2010, Ozone and Pollution

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

Study finds US air pollution deaths nearly halved between 1990 and 2010

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 20, 2018

A new study led by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has found that deaths related to air pollution in the US were nearly halved between 1990 and 2010. This study demonstrates that those changes have had a real impact with fewer people dying each year due to exposure to outdoor air pollution.

Pollution

Pollution 2010 Ozone North Carolina

Study finds pollution emitted near equator has biggest impact on global ozone

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 9, 2016

Since the 1980s, air pollution has increased worldwide, but it has increased at a much faster pace in regions close to the equator. They found that the increase in ozone burden due to the spatial distribution change slightly exceeds the combined influences of the increased emission magnitude and global methane.

Ozone

Ozone Pollution Global North Carolina

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 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

and ozone deaths, associated mortality rates, and population in G20 economies in 2015. and ozone worldwide in 2010 and ~385,000 in 2015, equivalent to 11.7% and ozone premature deaths in 2010 and 11.4% and ozone worldwide in 2010 and ~385,000 in 2015, equivalent to 11.7% Source: The ICCT.

Ozone

Ozone 2015 2010 Exhaust

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 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 Source: EPA.

Ozone

Ozone EPA Pollution 2002

KIT study finds extraordinarily cold Arctic stratospheric winter enhanced ozone degradation above the Arctic

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 19, 2012

Extraordinarily cold temperatures in the stratosphere during the winter of 2010/2011 caused the most massive destruction of the ozone layer above the Arctic so far, according to a study by climate researchers at KIT (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology). These chemical conversion products attack the ozone layer and destroy it partly.

Ozone

Ozone Kits 2011 Climate

Urban CO2 Domes May Enhance May Increase Ozone and PM, With Accompanying Increase in Mortality

Green Car Congress

MARCH 17, 2010

While the existence of higher CO 2 levels overs cities—CO 2 domes—has been known for more than a decade, their effects on local air pollution has up to now not been explored. As such, reducing locally emitted CO 2 may reduce local air pollution mortality even if CO 2 in adjacent regions is not controlled. Jacobson, 2010.

Ozone

Ozone Los Angeles Pollution CO2

Researchers fully characterize reaction that affects ground-level ozone formation; a small but significant impact on predictive models

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 28, 2010

The two combine in the atmosphere to make either nitric acid or peroxynitrous acid; the so-called branching ratio of these two chemicals is important in models of ozone production. has fully characterized a key chemical reaction that affects the formation of pollutants in smoggy air in urban areas. Credit: Caltech/Mitchio Okumura.

Ozone

Ozone Los Angeles Pollution California

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. 2010 in Arlington, Va.

Ozone

Ozone EPA Standards Arlington

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

AUGUST 9, 2012

A scatter plot of CO, as a tracer for pollution, versus CO 2 , as a tracer for the amount of combustion, for 2002 and 2010. Even though the CO 2 enhancements over background were comparable in the two years, about 25 ppm in 2002 and 35 ppm in 2010, the ?CO/?CO2 CO2 ratio for this flight track segment decreased from 24.5

Los Angeles

Los Angeles Gasoline Ozone 2002

Study Concludes Warming Climate Will Increase Ozone Levels in Major California Air Basins; Climate Change and Regional Air Quality Are Intertwined Problems

Green Car Congress

JULY 22, 2010

Illustration of projected ozone changes in the South Coast region due to climate change in 2050. Areas in orange and red could see ozone concentrations elevated by 9 to 18 parts per billion. Our study reveals that climate change and regional air pollution are intertwined problems. Click to enlarge. Kleeman, Ph.D.

Climate Change

Climate Change Ozone Climate California

California ARB and NOAA Collaborating in $20M Research on Interaction of Air Pollution and Climate Change; One Atmosphere Approach

Green Car Congress

MAY 28, 2010

The California Air Resources Board (ARB) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are collaborating in the $20-million CalNex research project to examine the nexus between air pollution and climate change. The complex roles that ozone and aerosols play in the atmosphere provide examples of such trade-offs.

