Meghan Hodges
Driveways are a common feature of many neighbourhoods, and while they are useful for parking vehicles, they can also be a source of pollution. From air pollution caused by car exhausts to water pollution caused by contaminated stormwater runoff, driveways can have a significant environmental impact. The type of driveway and its proximity to waterways or freeways can also affect the level of pollution. This raises an important question: how much pollution is in your driveway, and what can be done to mitigate it?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Distance from traffic | Matters; traffic pollution drifts farther at night and in the early morning, extending more than a mile downwind from the freeway. |
| Wind patterns | Affects exposure to pollution. |
| Freeway design | Affects exposure to pollution. |
| Time of day | Affects exposure to pollution. |
| Types of cars, trucks, and buildings | Affect exposure to pollution. |
| Highway interchanges and freeway ramps | Identified as hotspots with double the pollution. |
| Intersections and stoplights | Polluted by exhaust when drivers accelerate and copper dust and other toxic particles when they brake. |
| Smoggy areas | Residents could get a double dose of dirty air from traffic emissions piling on regional pollution. |
| Diesel trucks | Spew many times more harmful gases and particles than cars. |
| Soot | An indication of traffic pollution you may be breathing in. |
| Ultrafine particles | Exhaust pollutants less than one-thousandth the width of a human hair that lodge deep in the lungs and move into the bloodstream, potentially harming the heart, brain, and other organs. |
| Coal tar-based sealants | A common coating for driveways that releases many contaminants, including suspected human carcinogens and toxins to aquatic life, when eroded and broken down. |
| Infiltration | Gravel driveways allow more water to infiltrate than asphalt driveways. |
| Car washing | Car washing on driveways can transport pollution to waterways, but this can be mitigated by washing cars on the lawn, diverting water into the lawn, using trigger hoses or buckets, reducing washing frequency, or using commercial car wash facilities. |
| Downspouts | Directing downspouts from the house onto lawns and gardens prevents the driveway from becoming a conduit for rainwater during storms and lets soil filter some of the water. |
| Yard treatment chemicals | Using fewer yard treatment chemicals helps to reduce pollution. |
| Pet waste | Putting dog waste into the trash prevents it from entering rivers where drinking water is sourced. |
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What You'll Learn
Pollution from vehicles
Vehicle emissions are a significant contributor to air pollution and climate change. When vehicles burn gasoline and diesel, they release harmful pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, sulfur dioxides, formaldehyde, benzene, and particulate matter. These pollutants have been linked to various health issues, including respiratory and cardiovascular problems, and can even lead to premature death. The impact of vehicle pollution is not limited to the tailpipe emissions but also includes the refining and distribution of fuels, as well as the manufacturing and disposal of the vehicles themselves.
The effects of vehicle pollution are not evenly distributed, with marginalized communities, including low-income areas and communities of color, bearing a disproportionate burden. This is due to their proximity to heavily trafficked roadways and freight centers, as well as a lack of resources to mitigate or escape the pollution. Additionally, individuals living near highway interchanges, freeway ramps, and major intersections are exposed to higher levels of pollution as traffic congestion and stop-and-go driving increase emissions.
To reduce vehicle pollution, individuals can make conscious choices to drive less and opt for cleaner transportation options. Walking, biking, and using public transportation or carpooling are more environmentally friendly alternatives. When driving is necessary, maintaining proper tire inflation, observing speed limits, and accelerating gradually can help reduce pollution. Choosing the most fuel-efficient vehicle that meets your needs and ensuring regular maintenance can also lower emissions.
While individual actions are important, systemic changes are also required to address vehicle pollution effectively. Stronger fuel economy standards and the adoption of cleaner alternatives to gasoline-powered vehicles are critical. Washington state, for example, has implemented Clean Car standards that have resulted in reduced emissions even from traditional gasoline vehicles. Additionally, addressing the growing popularity of gas-guzzling SUVs and pickup trucks is essential to curb the increase in gasoline consumption and its environmental impact.
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Pollution from coal tar-based sealants
Coal tar-based pavement sealants are a significant source of pollution. These sealants contain toxic compounds known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are released into the environment through volatilisation and as dust when the sealant breaks up over time. PAHs are toxic chemicals that can cause cancer and poison lakes and streams. They are also linked to birth defects and deaths in fish, insects, and other organisms.
