests air pollution impacts from the transportation sector exceed those from greenhouse gases. …

Conversion

Conversion Jordan Ozone Coal

EPA finalizes Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (Transport Rule)

Green Car Congress

JULY 7, 2011

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized the new Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) (also called the Transport Rule). Carried long distances across the country by wind and weather, power plant emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) and nitrogen oxide (NO x ) continually travel across state lines. Source: EPA.

Pollution

Pollution EPA Transportation Ozone

Portable sensors enable monitoring of pollution on smart phones; inferring pollution maps with greater granularity

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 19, 2012

Boxes represent pollution reading locations during that window. Computer scientists at the University of California, San Diego have built a portable pollution sensors that transmit transmit their air quality readings to smart phones, allowing users to monitor air quality in real time. Nikzad et al. Click to enlarge. Click to enlarge.

Pollution

Pollution San Diego Ozone 2012

Satellite data show resurgence in NO2 emissions over China

Green Car Congress

MARCH 20, 2020

The Copernicus Sentinel-5 Precursor mission, also known as Sentinel-5P, is dedicated to monitoring air pollution by measuring a multitude of trace gases as well as aerosols. Recent data have also shown a decline of air pollution over northern Italy coinciding with its nationwide lockdown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Emissions

Emissions China Chinese Pollution

CARB fines Del Monte $2M for violations of OGV at Berth regulation

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 8, 2020

It requires anyone who owns, operates, charters, rents or leases any US or foreign-flagged container, passenger or refrigerated-cargo vessel that visits a California port to meet the operational time limits and reduce their power generation fleet-wide, as well as submit statements of compliance.

Ozone

Ozone Fleet Mariner Pollution

EPA Proposes New Tougher Ground-Level Ozone Standards

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 7, 2010

Counties projected to violate proposed Primary 8-hour Ground-Level Ozone Standards in 2020. The United States Environmental Protection Agency has proposed the strictest standards to date for ground-level ozone. EPA is proposing an accelerated schedule for designating areas for the primary ozone standard. Source: EPA.

Ozone

Ozone EPA Standards Arlington

Study uncovers role of longer-chain unburned hydrocarbon emissions from diesels in London air pollution; calls for regulatory shift

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 27, 2015

The study found that 60% of the winter primary hydrocarbon hydroxyl radical reactivity in London is from those diesel-related hydrocarbons; the authors predicted that the longer-chain HCs contribute up to 50 % of the ozone production potential in London.

London

London Pollution Diesel Emissions

Air pollution could claim 6.6 million lives per year by 2050, double current rate; small domestic fires and ag the worst offenders

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 17, 2015

If air pollution emissions continue to rise at the current rate, some 6.6 The largest sources of air pollution are not industry and transport but small domestic fires and agriculture. The largest sources of air pollution are not industry and transport but small domestic fires and agriculture. Credit: Nature, Lelieveld et al.

Pollution

Pollution Ozone Saudi Arabia Asia

FCA recalls 850,000+ gasoline vehicles due to problem with catalytic converters

Green Car Congress

MARCH 14, 2019

Fiat-Chrysler of America (FCA) will recall more than 850,000 gasoline-powered passenger cars and SUVs due to a problem with their catalytic converters. NO x emissions in California are the most important contributor to ambient ozone and a key contributor to fine particulate matter pollution (PM 2.5

Convert

Convert Gasoline Ozone Dodge

California ARB releases concept paper for public review on reducing short-lived climate pollutants

Green Car Congress

MAY 8, 2015

The California Air Resources Board (ARB) has released , for public review, a concept paper to initiate discussion on the development of a Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy. Short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) include methane, tropospheric ozone, black carbon, and fluorinated gases.

Pollution

Pollution Climate Concept California

UNEP study: small number of measures targeting black carbon and tropospheric ozone could yield immediate climate benefits

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 22, 2011

Black carbon and tropospheric ozone are harmful air pollutants that also contribute to climate change. Reducing black carbon and tropospheric ozone now will slow the rate of climate change within the first half of this century, the study said.