Climate Change

Climate Change Climate Pollution California

Study suggests future climate changes to worsen air quality for >85% of China’s population; ~20k+ additional deaths each year

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 19, 2019

The team used a combination of climate, air quality, and epidemiological models to assess future air pollution deaths in a changing climate under Representative Concentration Pathway 4.5 (RCP and ozone exposure, respectively. and ozone in 2050 by factors of 1 and 3, respectively. C) and ozone (D) exposure are shown.

Climate Change

Climate Change Climate Ozone Future

Modelling the Impact of PHEVs on Ozone in Denver

Green Car Congress

JULY 18, 2010

Denver represents an interesting case study for exploring potential PHEV impacts because it violates the federal air quality standard for ozone and because several large EGUs [electricity generating units] are located in or near the urbanized area. Ozone concentration increases were modeled for small areas near central Denver.

Denver

Denver Ozone PHEV Colorado

Lancet Series Finds That Cutting Greenhouse Pollutants Will Have Major Direct Health Benefits Worldwide

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 28, 2009

Climate change due to emission of greenhouse gases from fossil fuel energy sources causes air pollution by increasing ground-level ozone and concentrations of fine particulate matter. Black carbon is a short-lived greenhouse pollutant which, along with ozone, is responsible for a significant proportion of global warming.

Pollution

Pollution Climate Change Ozone Climate

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). In October 2021, EPA announced a reconsideration of the previous Administration’s decision to retain the NAAQS for ozone. In many of the areas designated as not meeting the current 2015 standards, work remains.

Ozone

Ozone EPA Standards Pollution

Research shows clean fuel-use for ships off California coast extremely effective in reducing sulfur dioxide pollution

Green Car Congress

MAY 16, 2011

Data collected during a major 2010 state-federal atmospheric research project show that the first-in-the-nation regulation requiring ocean-going vessels to use clean fuel when near the California coast has been extremely effective in reducing sulfur dioxide pollution from ships, according to the California Air Resources Board (ARB).

Pollution

Pollution California Clean Cleaning

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

The study also shows that the proportion of gaseous aromatic compounds—apart from benzene—in hydrocarbon emissions is two to three times greater in pollution plumes in Paris than in Los Angeles, even though the total quantity of hydrocarbons emitted in Los Angeles remains considerably greater than in Paris. Borbon, A., Gilman, W.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles Pollution Gasoline Engine

CRC ACES Phase 2 report finds emissions from modern heavy-duty diesels well below required levels

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 4, 2013

2010 engines emissions reduction relative to 2010, 2007, and 2004 US emission standards. For a number of the most important pollutants, levels were substantially lower than required by regulations. These reductions came while emissions of fine particles were also 92% lower than the 2010 standard 99% lower than 2004 emissions.

Diesel

Diesel Emissions 2004 San Antonio

EPA Soliciting Proposals for Clean Diesel Projects; Up to $64M in Awards in FY 2009/2010

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 7, 2009

The total estimated funding for this competitive opportunity for FY 2009/2010 is approximately $64 million, including all non-tribal and tribal awards. million tons of NO x , which contribute to the formation of ozone and additional fine particles.

2009

2009 EPA Diesel 2010

EPA Administrator Outlines Seven Key Themes for Agency in 2010 and Beyond

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 13, 2010

Lisa P Jackson, Administrator of the US Environmental Protection Agency, issued a public memo to EPA employees detaling “ seven key themes to focus the work of our agency ” in 2010 and beyond. The seven themes are: Taking Action on Climate Change.

