Emissions, Ozone, Pollution and Standards

EPA initiates new review of the Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 22, 2023

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a new review of the Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). EPA established the current standards at a level of 70 parts per billion in 2015 and retained them in 2020, after concluding that there was little new information to suggest the need for revision.

Ozone

Ozone EPA Standards Pollution

California adopts comprehensive strategy to meet federal ozone standard over next 15 years

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 23, 2022

The California Air Resources Board today approved a statewide plan for attaining the federal health-based standard for ozone, typically experienced as smog. The 2022 State Implementation Plan Strategy identifies the state’s control strategy for meeting the federal 70 parts per billion, 8-hour ozone standard over the next 15 years.

Ozone

Ozone Standards California Pollution

EPA proposes new heavy-duty truck emissions rules

Green Car Congress

MARCH 8, 2022

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing new, stronger standards to promote clean air and reduce pollution from heavy-duty vehicles and engines starting in model year (MY) 2027. This proposed rulemaking builds on and improves the existing emission control program for on-highway heavy-duty engines and vehicles.

EPA

EPA Emissions Ozone Pollution

Global study links daily exposure to ozone pollution to increased risk of death

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 11, 2020

Daily exposure to ground level ozone in cities worldwide is associated with an increased risk of death, according to the largest study of its kind, published in an open-access paper in The BMJ. Ground level ozone is a highly reactive gas commonly found in urban and suburban environments, formed when pollutants react in sunlight.

Ozone

Ozone Pollution Global South America

Study: ozone levels higher across China than in other countries tracking the air pollutant

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 4, 2018

In China, people breathe ozone-laden air two to six times more often than people in the United States, Europe, Japan, or South Korea, according to a new international study published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters. 2017 for one ozone metric. The inset shows ozone trends in Beijing (red) and Los Angeles (blue).

Ozone

Ozone Pollution China South Korea

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

UB study finds link between ambient ozone exposure, artery wall thickness

Green Car Congress

MAY 31, 2019

Long-term exposure to ambient ozone appears to accelerate arterial conditions that progress into cardiovascular disease and stroke, according to a new University at Buffalo study. The study found that chronic exposure to ozone was associated with a progression of thickening of the main artery that supplies blood to the head and neck.

Ozone

Ozone Los Angeles North Carolina New York City

China study connects ozone pollution to cardiovascular health

Green Car Congress

JULY 17, 2017

Exposure to ozone, long associated with impaired lung function, is also connected to health changes that can cause cardiovascular disease such as heart attack, high blood pressure and stroke, according to a new study of Chinese adults. The findings associated ozone exposure with markers of platelet activation and increased blood pressure.

Ozone

Ozone Pollution Connect Connected

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

Green Car Congress

MARCH 1, 2019

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. of global ambient PM 2.5

Ozone

Ozone 2015 2010 Exhaust

HEI launches two new non-tailpipe particulate emission studies

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 8, 2023

The Health Effects Institute (HEI) has launched two new studies funded under RFA 21-1, Quantifying Real-World Impacts of Non-Tailpipe Particulate Matter Emissions. The new studies are: Improved Characterization of the Real-World Contributions and Impacts of Non-tailpipe Particulate Matter Emissions ,” led by Greg Evans, University of Toronto.

Emissions

Emissions Pollution Exhaust London

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

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 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

New Mexico adopts Clean Cars Rule

Green Car Congress

MAY 6, 2022

The coordinated package of regulations will reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and ozone- and smog-causing pollutants from new passenger cars, trucks, and SUVs starting in model year 2026.

New Mexico

New Mexico Mexico Clean Cleaning

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 finds that current approach to limiting wintertime pollution may initially backfire

Green Car Congress

MAY 10, 2019

The processes that create ozone pollution in the summer can also trigger the formation of wintertime air pollution, according to a new study from researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder and NOAA, in partnership with the University of Utah. A key control strategy is to reduce emissions of the limiting reagent.

Pollution

Pollution Ozone Utah Denver

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

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. National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Earlier post.)

Ozone

Ozone Obama Standards EPA

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

Green Car Congress

MARCH 17, 2020

Those living in polluted cities are more at risk from COVID-19, the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) warned today. Air pollution can cause hypertension, diabetes and respiratory diseases, conditions that doctors are starting to link to higher mortality rates for COVID-19. The European Respiratory Society (ERS) is an EPHA member.

