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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. —Professor Lee.

Ozone 397
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Study uncovers role of longer-chain unburned hydrocarbon emissions from diesels in London air pollution; calls for regulatory shift

Green Car Congress

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. Dunmore et al. Dunmore et al. Dunmore et al.

London 150
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HEI launches two new non-tailpipe particulate emission studies

Green Car Congress

Assessing the Impact of Non-exhaust Emissions from Traffic on the Asthmatic Airway (IONA) ,” led by Chris Griffiths, Queen Mary University of London. and PM 10 , including of NTP and TP emissions, at key selected London trial sites. Establish a source apportioned time series of PM 2.5

Emissions 353
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HEI study finds London Congestion Charging Scheme shows little evidence of improving air quality

Green Car Congress

The London Congestion Charging Scheme (CCS)—which charged for travel into central London and reduced traffic volume ( earlier post )—has shown little evidence that it improved air quality as well, according to Part I of a new study published by the Health Effects Institute (HEI).

London 299
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NOAA, partners find about 98% decline in VOCs concentrations in LA Basin over last 50 years despite 3x increase in use of gasoline and diesel

Green Car Congress

In California’s Los Angeles Basin, levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) pollutants have decreased by about 98% since the 1960s, even as area residents now burn approximately three times as much gasoline and diesel fuel. CO2 ratio for this flight track segment decreased from 24.5 ppbv/ppmv to 10.7 Source: Warneke et al. Warneke, C.,

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HALO research aircraft measuring the emissions of megacities in EmeRGe project

Green Car Congress

The transport and transformation of plumes from selected European and Asian major population centers (MPCs) will now be investigated with special focus on the rate of formation of ozone and aerosols. In Asia, in particular, high temperatures, humidity, solar radiation and the frequency of storms play a major role.

Emissions 268
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COVID-19 Forced Us All to Experiment. What Have We Learned?

Cars That Think

To find the upside of emergencies, we first looked at the economic effects of a tidy little crisis, a two-day strike that partially disrupted service of the London Underground in 2014. London commuters found better routes, and Icelandic young people got more schooling and found better places to live.

Chad 98