EPA

EPA 2010 Climate Change Mercury

Study finds that under business-as-usual scenario, average global air quality to worsen; China, North India and Middle East are the hot spots

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 2, 2012

Population-Weighted Multi Pollutant Index (PW-MPI) values for different regions. The emission scenario assumes that population and economic growth largely determine energy and food consumption and consequent pollution sources with the current technologies (“business as usual”). Source: Pozzer et al. —Pozzer et al.

India

India Global 2005 Asia

HEI: 95%+ of world’s population live in areas of unhealthy air

Green Car Congress

APRIL 18, 2018

Air pollution is the leading environmental cause of death worldwide according to the State of Global Air 2018 , the annual report and interactive website published by the Health Effects Institute (HEI). Population-weighted seasonal average ozone concentrations in 2016. million early deaths from outdoor air pollution in 2016.

Pollution

Pollution Coal 2016 India

Study Finds On-Road Transportation Sector the Greatest Net Contributor to Atmospheric Warming Now and in Mid-Term; Power Sector Takes the Lead by 2050

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 19, 2010

Cars, buses, and trucks release pollutants and greenhouse gases that promote warming, while emitting few aerosols that counteract it. But such efforts are also eliminating some of the cooling effect of such pollution, eliminating a form of inadvertent geoengineering that has likely counteracted global warming in recent decades.

Transportation

Transportation Climate Change Powered Power

Report argues advanced HD natural gas vehicles foundational for California to hit air and climate goals; near zero-emission potential

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 28, 2014

Compared to the 2010 “Business as Usual” scenario—which includes all adopted emission control measures for the South Coast—NO x levels must be reduced by 65% and by 75% to meet the 2023 and 2032 ozone standards, respectively. An 80% reduction of GHG emissions is targeted for 2050, relative to 1990 levels.

Gas

Gas Climate Emissions California

GISS study finds applying stricter non-CO2 vehicle emission standards worldwide would yield climate benefits in addition to major health and agricultural benefits

Green Car Congress

APRIL 4, 2011

Global and regional zonal mean temperature changes relative to 2010 due to non-CO 2. used global composition-climate modelling to examine the integrated impacts of adopting stringent European on-road vehicle-emission standards for non-CO 2 pollutants in 2015 in many developing countries. Climate response to non-CO 2 vehicle emissions.

Climate

Climate Standards Emissions Climate Change

Pennsylvania DEP awards nearly $517,000 in clean diesel grants

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 28, 2011

Each of the four recipients will match a percentage of the grant amount with their own funds to purchase compressed natural gas-powered vehicles; retrofit diesel engines with cleaner technology; replace older, more polluting diesel buses with cleaner diesel buses; or purchase hybrid electric-powered buses.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Grant Clean Cleaning

Researchers describe the “where” and “when” of life cycle emissions from gasoline and ethanol in the US

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 11, 2012

Researchers from the University of Minnesota have produced a spatially and temporally explicit life cycle inventory (LCI) of air pollutants from gasoline, ethanol derived from corn grain, and ethanol from corn stover for the contiguous US (the lower 48 states). The researchers included a sixth pollutant, ammonia (NH 3 ).

Gasoline

Gasoline Emissions Gasoline-Electric Pollution

Calif. ARB releases GHG scoping plan update; more ZEVs, “LEV IV”, MD and HD regulations; ZEV for trucks; more LCFS

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 11, 2014

The update identifies eight key sectors for ongoing action: Energy; Transportation, fuels, land use and infrastructure; Agriculture; Water; Waste management; Natural lands; Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (such as methane and black carbon); and Green Buildings.

Transportation

Transportation Emissions California Ozone

Study identifies Bakken Formation alone as responsible for ~2% of global ethane emissions

Green Car Congress

APRIL 29, 2016

Ethane reacts with sunlight and other molecules in the atmosphere to form ozone, which at the surface can cause respiratory problems, eye irritation and other ailments and damage crops. A snapshot from a simulation of how Bakken oil field hydrocarbon emissions including ethane affect North American ground-level ozone concentrations.