Pollution

Pollution Clean Cleaning Italy

Latest GHG Inventory shows California remains below 2020 emissions target; much steeper rate of GHG reductions required

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 23, 2020

California’s latest greenhouse gas data shows that while the state continues to stay below its 2020 target for emissions, there is much more work to do to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. California statewide GHG emissions dropped below the 2020 GHG Limit in 2016 and have remained below the 2020 GHG Limit since then.

2020

2020 California Emissions 2018

PM2.5, O3 pollution associated with development of Alzheimer’s disease; new study identifies evolving axonal damage

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 23, 2018

and ozone at or above the current standards have been linked to neuroinflammation and high risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). suggesting long-term exposure to PM 2.5 , as well as ozone above the current US EPA standards, are associated with increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Exposures to concentrations of PM 2.5

Pollution

Pollution Ozone Mexico Montana

Study: surface ozone in India in 2005 damaged 6M tonnes of crops, enough to feed 94M people in poverty

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 4, 2014

Ozone, the main component of smog, is a plant-damaging pollutant formed by emissions from vehicles, cooking stoves and other sources. New research shows that ozone pollution damaged millions of tons of wheat, rice, soybean and cotton crops in India in 2005. Smog in India. Credit: Mark Danielson/Flickr.

Ozone

Ozone 2005 India Pollution

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

California ARB approves air quality plan for South Coast Air Basin ahead of 2023 deadline; calls for Federal action

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 15, 2019

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) voted to approve an updated plan for the South Coast Air Basin aimed at further cutting smog-forming emissions to attain the federal 8-hour ozone standard. The plan also includes current efforts to transform California’s vehicle fleet to zero-emission. —CARB Chair Mary D.

California

California Ozone Los Angeles EPA

Study: consumer products overtake transportation as largest source of VOCs air pollution in cities

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 16, 2018

Consumer products such as shampoo, cleaning products and paint now contribute as much to emitted volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in cities as tailpipe emissions from vehicles, according to a new study led by NOAA. Total VOC emission factors for end uses of petrochemical sources in the study. McDonald et al. Click to enlarge.

Pollution

Pollution Transportation Production Los Angeles

US EPA proposes San Joaquin Valley, South Coast, Southeast Desert as failing to meet one hour ozone air standard

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 3, 2011

The US Environmental Protection Agency announced that it is proposing to find that the San Joaquin Valley, and California’s South Coast and the Southeast Desert have failed to meet the 1-hour ozone standard by their required deadlines. Children and the elderly are most impacted by ozone pollution.

Ozone

Ozone EPA Standards Pollution

Study: curbing diesel emissions could reduce mortality rates in big cities

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 1, 2019

Freight transportation is a pillar of the US national economy, but while long-haul trucks account for less than 6% of the vehicle miles traveled over US highways, they account for about 40% of the emissions of air polluting particulate matter and about 55% of nitrogen oxides, the precursor to ozone in the atmosphere, the study said.

Emissions

Emissions Diesel Ozone United States

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

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

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 15, 2020

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), USDepartment of Justice (DOJ), and California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced a proposed settlement with Daimler AG and its American subsidiary Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC resolving alleged violations of the Clean Air Act and California law associated with emissions cheating.

District of Columbia

District of Columbia Emissions Diesel Mercedes

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.

Ozone

Ozone EPA Standards Arlington

USC study finds particulate matter in air pollution affects thyroid development in fetuses

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 19, 2018

In a cohort study of a subset of 2050 newborns from the Children’s Health Study in southern California, researchers at the University of Southern California (USC) found that an increase of 2 standard deviations in prenatal exposure to particulate matter in air pollution was associated with higher newborn total thyroxine (TT4) measures.

Pollution

Pollution Los Angeles California Ozone

Study: more stringent O3 and PM2.5 air pollution standards could save thousands of lives, greatly improve public health

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 11, 2016

In “Estimated Excess Morbidity and Mortality Caused by Air Pollution above ATS Recommended Standards, 2011-2013,” published online in the August edition of Annals of the American Thoracic Society , researchers report on the annual health benefits of meeting more protective standards recommended by the ATS for O 3 and PM 2.5.

Pollution

Pollution Standards Ozone EPA

Rice/EPA study finds ground-level ozone falling faster than CMAQ model predicted

Green Car Congress

MARCH 11, 2013

Researchers from Rice University and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report in a paper in the journal Atmospheric Chemistry that particularly in Northeastern cities, ozone levels dropped even beyond what was anticipated by cutting emissions of NO x from 2002 to 2006. —Daniel Cohan, co-author. Earlier post.).