PAHs are naturally occurring chemicals found in coal, crude oil, and gasoline, and they are present in products made from fossil fuels, such as coal-tar pitch, creosote, and asphalt. They also come from burning carbon, forest and grass fires, vehicle exhaust, and even char-broiled foods. While PAHs are present in some foods and shampoos, the risk of exposure from these sources is a matter of consumer choice and is not comparable to the environmental exposure from coal tar-based sealants.
The use of coal tar-based sealants has been linked to high levels of PAH contamination in the environment. In the United States, it is estimated that 85 million gallons of coal tar-based sealant are laid down each year, and this has resulted in PAH contamination in waterways, lakes, and streams. A study in Austin, Texas, found that by banning the use of coal tar-based sealants and enforcing clean-up of contaminated areas, the level of PAH contaminants in Lady Bird Lake decreased by 58% by 2014. Similarly, in Minnesota, a ban on the sale and use of coal tar-based sealants was implemented in 2013, and an MPCA sediment study found that coal-tar sealants contributed 67% of total PAHs in 15 metro-area stormwater ponds.
The health risks associated with PAH exposure are significant. A 2012 study found that children living near parking lots coated with coal tar-based sealants ingest 14 times more PAHs than those living near unsealed lots, and people living in close proximity to these pavements have a cancer risk 38 times higher than average. With the potential for severe environmental and health impacts, several cities and localities are taking action to ban the use of coal tar-based sealants and hold manufacturers accountable for the costly environmental clean-up required.
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Pollution from yard treatments
Yard treatments such as fertilisation, seeding, and pest control can have a significant impact on water pollution. When it rains, rainwater can carry pollutants from your driveway or yard into nearby water bodies through stormwater runoff. This can include soil, grass clippings, fertilisers, pesticides, paint thinners, and motor oil, which can harm lakes, rivers, and streams.
One of the major sources of water pollution from yard treatments is fertiliser use. While a well-managed lawn can act as a filter for potential water pollutants, over-fertilisation or improper fertiliser application can result in nutrient runoff, degrading water resources. For example, nitrogen runoff from fertilised turfed areas, such as lawns and golf courses, has been observed. Research in Ohio found that 77% to 100% of certain herbicide residues remained in the thatch layer of turf, with most of the recovered residues staying in the upper inch of soil. This suggests that these chemicals are not significantly leaching into groundwater. However, it is important to note that the improper or excessive use of fertilisers can cause groundwater contamination.
Pesticides are another common source of water pollution from yard treatments. Improperly stored pesticides can contaminate ground or surface water through spills or accidental poisoning. While research suggests that proper application of pesticides by lawn care companies may not significantly threaten groundwater or surface water resources, excessive or improper use can lead to contamination. This has been observed in urban areas, below golf courses, and in other states across the US.
To minimise the impact of yard treatments on water pollution, it is essential to properly manage and store lawn care products. This includes following application instructions for fertilisers and pesticides, as well as securely storing any remaining pesticide products to prevent contamination and maintain product effectiveness. Additionally, homeowners can consider hiring professionals for lawn and landscape care, as they have the knowledge and equipment to properly identify and manage weeds and pests.
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Pollution from car washing
While it may seem harmless, washing your car in your driveway can contribute to pollution and harm the environment. Vehicle washing consumes a large amount of water and involves the use of chemicals, which can generate toxic wastewater effluents. This wastewater contains contaminants such as petrol, diesel, motor oil, phosphorous, nitrogen, surfactants, asphalt, salts, organic matter, and heavy metals. When you wash your car in the driveway, this contaminated water, along with dirt, grime, grease, and oil, flows into nearby storm drains, eventually running into lakes, rivers, or streams.
The discharge of these contaminants into surface water bodies degrades water quality and negatively impacts aquatic ecosystems. The soaps and chemicals used to wash cars can harm fish and degrade water quality even further. Some soaps contain phosphates, which can cause excess algae growth, leading to reduced oxygen levels in the water as the algae decay. This, in turn, affects the survival of fish and other aquatic organisms.