Ozone

Ozone Global Emissions North Dakota

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

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 5, 2020

NO x is a precursor for both ground level ozone and secondary PM 2.5 The main conclusions of the report include: Compared to emission controls on MY 2010 US diesel trucks, today’s compact aftertreatment systems are 40% lighter, 60% smaller, and substantially less expensive.

Emissions

Emissions Diesel Engine 2010

California Energy Commission adopts $100M investment plan for 2013-2014 for green vehicles and fuels

Green Car Congress

MAY 9, 2013

Replacing older, high-polluting buses and vehicles with new CNG buses and vehicles can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Currently, the state’s transportation sector accounts for nearly 40% of the state''s greenhouse gas emissions; more than 95% of all transportation energy consumed in California is petroleum-based.

Green Vehicles

Green Vehicles California 2014 2013

Berkeley study identifies diesel as main source of vehicular secondary organic aerosols

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 23, 2012

The use of petroleum-derived fuels is an important source of reactive gas-phase organic carbon that provides key precursors to the formation of secondary OA (SOA) and tropospheric ozone. The team used airborne and ground-based measurements of organic aerosol (OA) in the Los Angeles (LA) Basin, California during May and June 2010.

Diesel

Diesel Los Angeles Exhaust Gasoline

California ARB Seeks Further Reductions of Diesel Emissions at State Rail Yards

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 26, 2009

The top set of recommendations call for: Replacing existing switch and medium horsepower locomotives with cleaner locomotives (2010-2013); Retrofitting switch and medium horsepower locomotive with particulate matter and oxides of nitrogen (NO x ) after-treatment devices (2012-2016); and. NO x helps create ground-level ozone, or smog.

Diesel

Diesel Emissions California 2007

HEI ACES study of lifetime animal exposure to New Technology Diesel Engine exhaust finds no lung cancer

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 27, 2015

The Advanced Collaborative Emissions Study (ACES), released today by the Health Effects Institute (HEI), also confirmed that the concentrations of particulate matter and toxic air pollutants emitted from NTDE are more than 90% lower than emissions from traditional older diesel engines (TDE). Earlier post.) —ACES Review Panel.

Exhaust

Exhaust Diesel Engine 2007

Plug-in Hybrid Study: Electricity Better

Plugs and Cars

JULY 19, 2007

Simply put, the study found what advocates of electric transportation have long held to be true: as regards greenhouse gases and pollution generally speaking, the worst electricity is still better than petroleum. Cumulative GHG emissions reductions from 2010 to 2050 can range from 3.4 billion metric tons.

Plug-in

Plug-in EPRI Plug Hybrid

National Research Council report finds it unlikely the US will meet cellulosic biofuel mandates absent major innovation or a change in policies

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 4, 2011

As of 2010, biofuel production was contingent on subsidies, tax credits, the import tariff, loan guarantees, RFS2, and similar policies. However, air-quality modeling suggests that production and use of ethanol to displace gasoline is likely to increase air pollutants such as particulate matter, ozone, and sulfur oxides.

Renewable

Renewable Tax Credit Conversion Fuel

The importance of considering non-exhaust traffic emissions; the role of EVs

Green Car Congress

MAY 2, 2016

the criteria pollutants and CO 2 that emerge with the exhaust from the tailpipe. The baseline was 2010 and the end of the assessment 2020. However, they found that the two interventions had marginal effects on air pollution, because already implemented traffic policies will reduce PM 2.5 in Belgium. Hooftman et al.

Exhaust

Exhaust Emissions Belgium Gasoline-Electric

ARB releases proposed cap-and-trade regulation for comment; transportation fuels impacted in 2015

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 29, 2010

ARB staff reviewed four offset protocols and recommends that they be approved as part of this regulatory package: (1) the Urban Forest Projects Protocol; (2) the US Ozone Depleting Substances Projects Protocol; (3) the Livestock Manure (Digester) Projects Protocol; and (4) the US Forest Projects Protocol. Cap and Trade 2010.

