Evaluating the impact of emission reduction technologies on public health and the environment
In recent years, regulatory efforts in the United States, California, and Europe have significantly reduced the adverse health impacts of pollution from various transportation sources. Key initiatives include the EPA’s reduction of sulfur in fuels, leading to cleaner emission technologies, and a series of rules targeting heavy-duty, nonroad diesel, and locomotive engines, projected to prevent 21,400 premature deaths and generate over $152 billion in health benefits annually by 2030. Furthermore, the EPA’s Tier 3 program aims to lower gasoline sulfur content and set stricter emission standards for light-duty vehicles, complementing the 2011 fuel economy and greenhouse gas standards that target a fleet average of 54.5 mpg by 2025. These efforts align with California’s stringent emission standards and address emerging concerns about ultrafine particulate matter (UFPs) and the effectiveness of Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs) and Gasoline Particulate Filters (GPFs) in reducing emissions beyond current standards, underscoring the need for further research and regulatory harmonization to maximize health benefits.