Ozone

Ozone Climate Carbon Climate Change

EPA releases national assessment of strategies to reduce air pollution at ports

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 23, 2016

A new report from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finds that air pollution at US ports can be reduced significantly at all port types and sizes through a variety of strategies and cleaner technologies. national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). Click to enlarge.

Pollution

Pollution EPA Cleaner Emissions

Fast action on black carbon, ozone and methane could help limit global temperature rise to 2 degrees C

Green Car Congress

JUNE 15, 2011

Fast action on pollutants such as black carbon, ground-level ozone and methane may help limit near term global temperature rise and significantly increase the chances of keeping temperature rise below 2 °C (3.6 °F)—and The climate change benefit is estimated for a given year (2050) and human health and crop benefits are.

Ozone

Ozone Carbon Climate Change Global

UK researchers report that alcohols in windshield washer fluid are major unreported source of VOCs emissions from cars, including EVs

Green Car Congress

JUNE 8, 2023

The levels of these non-fuel-derived gases will likely remain unchanged, even as more drivers transition from gas-powered to electric vehicles. Another important component of emissions is volatile organic compounds (VOCs), a broad classification of carbon-based molecules that are easily vaporized and that can contribute to ozone formation.

Emissions

Emissions Exhaust Cars Ozone

Tesla drops base Model Y, Electrify America push, NACS and reliability: Today’s Car News

Baua Electric

MAY 6, 2024

While recent EPA emissions rules for passenger cars and commercial trucks will help clean up particle pollution, ozone pollution remains a challenge. EVs are part of the remedy, as progress is also made in curbing pollution from power plants. population lives with unhealthy air.

America

America Tesla Ozone Pollution

Pollution plumes in Paris air are richer in gaseous aromatic compounds than in LA; gasoline engines main source of VOCs

Green Car Congress

APRIL 19, 2013

A study by a team of researchers from France and the US found that the origin of volatile hydrocarbons, other than methane, present in city air is mainly gasoline-powered vehicles. times greater than in Los Angeles due to the greater overall volatile hydrocarbon pollution in the latter city. Borbon, A., Gilman, W. Chevaillier, A.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles Pollution Gasoline Engine

Study Finds Asian Monsoon Carries Pollution Into the Stratosphere

Green Car Congress

MARCH 27, 2010

The Asian monsoon circulation provides an effective pathway for pollution from Asia, India, and Indonesia to enter the global stratosphere, according to a new international study led by scientists at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colo. NCAR scientist William Randel, the lead author.

Pollution

Pollution Asia Indonesia Ozone

Study finds significant slowdown in decrease of NOx emissions in US; implications for air quality management

Green Car Congress

MAY 1, 2018

They found that levels of pollutants that can contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, or smog, have failed to continue a fairly steady decline as estimated by the US Environmental Protection Agency. The researchers analyzed extensive satellite and ground-based measurements of nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide.

Emissions

Emissions Ozone Pollution EPA

California Air Resources Board posts revised draft of strategy to reduce “Super Pollutants”

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 29, 2016

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has posted a revised draft of California’s proposed Short-Lived Climate Pollutant (SLCP) Strategy. SLCPs are a category of pollutants which remain in the atmosphere for a relatively brief period, but have global warming potentials that are much higher than those of CO 2.

Pollution

Pollution California Emissions Climate

Eaton introduces set of products to reduce vapor emissions during refueling; LEV III regulations

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 14, 2021

Power management company Eaton has introduced a complete suite of solutions from its Vehicle Group to reduce vapor emissions produced during the refueling of gasoline-powered vehicles. This leakage occurs in all gasoline-powered vehicles, including passenger cars and an increasing number of small- and mid-sized commercial vehicles.