Ozone

Ozone EPA 2002 2006

Study Links Springtime Ozone Increases Above Western North America to Emissions in Asia

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 21, 2010

Springtime ozone distributions for 1984, 1995–2008 in the mid-troposphere (3.0–8.0 Springtime ozone levels above western North America are rising primarily due to air flowing eastward from the Pacific Ocean, a trend that is largest when the air originates in Asia. The US EPA recently proposed new tougher ground-level ozone standards.

North America

North America Ozone Asia America

CARB, NOAA, NASA and San Jose State University scientists team up to study ozone transported across Pacific

Green Car Congress

JUNE 17, 2016

As California continues to reduce local sources of ozone, ozone entering the state from the Pacific makes up a larger fraction of measured ozone levels. An ozonesonde is a balloon which measures ozone from the surface to more than 10 kilometers above the ground.

San Jose

San Jose Ozone Universal Transportation

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

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

EPA Climate Change Adaptation Plan sees likely increase in tropospheric ozone, with more difficulty in attaining NAAQS in many areas

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 10, 2013

Among the many climate-related vulnerabilities that can impact its mission, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cites a likely increase in tropospheric ozone pollution as potentially making it more difficult to attain National Ambient Air Quality Standards ( NAAQS ) in many areas with existing ozone problems.

Climate Change

Climate Change Ozone Climate EPA

EPA proposes approval of new ozone plans for the two of the worst Air Quality Zones in US: California’s San Joaquin Valley and South Coast

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

US EPA Region 9 8-hour ozone trends, 1979-2000. These State Implementation Plans (SIPs) are the roadmaps to meeting the 1997 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) of 0.08 In 1997, EPA first established the 8-hour ozone standard, which replaced the older 1-hour ozone standard (0.12

Ozone

Ozone EPA Pollution 2002

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

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

New international study finds lab testing of diesel NOx emissions underestimates real-world levels by up to 50%

Green Car Congress

MAY 15, 2017

A new international study has found that laboratory tests of nitrogen oxide emissions from diesel vehicles significantly underestimate the real-world emissions by as much as 50%. Real-world NO x emission factors by vehicle emissions standard in key regions. A paper on the work is published in the journal Nature.

Diesel

Diesel International Emissions Ozone

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

EPA initiates new review of the Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards

California adopts comprehensive strategy to meet federal ozone standard over next 15 years

EPA proposes new heavy-duty truck emissions rules

Global study links daily exposure to ozone pollution to increased risk of death

Study: ozone levels higher across China than in other countries tracking the air pollutant

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

UB study finds link between ambient ozone exposure, artery wall thickness

China study connects ozone pollution to cardiovascular health

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

HEI launches two new non-tailpipe particulate emission studies

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

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

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

New Mexico adopts Clean Cars Rule

EPA tightens ground-level ozone standard to 70 ppb

Study finds that current approach to limiting wintertime pollution may initially backfire

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

Obama Administration withdraws proposed rulemaking on strengthened ozone standards

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

Latest GHG Inventory shows California remains below 2020 emissions target; much steeper rate of GHG reductions required

PM2.5, O3 pollution associated with development of Alzheimer’s disease; new study identifies evolving axonal damage

Study: surface ozone in India in 2005 damaged 6M tonnes of crops, enough to feed 94M people in poverty

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

California ARB approves air quality plan for South Coast Air Basin ahead of 2023 deadline; calls for Federal action

Study: consumer products overtake transportation as largest source of VOCs air pollution in cities

US EPA proposes San Joaquin Valley, South Coast, Southeast Desert as failing to meet one hour ozone air standard

Study: curbing diesel emissions could reduce mortality rates in big cities

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

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

EPA Proposes New Tougher Ground-Level Ozone Standards

USC study finds particulate matter in air pollution affects thyroid development in fetuses

Study: more stringent O3 and PM2.5 air pollution standards could save thousands of lives, greatly improve public health

Rice/EPA study finds ground-level ozone falling faster than CMAQ model predicted

Study Links Springtime Ozone Increases Above Western North America to Emissions in Asia

CARB, NOAA, NASA and San Jose State University scientists team up to study ozone transported across Pacific

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

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

EPA Climate Change Adaptation Plan sees likely increase in tropospheric ozone, with more difficulty in attaining NAAQS in many areas

EPA proposes approval of new ozone plans for the two of the worst Air Quality Zones in US: California’s San Joaquin Valley and South Coast

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

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

New international study finds lab testing of diesel NOx emissions underestimates real-world levels by up to 50%

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

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