Emissions, 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. Maybe this unintended experiment could be used to understand better the emission regulations.

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. But the rapid reduction of PM 2.5

Ozone

Ozone Pollution China Chinese

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

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 15, 2020

More than half of all air-quality-related early deaths in the United States are a result of emissions originating outside of the state in which those deaths occur, MIT researchers report in a paper in the journal Nature. Electric power generation is the greatest contributor to out-of-state pollution-related deaths, the findings suggest.

MIT

MIT Pollution Emissions 2005

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

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

In a recent open-access paper published in ACS’ Environmental Science & Technology , researchers from the University of York report that alcohols in windshield washer fluid account for a larger fraction of real-world vehicle emissions than previous estimates have suggested. Cliff et al. —Cliff et al.

Emissions

Emissions Exhaust Cars Ozone

Satellite data show resurgence in NO2 emissions over China

Green Car Congress

MARCH 20, 2020

Data from the ESA’s Tropomi (TROPOspheric Monitoring) instrument on board the Copernicus Sentinel-5P satellite shows the variation of nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) emissions over China from December to March. The drop in emissions also coincided with Lunar New Year celebrations, which usually sees a similar drop in emissions each year.

Emissions

Emissions China Chinese Pollution

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

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

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

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. related and ?2,000

MIT

MIT Emissions Ozone Power

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

EPA proposes stringent new emissions standards for light-, medium-, heavy-duty vehicles for MY 2027 and beyond

Green Car Congress

APRIL 13, 2023

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced two new proposed federal emissions standards spanning light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles for model year 2027 and beyond. The light-duty vehicle category includes passenger cars and light trucks consistent with previous EPA criteria pollutant and GHG rules.

EPA

EPA Light Standards Emissions

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

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. Both types of emissions cause tiny particles to be suspended in air. —Prof. —Prof.

Kentucky

Kentucky Pollution Grant Universal

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. If fuel vapor is released into the atmosphere, it contributes to a category of pollutants known as evaporative emissions.

Eaton

Eaton Emissions Gasoline-Electric Production

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

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. Scenario A2 and RCP 8.5. The RCP 8.5

Ozone

Ozone Climate Change Pollution Climate

MIT team proposes SCR emission control for hybrid aviation turbines; reducing NOx by 95%

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 15, 2021

At cruising altitude, airplanes emit a steady stream of NO x into the atmosphere, where the chemicals can linger to produce ozone and fine particulates. Now, MIT engineers are proposing using an ammonia-based selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system that could result in an approximately 95% reduction in NO x emissions in exchange for a ~0.5%

MIT

MIT Emissions Hybrid Gas-Electric

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. These regions contain two-thirds of total global anthropogenic NO x emissions. Credit: ACS, Lamsal et al. Click to enlarge. for India to 0.66

Pollution

Pollution Power Powered India

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

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 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. the inventory emission estimation is consistent with the study’s observations.

London

London Pollution Diesel Emissions

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

Green Car Congress

MAY 1, 2018

NO x emissions have not been decreasing as expected in recent years (2011–2015) when comparing top-down estimates from satellites and surface NO 2 measurements to the trends predicted from the US Environmental Protection Agency’s emission inventory data, according to a new study by an international team of researchers.

Emissions

Emissions Ozone Pollution EPA

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

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

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

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 global emissions of ethane and propane underestimated by more than 50%

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 27, 2018

When ethane and propane—the most abundant non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC) in the atmosphere—mix with nitrogen oxides from vehicles and power plants they form tropospheric ozone—a key component of smog and directly linked to increases in mortality. —Dalsøren et al.

Emissions

Emissions Global Ozone 2011

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. The results are less clear in Dallas and Houston.

Ozone

Ozone PHEV Texas San Antonio

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

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 8, 2020

The At-Berth Regulation is a critical tool for CARB to cut harmful toxic diesel emissions from ships docked in California ports, and we hope this penalty will send a message that violators will pay a hefty price if they fail to comply. The goal of CARB’s At-Berth Regulation is to reduce diesel emissions from ocean-going vessels (OGVs).

Ozone

Ozone Fleet Mariner Pollution

Researchers suggest that air quality tests need simplifying to help reduce dangerous emissions

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 26, 2019

New methods of testing and simulating air quality should be considered in order to help policy makers have a more accurate understanding of how emissions affect air pollution levels, new research suggests. The researchers compared current techniques used to describe atmospheric chemical reactions against more historical techniques.

Emissions

Emissions El Paso Pollution Ozone

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 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). The Cross-State Air Pollution Rule replaces and strengthens the requirements of the 2005 Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR), which the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit ordered EPA to revise in 2008.

Pollution

Pollution EPA Transportation Ozone

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

UMD-led study finds China’s SO2 emissions down 75% since 2007, India’s up 50%; India may now be the top SO2 emitter

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 13, 2017

Although China and India remain the world’s largest consumers of coal, a new University of Maryland-led study found that China’s sulfur dioxide emissions fell by 75% since 2007, while India’s emissions increased by 50%. Sulfur dioxide is an air pollutant that causes acid rain, haze and many health-related problems.

India

India 2007 Emissions Aura

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

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. Click to enlarge.

Pollution

Pollution Ozone Saudi Arabia Asia

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. Click to enlarge. °C (within a likely range of 0.2-0.7

Ozone

Ozone Climate Carbon Climate Change

MECA report finds additional NOx emission reductions from new heavy-duty trucks achievable and cost-effective

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 5, 2020

The transportation sector was responsible for over 7 million tons of NO x emissions in the US in 2014, with 50% of this sector’s NO x attributed to heavy-duty on- and off-road vehicles and equipment. NO x is a precursor for both ground level ozone and secondary PM 2.5 Source of data: US EPA (2019). Chart: MECA.

Emissions

Emissions Diesel Engine 2010

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

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 emission reduction potential. for 2030 and beyond. Source: UNEP. Click to enlarge. °C (2.7 °F),

Ozone

Ozone Carbon Climate Change Global

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

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

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

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

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

Satellite data show resurgence in NO2 emissions over China

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

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

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

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

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

EPA proposes stringent new emissions standards for light-, medium-, heavy-duty vehicles for MY 2027 and beyond

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

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

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

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

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

MIT team proposes SCR emission control for hybrid aviation turbines; reducing NOx by 95%

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

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

EPA tightens ground-level ozone standard to 70 ppb

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

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

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

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

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

Obama Administration withdraws proposed rulemaking on strengthened ozone standards

Study finds global emissions of ethane and propane underestimated by more than 50%

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

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

Researchers suggest that air quality tests need simplifying to help reduce dangerous emissions

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

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

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

UMD-led study finds China’s SO2 emissions down 75% since 2007, India’s up 50%; India may now be the top SO2 emitter

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

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

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

MECA report finds additional NOx emission reductions from new heavy-duty trucks achievable and cost-effective

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

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

EPA Proposes New Tougher Ground-Level Ozone Standards

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