Eaton

Eaton Emissions Gasoline-Electric Production

Annual American Lung Association report shows continued progress in air quality, but more to be done

Green Car Congress

APRIL 29, 2011

The American Lung Association released its annual report on air quality, State of the Air 2011 , which includes lists of the nation’s most polluted metropolitan areas. million people—live in areas with levels of ozone and/or particle pollution that are often dangerous to breathe. Bakersfield, Calif.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles Ozone Long Beach Fresno

Studies find global COVID-19 lockdowns have significantly reduced PM2.5 and NO2 pollution, but ozone up

Harvard/Nanjing study: China’s war on PM2.5 pollution is causing more severe ozone pollution

Study finds COVID-19 lockdown in China brought only slight reduction in PM2.5 and ozone

TOAR shows present-day global ozone distribution and trends relevant to health; public database

MIT study: half of US deaths related to air pollution are linked to out-of-state emissions

Study of 60M US seniors strengthens link between air pollution and premature death

Study: 25% EV adoption would save US $17B annually from avoided climate change & pollution damages

Hyundai Motor puts XCIENT Fuel Cell electric trucks into commercial fleet operation in California with $3.5M from EPA

Satellite method provides insight into ozone-NOx-VOCs sensitivity for different locations

Study quantifies impact of oil and gas emissions on Denver’s ozone problem

University of Kentucky chemist receives NSF grant to study atmospheric reactions of pollution

EPA proposes tightening primary ozone standards to range of 65-70 ppb; final rule by October 2015

Study finds rising temperatures increase risk of unhealthy ozone levels absent sharp cuts in precursors

Obama Administration withdraws proposed rulemaking on strengthened ozone standards

Study finds power law scaling relationship between urban population and NO2 pollution

EPA tightens ground-level ozone standard to 70 ppb

Study first to quantify amount of US pollution resulting from Chinese manufacturing for exports

MIT study says combustion emissions cause ~200,000 premature deaths/year in US; vehicles and power generation top sources

EPA Proposes Transport Rule to Cut Pollution from Power Plants in 31 States and DC; New Approach for Pollution Reduction

EEA report finds most Europeans in cities still exposed to levels of air pollution exceeding WHO guidelines

EPA researchers find deaths from air pollution falling over time, but many sectors continue to pose a risk

Texas study finds PHEV use could increase ozone at night, decrease ozone during the day

Report: 4 of 10 Americans live with unhealthy air, and EVs can help

Northwestern/Princeton study explores air quality impacts of aggressive conversion to EVs

EPA finalizes Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (Transport Rule)

Portable sensors enable monitoring of pollution on smart phones; inferring pollution maps with greater granularity

Satellite data show resurgence in NO2 emissions over China

CARB fines Del Monte $2M for violations of OGV at Berth regulation

EPA Proposes New Tougher Ground-Level Ozone Standards

Study uncovers role of longer-chain unburned hydrocarbon emissions from diesels in London air pollution; calls for regulatory shift

Air pollution could claim 6.6 million lives per year by 2050, double current rate; small domestic fires and ag the worst offenders

FCA recalls 850,000+ gasoline vehicles due to problem with catalytic converters

California ARB releases concept paper for public review on reducing short-lived climate pollutants

UNEP study: small number of measures targeting black carbon and tropospheric ozone could yield immediate climate benefits

EPA releases national assessment of strategies to reduce air pollution at ports

Fast action on black carbon, ozone and methane could help limit global temperature rise to 2 degrees C

UK researchers report that alcohols in windshield washer fluid are major unreported source of VOCs emissions from cars, including EVs

Tesla drops base Model Y, Electrify America push, NACS and reliability: Today’s Car News

Pollution plumes in Paris air are richer in gaseous aromatic compounds than in LA; gasoline engines main source of VOCs

Study Finds Asian Monsoon Carries Pollution Into the Stratosphere

Study finds significant slowdown in decrease of NOx emissions in US; implications for air quality management

California Air Resources Board posts revised draft of strategy to reduce “Super Pollutants”

Eaton introduces set of products to reduce vapor emissions during refueling; LEV III regulations

Annual American Lung Association report shows continued progress in air quality, but more to be done

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