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York study: Less traffic in first UK lockdown reduced NO2 pollution but caused increase in surface ozone

Green Car Congress

Less traffic on the roads during the first COVID-19 lockdown in the UK led to a reduction in air pollution but may have caused potentially damaging surface ozone levels to rise, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of York. The 25–75% range is shown by the shaded area. These results are a cautionary tale.

Ozone 397
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Study links ambient PM2.5 and ozone specifically caused by vehicle exhaust emissions to ~361,000 premature deaths worldwide in 2010 and ~385,000 in 2015

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A new study provides the most detailed picture available to date of the global, regional, and local health impacts attributable to emissions from four transportation subsectors: on-road diesel vehicles; other on-road vehicles; shipping; and non-road mobile engines such as agricultural and construction equipment. Source: The ICCT.

Ozone 230
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Oregon EQC approves Clean Trucks Rule

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The HD Omnibus rules strengthen nitrogen oxides and fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) emission standards for new truck engines (both diesel and non-diesel engines), in addition to other requirements for these engines. —Rachel Sakata, Department of Environmental Quality’s senior air quality planner.

Oregon 210
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US reaches $1.5B settlement with Daimler AG over emissions cheating in Mercedes-Benz diesels; civil penalty of $875M

Green Car Congress

Under the proposed settlement, lodged with the US District Court for the District of Columbia, Daimler will recall and repair the emissions systems in Mercedes-Benz diesel vehicles sold in the United States between 2009 and 2016 and pay $875 million in civil penalties and roughly $70.3 million in other penalties.

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

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There are widespread policy assumptions that the phase-out of gasoline and diesel internal combustion engines will over time lead to much reduced emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from road transport and related fuels. Cliff et al. —Cliff et al. the products used for “car care,” such as windshield washer fluid.

Emissions 397
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UNEP study: small number of measures targeting black carbon and tropospheric ozone could yield immediate climate benefits

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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. Full implementation of these measures would reduce future global warming by 0.5 °C

Ozone 218
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EPHA: Coronavirus threat greater for polluted cities; clean air returning to cities in lockdown

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Dr Sara De Matteis, Associate Professor in Occupational and Environmental Medicine at Cagliari University, Italy, and member of the ERS Environmental Health Committee said: Urban air quality has improved in the last half century, but petrol and especially diesel vehicle fumes remain a serious problem.

Pollution 269