Additionally, the washing of attached mud, sand, and debris from vehicles contributes to the solids (dissolved and suspended) in wastewater. Suspended solids can create a stressful environment for aquatic life by increasing biological oxygen demand (BOD), reducing available habitat, and causing respiratory difficulties for fish and macroinvertebrates.
To reduce the environmental impact of car washing, it is recommended to wash your car on a lawn or gravel surface, allowing the water to percolate into the ground, where the soil can act as a natural filter. Alternatively, using a commercial car wash facility is preferable, as the water is recycled and sent to a wastewater treatment plant.
Moreover, pollution from car washing in your driveway contributes to the overall pollution levels in the surrounding area. Traffic pollution, including exhaust pollutants and particulate matter from vehicles, can drift far from highways and roads, affecting the air quality in nearby neighbourhoods. Living close to highway interchanges, freeway ramps, major intersections, and stoplights can expose residents to higher levels of pollution, including toxic gases and particles from vehicles. Ultrafine particles from exhaust pollutants can lodge deep in the lungs and move into the bloodstream, potentially causing respiratory issues, cardiovascular problems, and other adverse health effects. Therefore, by reducing car washing pollution in your driveway, you can also help mitigate the overall pollution levels in your vicinity.
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Pollution from leaf blowers
Gas-powered leaf blowers are a significant source of pollution. They emit millions of tons of carbon dioxide each year, contributing to climate change. In 2020, fossil fuel-powered lawn equipment, including leaf blowers, emitted over 30 million tons of carbon dioxide. This amount of carbon pollution is equivalent to the emissions from 6.6 million cars in a year.
Leaf blowers are typically equipped with two-stroke engines, which burn a mixture of gasoline and oil. This design results in the release of partially burned fuel, oil, and harmful byproducts like carbon monoxide into the atmosphere. The absence of catalytic converters in leaf blowers further exacerbates the problem, as they lack the capability to reduce harmful pollutants. The inefficiency of two-stroke engines contributes to higher levels of air pollutants compared to four-stroke engines commonly found in cars.
The noise generated by gas-powered leaf blowers is also a concern. They can be heard from a considerable distance and produce noise levels as high as 100 decibels, comparable to the noise of a jet plane taking off. Prolonged exposure to such high-decibel noise can lead to hearing loss, as evidenced by the high prevalence of diminished hearing among Americans between the ages of 20 and 69.
To address the environmental and health impacts of gas-powered leaf blowers, some jurisdictions have taken action. Over 100 cities and towns across the United States have banned or restricted their use, recognizing the benefits of transitioning to electric alternatives. Electric leaf blowers are environmentally friendly, emitting zero planet-warming emissions, and are quieter, reducing noise pollution. While there may be a higher upfront cost for electric equipment, they are generally cheaper to own and operate in the long run due to lower fuel and maintenance costs.
The pollution caused by gas-powered leaf blowers is not just limited to carbon dioxide emissions but also includes nitrous oxide. The impact of nitrous oxide on warming the atmosphere is significant, with one pound of this gas having almost 300 times the impact of an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide. This highlights the urgent need to reduce the use of gas-powered leaf blowers and encourage the adoption of more sustainable alternatives.
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Frequently asked questions
Your driveway may be polluting the environment if it is on an incline and is near a river or creek. In this case, stormwater will slide down your driveway, carrying pollutants such as oil, antifreeze, and litter into local waterways.
There are several ways to reduce driveway pollution, including:
- Reducing the use of yard treatment chemicals
- Washing your car at a car wash instead of on your driveway
- Regularly sweeping your driveway to prevent a buildup of litter and leaves
- Ensuring that downspouts from your house do not drain onto your driveway
- Using permeable pavement or a hardened plastic grid that supports the weight of cars while allowing grass to grow between the grid cells
Driveway pollution can have negative health effects, particularly for those who live nearby. Short-term exposures to traffic emissions have been linked to decrements in lung function and enhanced responses to allergens in adult subjects with asthma. Ultrafine particles from exhaust pollutants can lodge deep in the lungs and move into the bloodstream, potentially harming the heart, brain, and other organs.
Yes, there are several alternatives to traditional driveways that are more environmentally friendly. For example, you can use gravel or crushed stone instead of asphalt, or you can replace your driveway with hardened plastic grids that support the weight of cars while allowing grass to grow between the grid cells.