2015

2015 Transportation Fuel Emissions

Study estimates ~4M children worldwide develop asthma each year because of NO2 air pollution

Green Car Congress

APRIL 11, 2019

About 4 million children worldwide develop asthma each year because of inhaling nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) air pollution, according to an open-access study published in The Lancet Planetary Health by researchers at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health (Milken Institute SPH). —Susan Anenberg.

Pollution

Pollution United Arab Emirates South Korea Las Vegas

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

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

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

Study finds US air pollution deaths nearly halved between 1990 and 2010

Study finds pollution emitted near equator has biggest impact on global ozone

Obama Administration withdraws proposed rulemaking on strengthened ozone standards

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

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

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

KIT study finds extraordinarily cold Arctic stratospheric winter enhanced ozone degradation above the Arctic

Urban CO2 Domes May Enhance May Increase Ozone and PM, With Accompanying Increase in Mortality

Researchers fully characterize reaction that affects ground-level ozone formation; a small but significant impact on predictive models

EPA Proposes New Tougher Ground-Level Ozone Standards

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

Study Concludes Warming Climate Will Increase Ozone Levels in Major California Air Basins; Climate Change and Regional Air Quality Are Intertwined Problems

California ARB and NOAA Collaborating in $20M Research on Interaction of Air Pollution and Climate Change; One Atmosphere Approach

Study suggests future climate changes to worsen air quality for >85% of China’s population; ~20k+ additional deaths each year

Modelling the Impact of PHEVs on Ozone in Denver

Lancet Series Finds That Cutting Greenhouse Pollutants Will Have Major Direct Health Benefits Worldwide

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

Research shows clean fuel-use for ships off California coast extremely effective in reducing sulfur dioxide pollution

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

CRC ACES Phase 2 report finds emissions from modern heavy-duty diesels well below required levels

EPA Soliciting Proposals for Clean Diesel Projects; Up to $64M in Awards in FY 2009/2010

EPA Administrator Outlines Seven Key Themes for Agency in 2010 and Beyond

Study finds that under business-as-usual scenario, average global air quality to worsen; China, North India and Middle East are the hot spots

HEI: 95%+ of world’s population live in areas of unhealthy air

Study Finds On-Road Transportation Sector the Greatest Net Contributor to Atmospheric Warming Now and in Mid-Term; Power Sector Takes the Lead by 2050

Report argues advanced HD natural gas vehicles foundational for California to hit air and climate goals; near zero-emission potential

GISS study finds applying stricter non-CO2 vehicle emission standards worldwide would yield climate benefits in addition to major health and agricultural benefits

Pennsylvania DEP awards nearly $517,000 in clean diesel grants

Researchers describe the “where” and “when” of life cycle emissions from gasoline and ethanol in the US

Calif. ARB releases GHG scoping plan update; more ZEVs, “LEV IV”, MD and HD regulations; ZEV for trucks; more LCFS

Study identifies Bakken Formation alone as responsible for ~2% of global ethane emissions

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

California Energy Commission adopts $100M investment plan for 2013-2014 for green vehicles and fuels

Berkeley study identifies diesel as main source of vehicular secondary organic aerosols

California ARB Seeks Further Reductions of Diesel Emissions at State Rail Yards

HEI ACES study of lifetime animal exposure to New Technology Diesel Engine exhaust finds no lung cancer

Plug-in Hybrid Study: Electricity Better

National Research Council report finds it unlikely the US will meet cellulosic biofuel mandates absent major innovation or a change in policies

The importance of considering non-exhaust traffic emissions; the role of EVs

ARB releases proposed cap-and-trade regulation for comment; transportation fuels impacted in 2015

Study estimates ~4M children worldwide develop asthma each year because of NO2 air pollution

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

Study Finds Asian Monsoon Carries Pollution Into the Stratosphere

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